Results 1 to 24 of 24

Thread: 1917 gibson f-2

  1. #1
    Registered User pezdork's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Corona, CA
    Posts
    113

    Default 1917 gibson f-2

    http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac...432115034.html

    I went and checked it out in person. It is actually pretty complete...but at that price it needed to sing to me. Granted it had old strings and a missing e string. You can't see in the picture but there is a deep scratch near the tail piece and a crack half way at the top of the sound hole. Other than that seemed complete. old green felt lined case (guessing original) pick guard was original but missing some parts.

    I meant to write it down but the number on the block was 8353...I think. Damn memory.
    Last edited by pezdork; Feb-04-2016 at 6:05pm.

  2. #2

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    I wouldn't be scared of that one, and it's a good price for sure. Missing the clamp on the guard, I guess. That's too bad, they are hard to come by.

  3. #3
    Registered User pezdork's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Corona, CA
    Posts
    113

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    The worst part is I didnt play any better when I picked it up lol

  4. #4
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    Were I selling a mandolin -- not that I ever do -- I'd invest in a new set of strings, dab on a bit of polish, "tart it up" a bit -- maybe even tune it. When you're trading in your car, you run it through the car wash, vacuum the carpet, etc.

    Especially if I were asking $2.5K -- or $2,750 as the prose below the pics states.

    Not that bad a price for an F-2, but still, a lotta money...
    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

  5. #5
    Registered User pezdork's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Corona, CA
    Posts
    113

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    My main concern is the crack in the top and the neck not having a truss rod the deep scratch looked more cosmetic than anything I can live with that

  6. #6
    Registered User pezdork's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Corona, CA
    Posts
    113

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    Ok. So the guy countered my lowball "only if I can steal it" offer with something pretty reasonable. My counter is that I need to meet him again, ill put new strings on it, which will allow me to inspect the innars and the crack more closely (like I know what to look for lol) and hear her in her natural state. Worst case ge gets a free set of strings and a nonprofessional evaluation of the thing. Best case I get a antique mandolin. Any advice on what to look for?

  7. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    S.W. Wisconsin
    Posts
    7,507

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    Seems like a good price, the neck, if bowed, is not that bad a fix with new frets and a little leveling of the board. The crack most likely stops at the brace and would glue but without seeing it, it's hard to say if it would need a splint or not. If it is something you like go for it.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  8. #8
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    And the Handel tuners alone are worth several hundred dollars.
    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

  9. #9
    Registered User pezdork's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Corona, CA
    Posts
    113

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    So you are saying I should buy it and part it out :p

  10. #10

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    Nope anything over $700 and the parts won't cover the cost. It's either a player or it isn't. I wouldn't spring for more than $2,300 on this.

  11. #11
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    Quote Originally Posted by pezdork View Post
    So you are saying I should buy it and part it out :p
    Would never say that; just mentioning that it has substantial intrinsic value.
    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

  12. #12
    Registered User pezdork's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Corona, CA
    Posts
    113

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    Would never say that; just mentioning that it has substantial intrinsic value.
    It was a joke

    Eddie has it right. If it sounds good to me, im in. Otherwise I just dont need it.

  13. The following members say thank you to pezdork for this post:


  14. #13
    Registered User pezdork's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Corona, CA
    Posts
    113

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    Well im buying it. Paying for something like this is a pain. Paypals mobile app blows. Gonna try a cashier's check tomorrow.

    The mandolin sounds great. I restrung it. Also did some inspectin. The crack has been repaired. It has a little square piece of wood glued underneath. The tone bar is loose on one end. It's amazing what a set of strings did. She definitely sang to me tonight. I cant wait to have her for my very own.

  15. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    S.W. Wisconsin
    Posts
    7,507

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    Congratulations, would I have been closer I may have beat you to it.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  16. #15
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    39

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    Quote Originally Posted by pezdork View Post
    Well im buying it. Paying for something like this is a pain. Paypals mobile app blows. Gonna try a cashier's check tomorrow.

    The mandolin sounds great. I restrung it. Also did some inspectin. The crack has been repaired. It has a little square piece of wood glued underneath. The tone bar is loose on one end. It's amazing what a set of strings did. She definitely sang to me tonight. I cant wait to have her for my very own.
    I hope it works out for you, I am sure it will. I have a 1917 F2, cosmetically its a little rough here and there, BUT - it takes my breath away every time I play it, and that is all that counts!

  17. #16
    Registered User pezdork's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Corona, CA
    Posts
    113

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    Quote Originally Posted by pops1 View Post
    Congratulations, would I have been closer I may have beat you to it.
    i have driven from Irvine to Hollywood 3 days in a row (if you count today) i think ive earned it. lol. You would really hate me if you knew the price. one thing ill note is the oval hole made it kinda hard to really hear in a coffee shop or outside, unless i was facing a wall. it sounded every bit as good as i hoped and im looking forward to playing it again forever :P
    Johnson A mandolin
    Washburn M118SWK
    Yes I'm a dork and yes I like pez

  18. #17
    Registered User pezdork's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Corona, CA
    Posts
    113

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    so additional details. Serial Number on Label is 38523. The Neck block stamp is 3583.
    Johnson A mandolin
    Washburn M118SWK
    Yes I'm a dork and yes I like pez

  19. #18
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    1,322

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    If you're looking forward to playing it, it was a bargain whatever the price! Congratulations!

  20. #19
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    NC
    Posts
    4,787

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    Congratulations on a nice score! An F2 or F4 style is definitely on my want list...
    Chuck

  21. #20

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    We should get together sometime for a little pickin'. There's a Bluegrass jam in FV 1st and 3rd Thursday's and an old time Jam every 3rd Sat. P.m. Me if you're interested, Pez.

  22. #21
    Registered User pezdork's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Corona, CA
    Posts
    113

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    Eddie. Im totally in. I go to the long beach jam (fv wason and off again some weeks seemed like everyone bailed) Still alittle out of my league as a player but lots of fun. I pick the mandolin up next sunday (the wait is killing me) so two weeks from now ill bring it to show off and you are welcome to play it what good is an old gibson mandolin if you can't show it off.

  23. #22
    Middle-Aged Old-Timer Tobin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Kerrville, TX
    Posts
    4,004

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    Quote Originally Posted by pezdork View Post
    The mandolin sounds great. I restrung it. Also did some inspectin. The crack has been repaired. It has a little square piece of wood glued underneath. The tone bar is loose on one end.
    Just FYI, that's not a tone bar. It's a brace. It's pretty critical for structural integrity, and if it's loose, you should really de-tune the instrument until it's fixed. The Gibson oval-hole mandolins need that brace to transfer the bridge load around the sound hole. Without the brace fully attached, you risk getting cracks at the edge of the sound hole.

  24. The following members say thank you to Tobin for this post:

    Dobe 

  25. #23
    Registered User pezdork's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Corona, CA
    Posts
    113

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    My jerk friend picked it up for me while in LA today...and texts me about playing her...im so jealous.

  26. #24
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Kalamazoo, MI.
    Posts
    7,487

    Default Re: 1917 gibson f-2

    I think I would have had a hard time not "testing" if I had picked it up, I must be a jerk too!
    I would have been a little more twisted and called you while playing it!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  27. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Timbofood For This Useful Post:

    Dobepezdork 

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •