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Thread: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

  1. #1
    Registered User Lo-Fi's Avatar
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    Default NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

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    This is a new, to me, 1988 Gibson F5L that I've been eyeballing for a few months and just finally brought home. It's got a few bumps and bruises but it's in pretty great shape overall for being what appears to be a well-loved and well-travelled mandolin.

    One curiosity is that the inside label is signed by Steve Carlson in 1988 but then right below that is David Harvey's signature but dated 1993. Any theories?

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    Thanks for looking in.

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  3. #2
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    Default Re: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

    Very nice, Congratulations.

    Adam

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  5. #3

    Default Re: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

    Congratulations! Great looking mandolin you have. Is it possible David Harvey owned this mandolin in the past or possibly did some work on it? Would be worth messaging him to see if he remembers the mandolin. He is a great guy and is doing great things at Gibson.

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  7. #4

    Default Re: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

    My lates acquisition 2 years ago was 1990 F5L signed by Steve Carlson, virtually unplayed but it's opened up and now sounds fabulous.

    Dave H
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  9. #5

    Default Re: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

    Love it.

    A few years ago I picked up this Gibson F5L Carlson signed from Charles Johnson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lnB7AD7RaM

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  11. #6
    Registered User Lo-Fi's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

    Quote Originally Posted by LKN2MYIS View Post
    Love it.

    A few years ago I picked up this Gibson F5L Carlson signed from Charles Johnson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lnB7AD7RaM
    That's awesome. I watched that video at least 10 times before I bought mine. It was the only one I could find online in 'iced tea' other than mine. Thanks for this.

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  13. #7
    Registered User j4music's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

    Congratulations. These Steve Carlsons are fabulous. I've had an F5L like yours and still have an A5L. I seem to recall reading about this mandolin in another thread, and I believe the Steve Harvey signature is there for a repair he did. Is this the one from Myhres; if so, it was a good deal, especially including a Calton case. In any case, enjoy. It's a good one.

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  15. #8
    Registered User Lo-Fi's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

    Quote Originally Posted by j4music View Post
    Is this the one from Myhres; if so, it was a good deal, especially including a Calton case. In any case, enjoy. It's a good one.
    Thank you. That's the one.

  16. #9
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    Default Re: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

    Lovely instruments. Enjoy. R/
    I love hanging out with mandolin nerds . . . . . Thanks peeps ...

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  18. #10
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

    Lovely! Cool looking case, too.

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    Registered User Drew Streip's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

    That’s a gorgeous mandolin. I’ve eyed a couple of those iced-tea bursts — and it’d be particularly nice for me, as the 1988 would be my birth-year model! If you ever feel like selling, keep me in mind

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  22. #12
    Registered User 108 Mile's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

    Did you get this one from Folkway music? Sorry, didn’t read the previous post

  23. #13
    Registered User Lo-Fi's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

    Quote Originally Posted by 108 Mile View Post
    Did you get this one from Folkway music? Sorry, didn’t read the previous post
    No but I did see that one on the Folkway site. This one was on consignment at Myhre's Music in Edmonton, AB.

  24. #14
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    Default Re: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

    What do you think a reasonable price would be for a 1988 F5-L - I'm headed to look at one in a week (if its still around - hoping)? I'm hesitant to pay pandemic inflated prices.

  25. #15
    Registered User Lo-Fi's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

    Quote Originally Posted by Calforester View Post
    What do you think a reasonable price would be for a 1988 F5-L - I'm headed to look at one in a week (if its still around - hoping)? I'm hesitant to pay pandemic inflated prices.
    It’s hard to say. I live in a part of the world where there aren’t a lot of used Gibson mandolins for sale so it could be different here. I wanted to “Try before I buy” so ordering one online was out of the question. Mine has a few dings and doinks and has been played a lot, but I think I got a very fair deal when you consider it came with a Calton case. It was originally listed for approximately $6,400 US but then dropped significantly to $4,800 US. I got a slightly better deal on mine than that. Your results may vary. Others here probably have a way better idea of fair values than I do. Good luck with your search.

  26. #16
    Registered User j4music's Avatar
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    Default Re: NMD: 1988 Gibson F5L

    The ask was pretty steady on them at around $6,000 US for the last couple of years, but recently the prices have been lower. $4800 with a Calton case is a great deal. There have been several others on the market recently for less than 6, but I don't recall exact asking figures. What's the ask on the one you're checking out, Cal. I would think anything around 5k +/- would be a reasonable price, and frankly, a great value. As I recall I was in and out of my '88 for about 5,500, with an original case. That was a year ago. Let us know how the one you're looking at checks out.
    Last edited by j4music; Oct-09-2021 at 12:43am.

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