Gibson Introduces Wayne Benson Signature Mandolin

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Gibson's Original Acoustic Instruments division has joined forces with one of bluegrass' leading young mandolinists to create the Wayne Benson Signature mandolin. Based on the F-5 scroll body design, the new model has a combination of distinctive cosmetic traits taken from Benson's specifications as well as suggestions from Gibson's luthiers, including a fingerboard without inlays to give it a "jazz" look, a Vintage Red Satin finish recreated from a historic F-4 model and an abalone fern headstock inlay like the F-5L "Fern."

"The tone and the look couldn't suit me any better," says Benson, a member of the much-awarded bluegrass band IIIrd Tyme Out. "Word travels fast because it's a Gibson - Bill Monroe played a Gibson and it started there. I can't believe how many people are already contacting me about it."

The rich-looking mandolin has a spruce top with maple back and sides, Benson's signature in abalone at the 12th fret, gold-plated hardware, ivoroid tuners and truss rod cover, and a slightly smaller pickguard.

Benson will release his first solo album, An Instrumental Anthology, in February 2003. He was named the Mandolin Player of the Year in 2002 by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music. IIIrd Tyme Out has won the Vocal Group of the Year award seven times from the International Bluegrass Music Association.