Sierra Hull Becomes First Female Artist With Her Own Signature Gibson Mandolin

Bluegrass phenom Sierra Hull will be the first female artist to have her own signature Gibson mandolin.

Fresh off the release of her first independent album, A Tip Toe High Wire, the two-time Grammy-nominated virtuoso and bandleader continues to push the boundaries of bluegrass into bold, experimental territory. Now, she’s breaking new ground once again, unveiling not one, but two signature instruments bearing her name.

Designed in collaboration with Master Luthier David Harvey, the Sierra Hull F-5 Master Model and the Sierra Hull F-5G mandolins will be available worldwide on October 7th. Both instruments feature “a Sierra Burst VOS Varnish finish and come with unique case candy in a package worthy of this trailblazing artist who has taken the mandolin and bluegrass communities by storm,” according to Gibson’s announcement.

“We spent about two years talking and dreaming about what this mandolin would become,” Hull shared. “The exciting thing for me is that the mandolin that I have played exclusively since 2009 was signed by Master Luthier David Harvey. It’s become my voice after so many years of playing it. Being able to work on this project with David personally gave me the confidence that we’d be able to achieve something unique, while still honoring the legacy and history of those beloved Master Model mandolins. It’s exciting and full circle to see these new mandolins with my name on them and his signature inside.

“When I finally played the prototype for the first time, I knew these instruments would be something that I could be proud of. They are hand-built with the highest level of quality by the team at Gibson—many folks who have worked there for years. Mandolins can also be very expensive. They take a lot of time and care to build right. If I’m going to put my name on something with that kind of price tag, it needs to be a great instrument and something long-lasting.

“I truly believe these mandolins are, and I’m really proud of that.”

Pricing has not been announced yet, but for reference, the standard F-5 Master Model comes in at a price point of $19,999, while the stock F-5G sells for $5,999.

“Sierra Hull is one of the most gifted mandolin players and singer-songwriters of our time,” said Mat Koehler, Vice President of Product at Gibson. “She has redefined what’s possible on the mandolin and across the many genres she explores. Her signature models reflect her passion for the instrument and her uncompromising approach to tone and feel. Each one is built with pride, authenticity, and soul at the Gibson Custom Shop, and we’re honored to have worked with Sierra to bring them to life.”

Codey Allen, Gibson Cultural Influence-North America, added, “Sierra’s music transcends traditional bluegrass – she strikes a beautiful balance between old-time sounds and contemporary Americana, pioneering and shaping the sound of modern acoustic music and inspiring a whole new generation of music lovers. Sierra has inspired all of us at Gibson, and it has been a joy to share the creative process with her. She has poured so much time, love, and attention into every detail of her signature mandolins, and we are grateful to share in this celebration of her art.”

“This was the first time I’ve gotten to see the process of building mandolins up close and personal, which has been such a beautiful and fun thing to witness,” Hull continued. “To see a mandolin go from simply a piece of wood to the final product of an amazing instrument is kind of mind-blowing. I’ve never been one to know a lot about the ins and outs of wood types, or real specs of instruments, but I am really connected to what I feel and hear from an instrument—even if I don’t always have the language to discuss it. I’ve learned, and continue to learn, a lot about this tiny instrument I love so much through this process. It’s been so fun.”

This latest milestone adds to a growing list of achievements for Hull, who recorded her first album at age 10, made her Grand Ole Opry debut at 11 alongside her mentor Alison Krauss, and signed with the storied Rounder Records at just 13, later becoming the first bluegrass musician to earn a Presidential Scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Hull has earned two Grammy nominations—Best Folk Album for Weighted Mind in 2016 and Best American Roots Song for “Ceiling To The Floor” in 2021—and this year, she is once again up for Mandolin Player of the Year, an award she has won six times, as well as Female Vocalist of the Year (alongside Krauss) at the IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards.

Hull is currently on tour in support of her new album, A Tip Toe High Wire, with upcoming stops including Earl Scruggs Music Festival in North Carolina, Bender Jamboree in Las Vegas, and Pickin’ In The Pines Festival in Flagstaff, AZ in addition to headlining shows and other festival appearances. This fall, she’ll team up with John Craigie for a co-headlining tour across the Northeast, followed by a special collaboration with The Infamous Stringdusters at Hulaween. Find a full list of upcoming tour dates and ticketing information on her website.