Results 1 to 20 of 20

Thread: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

  1. #1
    Registered User Customxke's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    4

    Default Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    I'm aware of the Goldrush models, and the korina backed blonde that popped up a few times at the Music Zoo, and Seger's refinished/stripped top Fern. I read somewhere on here ages ago that someone had seen a 50s F5 in a factory natural finish. I'm really looking for a blonde F5 with a flowerpot inlay, made by Gibson, and they seem to be made of unobtanium. Anyone have any pictures to share, or own a F5N with a flowerpot inlay?

  2. #2
    Teacher, repair person
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Southeast Tennessee
    Posts
    4,078

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    Except for the Gold Rush model, I don't remember Gibson making any natural finish F models in regular production since they stopped making natural F-4's circa 1912.

    Unless something appears that was built as a special order, you will probably be limited to something built by another company. I don't know of anyone who has built many.

    The Music Emporium is currently listing a nice looking Mowry F-5 in natural. No flowerpot, though.
    There's a Gold Rush for sale at a place called The Acoustic Shoppe in Springfield, MO. Also no flowerpot.
    And there's a reverb listing for a hand built F-5, made by a fellow named Bobby Wintringham and labelled "San Juan" on the peghead. Still no flowerpot.

    I couldn't say for sure, but I suspect that John Hamlett a.k.a. "Sunburst" might build you one. Don't know about the flowerpot, though.

    Gibson trademarked the flowerpot some time ago. As a result, many other builders are no longer using it.

  3. The following members say thank you to rcc56 for this post:


  4. #3

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Jack Tottle.jpg 
Views:	116 
Size:	925.5 KB 
ID:	201716

    During the 1970s Jack Tottle had a 1950s natural finished Gibson F-5, but I don't know if was original or refinished.

  5. The following members say thank you to MojoMando for this post:


  6. #4
    Ursus Mandolinus Fretbear's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Copperhead Road
    Posts
    3,136

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    Quote Originally Posted by MojoMando View Post
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Jack Tottle.jpg 
Views:	116 
Size:	925.5 KB 
ID:	201716

    During the 1970s Jack Tottle had a 1950s natural finished Gibson F-5, but I don't know if was original or refinished.
    Pretty sure Jack's F-5 was a retopped/converted F4.....
    But Amsterdam was always good for grieving
    And London never fails to leave me blue
    And Paris never was my kinda town
    So I walked around with the Ft. Worth Blues

  7. The following members say thank you to Fretbear for this post:


  8. #5
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Saint Augustine Beach FL
    Posts
    6,634

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    I don't ever recall seeing a blond Gibson F-5 with a flowerpot but that Mowry at TME looks pretty sweet...

    https://themusicemporium.com/product...y-f5-used-2014

    NFI
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  9. The following members say thank you to Charles E. for this post:


  10. #6

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    This is one I can think of off the top of my head.

    http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/95358

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	6B39E55B-5397-4CB9-9FE7-51E14BAA4E6D.jpeg 
Views:	111 
Size:	35.4 KB 
ID:	201731

  11. The following members say thank you to fazio for this post:


  12. #7
    Registered User grassrootphilosopher's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Germany
    Posts
    2,117

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    And then of course there is the Tone Poems II, Track 12, Musette for a Magpie, Gibson F-5 "M" Mandolin (1941) (experiemental body shape, blonde etc.)
    This is a link to the booklet (thank you David Grisman) It shows a photo of the mandolin. If you don´t have the iconic recording, get it now!
    Olaf

  13. The following members say thank you to grassrootphilosopher for this post:


  14. #8
    Registered User John Soper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Durham, NC
    Posts
    1,356

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    If you will only settle for a Gibson F5 with a flowerpot on the headstock & blonde finish, contact David Harvey at Gibson to inquire about a custom build. I don't know his contact info, but he is on FaceBook.

  15. #9

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    Forget the flowerpot.
    Find a good Goldrush and be done with it.
    You won't be lookin' at the peghead much anyway, while you're playing it.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	GR scroll.JPG 
Views:	59 
Size:	931.1 KB 
ID:	201757

  16. #10
    Teacher, repair person
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Southeast Tennessee
    Posts
    4,078

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    Maybe he likes the flowerpot . . .

    Finding an original Gibson with natural finish and flowerpot would be highly unlikely, though.

  17. The following members say thank you to rcc56 for this post:


  18. #11
    Registered User Customxke's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Philadelphia, PA
    Posts
    4

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    Quote Originally Posted by rcc56 View Post
    Maybe he likes the flowerpot . . .

    Finding an original Gibson with natural finish and flowerpot would be highly unlikely, though.
    I do like the flowerpot.....and blondes......and blondes with flowerpots:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_2068.jpg 
Views:	107 
Size:	438.9 KB 
ID:	201759

    And I'm hoping to find something like this to go with them...(the aforementioned one from Music Zoo):
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	s-l1600.JPEG 
Views:	121 
Size:	90.7 KB 
ID:	201760

  19. #12

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    Quote Originally Posted by Customxke View Post
    I do like the flowerpot.....and blondes......and blondes with flowerpots:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_2068.jpg 
Views:	107 
Size:	438.9 KB 
ID:	201759

    And I'm hoping to find something like this to go with them...(the aforementioned one from Music Zoo):
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	s-l1600.JPEG 
Views:	121 
Size:	90.7 KB 
ID:	201760

    Sorry my pics are bad but I own what you’re looking for Gibson F5c. The pot inlay is very golden unlike most that are more silvery abalone. Love my blondie
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1863.jpg 
Views:	73 
Size:	633.2 KB 
ID:	212195   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1867.jpg 
Views:	69 
Size:	627.2 KB 
ID:	212196   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_1868.jpg 
Views:	71 
Size:	310.3 KB 
ID:	212197  


  20. #13

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	F5LFront2.JPG 
Views:	58 
Size:	288.4 KB 
ID:	212203Click image for larger version. 

Name:	F5LBack42.JPG 
Views:	31 
Size:	121.8 KB 
ID:	212204

    No flower pot but a really nice Gibson F-5L blond fern from 1992 signed by Steve Carlson.

    Len B.
    Clearwater, FL

  21. #14

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    Dorsey Harvey, David Harvey's father, played a blonde F5. Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Dorsey Harvey F5.jpg 
Views:	33 
Size:	91.3 KB 
ID:	212205

  22. The following members say thank you to Steve Martin for this post:


  23. #15
    Registered User Hendrik Ahrend's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Leer, Northern Germany
    Posts
    1,554

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    Old thread revived. Anyhow, has any of you ever played one of those (at least two) Koa F5s from around 2013?
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Bildschirmfoto 2024-02-18 um 12.02.06.png 
Views:	28 
Size:	304.5 KB 
ID:	212209
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Bildschirmfoto 2024-02-18 um 12.02.57.png 
Views:	29 
Size:	553.4 KB 
ID:	212210

  24. #16

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    I owned the korina topped one for a while. Incredible look, feel, and tone.
    Moved it and a couple of others out to fund one better instrument.
    I miss the korina one. Really a great instrument.

  25. #17
    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    1,055

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    If you can stand a fern, here's a good one.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	DSCF3756.jpg 
Views:	39 
Size:	66.9 KB 
ID:	212266

  26. #18
    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    1,055

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    Quote Originally Posted by Customxke View Post
    I do like the flowerpot.....and blondes......and blondes with flowerpots:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_2068.jpg 
Views:	107 
Size:	438.9 KB 
ID:	201759

    And I'm hoping to find something like this to go with them...(the aforementioned one from Music Zoo):
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	s-l1600.JPEG 
Views:	121 
Size:	90.7 KB 
ID:	201760
    Wow, I do love those staple pickup L5's.

  27. #19
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    Way out there
    Posts
    559

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Seale View Post
    Wow, I do love those staple pickup L5's.
    Have you played one (or a 50's Byrdland)? I like the clarity of the staple pickup in the neck position, but I find the pickup intolerably bright in the bridge position. Gibson had the right combo with the Les Paul Custom: staple in the neck position, regular P90 in the bridge.
    too many strings

  28. The following members say thank you to musicofanatic for this post:


  29. #20
    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    1,055

    Default Re: Natural / Blonde Gibson F5s?

    Yes, a very good friend of mine has an L5 with the staples. To be honest, I never really tried the bridge pickup. I loved the sound of the neck only for jazz and comping.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •