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Darryl Wolfe
In 1966, at the age of fourteen, Darryl Wolfe unknowingly began his research into the Gibson F5 mandolin. Fed by his father's mutual interest in playing bluegrass music and trips to the various music festivals that were becoming popular, Darryl quickly developed a thirst for more facts about the revered Gibson Master Model mandolins. For over twenty five years, Darryl has collected and assembled the information presented here by: developing a log book on the numerous mandolins he came across, library research, photographing instruments, studying previously published data, and sharing information with other interested people. In the end this study will provide more facts about the known Gibson F5 Master Model mandolins and aid in the preservation of these fine American made instruments.
In addition to his research, Darryl has played mandolin with a number of bluegrass groups. As an original member of The Knoxville Grass, he traveled and recorded extensively during the mid-late 1970's. He has owned many Gibson mandolins over the years, including four Lloyd Loar signed F5's. Darryl is married to a supportive and understanding wife, and is the father of two grown girls. Darryl is Manager of Technical Services for Parsons, Inc, and directs design efforts related to the Department of Energy Savannah River Site in Aiken, SC. He also provides high quality reproduction parts for vintage instruments in addition to sales and repair of vintage instruments, performing, and teaching mandolin |