Orville Gibson invented the modern mandolin, and mandolins have been a part of Epiphone’s DNA since its earliest days. Company founder Anastasios Stathopoulo’s first (and only) patent, filed in 1909, was for a mandolin. Gibson Master Luthier Lloyd Loar designed the original F-5 mandolin in the early 1920s, and its eventual success led to the creation of new musical genres, such as bluegrass. Now, Epiphone is proud to release its latest mandolins. The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson F-5 Studio mandolin is based on the legendary Loar-designed F-5 and makes a high-quality F-5 style mandolin more accessible than ever. It features all-solid wood construction with a solid maple back and sides and a solid Sitka spruce top. The maple neck is attached to the body with a glued dovetail joint and has a laurel fretboard with 20 frets and a Gibson-style scroll headstock with vintage-style tuners with pearloid buttons. Its sound is balanced, highly toneful, and resonant, with great carrying power, in part due to the thin satin finish. A premium gig bag is also included.