Givens

**Rich Michaud** · Oct-16-2005, 7:08pm

There is a Givens on ebay. Should I be concerned about the lack of a truss rod? I am otherwise interested in the instrument. What do folks know about the Givens F5?

**Rick Schmidlin** · Oct-16-2005, 9:51pm

Check with Greg Boyd.

**Mike Bunting** · Oct-16-2005, 10:50pm

I believe that they don't have an [U]adjustable truss rod. I had F5 #121 for more than 25 years and the neck never moved a bit in all those years. It went through Greg's shop and he'll agree. (I hope!)

**amowry** · Oct-17-2005, 1:37am

I believe some of those have a trussrod that is adjustable through the endpin hole with a long allen(?) wrench. Greg would probably be able to tell you if that's the case with this one.

**Rich Michaud** · Oct-17-2005, 6:28am

Thanks to fellow cafe folks for the helpful information.

**mandolooter** · Oct-17-2005, 8:54pm

If its still straight after many years, I doubt its gonna move. Mine hasn't after 30 something years, and my Gibson A built in 1906 hasn't either! That said, that doesnt mean everyone will fair the same. BTW, my Givens A6 circa 1978-9 is going on the auction block soon too. Im asking $3200.00 with OHSC. I hate to sell it but I have no choice at this time. Work is S L O W and da bills keep rolling in just the same!

**Frank Russell** · Oct-18-2005, 9:32am

I've got an A model that has the through-the-endpin trussrod adjustment. I bought the tool from Greg Boyd to adjust it, but haven't needed it so far. My A4 was made just a few months before his death, and the neck is straight as can be. I have a friend with an F5 that's at least 20+ years, no truss rod, and it has absolutely no issues. These were made pretty sturdy. Every time I play my Givens I am a happier man. Frank.

**mandolooter** · Oct-18-2005, 9:18pm

I hear ya frussell!

**mandolooter** · Oct-18-2005, 9:19pm

BTW Im happy to say i found enough work now to pay the bills so my Givens stays for now...Im WAY happier than i was just a few daze back!

**Spruce** · Oct-18-2005, 10:40pm

This Givens has a few extra strings, and yet has held up just fine....

**mandopete** · Oct-19-2005, 10:23am

That's different!

**addcourt** · Oct-19-2005, 11:21am

I owned the eBay Givens F5 a couple of years ago and can tell you that the neck was perfect--straight, narrow and fast. This was one of my favorite F5s and one I'd try to get back if circumstances were different. Givens built some great mandolins.

**J. Mark Lane** · Oct-19-2005, 12:59pm

Good Lord! Bruce, what the heck is that thing? Is it a mandolin size body or mandola? How is it tuned? Did Bob Givens make that? What year? Where the heck did you get it? That is very very cool.

**Spruce** · Oct-19-2005, 2:58pm

"Bruce, what the heck is that thing? #Is it a mandolin size body or mandola? "

It's a 12-string mandolin, 4-course, 3 strings per course....

"How is it tuned?"

Same as a mandolin...

"Did Bob Givens make that? "

Yep...
It says "custom" on the peghead inlay...
I should think so... #

"What year?"

Umm...
I'm not sure...
Greg Boyd would know if he chimes in here...

It lives near him and I'm sure he know the instrument well....

**J. Mark Lane** · Oct-20-2005, 2:02pm

Thanks for the info, Bruce. I guess Greg is otherwise occupied at the moment.

I've never tried to play an instrument with 3-string courses. It sounds like it would be difficult. I actually think if I owned it I might try revising the nut/saddle configuration for some other combinations. Six courses of two, perhaps...although it might be difficult to come up with a workable tuning (maybe you would have to have some duplicate or "drone" courses...?).

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread. FWIW, I have a Givens "Legacy" with no truss rod, and it's fine.

Mark

**Spruce** · Oct-20-2005, 4:14pm

I don't think we're really hijacking the thread....
If trussrods are the issue, I'd sure like to know that an instrument with 12 strings as opposed to 8 is doing it's job... #

Bob really pulled out the stops on this instrument...
Beautiful wood on the back, as opposed to his usual fare of rather plain-ish maple....

**acousticphd** · Oct-20-2005, 4:34pm

Originally Posted by

FWIW, I have a Givens "Legacy" with no truss rod, and it's fine.

I also have a Steve Weil Givens Legacy A4 - it does have a truss rod (as I assume yours also does, Mark), but as in the orginal Givens style, it is adjustable through the body. You can see the nut with the endpin removed.

Would it be true to say that as a builder, RL Givens was something of a pioneer in using radiused fingerboards? The couple of RL Givens A-style mandos I have personally had a chance to hear were about the best sounding A-styles ... well, that I have personally heard.

**mike_c** · Oct-21-2005, 12:34am

as far as i know,, it was monteleone that pioneered the radius fingerboard on mandolin..with a grand artist mando built for david grisman

**dryseptember** · Nov-17-2005, 11:18pm

Does anyone know if Givens made any mandolas?
I see the 12 string bruce posted and it got me thinking.

By the way that was my Givens on Ebay. I still have it. thought i had a good trade but it didn't work out. Im not really sorry it didn't sell, i was having a hard time comming to terms with selling it. Now i may look like i don't have to.

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