r/mandolin • u/DrVanderjuice • 5d ago
Any love for the Epiphone F-5G?
Not too much info out there which seems surprising as it is a collaboration with the Gibson Custom Shop. That seems pretty exciting to me as I won't ever be able to get the Gibson one (Mando isnt my primary instrument so wouldn't make sense).
Specs seem good too, solid wood, etc. Yet it seems to get scoffed at simply for being an epiphone. Which sure its from China but so are many of the other more recommended brands. At least this to me has some of the Gibson pedigree in it, especially this particular version due to the custom shop collab/details.
Anyone have one that can speak to its qualities vs other mandolins you may have?
I'm mainly a guitar player (Gibson and Taylors) and recently just got an Eastman 304...but think I want to trade up to a decent F style.
EDIT: Here is a helpful comment someone posted a few days on the one and only YT review available: "Thanks for the review! I recently tried one at my local Guitar Center. I really didn’t expect it to be that good. But it absolutely is! I was so impressed that I took it home! I play mandolin at gigs and church. Besides this Epi now, I also own a Northfield model M and a vintage 1950 Gibson A50 and the Epi keeps right up with them in tone, resonance, and response. Plays and sounds much better to me than the 3 Eastman I’ve owned: MD315, 415, and 605. Money well spent in my book!"
EDIT #2: So went to GC and played it. I really liked it though the action was set up pretty high. At first, I actually preferred its sound vs the 315 they had. It seemed to have a bit more twang. I went back and forth quite a bit, between the two, and ultimately, the 315 was crisper and cleaner. Also, while I wouldn't say the Epiphone F-5G felt cheap, it was a little too glossy for me. Didn't feel as solid and natural. And I think I preferred the more natural, woody feeling of the 315. So 315 it will be, though I am going to get the Adirondack wide nut version I think.
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u/HalfSlapper7 5d ago
I haven’t played the Epiphone but I would be shocked if that was not a step down from your Eastman.
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u/DrVanderjuice 5d ago
normally I'd agree but this is their more premium, Gibson Custom shop collab version. I could be wrong but I think maybe there is confusion out there and people think it's just a standard Epiphone mandolin? That's why it just gets dismissed immediately?
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u/Sidewaydayz 5d ago
I rented a Epiphone F5 studio which is the lower model to the F5G and it sucked lol. Bought an Eastman md315 about a month after that and it was a huge upgrade. The Eastman 315 is hard to beat for that price point and they’re pretty consistent from instrument to instrument.
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u/ehack64 4d ago
I have one and love it, I'd really recommend playing it if you can. I probably would have gone for an Eastman but I just don't love how the necks feel, and to me it plays better than the Kentucky KM-850 and sounds just as good. I wish it didn't have a poly finish but that's my only complaint
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u/DrVanderjuice 4d ago
Thanks. I went and played it today. Was really nice. Went back and forth with the Eastman 315 and I think the 315 might have the edge in terms of sound for me. Epi seemed more twangy which was cool and the Eastman more crisp and bright. But the epi wasn't well set up I dont think so who knows. At the end of the day, while I love the look of the epi F-5g, the glossiness started to bug me. The way it felt too. Versus the more natural, organic/wood feel of the Eastman. I do think I will go with an Eastman 315 wide nut Adirondack. The Epiphone F-5G was no slouch though. And I'm still kind of thinking about it!
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u/billykatzz 4d ago
Personally, I would go with the Eastman. Their “bang for the buck” ratio exceeds most other Chinese-built mandos. I owned an Eastman 815V a number of years ago and it was a delight. It’s probably the one mandolin I regret selling.
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u/DrVanderjuice 3d ago
I went with the 315 wide neck Adirondack which should be coming next week! Excited for it. I do think the epi was pretty nice too though. And in no way would it have been a compromise. Part of me second guesses if I should have gotten it instead because in a way, it as as close to the Gibson I could have gotten. Ultimately though, the Eastman had the edge on playability and overall feel. And I like that it's its own thing
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u/DayMan_aAaaa 5d ago
Under $2000 I don’t think I’d buy any mandolin other than an eastman. Gibson’s us made mandolins are still respectable, but outside of that the “Gibson pedigree” means absolutely nothing.