Hello All!
As the proud owner of a Bruce Weber signed 1994 Gibson F5L, I've been intrigued over the years re: the quality, character, & nuances of these Gibson Montana instruments. Consensus as far as I can tell is that they are well made, good sounding & playing instruments, with some owners believing them to be outstanding!
The purpose of this thread is to catalog these instruments in so far as there is an interest. All are welcome to post pics, videos, stories etc. as desired. As a side note, on the F5L model, Bruce told me that during his tenure as Head Luthier at Gibson, that he personally graduated the tops on what was then the top of the line model. Below are general specs of Montana Gibsons (F5L). Next post will be my instrument...
Cheers!
F5L specs
Top: Sitka Spruce
Sides/Back: Maple
Neck: Maple
Neck Joint: Tenon-Mortise with screw
Headblock/Tailblock: Mahagony
Nut: Mother of Pearl (MOP)
Fingerboard: Ebony and flat, with MOP position dots and elevated extension
Bridge: Two piece ebony
Binding: white-black-white grained ivoroid.
Tuners: Schaller with their original large diameter bushings, gold-plaited with pearloid buttons
Headstock Inlay:"The Gibson" inlay seemed somewhat large, and the script (a late '20s open style as on recent Ferns) not an accurate copy of older scripts
Finish: Cremona style lacquer
Endpin: Ebony
Bracing: parallel
Tuned sound chambers
Tailpiece: 20's style gold plaited
1994 Gibson F5L Bruce Weber signed: this one has a label signed by the plant mgr (Larry Barnwell) as well as an Acoustic Engineer label signed by Bruce.
I've hot-rodded this mando by changing out the Schaller tuners for Golden Age tuners, replaced the stock bridge with a CA bridge, and I had a K&K twin pickup via endpin installed.
Many pros haven called this one a "Hoss". I love it! I spent a good amount of time with Richie Brown's 27' Fern at IBMA this year, and I prefer mine!
I'd like to see a description and the pecking order of the Flatiron Models - Custom, Chocolate, Master, Artist, Performer, Festival - and which ones had elevated fretboards, both Gibson and Sound To Earth manufactured in Montana.
Hey Eddie!
That's the "book" that Bernie wants someone to write...LOL!
One thing to keep in mind per Bruce & Steve Carlson:
Gibson mandolins made in Bozeman were made according to Gibson specs which were completely different & had no relation to Flatiron specs...Steve Carlson told me in fact that the prototype for the Flatiron F5 models was a Gilchrist F5 (explains why Carlson used X-bracing at first); and that he consulted with Gilchrist over the phone.
Eddie,
The attached catalog lists are the closest I can find per your request...
Weber signed 1995 F5G that a friend used to own
Resistance is futile. It is time to build a carved Mandolin!
quote:
Originally posted by MrMoeResistance is futile. It is time to build a carved Mandolin!
OK, I'll bite....what gives?
I have made a few simple, A style mandolins. I have a goal to up my game and carve a two point, or copy a Sobell. The images of your Bruce Weber signed 1994 Gibson F5L are an inspiration! Thanks for this enjoyable, fun to see post.
-Maurice
Weber signed 1996 Gibson A5G; previously owned by a friend...
Edited by - Loarcutus on 01/24/2023 12:26:49
