After 130 years of building instruments that shaped American music, Gibson has done something it’s never done before: given a woman her own signature mandolin. And it couldn’t have gone to anyone more fitting than Sierra Hull—a two-time GRAMMY® nominee, seven-time IBMA “Mandolin Player of the Year,” and one of the most forward-thinking musicians in bluegrass.
The new Sierra Hull F-5 Master Model and F-5G mandolins mark a milestone not just for Gibson, but for the entire acoustic world. Designed hand-in-hand with Hull herself, the instruments reflect the blend of tradition and innovation that’s long defined her music. “We spent about two years talking and dreaming about what these mandolins would become,” Hull says. “To see these mandolins go from simply a piece of wood to the final product of an amazing instrument is kind of mind-blowing.”
Both models come finished in a custom Sierra Burst VOS varnish—a sunburst that seems to hum with warmth even before the first note is played. The high-end F-5 Master Model leans fully into legacy: hand-carved red spruce top, curly maple back, engraved silver hardware, and Hull’s own signature on the truss rod cover. The F-5G, meanwhile, offers a slightly more accessible gateway, but with the same tonal character and aesthetic detail. Each instrument comes with a certificate of authenticity, a BlueChip pick, and even a paisley leather strap, because if you’re going to make history, you might as well do it in style.
“Sierra Hull is one of the most gifted mandolin players and singer-songwriters of our time,” says Mat Koehler, Gibson’s VP of Product. “She’s redefined what’s possible on the mandolin. Her signature models reflect her passion for the instrument and her uncompromising approach to tone and feel.”
Hull’s path to this moment has been anything but ordinary. Born in Byrdstown, Tennessee, she picked up the mandolin at age eight and played the Grand Ole Opry by 10. Since then, she’s gone on to collaborate with the likes of Dolly Parton, Béla Fleck, and Billy Strings, constantly blurring the lines between bluegrass, jazz, and modern Americana.
Her new independent album, A Tip Toe High Wire, feels like both a culmination and a rebirth—a nod to her roots and a leap into new territory. Co-produced with engineer Shani Gandhi, it’s her most self-defined work yet, featuring her longtime band and an emotional palette that ranges from meditative to volcanic.
On October 16, Hull will take the stage at the Gibson Garage Nashville for a live performance, meet-and-greet, and signing to celebrate the release. It’s an intimate chance for fans to see the partnership—and the instrument—in action.
As Gibson’s Codey Allen puts it, “Sierra’s music transcends traditional bluegrass—she strikes a beautiful balance between old-time sounds and contemporary Americana.” It’s a fitting description for both her artistry and these instruments—reverent of the past, but unmistakably moving forward.
Find more info here and visit sierrahull.com/tour for Sierra Hull's ongoing tour.
