GIBSON Model F-5 Description
- two-point body style, f-holes, triple bound body and pickguard, two-piece maple neck, ebony fingerboard with treble side extended, bound peghead with The Gibson logo and flowerpot inlay, silver hardware, four-per-side tuners, features Master Model or Loar labels, available in Cremona Brown Sunburst finish, mfg. 1922-1943, reintroduced 1949-1980.
The F-5 is by far the most desirable and collectible mandolin by Gibson. It was the first mandolin to feature parallel top braces, a bound pickguard that is screwed into the body at a right angle, a maple neck, and a raised fingerboard with 15 frets to the body. In 1924, a few models appeared with a Virzi Tone-Producer but it was discontinued by 1925. In 1928, the Master Model label was discontinued. In 1929, block inlay was introduced. In 1932, a regular Gibson logo appeared. In 1949, when it was reintroduced, it featured a one piece mahogany neck and a beveled edge laminated pickguard. In 1961, a five-piece neck was introduced. In 1970, the whole mandolin was redesigned.
The F-5 is so highly sought after, it is recommended that several professional appraisals are done on these instruments before buying or selling.
The first known F-5 is currently on display at the NAMM museum in Carlsbad, CA.