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1917 Gibson F-4 mandolin - Martin Barre Collection
A beautifully preserved example of one of Gibson’s flagship mandolin from the golden age of acoustic instrument production, this 1917 Gibson F-4 embodies the craftsmanship, tonal richness, and aesthetic detail that defined the company’s pre-war artistry.
Martin has used this very mandolin on tours and various recordings through the years and is easy to record with the classic Gibson F series, unmistakable sound.
Finished in its classic dark red Cremona sunburst, the carved spruce top and carved birch back display remarkable depth and character, with the kind of patina and subtle ageing only a century can produce. The elegant triple binding, ornate flowerpot headstock inlay, and the signature scroll body highlight why the F-4 was Gibson’s top-of-the-line mandolin prior to the Loar-signed era.
Tonally, this instrument is everything an F-4 should be: warm, full, and beautifully balanced, with a deep, resonant low end and a round, singing treble response. The oval soundhole offers a more open, lyrical voice than its later f-hole counterparts—ideal for classical, Celtic, old-time, and melodic ensemble playing.
The mahogany neck with its classic early-20th-century profile remains straight and comfortable, and the original ebony fingerboard shows only minimal wear for its age. Hardware, including the ornate hand-engraved tailpiece cover and original tuning machines, is intact and functioning well. Structurally, the instrument is excellent, with no concerning repairs or stability issues aside from a small piece of binding that has become loose from the side (see pics).
Finding a 1917 F-4 in this condition is increasingly rare. This is a soulful, highly collectible mandolin with outstanding tone and remarkable originality—equally suited to the discerning player or the serious vintage collector.
Includes: Original hard case.
$6,736.65
1917 Gibson F-4 mandolin - Martin Barre Collection—
$6,736.65
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1917 Gibson F-4 mandolin - Martin Barre Collection
A beautifully preserved example of one of Gibson’s flagship mandolin from the golden age of acoustic instrument production, this 1917 Gibson F-4 embodies the craftsmanship, tonal richness, and aesthetic detail that defined the company’s pre-war artistry.
Martin has used this very mandolin on tours and various recordings through the years and is easy to record with the classic Gibson F series, unmistakable sound.
Finished in its classic dark red Cremona sunburst, the carved spruce top and carved birch back display remarkable depth and character, with the kind of patina and subtle ageing only a century can produce. The elegant triple binding, ornate flowerpot headstock inlay, and the signature scroll body highlight why the F-4 was Gibson’s top-of-the-line mandolin prior to the Loar-signed era.
Tonally, this instrument is everything an F-4 should be: warm, full, and beautifully balanced, with a deep, resonant low end and a round, singing treble response. The oval soundhole offers a more open, lyrical voice than its later f-hole counterparts—ideal for classical, Celtic, old-time, and melodic ensemble playing.
The mahogany neck with its classic early-20th-century profile remains straight and comfortable, and the original ebony fingerboard shows only minimal wear for its age. Hardware, including the ornate hand-engraved tailpiece cover and original tuning machines, is intact and functioning well. Structurally, the instrument is excellent, with no concerning repairs or stability issues aside from a small piece of binding that has become loose from the side (see pics).
Finding a 1917 F-4 in this condition is increasingly rare. This is a soulful, highly collectible mandolin with outstanding tone and remarkable originality—equally suited to the discerning player or the serious vintage collector.
Includes: Original hard case.
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Description
A beautifully preserved example of one of Gibson’s flagship mandolin from the golden age of acoustic instrument production, this 1917 Gibson F-4 embodies the craftsmanship, tonal richness, and aesthetic detail that defined the company’s pre-war artistry.
Martin has used this very mandolin on tours and various recordings through the years and is easy to record with the classic Gibson F series, unmistakable sound.
Finished in its classic dark red Cremona sunburst, the carved spruce top and carved birch back display remarkable depth and character, with the kind of patina and subtle ageing only a century can produce. The elegant triple binding, ornate flowerpot headstock inlay, and the signature scroll body highlight why the F-4 was Gibson’s top-of-the-line mandolin prior to the Loar-signed era.
Tonally, this instrument is everything an F-4 should be: warm, full, and beautifully balanced, with a deep, resonant low end and a round, singing treble response. The oval soundhole offers a more open, lyrical voice than its later f-hole counterparts—ideal for classical, Celtic, old-time, and melodic ensemble playing.
The mahogany neck with its classic early-20th-century profile remains straight and comfortable, and the original ebony fingerboard shows only minimal wear for its age. Hardware, including the ornate hand-engraved tailpiece cover and original tuning machines, is intact and functioning well. Structurally, the instrument is excellent, with no concerning repairs or stability issues aside from a small piece of binding that has become loose from the side (see pics).
Finding a 1917 F-4 in this condition is increasingly rare. This is a soulful, highly collectible mandolin with outstanding tone and remarkable originality—equally suited to the discerning player or the serious vintage collector.
Includes: Original hard case.
