1957 Gibson F-5 Mandolin Sunburst vintage mandolin for sale.

1957 Gibson F-5 Mandolin in wonderful condition. Owned by the same UK player since 1997 when it was bought from the world-renowned Mandolin Bros. who listed the instrument at the time as ‘This near-forty-year-old is in dead mint, un-played condition, and sounds just incredible.’ Now, 25 years on the Mandolin is in fantastic condition and still sounds incredible

Since its introduction in 1922, the F-5 has been Gibson's top-of-the-range mandolin. Developed alongside the L-5 guitar by Lloyd Loar it was and still is the mandolin by which all others are judged. Instruments from this period, especially the prized Loar signed examples are at the pinnacle of the Mandolin world. As the twenties became the thirties and musical tastes changed and the mandolin era started to ebb and production numbers of the F-5 started to drop before the instrument, alongside many other models, was discontinued during the war.

Reintroduced in the early fifties the F-5 retained its classic asymmetrical body with an ornate upper scroll, two points on the treble side, and f-holes. This Mandolins serial number - A-27908 sits in the middle of the range for 1957 with a supporting 1957 Factory order number of U1293 1.

It features an incredibly tightly grained spruce soundboard, beautifully figured maple sides with a remarkably figured curly maple back. The two-piece figured maple and ebony divider neck is topped with a single-bound ebony fingerboard punctuated with the customary F-5 pearl block position markers. A sunburst nitrocellulose finish highlights the contours and appointments perfectly. The top, back, and headstock are triple bound. The headstock features the classic Gibson Style 5 flowerpot inlay and modern post-war Gibson logo with an open ‘b’ and ‘o’ inlaid in pearl. The bound pickguard has a gold-plated support and the gold-plated tailpiece cover is a clamshell design with the engraved Gibson logo. The gold-plated ’single-line’ Kluson Deluxe tuners have the pearly buttons often seen during this period.

The Mandolin is in great condition, there is evidence of use over the previous 25 years but the instrument has been well-preserved and excellently maintained. The top shows some light grazing from a pick and there are the expected handling marks. Currently set up with a solid bridge made by UK luthier Phil Davidson it also has had the treble fingerboard extension removed a-la Sam Bush. The original bridge and extension are retained in the case.

Comes with the original brown Lifton hardshell case with pink lining which is in super condition as well. A superb, top of the line instrument in fine condition.