1990 Bob Givens F5 Mandolin
(Serial No. 542) Excellent condition bought from the original owner. This is one of the strongest mandolins I have ever had in the shop. I've had Givens mandolins before, and they were good, but this one blows them all away. It is a top quality professional mandolin, a very late build by legendary luthier Bob Givens when he was at the height of his ability. Probably an Engleman top, highly figured maple back, sides, and neck, nice red-brown-amber sunburst in nitrocellulose lacquer, fully bound with multiple binding, rounded V profile neck, ebony peghead overlay with the Givens logo and torch in pearl in the peghead, blackened back of headstock, slightly radiused ebony fretboard with a 1 inch nut, original ebony adjustable bridge, and original gold Schaller tuners with pearloid buttons. The tailpiece is original but the slide on cover is blank. Just set up and its plays wonderfully. This mandolin the equal of a Gibson Master Model, Ellis, Kimble, or any of the modern top makers. Here is a short video clip of this mandolin played by Richie Dotson of Acoustic Box LLC here in Chesterfield, VA.

This mandolin was entirely hand-cut and hand-carved by Bob Givens and all inlays were hand-cut and hand-inlaid by Givens. Even the very accurate fretting is from hand-cut slots by Bob Givens. It would be hard to find another 100% handmade mandolin with this degree of perfection. Original frets show slight denting in first position but play with no problem. The top center seam was invisibly reglued and cleated by luthier Harry Eibert in NY.

Do not let the 1 inch width of nut scare you away. Most Loar era Gibson F5s have the same nut width. The feel is very nice, the neck profile is professional and feels correct for this instrument. This is an outstanding mandolin. Great sound, power, playability, beauty, tone, and exceptional condition come together in this instrument. Comes with a nice hardshell case.

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