Re: How does the Gibson F-9 compare to the Gibson F-5G?
I heard a rumor, from a reliable source not willing to be attributed, that the bodies of Gibson mandolins are pretty much interchangeable for all the models up to the most expensive, and that the differences in price are mainly due to binding, ornamentation, bridge/fingerboard woods, and finish.
If this were true, then you could find F-9's with better sound than F-5G's, just based on the individual variations of different pieces of spruce and maple. The F-5G is a nicer-looking instrument, in terms of finish and ornamentation, but I'd say -- based on my "reliable sources" -- that whether you wanted to spend $1K more on finish and "flash" would have to be a decision based on individual taste.
Allen Hopkins
Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
Natl Triolian Dobro mando
Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
H-O mandolinetto
Stradolin Vega banjolin
Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
Flatiron 3K OM
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