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Thread: 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

  1. #1
    Registered User j. condino's Avatar
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    Default 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

    While lost in an ocean of Loar signed F5s in Knoxville this weekend, this gem was on display. An old Gibson F4 with a factory original F5 neck. I've always liked that configuration, especially with an elevated fingerboard.
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

    James: Do you know what year that was made? Late 20’s? I also wonder if it has F-5 bracing or some hybrid thereof.
    Jim

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    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

    I remember this F-4 from the last gathering down in Knoxville, I thought it was neat! I don't remember the exact year as it was pretty much all in all instrument overload. It looks like the peghead inlays are from 1928. I'd say late 20's but Gibson did use "floor sweep" parts in the 1930's. So without the # hard to exactly say.

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    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

    Beautiful. Gibson’s best finish color, imho.
    Not all the clams are at the beach

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    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

    Am I seeing correctly; 32 frets? Never seen that many before.🤔

  8. #6

    Default Re: 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

    Quote Originally Posted by Skip Kelley View Post
    Am I seeing correctly; 32 frets? Never seen that many before.��
    I believe your count is correct Skip. Never seen that many either... pretty tightly packed!
    Last edited by FLATROCK HILL; Jan-16-2023 at 5:06pm.
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    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

    Beautiful mandolin...but, I don't know, that bridge position bothers me. Did you have a chance to play it James? If so, how did it sound?
    Charley

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  10. #8

    Default Re: 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

    And that pickguard size/location. Reminds of that "One Piece At A Time" (Johnny Cash) song...
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    Default Re: 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

    Quote Originally Posted by keith.rogers View Post
    And that pickguard size/location. Reminds of that "One Piece At A Time" (Johnny Cash) song...
    Good catch! Something looks off.

  13. #10
    Kelley Mandolins Skip Kelley's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

    Quote Originally Posted by keith.rogers View Post
    And that pickguard size/location. Reminds of that "One Piece At A Time" (Johnny Cash) song...
    Keith, good eye. I missed that. It’s unusual for sure.

  14. #11

    Default Re: 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

    I think the bridge position looks odd as well. Almost as if someone changed the neck and to make intonation correct, the bridge HAD TO BE THERE.

    The rest of it looks great but I've just compared it with my own F4 and the bridge is way forward to where it would normally be.

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    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

    I think it looks great! The bridge is where it needs to be with the 5 scale longer neck-board. It's either a custom ordered job or a prototype that never took off due to the depression. Gibson had many neat prototypes and one offs from its inception all the way through the pre-war years, well all years really.

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  17. #13
    Mandolingerer Bazz Jass's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

    Rare and amazing! But just looks darn wrong to me.

    I'll stick to my regular F4s and 5s thanks

  18. #14
    Registered User Hendrik Ahrend's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

    Quote Originally Posted by Bazz Jass View Post
    Rare and amazing! But just looks darn wrong to me.

    I'll stick to my regular F4s and 5s thanks
    Yep, same here.🙂

  19. #15
    Registered User tree's Avatar
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    Default Re: 1930s F4 "Special" with an F5 neck

    If it plays and sounds good, that's what I'd care more about than looks or rarity. YMMV
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