Gibson F-4 Carved Top Mandolin (1917)
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Item # 11273
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Gibson F-4 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1917), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 40800, red sunburst varnish finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
Just about 105 years ago this F-4 was Gibson's top of the line mandolin and the company's flagship instrument. This one is somewhat worn in showing some use and minor repair but remains a lovely instrument nonetheless.
The factory order number on the heelblock suggests it was built around the end of 1916, while the serial number on the label indicates it was shipped out in early 1917. By this time the original scroll-body F-4 had been largely perfected and was an utterly distinctive creation, by most standards the finest mandolin in the world. With a sharper neck angle the mandolins of this period offered more volume and a more powerful tone than earlier Gibsons, or anything else available for that matter. This combined with an aggressive sales policy insured the company was able to dominate the market for mando-family instruments through the 1910s.
The F-4's single layer binding on the body, neck and headstock is grained ivoroid. The double-flowerpot pearl and abalone inlay on the headstock has some beautiful pink-and-green coloring. Combined with the inlaid-button Handel tuner buttons this gives the F-4 a particular Art Nouveau grace. The 2-piece maple back has a subtly burled figure with some tight flame on the sides. The laminated mahogany neck has a medium-deep soft "V" profile. This instrument would have been the top choice for just about any virtuoso mandolinist in the WWI era, and today is still an iconic creation. This one has seen some adventures over more than a century of use but like a fine old violin is still a wonderful instrument to play.
Overall length is 26 3/8 in. (67 cm.), 10 in. (25.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 11/16 in. (4.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
While showing some wear and tear this is a very good playing and sweet sounding old F-4. The original red sunburst varnish finish has general wear overall with pick marks to the top above the fingerboard and soundhole and some other dings, dents and wear along the back edge. The back is not heavily worn but has some dulling to the upper part likely from contact wit a player's body. The back of the neck is lightly worn through to the wood in the lower positions.
There is a solid but visible scroll repair to the back of the headstock that did not go all the way through to the headstock veneer. All hardware is original except for a nicely done repro celluloid pickguard using the original clamp. The original frets have been neatly crowned and this is a solid player, perhaps not as punchy as some but with a nice singing tone. It includes a solid if well-worn red-lined OHSC. Excellent - Condition.
Just about 105 years ago this F-4 was Gibson's top of the line mandolin and the company's flagship instrument. This one is somewhat worn in showing some use and minor repair but remains a lovely instrument nonetheless.
The factory order number on the heelblock suggests it was built around the end of 1916, while the serial number on the label indicates it was shipped out in early 1917. By this time the original scroll-body F-4 had been largely perfected and was an utterly distinctive creation, by most standards the finest mandolin in the world. With a sharper neck angle the mandolins of this period offered more volume and a more powerful tone than earlier Gibsons, or anything else available for that matter. This combined with an aggressive sales policy insured the company was able to dominate the market for mando-family instruments through the 1910s.
The F-4's single layer binding on the body, neck and headstock is grained ivoroid. The double-flowerpot pearl and abalone inlay on the headstock has some beautiful pink-and-green coloring. Combined with the inlaid-button Handel tuner buttons this gives the F-4 a particular Art Nouveau grace. The 2-piece maple back has a subtly burled figure with some tight flame on the sides. The laminated mahogany neck has a medium-deep soft "V" profile. This instrument would have been the top choice for just about any virtuoso mandolinist in the WWI era, and today is still an iconic creation. This one has seen some adventures over more than a century of use but like a fine old violin is still a wonderful instrument to play.
Overall length is 26 3/8 in. (67 cm.), 10 in. (25.4 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 11/16 in. (4.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/4 in. (32 mm.).
While showing some wear and tear this is a very good playing and sweet sounding old F-4. The original red sunburst varnish finish has general wear overall with pick marks to the top above the fingerboard and soundhole and some other dings, dents and wear along the back edge. The back is not heavily worn but has some dulling to the upper part likely from contact wit a player's body. The back of the neck is lightly worn through to the wood in the lower positions.
There is a solid but visible scroll repair to the back of the headstock that did not go all the way through to the headstock veneer. All hardware is original except for a nicely done repro celluloid pickguard using the original clamp. The original frets have been neatly crowned and this is a solid player, perhaps not as punchy as some but with a nice singing tone. It includes a solid if well-worn red-lined OHSC. Excellent - Condition.