Summary
1940 manufacture date (traditional estimates)
1940 shipment date, according to Spann's Guide to Gibson
Mandolin, Style F4
Serial 96388
Factory Order number: 565F
Description
flowerpot, elevated F7 board
This is one of most scarce versions of a Gibson F-4. Gibson F style mandolins from the 1930's and 40's are extremely rare. By then, the mando craze from the teens and early 20's had faded away. This particular mandolin features a simple pearl Gibson logo in the unbound peghead and traditional dot inlays in the fingerboard. Has a sunburst top, chocolate brown stained maple back and sides, a checkerboard pattern soundhole rosette, and the treble extension on the fingerboard. The fingerboard is elevated off the top like the F5. The condition is overall excellent. No repairs, crack or other structural issues noted. It retains all of it's original hardware except the missing pickguard. The tuners, bridge, tailpiece and cover are all correct. The fitting between the tuners on the back of the peghead is for a strap. The best thing about this mandolin is the sound!! It is really a great sounding mandolin. It has a very deep throaty bass response. The playability is great. As a general rule, the F-4/F-2s from this era are consistantly good sounding.
