We’ve decided to start a new weekly feature here on the First Quality Music Blog: Vault Fridays. Each Friday I’ll venture into the Vault with one of our instrument specialists to showcase some of the cool stuff we’ve got hidden away in there.
This week, we’re taking a look at a very special Gibson F-5 Master Model Mandolin signed by a late friend of ours, Charlie Derrington. Charlie was instrumental in bringing about the standard of excellence in the modern Gibson Mandolin, but was tragically taken from us in a motorcycle accident in 2006.
We just got in our first shipment of new Jam Master Gibson Mandolins, all we can say is WOW! Dave Harvey and Crew down at Gibson Original Instruments have sure done a fine job on these new offerings. Below is some information on these fine instruments. Check them out on line.
Jam Master Series Standard F-style Mandolin
The new Jam Master Series Standard F-style mandolin descends straight out of Gibson tradition, delivering a fresh new take on one of Gibson’s most popular mandolin lines. Each F-style mandolin is crafted with all the artistry of a world-class mandolin maker, along with a no-nonsense, hard-traveled, but much-loved look that lets these superb instruments sit in at any occasion. Stripped-down appointments offer a simple yet elegant look, while making way for the performance-enhancing elements that players of the Jam Masters Series will certainly appreciate. F-holes remain unbound, there’s no neck or headstock binding, no position markers on the fretboard (side dots only), and no inlay on the peghead, just the timeless Gibson logo decal. All of the notable luthiery features you do find, however, are in the tone and playability departments.
Bigger Frets, New Satin Finish Equals Improved Performance
Each new F-style Jam Master Standard Mandolin features a top carved from solid spruce, trimmed with simple single-ply binding to contrast its classic Gibson Sheraton Brown color with satin lacquer finish. The back and sides are constructed from figured maple, and the figured maple necks are hand-shaped to Gibson’s popular “rounded V” profile, with a 1 3/16″ width at the nut providing enhanced comfort and finger room across the radiused ebony fingerboard. Thirteen of the mandolin’s 20 frets clear the body, and are a little bigger than the traditional frets typically fitted on vintage mandolins – a modification that improves fingering for many players and playing styles, and one that many contemporary players are sure to appreciate. Advanced constructional features include Gibson’s time-tested tone bar bracing, a radiused dovetail neck joint, and a genuine bone nut all help to enhance the instrument’s resonance and projection. An adjustable ebony bridge and nickel Grover tuners round out the package.
Test Drive a Jam Master Mandolin at Your Nearest Gibson Dealer
The first 100 Jam Masters Series F-style mandolins will be signed by Gibson Original Acoustic Instruments’ Master Luthier David Harvey. Every instrument in the series will come in a snug pouch-plentiful padded travel bag, making it ready for the road and easy to haul from site to site. Contact a Gibson Dealer near you, or visit one of the internet dealers, and let the jamming begin.
Eric and I were proud to present Harold Priddy of Louisville, Ky with the very first “Old Growth” Mandolin prototype today. Harold was very excited to be the first one to own this wonderful mandolin. This original prototype was built by master luthier Dave Harvey ( Gibson Original Instruments ) in Nashville, TN and was put into service on Oct 9th, 2008. Serial # 81009010. Since that time it has been loaned out to many mandolin players to give it a test drive, one of our favorite’s was Doyle Lawson of Quick Silver, Doyle played it for about 4 weeks and even played a show or two with it. One of Doyle’s comments was it sounded like a cross between one of his original 1926 and 1929 Ferns. It just sounds old. Harold is anxious to get it out and break it in with his current band Fresh Cut Grass. Harold is a very respected mandolin player here in Louisville and has been playing 30 plus years. We look forward to hearing the mandoin on his new CD, he’s going into the studio on May 8th. Stay Tuned! First Quality is working on the 2nd and 3rd prototype currently and welcome anyone who wants to hear an “Old Growth” mandolin. Come on by the shop and give it a test drive.
