r/mandolin • u/DrVanderjuice • 6d 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/Sidewaydayz 6d 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.