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Catch of the Day: 2011 Gibson F-5G-GT Goldtop

2011 Gibson F-5G-GT Goldtop

Today’s Catch is a blend of 1920s and 1950s Gibson style. The standard F-5G mandolin is a cosmetically plain version of the classic F-5 that was introduced in 1922. Basically, it’s built without binding on the back, neck and headstock, which really cuts down on the build time. And, usually, the F-5G has a sunburst top with a solid but translucent finish on the sides and back, another technique that cuts down on labor costs. (But check out the flame in that maple back. Gibson sure didn’t skimp on materials on this mandolin.) For this example, though, Gibson has decided to take the classic 1920s F-5 mandolin and give it the 1950s-era goldtop finish that first appeared on the Les Paul model in 1952 . (Click here to see what a 1923 Gibson F-5 looks like and here for a look at a 1954 Gibson Goldtop Les Paul.) Personally, I like this sort of thing, where builders mix and match features from various eras, but I suspect I’m in the minority here. Gibson only made two F-5G-GTs in 2011 and only a tiny handful in other years, so it appears that the mandolin world isn’t clamoring for goldtop mandolins. I do like the way this mandolin looks but I really think it needed to have a cream-colored pickguard to finish it off. It you’d like to add this mandolin to your collection it’s priced at $5,500 and it’s hanging on the wall at Fretted Americana.

Click here to see the original listing.