Details
This F-4 was made in 1913 and Gibson had their oval soundhole mandolins dialed in by then. It has a light, bubbly tone that works well for Celtic, jazz, old-time and just about every style but hard-core bluegrass. The F-4 was the highest mandolin model in their catalog for over a decade (until introduction of the F-5 in the early 1920s), and sunburst F-4 models like this one were pictured on more than one of Gibson's catalog covers. It was, after all, the Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Company, and they put "Mandolin" first for good reason and chose the F-4 as the company's flagship model. Whether hanging on your shoulder or on the wall, the F-4 makes a fashion statement!
This example is original throughout and its varnish finish is in excellent condition. The inlaid Handel tuner buttons, and the one-piece birds-eye maple back, are features you don't see very often. There is some wear to the original frets, mostly under the E strings, and light wear to the varnish on the neck barrel. The original pickguard is missing because it succumbed to "celluloid disease." Along with the original tuners, it has its original pearl nut, bridge, and tailpiece cover with "The Gibson" logo. Includes the original hardshell case.
Specs
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Back sides
Figured Maple
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Binding
Ivoroid
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Bridge
Ebony Compensated
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Fingerboard
Ebony
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Finish
Varnish
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Frets to body
10
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Inlay
Flower Pot
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Neck material
3-Piece Mahogany
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Nut width
1 3/16"
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Scale length
13 7/8"
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Top material
Carved Spruce
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Total frets
24
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Tuners
Handel, inlaid buttons
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Year
1914
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Case type
Original Hardshell
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Serial number
23551 (FON 2563)
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SKU
GIBF4-23551
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UPC
142369
