1923 Gibson F2 Mandolin
(Serial Number: 72627 FON 11758) Excellent minus condition. This is one of the best oval hole mandolins ever made by Gibson - a Loar era truss rod F2. The F2 was the next to the top of the line mandolin for Gibson. It has a true red sunburst, spectacular woods on the sides and back, pearl logo, bound top, and a bound ebony fingerboard with treble extension, truss rod in the neck, and the original adjustable bridge. The back of the mandolin has tortoise binding. This is not shown in the Gruhn book, but I've had about a dozen Gibson mandolins from this era with tortoise back bu=inding, so I think there were at least a few batches that left the factory with this binding. The differences in a F2 and a F4 are cosmetic - the F2 has an unbound back, fingerboard and peghead, and simpler peghead inlay. The build is the same and it has the same sound - just less cosmetic trim. The action is good and the sound is excellent. BIG tone and volume! Nice woody sound from this mandolin with good bass. Neck is straight, neck angle is good and the frets show very little wear. There is some picking wear evident on the mandolin. Finish and hardware are original but it is missing the pickguard. Here is a short video clip of this instrument played by Richie. Loar era scroll mandolins are hot right now and getting very hard to find, and prices are continuing to rise every year. Comes with the original hardshell case.
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