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Thread: Thoughts on Gibson's Rosewood Fretboard F5Gs

  1. #1

    Default Thoughts on Gibson's Rosewood Fretboard F5Gs

    I am thinking about buying a New Gibson F5G, for many reasons. The only thing that I get hung up on is the rosewood fretboard. I have spent the past few days reading threads on MC about how everyone was upset over the 2014ish switch from ebony to rosewood. It seems like the consensus is everyone prefers the F5Gs with the ebony fretboards.

    I was curious to see if anyone on here has bought an F5G with the rosewood fretboard and what their thoughts were on it. Is it still a good mandolin?

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Teacher, repair person
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    Default Re: Thoughts on Gibson's Rosewood Fretboard F5Gs

    Rosewood is less durable than ebony. However, it has been in common use for guitar fretboards by manufacturers such as Gibson and Martin for 90 years.
    Nothing wrong with it at all.

    But before you settle on a Gibson, you might try some other US made mandolins also.

  3. #3
    Gummy Bears and Scotch BrianWilliam's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thoughts on Gibson's Rosewood Fretboard F5Gs

    The current F5g is a good mandolin. Go for it if you *need* “The Gibson” on the headstock.

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  5. #4
    Teacher, repair person
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    Default Re: Thoughts on Gibson's Rosewood Fretboard F5Gs

    Bear in mind that for the $6400 it costs to buy a new F-5G that there are a great many alternatives.
    Here are a couple that are in the classifieds:

    www.mandolincafe.com/ads/168856#168856
    www.mandolincafe.com/ads/168366#168366

    I would put Paul Newson's mandolins way above any F-5G I have ever played in terms of tone quality and quality of build.

  6. #5
    Scroll Lock Austin Bob's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thoughts on Gibson's Rosewood Fretboard F5Gs

    I completely understand your concern. You mentioned you were considering a Gibson "for many reasons", and I would guess that one of the reasons would likely be the long history of Gibson mandolins. And when I think of a Gibson mandolin, an ebony fretboard is one of the things that comes to mind. I doubt if my aging ears could hear a difference in sound, but some might be able to. To me, it would be more about the look.

    Have you contacted The Mandolin Store? Their Custom F5 is currently out of stock, but the description states it has an ebony fretboard.

    I had to stop browsing their site because they have a Pee Wee Lamberts F5 Master that is awesome.
    A quarter tone flat and a half a beat behind.

  7. #6
    Registered User Randy Mallory's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thoughts on Gibson's Rosewood Fretboard F5Gs

    I have the wide nut version of The Mandolin Store Custom F5, and it is indeed an ebony fretboard.
    Randy Mallory
    2020 Gibson Custom Shop F5 MSC Wide Nut (2020) David Harvey
    2022 Eastman MD515
    2022 Northfield NFO-AT1 Octave Mandolin
    and a few more....

  8. #7
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    Default Re: Thoughts on Gibson's Rosewood Fretboard F5Gs

    Although I prefer the look of an ebony fretboard, I would not let a rosewood fretboard stop me from buying a nice F5G if that is what I had my heart set on.

    Adam

  9. #8
    Dan Sampson mando_dan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thoughts on Gibson's Rosewood Fretboard F5Gs

    White oak would be good for me!
    1999 Buckeye #18 (Bucky)
    198x Flatiron pancake mandola (no name)
    2020 Kentucky 252 oval hole (Aurum)

  10. #9
    Registered User j. condino's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thoughts on Gibson's Rosewood Fretboard F5Gs

    Bummer....

    I guess I'll have to get rid of my 1959 Les Paul because of that lame Brazilian rosewood fingerboard......
    www.condino.com

    Crafted by hand in a workshop powered by the sun.

  11. #10
    '`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`'`' Jacob's Avatar
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    Default Re: Thoughts on Gibson's Rosewood Fretboard F5Gs

    My 1969 SG ain't going nowhere!

  12. #11

    Default Re: Thoughts on Gibson's Rosewood Fretboard F5Gs

    Yeah but your Les Paul Custom...

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