The Last Master Model from Gibson?

[Andrew B. Carlson]

This video was posted today. Great looking/sounding MM. But he comments on how it's the last master model out of Gibson. I'm hoping it a "for now" comment.

[The Mandolin Store]

Adam did not mean it was the last one they will ever make, he meant it was the last one that we received at The Mandolin Store..........which was 2012 by the way as none have been produced in 2013. Currently Gibson is only producing the Sam Bush, Fern, F5G, and F9. I'm sure we will see other popular models at some point again in the future. We have being begging for the Goldrush, Master Model - Varnish, and our custom F5G's. I talk to Dave Harvey almost every week about mandolin production. This particular instrument is actually a lacquer Master Model Fern. I thought about keeping it, but then I remembered that selling instruments is what we're supposed to do at a retail store - LOL!

[f5loar]

Gibson mandolin production today is what it was in the 50's. I remember the old timers saying in the 60's "why them new Gibson F5's are scarce as hen's teeth". From 1922 to 1970 the F5 was a custom ordered instrument meaning it was not made as a stock item for dealers. A dealer could order one for store inventory but generally they were special order from the dealer who got a deposit from a buyer. Dealers did not like to be sitting on high end models as wall hangers as some States charge an "inventory tax" for year end inventory.

[Willie Poole]

I wonder why Gibson doesn`t make a "Master Model" A model mandolin...A`s are easier to make and they sound just as good also and probably would sell quickly...something to think about, I guess the A-9 was their last A model wasn`t it?...

Willie

[evanreilly]

Lotta pick-click on that puppy.

[DataNick]

Lotta pick-click on that puppy.

Glad you made that observation...my only saving grace with knowing that I'll never be able to afford to buy a Loar is this:
My playing style inhibits me from playing any mandolin with the scoop fingerboard extension...those things drive me crazy.
I can't play my friend's F5 or any other brand with that scoop deal. I totally accept that I'm just perhaps a "funky" player or limited in my picking skills, but for me when I start looking at acquiring a Gibson, I start with the F9 model (affordable now vs a Sam Bush for example)

Anyway I could never own/play a Loar, as I'd have to have it mutilated (scoop cut off) to make it playable for me!

[stevedenver]

Even through my computer speakers, that's seems to be a really great sounding mando.

It is the ONLY one ive ever seen with bound f holes-very cool.

While I don't know if varnish 'brakes in more quickly" as he says (compared to lacquer-bi it is generally thinner by far than lacquer) , but I entirely agree that now that I have a varnish mando, I think I prefer the durability of lacquer.

Imagine that new that's about the same as a used Gil.

[phiddlepicker]

It is the ONLY one ive ever seen with bound f holes-very cool.

I like bound effholes too...my blond F-5 and Doyle Lawson looked awesome with binding.

I'd like to have it on a MM...if I ever get my student loans paid off

[stevedenver]

then youll want a house and car and wife,

may be a long time, LOL

[phiddlepicker]

I'm 49 and retired military.....already have all that and 2 ex wives

[f5loar]

When Dave Apollon was designing his "Custom" Red Sunburst F5 in 1962 he had the F holes bound in the white binding. Pretty cool looking. I like it on the DL models too. Makes that model really stand out from the others.

[Hendrik Ahrend]

In the '90s, Byron Berline told me about Gibson plans to launch a BB-model, blond with bound f-holes. Anybody ever saw one?

[phiddlepicker]

In the '90s, Byron Berline told me about Gibson plans to launch a BB-model, blond with bound f-holes. Anybody ever saw one?

I had a gibson F-5 Fern, blond with bound effholes....pictures on the "picture of you and your mando thread.

Sold it a couple years ago to pay some bills whenI went back to school (again)