1923 Gibson F-2 (aka 'Rosie')

In 2004 I visited Mandolin Brothers on Staten Island while staying in New York City, I took a mandolin off the wall and played, the store president Stan Jay came into the room and said smiling…”I’d like you to play every thing in the store!” I think it was either a compliment, or good sales technique! Great store and great people, the staff sent out for coffee and cake while I played some beautiful vintage instruments and talked shop.

It was love at first sight with this Gibson F-2 from the golden era. ‘Rosie’ has had a hard life and is pretty beat up, but has that dry harmonic sound to die for, she is really worth more to me as a player than to a collector.

This F-2 and my Gilchrist are the featured mandolins on my Blue Mandolin album.