A Meticulous Recreation of the Most Legendary Mandolin Model of All Time
Gibson Custom Shop is the pinnacle of craftsmanship, quality, and sound excellence. Each instrument celebrates Gibson's legacy through accuracy, authenticity, and attention to detail.
Orville Gibson invented the modern mandolin, and Gibson Master Luthier Lloyd Loar perfected it with the F-5. It’s hard to believe that was one hundred years ago, and yet the F-5 is still the gold standard of mandolin tone, playability, and beauty. Generations of artists and even new musical genres have been influenced by it. Original examples have become holy grails.
Enter the new 1923 F-5 Master Model Reissue, an exacting clone of the priceless originals which only Gibson Custom Shop could create. Every contour and spec are incorporated thanks to scientific analysis, 3D scanning, and detailed notes from Lloyd Loar himself, found in the Gibson archives. The talented luthiers of Gibson Custom Shop meticulously construct and refine each until it is a perfect representation, not only in looks but in sound and feel. Features include a hand-selected red spruce top and highly-figured maple back, an authentic varnished Cremona Brown finish, silver-plated hardware, a replica hardshell case, and an assortment of vintage-inspired case candy.
Profile
Authentic 1923 Profile
Scale Length
353.06 mm / 13.9 in
Fingerboard Material
Ebony
Fingerboard Radius
Flat
Neck Material
Figured Red Maple
Fret Count
29
Frets
Historic
Nut Material
Mother of Pearl
Nut Width
27.051 mm / 1.065 in
Inlays
Mother of Pearl Dot
Joint
Glued In, Set Neck
Body Style
F-Style
Body Shape
F-5 Mandolin
Body Material
2-piece Quarter Sawn Figured Red Maple
Top
Red Spruce
Back
2-piece Quarter Sawn Figured Red Maple
Side
Flat Sawn Figured Red Maple
Binding
Celluloid Nitrate; Multi-ply Top, Back, Fingerboard, and Pickguard, Single-ply Headstock
Body Finish
Hand-applied Varnish
Finish
Silver Plated
Bridge
Ebony; Patent Date Stamped
Tailpiece
Silver-plated Tailpiece Cover, Engraved with "The Gibson"
Tuning Machines
Waverly
Pickguard
Celluloid Nitrate Tortoise Shell; Multi-ply Bound, Patent Date Stamped
Truss Rod Cover
Bell-shaped, Black
Strap Buttons
End Pin - Ebony with Mother of Pearl Dot
Strings Gauge
.011, .016, .026, .040
Case
Vintage Replica