This Alan Bibey F-5 was crafted by Gibson in Nashville in 2004 and it is number 7 of a limited run of 50. It has a label signed by Danny Roberts. Overall, it’s in excellent structural and cosmetic condition. There is just a hint of fret wear. The fretboard is flat and has no radius. Bibey, of course, has been a leading light in bluegrass mandolin since he appeared on the scene in the 1980s. When Gibson approached him about making a signature model, he had some intriguing ideas. He wanted the mandolin to have the sound and feel of a Loar F-5, but with tortoiseshell binding and darker sunburst finish. He requested a flowerpot headstock inlay, hand-engraved gold-plate hardware. The barrel of the neck has a stained sunburst but is doesn’t have the final gloss coat of lacquer, giving a “speed neck” feel’ Also he specified a scalloped neck extension, so the mandolin is player-friendly even for those players who have a tendency to hit the extension with the pick. Includes the original hardshell case.
