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Thread: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

  1. #1
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Yesterday, I finally picked up a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi all original including the case. I always wanted one in excellent condition and it took a long time to get one but it’s worth waiting for. No dings or cracks! The sound of a Gibson F2 mandolin that old is unbelievable!
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    Registered User Steve VandeWater's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    I'd like to play one with a Virzi to hear the difference in person
    It ain't gotta be perfect, as long as it's perfect enough!

  4. #3
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Here are some photos of the 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi.
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    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

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  6. #4
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Gorgeous! I think I may have actually just drooled on my keyboard a little. ;-)

    -Chris

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    Registered User BBarton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Good catch!! 'Shoulda kept mine!
    Too many instruments...too little time

  8. #6
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Quote Originally Posted by BBarton View Post
    Good catch!! 'Shoulda kept mine!
    Thanks! It's a keeper as they say. I sold my Weber Distressed Diamondback which was a great mandolin to help fund this sweetheart but it's worth every penny to hear the sound coming out of this old F2.
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

  9. #7

    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    That F-2 has come through the years remarkably well...

  10. #8
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Beautiful instrument! Congratulations on the score!!
    Chuck

  11. #9
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Quote Originally Posted by J.Albert View Post
    That F-2 has come through the years remarkably well...
    Albert,

    I have to agree with you! This old Vietnam veteran doesn't look that good. I have more battle scars on me than this 94 year old Gibson F2.
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

  12. #10
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Is that the one that was on reverb awhile back for a killer deal from another one of are Pennsylvanian brothers? He also had an A model with virzi I do believe it was a snake head? I have too many projects going or I was going to pop on them. Great score for sure, I think your tuners were changed at some point but still very sweet!

  13. #11
    acoustically inert F-2 Dave's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    It's a beauty. Think I'll get my F-2 out and pick a while. Enjoy yours.
    "Mongo only pawn in game of life." --- Mongo

  14. #12
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Quote Originally Posted by bluegrasser78 View Post
    Is that the one that was on reverb awhile back for a killer deal from another one of are Pennsylvanian brothers? He also had an A model with virzi I do believe it was a snake head? I have too many projects going or I was going to pop on them. Great score for sure, I think your tuners were changed at some point but still very sweet!
    The comment that you made, "you think the tuners were changed at some point." I'm new to all this do you happen to have any photos on what the tuners should look like on a 1924 Gibson F2? I was told when I purchased this 1924 Gibson F2 it was all original. Thanks!!

    The one thing I did do was have my luithier go completely over the mandolin and he couldn't find anything wrong with the tuners, braces, bridge, nut, bindings, seams and he checked for cracks and couldn't find any before I purchased the mandolin. The only thing he could find wrong was the bridge was not placed at the right spot on the mandolin and he moved it. My luithier made the comment while he was going over the mandolin that you don't see theses old Gibson F2's that often in excellent condition and he would purchase this Gibson F2 mandolin. When he said that I knew it was time to get my hammer out and break the piggy bank.
    Last edited by Darwin Gaston; Aug-18-2018 at 1:35pm.
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
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  15. #13
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Is this the one we had chatted about?
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    It is more common to see tuners on Gibson production from 1923-24 having plates with the “arrow-shaped” ends. The “wiggle-end” tuners are more typical of 1922 and earlier but anything is possible. Your F2 may have been shipped by Gibson in 1924 with the wiggle end style or they may have been changed last week. You could look for evidence if you remove the tuners and look for marks indicating it may have had the arrow end tuners. There is another F2 in the archives from the same batch number FON with wiggle end tuners but here again they may have been changed. I wouldn’t worry about it too much, your F2 looks to be a prime example, the Virzi is certainly a plus. Enjoy!

    Here is the photo you asked for.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    Mark Lynch

  17. #15
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Quote Originally Posted by Timbofood View Post
    Is this the one we had chatted about?
    Tim, this is a different Gibson F2. The other one that I had posted on the Cafe about was sent to Gibson and had some fret work done on it. That individual decided to keep that Gibson F2 after he got it back from Gibson.
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

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  19. #16
    Registered User Darwin Gaston's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Quote Originally Posted by MarkELynch View Post
    It is more common to see tuners on Gibson production from 1923-24 having plates with the “arrow-shaped” ends. The “wiggle-end” tuners are more typical of 1922 and earlier but anything is possible. Your F2 may have been shipped by Gibson in 1924 with the wiggle end style or they may have been changed last week. You could look for evidence if you remove the tuners and look for marks indicating it may have had the arrow end tuners. There is another F2 in the archives from the same batch number FON with wiggle end tuners but here again they may have been changed. I wouldn’t worry about it too much, your F2 looks to be a prime example, the Virzi is certainly a plus. Enjoy!

    Here is the photo you asked for.
    Click image for larger version. 

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Views:	150 
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    Thanks Mark for posting those Gibson tuners. I'm new at this and have a lot to learn about these old Gibson mandolins!
    2023 A. Lawrence Smart A5
    2022 Girouard Griffith Tribute A5
    2021 Ellis F5 Special
    2021 Girouard Concert Master F Oval-hole
    2020 Heiden Artist Plus A5
    1992 Givens A6
    1919 Martin Style C

  20. #17
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Yep those would be the tuners, the arrowheads! But still a great find even with the earlier tuners! They may be original but I doubt it as in 24 they were using arrowheads, take off a side and you may see the imprints of the arrowheads but I wouldn't worry too much as its a nice one!!!

  21. #18

    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Now you need to find someone near with a '24 non virzi and have a party. Sweet.
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  22. #19
    Still Picking and Sawing Jack Roberts's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    That....is....beautiful.

    Enjoy!
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    When time is broke and no proportion kept!
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  23. #20
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Glad you found ont that “Spoke” to you!
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  24. #21
    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    Yes still very KOOL indeed, now ya just need an F-4 with a virzi or a snake with the virzi, and non virzi examples! an why stop there just way too many out there that are awesome! Gotta love all the old Gibson configurations, I know I do.

  25. #22
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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    And, in addition to instruments in the mandolin family, don’t forget the Virzi equipped piano!

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    Mark
    Mark Lynch

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    Default Re: Finally a 1924 Gibson F2 with a Virzi

    (Jealous . . .)

    Enjoy!

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