A Wonderful Gibson F-5G Mandolin Built by David Harvey.

2011 Gibson F-5G Mandolin Custom Gold Top #2.

This is one of two Gibson Custom Shop F-5G Gold-Top Mandolins which were built in 2011 by master luthier David Harvey. The 10 inch wide and 1 7/8 inch, body features a triple-bound, carved solid Sitka spruce top with two 'f' sound-holes and a 'special' gold finish. The two-piece book matched back and the sides are carved highly-figured maple. The one-piece neck is of beautifully figured fiddleback maple. Black-faced headstock with inlaid pearl "The Gibson" and  pearl flowerpot inlay. Black plastic bell-shaped truss rod cover with two screws. Open-back strip tuners (four-per-side) with oval pearloid buttons. The neck has a scale length of 14 inches, a wonderful thick 'V' profile, an ebony fretboard with 20 small frets and pearl dot markers. Pre-compensated ebony bridge on height-adjustable ebony base. Specific metal tailpiece, engraved with "Gibson" script logo, secured to edge of body by three screws and an ebony strap-pin with center pearloid dot. Inside the treble 'f' hole is an oval white label printed in black "The top, back, tone-bars / and air chamber of this instrument were / tested, tuned and the assembled instrument tried and / approved" Written in black ink is the following "Custom Gold Top #2 / June 13th, 2011 / David Harvey" "Acoustic Engineer" printed in black. Inside the bass 'f' hole is an oval white label printed in black "Patented March 30, 1906 / Sept. 20, 1920 - Jan. 18, 1921 / The Gibson Artist Model" etc, etc with the style "F-5G" and the serial number "CQ-10613011" written in black ink. This very special Mandolin is in mint and unused (9.50) condition. Complete with the original Gibson Gold Warranty and inspection card. Original Gibson three-latch, shaped black hardshell case with burgundy plush lining (9.50).
 
This wonderful instrument features the same brilliant luthiery and design as the F-5L with fewer frills and a custom gold top. You can see David Harvey demonstrating one of these on Youtube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaN4Ia_sDIg

Gibson "invented" the modern mandolin in the years around the turn of the 19th to the 20th century. Under the supervision of Lloyd Loar in the early 1920's, Orville Gibson's original mandolin designs were refined into what is now the standard for all mandolins, the Gibson F5. Played by every great player from Bill Monroe to Sam Bush, the Gibson F5G-GT Mandolin features the most select tonewoods including figured maple in the back, sides, and neck, and Sitka spruce for the top.

Carving and tuning the top and back of the body to resonate and pump that powerful F5 magic up through the F-holes, Master Luthier David Harvey and his staff hand build each and every Gibson F5G-GT Mandolin. This special version features a rare combination of an antique gold top, and dark stain for the back and sides. The iconic Gibson Flowerpot is inlayed in Mother of Pearl into the headstock.