Gibson F-4 Carved Top Mandolin (1917)
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Gibson F-4 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1917), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 33397, red sunburst varnish finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
In 1916-17 this striking red sunburst F-4 was Gibson's top of the line mandolin and the company's flagship instrument. The factory order number ink-stamped on the heelblock suggests it was built around the end of 1916, while the serial number on the label indicates it 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 and raided bridge the company's 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 enabled company to dominate the market for mando-family instruments through the 1910s.
The F-4 was a shopwpiece, but compared to the pearl-encrusted bowlback mandolins it competed with an elegant and almost understated one! The grained ivoroid binding on the body, neck and headstock is all single ply. The delicate double-flowerpot pearl and abalone inlay on the headstock has some beautiful pink-and-green coloring. Combined with the inlaid-button Handel tuners this gives the F-4 a particular Art Nouveau grace. The 2-piece maple back has a subtly flamed figure. The laminated mahogany neck with an ebony center strip has a medium-deep "V" profile. The elevated celluloid pickguard, carved compensated ebony bridge and distinctive Gibson engraved tailpiece were standard fittings across the line.
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 not seen too much use over well over a century and like a fine old violin is ageing beautifully, still a wonderful instrument to play, hear or even just admire.
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.).
This lovely mandolin shows only fairly minor wear and tear for over a century on the planet, remaining a very good playing and sweet sounding old F-4. The original red sunburst varnish finish has only light dings, dents and scuffing overall with one odd spot of finish disturbance under the strings behind the soundhole. The back of the neck is very lightly worn in the first position.
There are no visible repairs or structural issues. All hardware is original and complete including the oft-missing celluloid pickguard and clamp. The carved one-piece bridge looks to have been lowered a bit from the top. 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 later Gibson-branded rectangular HSC. Overall Excellent Condition.
In 1916-17 this striking red sunburst F-4 was Gibson's top of the line mandolin and the company's flagship instrument. The factory order number ink-stamped on the heelblock suggests it was built around the end of 1916, while the serial number on the label indicates it 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 and raided bridge the company's 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 enabled company to dominate the market for mando-family instruments through the 1910s.
The F-4 was a shopwpiece, but compared to the pearl-encrusted bowlback mandolins it competed with an elegant and almost understated one! The grained ivoroid binding on the body, neck and headstock is all single ply. The delicate double-flowerpot pearl and abalone inlay on the headstock has some beautiful pink-and-green coloring. Combined with the inlaid-button Handel tuners this gives the F-4 a particular Art Nouveau grace. The 2-piece maple back has a subtly flamed figure. The laminated mahogany neck with an ebony center strip has a medium-deep "V" profile. The elevated celluloid pickguard, carved compensated ebony bridge and distinctive Gibson engraved tailpiece were standard fittings across the line.
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 not seen too much use over well over a century and like a fine old violin is ageing beautifully, still a wonderful instrument to play, hear or even just admire.
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.).
This lovely mandolin shows only fairly minor wear and tear for over a century on the planet, remaining a very good playing and sweet sounding old F-4. The original red sunburst varnish finish has only light dings, dents and scuffing overall with one odd spot of finish disturbance under the strings behind the soundhole. The back of the neck is very lightly worn in the first position.
There are no visible repairs or structural issues. All hardware is original and complete including the oft-missing celluloid pickguard and clamp. The carved one-piece bridge looks to have been lowered a bit from the top. 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 later Gibson-branded rectangular HSC. Overall Excellent Condition.