F-9 on ebay

[Lightner]

From serial appears to be a 2003 F-9, but is that optical illusion/reflection or is that back not even bookmatched?!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/300864414730

[Marty Jacobson]

That's not surprising. Bookmatched wood costs a little bit more, and selecting the wood takes time (which = cost). If you can slip-match a bunch of boards with consistent structural qualities, it's much faster. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not what you'd expect from a boutique instrument. Which an F-9 definitely is not. This is still prettier wood than that used on many vintage Gibsons ... and how often do you look at the back of your mandolin, anyway?

[PJ Doland]

The wood on the peghead veneer also has more character than you would expect to see on a Gibson.

[Lightner]

Yup, all very true. Pegheads on the A9 and F9s all seem to have great character.

Some of the F9s and A9s with the bland finish, you wouldn't even see much grain.
That said, my blond maple jumbo guitar with a gloss finish can play tricks on the eye depending on the angle, one half of the stripes can instantly dissappear

This 2003 F-9 also has a nice, lighter finish. Hope somebody gets it for a nice bargain..

[Burk]

That's not surprising. Bookmatched wood costs a little bit more, and selecting the wood takes time (which = cost). If you can slip-match a bunch of boards with consistent structural qualities, it's much faster. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not what you'd expect from a boutique instrument. Which an F-9 definitely is not. This is still prettier wood than that used on many vintage Gibsons ... and how often do you look at the back of your mandolin, anyway?

I look at the back of mine everyday.