Would a 1951 F-5 and a 1951 F-12 share construction techniques and build quality
other then cosmetics and scale length?
Thanks and Happy New Year
Would a 1951 F-5 and a 1951 F-12 share construction techniques and build quality
other then cosmetics and scale length?
Thanks and Happy New Year
Wild guess; both Gibson Kalamazoo , same year ? Why wouldn't they be?
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The scale lengths should be the same for both the F-12 and F-5 at ~13 7/8". The question is whether it is a 12th fret or 15th fret neck join. I don't remember when Gibson switched to the 15th fret join but it was around that time (1951, my birth year). Otherwise, they are both similarly built aside from the cosmetics. F-12 = poor man's F-5. My main mandolin is '56 F-12 which thanks to Randy Wood is a killer sounding box.
Len B.
Clearwater, FL
1949 was the transition year for the short neck and long 5 scale neck. The 51 F-12's may have the fret board glued to the top unlike the F-5 thats elevated off the top, the top elevated helps big time, I just don't remember when the 12's after 49 were elevated off the top?, But if they are elevated in 51 its all just cosmetics!
Same materials used except in neck. The '51 F12 would be a mahgony neck. The F12 is lighter in weight, and generally sounds better than same year F5.
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