Gibson F-2 Carved Top Mandolin (1926)
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Gibson F-2 Model Carved Top Mandolin (1926), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 80337, sunburst top, dark cherry stained back and sides finish, maple back and birch sides, spruce top; mahogany neck with ebony fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
When this just "Post-Loar" instrument was made in mid-1926 the F-2 "Artist Model" was already starting to fade away, as banjos and guitars replaced mandolins as Gibson's prime products. The model lasted into the 1930s but this is the last year they seem to have been made in any serious quantity. Listing in 1925 at $125 this was a very expensive instrument for the time, but in 1926 Gibson lowered the price to $110 which likely indicates they had stock that was not moving well.
The F-2 is built to the same general design as the top-line F-4, lacking some the fancier decorative elements. The usual difference is the F-4 was the only early Gibson to actually use the catalog-specified maple for the back and sides; like the rest of the line the F-2 was built of birch. THIS one is an unusual transitional example with a maple back and birch sides, something we have rarely seen. The single-bound top is finished in a lovely deep red shaded sunburst, with an ivoroid and twin half-herringbone soundhole rim. The back and sides are a deep cherry finish.
The slim one-piece mahogany neck is equipped with Gibson's recently introduced adjustable truss rod, something hard to find on an F-2 as most examples date to the earlier period before 1925. The fittings are standard for the period with a raised celluloid pickguard and transitional hybrid clamp, "The Gibson" pearl headstock logo, "The Gibson" engraved tailpiece cover and the adjustable ebony bridge with a stepped compensated top. This 99-year-old F-2 looks beautiful and sounds even better, a lovely and very classy mandolin ready to celebrate its next 100 years.
Overall length is 26 1/8 in. (66.4 cm.), 10 in. (25.4 cm.) width, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
This beautiful sounding mandolin has had some fairly minor wear and repair work over the last century but remains a lovely instrument to play. The finish shows small dings and dents but retains excellent color to the top especially. There are some small pick marks to the top over the fingerboard extension, but no heavy wear. All finish is original, the most noticeable loss is wear all around the back edge (especially by the heel) and on the back of the neck where a small amount is rubbed away.
The mandolin has no cracks to the top, back or sides but does have a typical scroll repair to the headstock, well done but visible. Several back/side seams have been resealed as well. The hardware is original and complete except for a correct style repro bridge including the celluloid pickguard and clamp, tuners and tailpiece. Overall this is a very sweet and enjoyable mandolin to play with a sparkling sound and a comfortable action. It includes the original HSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.
When this just "Post-Loar" instrument was made in mid-1926 the F-2 "Artist Model" was already starting to fade away, as banjos and guitars replaced mandolins as Gibson's prime products. The model lasted into the 1930s but this is the last year they seem to have been made in any serious quantity. Listing in 1925 at $125 this was a very expensive instrument for the time, but in 1926 Gibson lowered the price to $110 which likely indicates they had stock that was not moving well.
The F-2 is built to the same general design as the top-line F-4, lacking some the fancier decorative elements. The usual difference is the F-4 was the only early Gibson to actually use the catalog-specified maple for the back and sides; like the rest of the line the F-2 was built of birch. THIS one is an unusual transitional example with a maple back and birch sides, something we have rarely seen. The single-bound top is finished in a lovely deep red shaded sunburst, with an ivoroid and twin half-herringbone soundhole rim. The back and sides are a deep cherry finish.
The slim one-piece mahogany neck is equipped with Gibson's recently introduced adjustable truss rod, something hard to find on an F-2 as most examples date to the earlier period before 1925. The fittings are standard for the period with a raised celluloid pickguard and transitional hybrid clamp, "The Gibson" pearl headstock logo, "The Gibson" engraved tailpiece cover and the adjustable ebony bridge with a stepped compensated top. This 99-year-old F-2 looks beautiful and sounds even better, a lovely and very classy mandolin ready to celebrate its next 100 years.
Overall length is 26 1/8 in. (66.4 cm.), 10 in. (25.4 cm.) width, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 14 in. (356 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
This beautiful sounding mandolin has had some fairly minor wear and repair work over the last century but remains a lovely instrument to play. The finish shows small dings and dents but retains excellent color to the top especially. There are some small pick marks to the top over the fingerboard extension, but no heavy wear. All finish is original, the most noticeable loss is wear all around the back edge (especially by the heel) and on the back of the neck where a small amount is rubbed away.
The mandolin has no cracks to the top, back or sides but does have a typical scroll repair to the headstock, well done but visible. Several back/side seams have been resealed as well. The hardware is original and complete except for a correct style repro bridge including the celluloid pickguard and clamp, tuners and tailpiece. Overall this is a very sweet and enjoyable mandolin to play with a sparkling sound and a comfortable action. It includes the original HSC. Overall Excellent - Condition.