Gibson H-2 Mandola at Carter's

[Jim Garber]

That photo is breath-taking. There is something about that Cremona brown finish that gets to me. I have seen some other Gibsons—a friend has an F-4—with that finish usually only used on an F-5. Beautiful. 1922 with truss rod and adjustable bridge. I bet it sounds pretty good too. NFI, of course, and I certainly don't need it. I hope someone here buys it or at least reports back on playing it.

[mandopops]

Jim, I agree. I was just looking at the photo when your post came thru. Love the look. I, too, would like to know if it’s play & tone match up. Just looking thou.
A brown F4? Would love it see it.
Joe B

[Jim Garber]

Jim, I agree. I was just looking at the photo when your post came thru. Love the look. I, too, would like to know if it’s play & tone match up. Just looking thou.
A brown F4? Would love it see it.
Joe B

Yeah, I think they are pretty rare. There is this one which is unusual for other ways. As you know, since you have one, 1921 is my favorite underrated years. This was soldon eBay in 2011. Here's description from the eBay post.

The F-4 is from 1921. Here are the details:

Unique Experimental Cremona Brown F-4

This mandolin has several unique features. The fingerboard extension is much longer than a standard F-4. This one is the length of an F-5 and extends completely over the soundhole.

Obviously, it was constructed without the upper body point. I believe that this feature along with the extended fingerboard was done so that the player would have a much easier access to the very highest frets.

It has the Cremona Brown finish that is very rare on F-4s and not commonly seen until the introduction of the F-5.

It has an original truss rod with the metal truss rod cover. Based on the serial number this is one of the very first if not THE FIRST instrument to have a truss rod installed in it by Gibson.

It appears to be the same mandolin that is pictured being held by Julius Bellson in both the 1925 Gibson Catalog and the book The Gibson Story that was written by Bellson. People knowledgeable of Gibson instruments will recognize the name of both Jullius Bellson who was the historian at Gibson for about 50 years and his brother Albert Bellson who was the director of the Bellson Mandolin orchestra. Both were insiders at Gibson during the Loar era and would have had access to this special experimental instrument.

It is housed in a super rare rectangle case for and F-4. These cases are extremely rare.

It was completely set up and all required maintence done by Dave Harvey at Gibson about 3 years ago. Dave repaired a broken peghead scroll.

Also, the choice of Maple on the back is the highest with exceptional flame and the mandolin is one of the best sounding round sound hole mandolins that I have ever played.

[MarkusSpiel]

Very interesting! I never saw a F4 with just two points! Did they make a few of these? The finish is great!!!

[John Soper]

I think David Harvey has the "slimmed down" F4. At least I played it at the Gibson booth in Raleigh a couple of years ago. Wonderful F4.

[j. condino]

Giant headstock on that F4!

There was another 1924 at Loarfest back in January:

[Tim Logan]

Seems to be gone!