Gibson F5

[Opry1]

While shopping for a Gibson F5 I noticed that there is quite a bit of price difference. I’ve seen some 1990’s through the 2000’s for up to $10,000.00. Then I’ve seen them as low as $4,500.00 for some nearly 50 years old. I guess it’s just what feels and sounds the best to you, but just curious what everyone else has to say. Thanks

[Chris Gray]

I don't believe I've seen a Master Model for less than five figures. All others seem to be between 5k - 10k with the exception of 70's models & F5G's.

[Opry1]

The ones anywhere from 4,500.00 to around 7,000.00 or so were 70’s models. With the exception of a few early 1980’s models. Thanks for the reply.

[Chris Gray]

The ones anywhere from 4,500.00 to around 7,000.00 or so were 70’s models. With the exception of a few early 1980’s models. Thanks for the reply.

That's way overpriced IMHO

[allenhopkins]

What you're finding is related to the variations in Gibson's manufacturing quality over the years. From the 1950's through the mid-'70's, the consensus is that Gibson mandolins (basically F-5's and F-12's, with other models showing up for a few years) got fairly steadily worse. Then Gibson introduced Roger Siminoff's idea of a "return to Lloyd Loar specs and quality," the F-5L, around 1978. Things got better, and Gibson's current mandolins are well respected.

The used market reflects the generally accepted opinion, that '60's and '70's F-5's aren't very good, and that those made before and after that period should command higher prices. Of course, there are individual variations in condition, provenance, and perceived quality among instruments, which may make a particular mandolin more or less desirable, and influence the asking price.

[Jim Hilburn]

How many F-5L's were made from when they were introduced till Norlin sold the company? My guess is very few and had little impact on the market.

[Opry1]

What you're finding is related to the variations in Gibson's manufacturing quality over the years. From the 1950's through the mid-'70's, the consensus is that Gibson mandolins (basically F-5's and F-12's, with other models showing up for a few years) got fairly steadily worse. Then Gibson introduced Roger Siminoff's idea of a "return to Lloyd Loar specs and quality," the F-5L, around 1978. Things got better, and Gibson's current mandolins are well respected.

The used market reflects the generally accepted opinion, that '60's and '70's F-5's aren't very good, and that those made before and after that period should command higher prices. Of course, there are individual variations in condition, provenance, and perceived quality among instruments, which may make a particular mandolin more or less desirable, and influence the asking price.

Thanks for the info!

[f5loar]

How many F-5L's were made from when they were introduced till Norlin sold the company? My guess is very few and had little impact on the market.

In 1979 they put out 23 F5Ls. So yeah from 1978 to 1987 when production moved to Bozeman, likely only about 250 made. Before Bozeman kicked in, Gibson was farming out the building of the F5L to well known luthiers like Luke Thompson, which added to the inconsistent quality in the those F5Ls. By the way Gibson made about 900 of those crappy 70's models from 1970 to late 1978, so they were putting them bad boys out the door. And from late 1922 to the end of 1924, Gibson put out around 300 signed Loar F5s.