Frequently Asked Questions About the Gibson F-9 F-Style Mandolin

Subject: Mando fever!
Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 22:16:48 +0200

Good Day!
First I must compliment you on your website - I've been lurking all day and having a ball!

Thanks so much for tuning in!

Down to business - I'm looking for a new mandolin. I've got a Kentucky right now and I'm ready to make the plunge to a better axe. My extensive research has led me to two models and I ask for your advice. The Gibson F-9 seems to be the closest I'll get to a "dream machine" until I sell a bazillion albums. But the Weber Gallatin (with the highly-flamed maple 'upgrade') seems to be speaking to me, too. I play bluegrass and Dawg music.

I also dabble with bluegrass and Dawg music...and, yes, you're on track...the F-9 would be the most reasonably priced f-style available today outside of what Weber offers...the Gallatin is nothing short of beautiful, especially with the option maple and gloss finish...

I've looked at the Michael Kelly line and they seem very impressive but I think I prefer a trad American company for my trad American music. Someday I'd like to own a Fern or high-powered F-5 but the price is just out of my league right now. (There's that Gibson thing again. - I also own a 30-year-old Gibson J-50 and it's my go-to axe.)

My main bluegrass mandolin today is a Gibson F-5L 1991 signed by Carlson...and, it has all the power and punch that I'm looking for in an f-style. Surprisingly, I recently did video samplers (not posted on our site yet) of a used Gibson F-5G that had similar qualities to my F-5L...no doubt, Gibson is still building the sound...Bruce Weber himself used to build for Gibson, so you know you're getting similar qualities with his line-up...

OK - there's the background. Now for the questions.
Is the Weber sound comparable to the Gibson? I'm looking for that chunky-Bill Monroe-bottom endy-mondo-mando tone. (I listened to the sound clips on your video-audio page but it was difficult to compare tone because of apparently different mic placements - that's not a criticism, just an observation.)

Yes, we did get a new mic system approximately 2-3 years ago...this changed the complexion of being able to compare mandolin to mandolin...with headphones plugged into your computer, you can differentiate model to model far easier...I'd love to re-do all of the samplers so that they would be consistent...only, this took years to build...there are over a thousand samplers up now...

The Weber Gallatin has its own voice...not really like a Gibson but great in its own right...now this is assessing its tone with the matte finish and mahogany back and sides...with a gloss finish and maple back and sides, it's quite powerful and can be compared to a Gibson in some ways...

Do you have other suggestions within the same price range?

For traditional F-style mandolins, made in the U.S., I'd have to say you're on the right track with either the Gibson F-9 or the Weber line-up....I cannot think of another reasonably priced F available in the states today...

I'm an American living in Germany since 1991. I can pay with a Master Card or Visa. I'm assuming you can ship to Germany - can you do an adequate set-up that will survive the flight? (I like the action as low as you can get and then raise it up one smidgin.) Do you ship with strings at tension or loose?

Yes, most of our set-up work survives shipping even overseas...we believe in keeping all strings up to pitch...which will hold down the bridge...yes, we can set it up to your tastes with a very low action...yes, we accept Credit Cards...shipping to Germany would be approximately 100.00 by USPS Air...

Let me know how else I might assist in narrowing down your choices...

There you have it - it's your turn. I'll anxiously await your reply. Please note that your website leads me to believe you're monsters with customer service - you're my first choice of dealers.

Thanks, that's nice of you to say...we do our best...Mickey

Thanks in advance!!
Milan Christi
Otterberg, Germany

Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 12:56:30 EST
Subject: New F9

hat reviews do you have about the Gibson F-9?

Here's a synopsis: The F-9 is a no-frills mandolin that has a down-home look to it...the finish is matte which seems to contribute to its aliveness...this mandolin has an amazing resonance and I personally, love its natural look. Because of the maple back and sides, you'll find this mandolin will work well in a bluegrass setting too. It still has lots of bark and punch...however, with the matte finish, you'll find it also has more resonance and sustain than the average high gloss finished mandolin. This is desirable for some other settings such as Celtic music or soloing with one other guitar or by itself. And, in some cases, may not be desirable in bluegrass or jazz settings...this is a matter of player's taste and is somewhat subjective and subtle.

Hope something here helps...Mickey
--
Please let me know if I can assist you further . . .

Date: Mon, 15 Jul 2002 01:41:54 EDT

HI its danny again
does the f-9 you have in stock have the dark finish ? i have seen them on
line that seem to vary from verry dark to a medium brown .i like the dark the
best .if the back is not bound like the top does this make it weak ? will it
separate after a long time ?
do instraments with out the thick high gloss finish sound better or become
more mellow quicker ? i have been told they do .i am allso looking at a rigel
A-+ DELUXE in green sunburst with fern fretbord, jumbo frets and the virzi
sound inhanser. i talked to peter mix so he has an idea of what i want. mail
order music gave me a price of $2160.00 can you beat there price? what is
your opinion on the rigel ? i like the untraditional look and the green burst
is beautiful with the gold hardwear. i allso like the kleen lines and the
vintage look of the f-9
Danny&Ashley

Greetings Danny & Ashley,

Glad to assist if I can:

does the f-9 you have in stock have the dark finish ?

I don't believe it does...we do have pictures of one and the same F-9 online:
http://www.folkofthewood.com/page2565.htm

We do have a line direct with Gibson where they said they're readily available...and, we could have the darkest finish picked out for you.

if the back is not bound like the top does this make it weak ? will it
separate after a long time ?

Not by any means. We carry many other brands that also have models without the back being binded such as on the entry level Webers...and, to date, we haven't encountered a problem. Be aware, any instrument purchased through us has a lifetime warranty new or used.

do instruments without the thick high gloss finish sound better or become
more mellow quicker ?

All matte finish instruments seem to be more resonant than those with gloss finishes (on average)...they come alive in the hands...as far as mellowing quicker, I can only conjecture that they would...considering the wood has more room to breathe.

At your disposal, Mickey

Subject: RE: price for Gibson F-9 mandolin and Flatiron Festival F mandoli
Date: Mon, 8 Jul 2002 09:53:34 -0700

In the next couple of weeks I will probably be in a position to purchase one of these two mandolins. You're web site is quite informative and I believe I would like your opinion on these two models. I have been playing guitar for 15yrs and about a year ago picked up a $250 fender mandolin. I wasn't too impressed with it but it has served its purpose as I have been learning and only use it for a couple of songs at each of our shows. I want to purchase a "real" mandolin that I can keep for the rest of my life and hopefully be impressed with it when I receive it.

My questions:
What are the major structural differences between these two?
How would you describe the sound differences between them?
Which one would you personally choose for this amount of money?

I also read somewhere that the original F9 came with the dot inlays, do you have any of those in stock?

Thanks

Greetings,

I'm not sure if I answered this for you...we're getting a deluge of e-mails recently. Please accept my apology if the wait was too long.

My questions:
What are the major structural differences between these two?

The Gibson line-up always appeared to have more attention to detail and overall quality than the Flatirons (this is also reflected in the price difference)...I'm referring to the new Flatirons as opposed to the Montana-made Flatirons. As of this very moment (Approximately March 1, 2002), Gibson has discontinued the Flatiron line entirely. The Gibson line-up will of course still be current. The F-9, for the money, is a real bluegrass hoss. It has lots of tone and punch...if you're looking for tone, as opposed to expensive appointments, the F-9 certainly fills the bill.

How would you describe the sound differences between them?

The F-9 has a fatter punchier tone than any Nashville Flatiron I've personally played. I'm sure there are exceptions...due to the fingerprint of wood itself. The F-9 has a similar tone to the higher end Gibson F-5G...in fact, it appears to be even more responsive...which I'm sure is due to the matte finish.

Which one would you personally choose for this amount of money?

I would personally choose the F-9 (outside of the fact that Flatiron is discontinued)...for its powerful tone. If I wanted a high gloss finish, and fingerboard inlays, of course, I would opt for the Flatiron...however, to me, the ultimate criteria would be as follows:
First: Sound
Second: Playability
Third: Craftsmanship
Fourth: Aesthetics

So, appearance would be last in the line-up.

The F-9s that included the dot inlays were all prototypes...their final finished model was destined to not include fingerboard inlays. There are indicator dots on top of the fingerboard which are your main point of reference when playing.

At your disposal, Mickey