Designed in accordance with mandolin phenom Sam Bush, based off his legendary 1937 Gibson F5 known in the bluegrass world as “Hoss”, the Gibson Sam Bush was an extremely well loved addition to Gibson’s mandolin lineup, which, by the time the model was introduced in 2000, had been revitalized by Gibson head Luther Charlie Derrington and, by that time, his protégée Danny Roberts.

Signed by Roberts, this example from 2003 has been well played but looked after, with one repaired top crack and some top wear. The spruce top itself is nice and flexible, leading to a massive sounding instrument, with note clarity through the roof of on every fret. The maple back and sides (and neck) are remarkably flamed, with a nice vintage look to them that’s less gaudy and more sophisticated than the average F5.

Like Sam’s vintage F5, the nut is a wide 1 3/16ths, coupled with a slightly larger profile slight V neck for a fast modern playing experience. Radiuses fretboard, jumbo frets.

Fitted with a K&K Mandolin Twin.

Plays great, lots of fret left and no buzzing.

This mandolin is, all wordplay aside, an absolute Hoss.

A pickguard has been installed professionally sometime in the past.

Comes with a black TKL hardshell rectangle case.