1924 F-5 Master Model Mandolin

[Willie Poole]

Deleted

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Oh dang... Looks like a really good one. Congratulations! Now make that drive as fast as you can.

EDIT: Another vote for Roger Siminoff who'd be much closer, and probably know more about Loar than anyone.

[JeffD]

Even the case detritus looks period appropriate. I would love to see those picks in a better photograph.

[terzinator]

And we still need a photo of the label!

There's an 11-year-old (exactly!) thread out there about "How Many Loars Exist"

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...ny-Loars-Exist

If, according to that thread, there are 311 or so that were built; and we have a bunch of them accounted for on the mandolin archive, is it possible to ascertain/guess the serial numbers of the undiscovered/extant instruments?

[f5loar]

Maybe it was my plea for photos and possible fake and the thought of spending the money to find out it's fake that encouraged him to post a few photos. So now you got your answer in that it's real, it's worth the drive to one of 2 recommendations and you will be pleased with the outcome no matter what the serial number is or was. I agree it's likely a late Feb. 18, 1924. Virizi or not it's a pile of cash sitting here. While it won't buy a big house in southern LA, it will buy you a mansion here in Salisbury, NC. If you are working I would ask for the day off and head North to see in person either Roger or Frank and have something in a written appraisal when I left. Call ahead for an appointment to make sure they are there to greet you. Don't touch a thing and keep from heat and extreme cold. You might even be able to get a TV spot on the this new "Strange Inheritance" show on FOX Business channel. At the end of the show they ask you to contact them if you got a strange inheritance. This story would qualify.

[JeffD]

Based on the pictures it could be worth life changing amounts of money. I hope it all works out well, and that Grandson stays in touch.

[f5loar]

Absolutely impossible for this to be a signed Lloyd Loar with that serial number. Counterfeit label perhaps?

I find it interesting that all of the members most knowledgable on this subject won't touch this thread with a ten foot pole. Maybe it doesn't pass their smell test?

It's been fun, but I'm out. Nothing more to contribute anyway.

PS: If you could smell photos posted here, those photos would pass the "smell" test. Just saying!

[Darryl Wolfe]

And we still need a photo of the label!

There's an 11-year-old (exactly!) thread out there about "How Many Loars Exist"

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...ny-Loars-Exist

If, according to that thread, there are 311 or so that were built; and we have a bunch of them accounted for on the mandolin archive, is it possible to ascertain/guess the serial numbers of the undiscovered/extant instruments?

That number now stands at 340 with 237 verified.

Yes...my spreadsheet interpolates the serial numbers. Here is a mild example. The "15" is a cell formula value based on the end of batch points I have designated. 76712 is part of another batch above (albeit L5/K5's) that has 15 as the interpolated number. Isn't that a coincidence

76712 76712 K5 Mando-cello
76778 76778 F5 Mandolin
76779 F5 Mandolin
15 76780 F5 Mandolin
76781 F5 Mandolin
76782 F5 Mandolin
76784 F5 Mandolin
76787 F5 Mandolin
76788 F5 Mandolin
76789 F5 Mandolin
76790 F5 Mandolin
76791 F5 Mandolin
76792 76792 F5 Mandolin
1 76801 76801 F5 Mandolin
1 76880 76880 F5 Mandolin

well that hosed up...I'll post a screen shot

Here:

[Timbofood]

On a slight side note, I see Loar mandolins, mando cellos but, no mandolas. Is that right or am I wrong and just not looking in the appropriate places? Just curious.

[JAK]

If it were me, I'd call "Westwood Music" in Los Angeles, and find out if they have someone who can appraise/evaluate it. Seems like they are primarily a guitar store, but they've been around a long time and have dealt in vintage instruments for many years, catering to some of the "big guns" musicians who have made it in music.

[BradKlein]

Appraisal isn't really the issue here. The owner can get a 'perfectly adequate for insurance purposes' appraisal from Gruhn online for $50 HERE - if he can find someone who knows how to take photos.

The next steps depend on what the owner wants to do with the instrument. He may not want or ask for any more advice from 'us' -- but I am hoping that we'll learn more about the instrument's history, condition, particulars.

[Timbofood]

Go see Roger Siminoff, one of the most Loar knowledgeable people on the planet.

[Darryl Wolfe]

On a slight side note, I see Loar mandolins, mando cellos but, no mandolas. Is that right or am I wrong and just not looking in the appropriate places? Just curious.

None made during that brief slice in time a depicted

[Timbofood]

Thanks Darryl, I always thought that it was just me not seeing them. Interesting factoid.

[pheffernan]

On a slight side note, I see Loar mandolins, mando cellos but, no mandolas. Is that right or am I wrong and just not looking in the appropriate places? Just curious.

Carter Vintage has a Loar signed H5 mandola: http://www.cartervintage.com/mandopa...dolins.html#h5.
As does Gruhn: http://guitars.com/inventory/mf8139-...on-h-5-mandola.

[f5loar]

This is not your typical "on-line" appraisal IMO. Someone of knowledge will need to see it in order to know condition of neck. Sitting unplayed for many years at tension could have caused damage. It appears that is the case here in that only one string came loose. Also other possible through the body cracks the owner is not seeing. The fact I see MAPES strings and that other string in the case along with the other "stuff" indicates this mandolin has not seen a lot of action in a long, long time. Roger and Frank are the only ones I would trust on this one. Westwood as you said is a guitar store. See my post about Greg Boyd on dating Gibson mandolins. They wouldn't know what to do even with the date staring them in the face when it comes to figuring out this serial no. not fitting in the order it should. While Westwood could do it, they would be my absolute last choice. McCabe still there in LA? I would trust them over Westwood. If I knew now what he knows I'd be in the car now heading North.

[William Smith]

There still out there kids! Just awaiting to be loved!

[mrmando]

If it were me, I'd call "Westwood Music" in Los Angeles.

Nope. What's needed at this stage is an in-person inspection by a recognized Loar expert. You won't find one of those at Westwood, McCabe's or anywhere else in L.A. I can think of. I got my snakehead A4 at way below market value because someone at McCabe's botched the appraisal on it.

Ken, Darryl, Tom and Dan, not to mention Glassweb, have weighed in on the photos, so we can consider it authenticated on their say-so.

Now we need Frank, Roger or Dexter to take a look at it, evaluate it for any needed repairs and see if they can formulate a plausible theory about the serial number.

[Steve Sorensen]

Awesome story developing here. Wow.
Steve

[sgarrity]

I've been to all of those music stores and I can tell you with confidence that my mandolin knowledge exceeds all of theirs, combined. Take that for what it's worth. Los Angeles is just not a mandolin city. Sure they exist here and there are some very very fine players (and builders!) that live here. But no one here can provide what this situation now needs and that's an in-hand inspection from a Gibson/Loar expert.

It's time to drive up to see Roger or hop on a plane to Nashville.

[Rodney Riley]

And please please please, don't wash, wipe, polish, sand or grind any of the dust, dirt or grime off. Just think that each wipe is taking off $100.00 of its value. It's a "barn find" and the dirt is it's most valued feature. (At least until you know what you have)

[Bob Bass]

Good to see even low resolution pictures!

I'm glad our resident experts chimed in!

It seems that we may have some real history here along w/a bit of a mystery.

This is one of the fun things about this "place"!

Looking forward to further developments, pictures and information.

[KevinM]

<ordering another box of popcorn> this movie is fantastic. And it's real life. I hope we hear back from Grandson.

[DataNick]

Great to see that that the Grandparent with the "old" mandolin that turns out to be a Loar story still lives.

There's still hope for some of us out there...LOL!

[John Kinn]

This is the post we all wait for, but never believe will appear! Fantastic!