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1911 Gibson F-2
The F-2 was Gibson’s more simply appointed F-style mandolin and featured a single-bound top with black finish, unbound back, and unbound headstock with a simple pearl ‘The Gibson’ inlay. Constructed otherwise identically to the pricier F-4, the scaled-down F-2 was originally designed and marketed to musicians as an affordable alternative that didn’t compromise tone. A century later, the same holds true today.
Despite its ‘dressed-down’ look by Titanic-era standards, the F-2 is anything but plain. It has Handel tuners and scroll headstock, a bound ebony fingerboard with double-cut extension, bound soundhole and a triple ring inlaid rosette. The pickguard, bridge and tailpiece are identical to those on the F-4.
This example is in excellent playing condition and has been carefully set-up here at Folkway. Frets and finish show little wear, and all the parts and finish are original. There is a cleanly repaired headstock scroll crack, and another cleanly repaired crack at the base of the headstock. Both cracks are well-repaired, stable and rock-solid (we’ve known this instrument for a number of years). There are no cracks or seam separations on the body and the top arch is unaltered. The neck has a V shape with comfortably rounded shoulders, and a nut width of 1-1/8”.
An open and responsive mandolin with good dynamics and reactivity, dark overtones, and woody low-end.
With modern hardshell case
