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"Too many decades" for me too but my first "good" mandolin was and still is my 1916 Gibson blackface F-2 that was upgraded to look like an F-4 with double flowerpot headstock inlay and back binding...

We can also ask Jimmy the "Reviver" now that he's found the Gibson F-4 of dreams ;)

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

Thanks Mandobart, Now I do know why. it's a lack of familiarity. I just don't encounter WRC very often. ;)

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

Absolutely not a deal breaker depending on what you mean by "if you found". If it's the difference between adi and sitka, I would say, if the sound speaks to you, who cares? There's enough...

Like jumping into the mouth of an aciive volcano, YIKES!!! It's so otherwordly beautiful!! :mandosmiley:

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

I still have a couple of Snark tuners hanging around but mostly I'm using a tc electronics polytune clip-on. You can see it outside pretty well and it's accurate enough for rock 'n roll. ;)

Len B....

Congrats Richard!! Looks like another well informed decision tempered by patience. Enjoy the vintage Gibson playing experience. :)

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

Hi Sharacab,

It's a very cool looking instrument for sure. What is the scale length, nut to bridge saddle. Is it fully hollow-body? Do all of the knobs and controls work? Other than a very early...

Hi Al,

"Perfect replacement" for sure. Here's one of Darryl's F-5 pickguards installed on my '56 F-12. Mine has the Pat. Mar. 30 '08, no serial #'s. It's a very classy final touch to finish off...

I hear ya Glassweb!! They were one of my early exposures to mandolin in a band/duo context as well (Maggie May and Led Zep were major too). Thanks much JB for posting these. Sad to hear the news.
...

That rosewood back is just eye-popping :). Congrats!!

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

jethai, Given that you paid far less than for a Loar signed F-5, it may still be a wise purchase (if not an investment strategy). At the risk of hijacking this thread, I would like to see some pics....

At one point in time, I used D'A J-74s on each of my mandolins which made them all sound nearly the same. This is on my F hole F-12 and a teens oval hole F-4. I have since migrated to EFT--74s (Flat...

I had a '96 Gibson F-5G (Weber signed made in Bozeman, MT) that had 2 bolts installed through the end pin hole to stabilize the neck as the glue dried. The screws are not structural and can be...

Typically the 70's Gibson mandolins are rather heavily built and so are not very loud nor responsive tonally. It was in response to many instrument manufacturers attempts to avoid warranty claims;...

Funny and a brilliant performance at the same time. I love it!! :grin:

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

...And a sense of humor...:))

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

Great looking mandolin you have there Bernie. I'll have to re-read this thread but thanks for the followup. Hope all is well and I vote keep the mandolin if it sounds good but it looks fine to my...

It's an inexpensive Pac Rim instrument and a good one to "learn" on. Bang around on it for a few months then....who knows?? ;)

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

Hi Eric,

I have only ever heard of good things with Hans' instruments. Good luck and happy picking!!

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

He ground out the old tone bars and replaced with Adi tone bars. Good move indeed to the correct location. Randy knows what to remove/replace and what to leave in place. NFI on my part just happy...

Agreed with all of the above statements about having to try it out before purchasing as they will all be different in one way or another from construction to attention to details to tone and volume....

Shouldn't we have one of each? Jus' sayin' ;)

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

I'd like to spend some time in your kitchen over a few cups of Joe and hear this music in person. Sounds wonderful Frank, especially because of your "low tech" studio gear. Love it and keep 'em...

From a buyer's or seller's point if view, if you specify the model designation, all potential interested parties should understand what they are getting into imho

Len B.
Clearwater, FL