Lloyd Loar's F-5 is the mandolin every F-style since has been measured against, and the original 1920s examples are still the reference point. The 1923 F-5 Master Model Reissue is Gibson Custom Shop building one again the way it was built then. The shapes and construction come from scientific analysis and 3D scans of originals, along with Loar's own notes from the Gibson archive.

That means a hand-selected red spruce top, a two-piece quartersawn figured red maple back, figured red maple sides and neck, and a hand-applied varnish finish in Cremona Burst. The details follow the originals closely: a patent-date-stamped ebony bridge and pickguard, a mother of pearl nut, a silver-plated tailpiece cover engraved "The Gibson", silver Waverly tuners and the flowerpot inlay on the scroll headstock.

This one has finish checking, mostly on the top, with lighter checking on the back and sides, and its price has been reduced because of it. It weighs 2 lb 5 oz and comes in Gibson's vintage replica case with a strap and certificates.

SPECIFICATIONS

BODY
Serial: 73012
Weight: 2 lb 5 oz
Body Shape: F-5 Mandolin
Top: Red Spruce
Back: 2-piece Quarter Sawn Figured Red Maple
Side: Flat Sawn Figured Red Maple
Binding: Celluloid Nitrate; Multi-ply Top, Back, Fretboard, and Pickguard, Single-ply Headstock
Body Finish: Hand-applied Varnish
Finish: Cremona Burst

NECK
Neck Material: Figured Red Maple
Profile: Authentic 1923 Profile
Joint: Glued In, Set Neck
Scale Length: 353.06mm / 13.9in
Nut Material: Mother of Pearl
Nut Width: 27.05mm / 1.07in
Fingerboard Material: Ebony
Fret Count: 29 Frets Historic
Inlays: Mother of Pearl Dot
Headstock: Historic Scroll
Headstock Inlay: The Gibson Logo and Flower Pot in Mother of Pearl
Truss Rod Cover: Bell-shaped, Black

HARDWARE
Bridge: Ebony; Patent Date Stamped
Tailpiece: Silver-plated Tailpiece Cover, Engraved with "The Gibson"
Tuning Machines: Waverly
Tuner Plating: Silver
Pickguard: Celluloid Nitrate Tortoise Shell; Multi-ply Bound, Patent Date Stamped
Strap Buttons: End Pin - Ebony with Mother of Pearl Dot

CASE
Case: Vintage Replica
Included: Strap, certificates