{"product_id":"gibson-f-4-carved-top-mandolin-1920-13079","title":"Gibson F-4 Carved Top Mandolin (1920)","description":"Gibson F-4 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1920), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 60300, red sunburst varnish finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen it was built just over 105 years ago this F-4 was Gibson's top of the line mandolin and the company's flagship instrument. This one has been somewhat worn in over the past century showing signs of use and minor repair but remains a lovely instrument nonetheless.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe factory order number on the heelblock suggests this mandolin was begun right at the end of 1918, while the serial number on the label indicates it was shipped out in early 1920. 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 Gibson mandolins of this period offered more volume and a more powerful tone than earlier models, 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 into the '20s.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe F-4's single layer binding on the body, neck and headstock is grained ivoroid. The beautiful double-flowerpot pearl and abalone inlay on the headstock has some very pronounced figured green coloring. This mandolin just missed having the older inlaid-button Handel tuner buttons, with plain ivoriod instead. The 2-piece maple back has some attractive figure with the flame running more to the sides than center. The laminated mahogany neck has a medium-deep rounded \"V\" profile. This instrument would have been the top choice for just about any virtuoso mandolinist in the just-post 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.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall 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.). \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile showing some wear and tear this is a very good playing and sweet sounding old F-4. The original red sunburst finish has general wear overall with only light pick marks to the top on the upper rim of the soundhole and some other dings, dents and wear scattered around. The back is not heavily worn but has micro-checking and some small dings and dents; the sides have some small rub spots, dings and scuffs. The back of the neck is fairly heavily worn through to the wood from play along most of its length.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere is a solid but visible grain split repair to the top off the front edge running back under the pickguard to the area below the soundhole. A small split above the fingerboard never opened up to the interior through the heavier wood there. Some of the back side seams have been resealed, most noticeable in the area below the heel. The top\/side seam appears to have been resealed in that spot as well. The back of the headstock below the a small sealed split along the center seam running from the bottom of the tuners to the lower tip of the ebony headstock veneer. The rear of the upper scroll has a couple of tight sealed splits and some touch-up to the ball, but the scroll was never detached. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll hardware is original except for a very nicely done repro celluloid pickguard using the original clamp and later vintage-style adjustable bridge. The original frets have been neatly crowned and this is a solid player, perhaps not as punchy as some but with a nice even and singing tone. It includes a solid if well-worn OHSC. Overall Very Good + Condition.","brand":"Gibson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59325253288076,"sku":"13079","price":7750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_d20c479b-ce6e-4df9-88ca-3ed9437569a4.jpg?v=1789585754","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/gibson-f-4-carved-top-mandolin-1920-13079","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}