This is the tone we all have in our heads, the pinnacle of American mandolins and the model for everything to follow.

Why We Love This

Signed by Lloyd Loar on March 31st, 1924, this Gibson F-5 sounds in absolutely fine form as it fast approaches the centennial of its birth. It possesses a stirring voice across its entire frequency spectrum, but it's that magical midrange that catches you up. This is the tone we have heard on countless records—that classic mandolin sound we all have in our heads and hearts.

Special thanks to Joe K. Walsh for letting us all hear how a mandolin like this is supposed to sound. Dare to dream, we can!

With Virzi. Original tuners, pickguard. Non-original, vintage, shaped F case, repro tailpiece cover.