2 Loar Gibsons suggestions needed.

[383roller]

I'm going to help a friend sell these, suggestions for pricing is appreciated.

1st is a tenor lute with original case, looks nice and original except for some small holes in the fretboard. Waverly tuners.







Small holes



Second is this mandocello k2 from 1924 also. A project indeed but mostly there. No case.

[Timbofood]

Where does Loar come into the picture? Or are you just considering them "Loar era"?

[Jim Garber]

The TL is Loar era but not so sure about the mandocello. Wouldn't it have a truss rod? Do you have a serial number?

[chris scott]

I am curious what that "pocket" looking thing is glued to the top of the cello. (just above the tail block)

[chris scott]

In the last post I said top , but it is on back

[Spruce]

1st is a tenor lute with original case........

There's a wanted ad for a tenor lute right now in the Classifieds...
NFI, etc.

[383roller]

The TL is Loar era but not so sure about the mandocello. Wouldn't it have a truss rod? Do you have a serial number?

I was limited to 10 images, the mando appears to be 1907!

I am curious what that "pocket" looking thing is glued to the top of the cello. (just above the tail block)

I believe that piece fit where the fret board extension would be (?)

[slimt]

Those are Neat looking...

[allenhopkins]

Price guideline: spent $1,775 for my tenor lute (private sale) in 2011. Original case, not quite as nice shape as yours.

[f5loar]

The TL had a Master Model label in it, so that puts it in the "5" series technically but not with a signed label, so that's why it's more than just a "Loar era" instrument. I'd say he was really involved in it's design to get that MM label.

[NotMelloCello]

I'm looking for a mandocello project.
Let's talk - PM me.

[Timbofood]

There's a TL conversion being chatted about that was a MM labeled instrument. Thanks for jogging my memory Tom.
I think I was just suffering a brain cramp with regard to the threat title.

[Ken Waltham]

Actually Tim, all Tenor Lutes have the Master Model label. This is quite a mystery, and has always made me think that Lloyd was developing an A shaped series of F holed instruments, and it never came to fruition.

[mrmando]

Really cool to see what's going on inside the K2 neck.

[Steve Ostrander]

Wonder what happened to the FB and bridge from K2.... I hope somebody can make it sing again.

[NotMelloCello]

<Removed by Moderator, please limit commerce to the Classifieds or at least a PM>

[Jim Garber]

35 years of experience as a repairman and builder here.
I've got cash, and no one is emailing me or calling me.
What's the problem?

Maybe you should try PMing the OP, 383roller. Some people post and then forget to check the threads they started.

[MikeEdgerton]

The Mandocello project was in the classifieds for a very short time yesterday evening. I'm assuming someone bought it.

[Timbofood]

So, the tenor lute was a short lived project? Very interesting indeed, thanks Ken.

[MikeEdgerton]

The mandocello was the project. I know nothing about the TL.

[NotMelloCello]

Maybe you should try PMing the OP, 383roller. Some people post and then forget to check the threads they started.

No kidding. Did that. See what it got me?

[allenhopkins]

Actually Tim, all Tenor Lutes have the Master Model label. This is quite a mystery, and has always made me think that Lloyd was developing an A shaped series of F holed instruments, and it never came to fruition.

I've heard that the TL tenor lutes were a Lloyd Loar "bad idea" -- they didn't catch on (I can see why), and Gibson only made 'em for a short time. Mine has the MM label, unsigned.

A not-too-satisfactory hybrid of a mandola and a tenor banjo, perhaps designed to appeal to tenor banjoists who wanted a "mandolin" sound, but not producing sufficient volume -- at least mine's pretty quiet. I like owning the "rare bird," but confess to not playing it too much.

[Ken Waltham]

I've heard that the TL tenor lutes were a Lloyd Loar "bad idea" -- they didn't catch on (I can see why), and Gibson only made 'em for a short time. Mine has the MM label, unsigned.

A not-too-satisfactory hybrid of a mandola and a tenor banjo, perhaps designed to appeal to tenor banjoists who wanted a "mandolin" sound, but not producing sufficient volume -- at least mine's pretty quiet. I like owning the "rare bird," but confess to not playing it too much.

Allen, I actually think they changed horses in midstream. I believe ( just my opinion mind you ) that they were designed to be a mandola, and economics and Loar's bad sales, etc, squashed that idea. So.. tenor banjos were coming on strong, and in typical Gibson fashion, they stuck tenor necks on the bodies to try to get some of that action. They were no good for either market, banjoists or mandolinists with the present design.
BTW, the MM label is not signed, that is on the signature label, a different one..

[testore]

I can make a MM label for it complete with signature, LOL

[Roman Pekar]

I've heard that the TL tenor lutes were a Lloyd Loar "bad idea" -- they didn't catch on (I can see why), and Gibson only made 'em for a short time. Mine has the MM label, unsigned.

A not-too-satisfactory hybrid of a mandola and a tenor banjo, perhaps designed to appeal to tenor banjoists who wanted a "mandolin" sound, but not producing sufficient volume -- at least mine's pretty quiet. I like owning the "rare bird," but confess to not playing it too much.

As far as I know yours is also 4-string? Have you tried 8-string version? in theory it should be louder. I can't see why those lutes should be more quiet then mandolas (but never played one)