Originally Posted by
BluesVintageGuitars
<img src="http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=144327"/> Hey all ... I need some help from the Lloyd Loar experts that frequent this wonderful forum. I have an circa 1920 Gibson L-3. I was showing it off to someone the other day that happened to notice something I've never noticed before. First, the areas to fill in on the Gibson label were all filled in using a pencil. They are all very clear, and in the right light you can see everything in great detail. For the record, the guitar is completely 100% original (including the finish, tuners and tortoiseshell pickguard), and in GREAT shape. There are three professionally repaired cracks; two on the top and one on the back. The neck is near perfect, with original frets. It needs nothing, and could be played professionally right now. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would grade this guitar a solid 7 to 7.5, and possibly as high as an 8. Second, upon closer inspection the written letter "L" in "L-3", which is written where it says "Style" on the label, is a cursive letter that bears a striking resemblance to the "L"s in Lloyd Loar's signature on other Gibson labels from this era. I've checked pictures of at least 75 to 100 photos of other know Lloyd Loar signed Gibson labels from this era, and they all look strikingly similar to the "L" on this label. Now, this could be just a mere coincidence. But the more I read about Lloyd Loar and his short time with Gibson, the models he worked on, and how he filled out the Gibson labels, the more I'm thinking this label was, in fact, filled out by Lloyd Loar. So, all that said, my questions are this: 1) Do you guys think this is a label filled out by Lloyd Loar? 2) If you do think it was filled out by Lloyd Loar, does that mean he would have actually built this instrument, or simply worked on specific parts of it? And last, 3) If Lloyd Loar did work on this guitar - or build it entirely - how much value does it actually add to it, if any? Obviously, I know it's not a Lloyd Loar mandolin. But, I have read in several books that he did build other instruments in his early days with Gibson. Those pre-mandolin instruments, however, are not addressed in price guides or other reference books on Gibson. Any information would be very useful. And thanks to all in advance for your time and consideration. I do appreciate it.
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