Spotted in Phoenix- a Parrot and early Orville

Attachment 197547

Visited the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix today and was very pleasantly surprised to get up close to DAWG's Parrot Loar and a very early Orville Gibson A.

Attachment 197548
Attachment 197549n

The card says that this A dates from 1894 and is the earliest known Orville instrument. Is this a fact or a little embellishment?


Attachment 197550
Attachment 197551
Attachment 197552

There was a short video of Mr. G playing the Parrot.

Apologies if these have been posted before. They were included in a special exhibition titled "Musical Treasures." Not sure if this is a traveling exhibition or not.

This was my first visit to the MIM, and I was impressed with the museum and their mandolin collection. Fun way to spend a Sunday morning.

Attachment 197553

On each of my MIM visits I’ve been dazzled by the world class exhibits. Work it into your itinerary if you visit Phoenix.

Looks like a nice visit. Any of you ever checked that Loar out? Isn't that the one with the Virzi installed "backwards"?

Yes I believe the Virzi is backwards on that one. I think the old scenes from the front are removed, I'd remove the Parrot on the back if it was mine. I do like the whole look and vibe of that Loar, it has some neat features.

Leave the parrot... take the cannoli...

Is that the Parrot Loar that used to live in Asheville?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by j. condino

Is that the Parrot Loar that used to live in Asheville?

---

Guessing yes. F5 Journal lists #71055 as "The Parrot Loar". Now if it said "One of the Parrot Loars" my guess might be different. ;)

http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/71055

A most strange and unique early F5. notice how this mandolin has a "heel cap" on the back where the neck joins the body. I can't recall another Loar that has that configuration... may be wrong about that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Glassweb

A most strange and unique early F5. notice how this mandolin has a "heel cap" on the back where the neck joins the body. I can't recall another Loar that has that configuration... may be wrong about that.

---

Yup, and the pics in the archives show a strap pin hole in that heel cap. Interesting.

MIM is an amazing place to view historical instruments. Martin has its own section. One day is not enough time. I was amazed that a lot of cultures seem to have their own version of a bagpipe?

I'm really excited. I was under the impression that he had removed the parrot but apparently they just removed the front parrots. Too cool, I love that instrument. The Mandolin Archive mentions the heel cap being unbound and the front parrots as well. I never noticed but it looks like some other changes might have taken place on the front. That isn't a bad thing I just never noticed it.

http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/71055

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dan Adams

...I was amazed that a lot of cultures seem to have their own version of a bagpipe?

---

Sadism and bad taste are universal human faults.

I really like that Parrot Loar-I would have to get rid of the Parrot! At least the front ones are gone. This one is the 3rd Known Loar I think, well maybe the 2nd as only a guard has surfaced with an earlier # scratched into the backside! I like those early 1922 3 piece necks, I think that's classy? The heel cap is also interesting, neat for sure! And it must've been sent back for the Virzi "I hope it hasn't been ripped out!" That is such a major bummer/disappointment to me anyways. And it was perhaps installed backwards? Thats fairly odd so was this possibly the firts F-5 Loar that was retrofitted for a Virzi? Also It says it has a steep neck angle? I wonder how steep compared to the Loar standard! John Duffey style neck angle is about an inch from the mando top to the top of the saddle! His thought was more down pressure equals better tone and volume?

I've had old F-7's and others with that steep of an angle "Duffey style" and they all were great! No complaints and the other fellas who got the ones I sold or swapped have no complaints either so maybe there is a bit to Big John's mando madness!?!?

I would someday LOVE to be able to play this Loar! Or even own her for awhile as each Loar is very special in their own perspective ways!