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We'd be the first to admit that the 1960s are not exactly considered the high point in Gibson's long history with its signature F model mandolins. Not many F-5 models, or even any Gibson mandolin model, were sold back in the early '60s, so it's understandable that the guys in Kalamazoo weren't as good at building 'em as their fathers had been 30 or 40 years earlier. Imagine our surprise when we strung this one up, handed it to Jack Tuttle, our reigning bluegrass expert and mandolin instructor, who played it a bit and declared: "I thought you said this thing wouldn't sound very good!"
He's right, this is a good-sounding F-5. Maybe it lacks to bottom end of the earlier versions, and doesn't have the bubbling tone of a new Collings, but it has lots of volume and "cutting power." It would be great for someone wanting to capture the sound of, say, Vernon Derrick (who played with Jimmy Martin) or even the '60s and early '70s sound of Jesse McReynolds.
Along with its sound, this F-5 is in remarkably clean, original condition, with some nice curl to the maple. From the tip of the headstock to the screw-in end pin, all the finish and parts are original with the exception of the pickguard. Some of the gold plating is missing from the tailpiece cover, and there are four small holes drilled in the maple "tongue" that supports the end of the fretboard that's suspended over the top (these holes were obviously drilled when an early magnetic pickup was mounted). But there were no holes drilled in the body, as the old pickguard suffered all the modifications needed to hold the pickup.
The original rectangular Gibson case is also included.
RJ
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