Buckmaster F-5 (aka ‘Bucky’)

Around 1997 when I ordered my Gilchrist, a mandolin was not a common site in my local music stores. I was eager to learn about the instrument so during the 2 years I waited for my Gilchrist, I found and bought a couple of F style mandolins. The first was an incredibly good sounding Ray Black F-5 (now in the hands of a fellow mando enthusiast), and the second is this one made by Roger Buckmaster.

Bucky was in unplayable condition when I got her, and over the years I have sunk a few dollars into bringing her up to speed, so like an old car, she owes me more than I could ask if I sold her!

Bucky has lots of nice appointments, but thick lacquer and a stiff top make her sound a bit tight. But I like her ‘wide’ neck, and the stiffness eliminates feedback trouble when plugged in at high volume, so it is common to see me play her live. She has a Fishman mandolin bridge pickup on her, but I think I’ll soon add a V-200 also. The F-9 has a nicer acoustic tone than Bucky, but I have quite a history with this mandolin and probably play it more at gigs.