The Gibson Company, mandolin model F-2
serial number 176709 (1914)

Measurements:
total lenght: 66 cm.
body legth: 25,6 cm.
width at bottom: 43.5 cm.
stringlength: 35 cm.
top of black varnished spruce, back and sides maple,neck in 3 parts,mahogany.

A special mandolin, built by the Gibson Mandolin Guitar Company, as they used to call themselves in the old days. From this (and from the production totals) it is shown that mandolins formed a very important part of the production of Gibson during the first 30 years of the 20th century. This F-2 stems from the beginning of the Golden Period as far as ”feel and sound“ are concerned. Orville Gibson (1856-1918) settled as a luthier in Kalamazoo in the state of Michigan sometime during 1896. There is no certainty as to the origins of the Gibson family; however i own an 18th century cittern by an irish maker called William Gibson, of which more in a later story. He made guitars,mandolins and zithers, all according to his own designs. Up to that point mandolins were mostly built in the italian way, with round backs and parallel bracing, but Orville looked for a way to create louder and stronger mandolins. He was the first to build mandolins with carved top and backs; in the manner of violins; which later led to the advent of the arch-top guitar. Shortly thereafter a company was formed with the help of some investers; after which Orville gradually left the stage.
He died in 1918.
Although a lot changes ,modernisations and improvements were carried out over the years,the Gibson name stayed; and to this day everybody who owns a Gibson, has a little piece of the vision of Orville Gibson.

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