1940 Gibson F4 Mandolin

(Serial No. 96390 fon 565F) Gibson F style mandolins from the 1930s and 40s are extremely rare. By then, the mando craze from the teens and early 20s had faded away, and the F4 was only built as a special order. This particular mandolin features a straight across pearl Gibson logo in the unbound peghead and F7 style Nick Lucas inlays in the bound fingerboard, squared at the bottom. Has a sunburst top, chocolate brown stained maple back and sides, and a checkerboard pattern soundhole rosette. The fingerboard is elevated off the top like the F5. The condition is overall excellent. No repairs, crack or other structural issues noted. It retains all of it's original hardware except the missing pickguard. The tuners, bridge, tailpiece and cover are all correct. The best thing about this mandolin is the sound!! It is a really great sounding mandolin. It has a very deep throaty bass response. The playability is great. As a general rule, the F4/F2s from this era are consistently good sounding. Here is a short video clip of this instrument played by James Hurlburt of Plant City, FL. I have had several of these 40s mandolins and they are real sleepers on the market. Comes in the original hardshell case.

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