Bob's #18 from 1972. It is reputed that Bob made a few mandolins before he started numbering them, whether or not this is the case this is a fine example of his work with the characteristic Givens sound. Warm and deep bass with phenomenal mids giving that rare chop that is both powerful and musical! Trebles are strong and clear, a great bluegrasser but with enough depth and character to be good for all styles. It's in great condition with some play-wear around the treble f hole, Bob's initials inlaid on the headstock and date and number on the label. With a case thought to be made by Bob himself.

The word seems to be getting around Stateside about how much I love Givens mandolins... So a couple of folks have been letting me know when some crazy fool wants to part with one, hence our ninth so far. I am keeping a file of the ones that come this way for the historical record. This is # 378, 15 March 1987 from the period when Bob put a label inside the bass f hole. The treble f hole has a sticker inside from a music store in Manitowoc Wisconsin, and there's another under it. There are some pick marks around the top of the treble f hole, otherwise it is excellent condition, it has replacement recent tuners. It sounds as good as any we've had (including mine), powerful mid range, great volume and projection and strong bass and trebles. A5's just don't come much better... at any price... With hard case.

Bob (R.L.) Givens made mandolins from 1962 to 1992 and sadly died in 1994. This is serial number 501, finished on the 3rd December 1989. Legendary for their tone and playability and made during a time that a well known mandolin maker was making what a better known mandolin commentator than myself described as 'acoustically challenged' mandolins. Givens mandolins are highly collectable, though those that knew him say he would have preferred them to be played than bought as an investment. You can see an appreciation of Bob Givens at flatpicking.com For once we have a legend that is not a myth, this is one of the best sounding mandolins I have ever heard. Bob hand-made over 600 mandolins, if he had made less the prices of these gems would be through the roof. My own collection is too large but if I can bear to part with any this may not be available for long. It is very loud, a chop chord brings the wall down, but also responds to the lightest touch. Very deep warm bass, rich honey soaked mids and clear cutting trebles, it seems to do what ever you want! This really is a phenomenal mandolin... I'm persuading myself... A few dings and scratches on the top but otherwise excellent condition with original case..

Number 118 from Bob, mid 1970's or thereabouts. This A5 has a bound headstock, pickguard, radiussed fretboard scooped at the 23rd and 24th frets (possibly not original), Grover tuners with a little slack but 100% functional and it's had a McIntyre feather pickup added (only alteration to the mandolin is a jack plug/end button). We have added a solid ebony bridge from Cumberland Acoustics. One owner from new it's been very well played but has no issues. It sounds like all great mandolins should... Anybody who knows me will know of my love of the oval hole sound but that occasionally I rave about an F hole that has the best of both sounds, this is such a beastie. Incredible volume, separation and project known to few mandolins but without sacrificing bass and sustain. Deep and rich at the lower end, a sweet, vibrant mid range and clear and bright up in the heavens, and that's where it takes me, great for bluegrass or any other mandolin style. With stickered Golden Gate ABS case.

This is the sixth of Bob Givens' wonderful mandolins we've had in stock, # 399 from 1987, with label inside and original case. It's in amazing condition, a few small patches of wear around the treble soundhole and a few small marks there and between the bass soundhole and side, otherwise almost pristine, the back has barely a mark. It's another tone monster, as loud as the A5 but richer. This is to my ear what a great f hole mandolin should sound like, plenty of warmth, resonance and depth with very clear trebles and fantastic response. Chop chords are brutal while producing fantastic tone if you keep your fingers down. Like all the other Givens we've had it has it all from bluegrass to classical and everything inbetween.

Signed by Bob under the top, March 1985, I have put a dental mirror in the case for the viewing thereof. In very good condition - small dings on the top - othewise excellent condition. Wider at the nut than the A3 (30mm/28mm), it's even louder!!! I have had to change my playing style a bit to avoid the Black Sabbath problem, yes I lost some of my hearing to them in 1972, also the year I saw Mr Monroe... (these days I definitely prefer one to the other). It's not quite as warm as the A3 but has more 'punch' with fantastic balance, seperation and projection, deep bass, rich mids and very clear trebles. If you can't be heard playing this one it's your fault! With period F5 oblong, hard case.

This immaculate F5 'Fern' is from 1979 (there are details in pencil inside the top, thru bass f hole, I have put a dental mirror in the case for viewing but my eyesight won't let me work it all out), the pickguard is a later edition. It's as loud as the A5 (VERY loud) with even more separation and projection. The clarity of each note is unbelievable, b*njo killing is like swatting dead flies... With hardshell shaped case.

Bob strikes again an excellent condition F5 'Fern' #195 form 1980, this is more proof that reality surpasses legend. With beautiful flamed maple back and sides and a spruce top, it's another b*njo killer with amazing volume and projection, chop chords produce a wave of air that can be felt, but as is the test of a great mandolin it responds to the player. A gentler approach produces a complex and rich tone, the bass and mids are very deep and warm, the trebles clear and sweet. A great bluegrass cannon but also an all rounder. With original case.

Our tenth Givens and the most recent and the best condition, just a few dings here and there, with original case. I've said loads about the Givens sound elsewhere (see others for sale and in the previously sold section) so I'll just say that it has it.. lots of it.. I still remember the first Givens we had, it was responsible for starting my journey from oval to f hole..