1913 Gibson F-2 Mandolin - Used

This Gibson F-2 was made in 1913 and it’s in excellent structural condition. The neck angle is excellent, the neck is straight and there is no bulging or sagging of the carved top. The finish shows a small number of scuffs and scratches but it has a lovely patina and has never been oversprayed. There is one repaired crack in the top by the curl, which is tight and another well repaired crack alongside the bass string between the bridge and tailpiece. It still has its original Handel tuners, bridge, tailpiece and pickguard is long gone. Gibson had their oval soundhole mandolins dialed in by the mid-'teens, and this example from 1913 shows the results of all that practice. It has a light, bubbly tone that is not powerful enough to drive a bluegrass band, but it works very well for Celtic, jazz, old-time and just about every other style. Include a recent vintage Harptone case.