Gibson F5 Kalamazoo, MI

[William Smith]

Yeah man pick her up, do a string change and go from there buddy, Ya never know it may be a good one? And 3G I'd sure buy her, Do them early 50's have that huge headstock like the later 50's? They do have the ultra KOOL pearl block inlays "I loves the blocks"

[yankees1]

Yeah man pick her up, do a string change and go from there buddy, Ya never know it may be a good one? And 3G I'd sure buy her, Do them early 50's have that huge headstock like the later 50's? They do have the ultra KOOL pearl block inlays "I loves the blocks"

If I don't buy it ( she actually wants to hold on to it for a bit longer because sentimental reasons) I will give her your contact information. It might take another five hundred to buy it but I won't go that high ! Max Girouard is building me another mandolin , a F4 Concert and it won't be finished until late 2019.

[LadysSolo]

Good luck! I hope you love it!

[doc holiday]

from previous threads on post '30s Gibsons.... i'd say it's a very very long shot.... let us know

[yankees1]

I have this mandolin in my possession and will restring it tomorrow ! It does have a Mahogany neck ! What does the Mahogany signify ?

[William Smith]

Well in my experience maple necks are more crisp, bright etc... While mahogany is still fine but just doesn't have the brightness as maple, but then again each mandolin is different, Lets see some pix of that baby!! Does it have the 50's rectangular case?

[Timbofood]

That’s interesting William, I have never noticed the neck material having much impact. Strikes me rather like leather seats improving the ride of a car.

[yankees1]

That’s interesting William, I have never noticed the neck material having much impact. Strikes me rather like leather seats improving the ride of a car.

My leather seats are more comfortable than vinyl !

[yankees1]

Rectangle brown case. Strung it up and polished it ! Sounds very good but strings/bridge way too low for me to play on it ! I'm not going to mess with that ! I do have two photos of it on my e-mail but not sure how to transfer to this site other than to e-mail to anyone directly !

[yankees1]

Hopefully photos today !

[yankees1]

Here are photos !

[William Smith]

I personally think that is one fine looking mandolin! The huge headstock is an oddity and hogwood neck, I don't know what year they went back to maple? I think when they did it was a 3 piece neck. Those have a rep, for being overbuilt and heavy but I've played some late 30's F-5's that were the same, these 50's are different due to the hogwood neck and Sitka tops. Did you say that the action was terrible? It may need a neck set?

[f5loar]

Sweet fine for $3K. I'd say you stole it for that price. Looks all original for a 1953 except pickguard looks replaced to me. Can't tell about the tailpiece cover as something is over it. It should be gold plated with engraved "Gibson" on it. With that kind of wear on the back of neck, frets probably worn out and could need a neck reset.

[Timbofood]

Looks like a cloud TP, no?

[yankees1]

Looks like a cloud TP, no?

Tape on tp for whatever reason ! Not broken ! Mandolin not for sale right now and may never be but I get first chance if/when she does sell it !

[Timbofood]

I can see the tape but, it doesn’t look like a “normal” slide cover tailpiece. The edges from under the tape look like a cloud tailpiece to me is all.
Am I mistaken?
I wonder, does the tape make it a “Puffy Cloud” tailpiece?
I’ll go to my corner now.