New Mando Pics & Thoughts - 2002 Gibson F5, Danny Roberts signed

[lordrevan]

For the past 3 or so years I've had a Northfield F5s and for the past few months my main instrument has been a Northfield Big Mon which was great. However, I had the opportunity this weekend to trade into this F5 which was available locally and I am very glad I did.

This is a sitka top but it is probably the tightest sitka I've ever seen. I know the Dave Harvey era mandos are held in extremely high regard and rightly so, but the lumber and fit and finish of this instrument are truly spectacular! I am certainly in the honeymoon period but this instrument is just tone tone tone. It is pretty loud, not offensively loud like the Collings MT could be, and has a real elegance. The neck shape is perfect. For me the benchmark of THE mandolin sound is not the July 9th Loars but the Feb 18th, 24 Loars (ie Thile / Reischman). Not to overreach in comparison but there are those type of qualities in this mandolin. I think it's still a little sleepy, but already rings like a bell. Very excited to continue to learn what it wants from me.

[Jcdraayer]

Great looking mandolin and sounds like it has the tone! Really happy for you to have found a mando that speaks to you so strongly! Play it in good health!

[addamr]

Congratulations, nice find.

Adam