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Thread: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

  1. #1
    Registered User Hendrik Ahrend's Avatar
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    Default Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Looks like there just another never before documented LL: http://www.gbase.com/gear/gibson-f-5...-1924-sunburst

    As it apparently sounds great, looks absolutely gorgeous and only costs 165k, it'd really tempting. As for the original frets, they are not, as far as I can tell.

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    Registered User William Smith's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    I believe this is the San Jose CA, flea market Loar that was bought for 20 bucks over a year ago? There is some Lore right there!

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  5. #3
    Registered User Hendrik Ahrend's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    I believe, you're right, Billy, that should be the one. Don't know, how long it has been available through g.base.

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    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Quote Originally Posted by Henry Eagle View Post
    ... only costs 165k...
    "Only" and ""165k" don't belong in the same sentence, IMHO -- unless you're talking about a house...
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  8. #5

    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    That's a beauty for sure!

    One thing (maybe a few things) that I don't understand. If you're Joe Weed (who is quoted in the ad) and you own a Loar, why would you make the statement "This one blows mine away!"?

    First of all, if it's really that good, I'd think you'd want to keep still and work out some kind of a trade. I know I would.
    And second, doesn't that statement sort of devalue the one you own?

    I don't know. It doesn't matter I guess, but it doesn't make much sense.
    "I play BG so that's what I can talk intelligently about." A line I loved and pirated from Mandoplumb

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  10. #6
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    That instrument has been listed on Reverb for the past 7 months.

    Anyone who is seriously interested in the mandolin would probably be best off inspecting it very carefully in person before they pull the trigger. "This instrument falls under our used/vintage policy and is therefore not eligible for return." In other words, if something is not right, "Sorry Charlie."

    I will add that most of the long established vintage dealers who handle Loars, pre-war Martin 45s, and original Granadas have a return policy.

    The instrument is probably fine, but I would advise any buyer to require a current letter of authentication from Gryphon [since the instrument is in California] or another highly qualified third party; unless you know old Gibsons really well.
    Last edited by rcc56; Jul-01-2018 at 12:19pm.

  11. #7
    Martin Stillion mrmando's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Well, it does say Gary Vessel had a go at it; Gary has built some acclaimed Loar copies and certainly is no dummy when it comes to authenticity. One could ask him about it.

    Ad begins, "Not only is this one of the rarest of all Loar signed F-5’s ..." I am not sure what that is supposed to mean. In what sense is an individual Loar rarer than another? There are 34 other known Loar mandolins with the same signature date, not to mention a number of H5 mandolas and L5 guitars.

    This one is currently listed in the Archive, without photos. Archive and the Reverb ad mention that it has a Virzi.
    Last edited by mrmando; Jul-01-2018 at 3:09pm.
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  13. #8
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Its the real deal, They said they haven't even set it up? To me that's nuts! Get that thing running right and I'm sure it may sell better but lots of Loars have been sitting a long time without getting bought at dealers. I believe its a small market on who buys these things, not everyone is going to shell out their hard earned cash like that unless they are die hard man! Loar prices sure aint what they were. I believe its because there are so many great independent builders out there, but still there is only so many of the REAL deal!

  14. #9

    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Quote Originally Posted by rcc56 View Post
    I will add that most of the long established vintage dealers who handle Loars, pre-war Martin 45s, and original Granadas have a return policy.
    In addition, I will add that someone is paying for the item to be authentic, which goes beyond just a normal return period. Many "vintage dealers" have been taken to court for misrepresenting a high dollar instrument, if it is later to be found to be repaired, or otherwise non-original, etc. THIS can occur YEARS after the sale has taken place.

    Not saying anything is wrong with this instrument, of course. It looks very nice. NFI.

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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    As is sometimes the case - the 'story' can be just as (or more) entertaining as the mandolin . . .

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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Quote Originally Posted by mrmando View Post

    Ad begins, "Not only is this one of the rarest of all Loar signed F-5’s ..." I am not sure what that is supposed to mean. In what sense is an individual Loar rarer than another? There are 34 other known Loar mandolins with the same signature date, not to mention a number of H5 mandolas and L5 guitars.
    They are calling it rare because it has a fern peghead.

    They are also selling a 1942 L-00 that they are calling "one of the latest pre-war Gibsons we have seen." They are asking $6000 for it [!!!]. They didn't bother to clip the string ends at the tuners before they took the pictures.

    They are also selling a 1964 LG-1 for $2400 [!!!!].

    There are enough disclaimers in their "Returns-used/vintage gear" no returns policy to keep a lawyer busy for 3 months. Caveat emptor.

    'Nuff said.

  17. #12
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    If I had cash I'd offer 100G for the F-5 and they would still be making a profit! Nowadays Loars aren't bringing 150-200K!

  18. #13
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    My concept of "rare" in Loar signed instruments would include the following:

    1. F-5 with one piece back
    2. F-5 with "side binding"
    3. K-5 mandocello

    There are 24 ferns listed in the archive. Undoubtedly, there are others that are not listed.

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  20. #14
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Billy, I think if you offered $40 they’d be ahead..haha.

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    Registered User O. Apitius's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Quote Originally Posted by FLATROCK HILL View Post
    That's a beauty for sure!

    One thing (maybe a few things) that I don't understand. If you're Joe Weed (who is quoted in the ad) and you own a Loar, why would you make the statement "This one blows mine away!"?

    First of all, if it's really that good, I'd think you'd want to keep still and work out some kind of a trade. I know I would.
    And second, doesn't that statement sort of devalue the one you own?

    I don't know. It doesn't matter I guess, but it doesn't make much sense.
    I like your powers of reason. I have a a couple of mottoes that I live by, one goes, 'if it don't make sense, it isn't.'
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Actually, this one has been documented for awhile, just not with pictures, so says Dan at the Mandolin Archive.

    http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/76785

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  26. #17
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Well, let me check my lotto numbers and I’ll get right on that one! Well, after the bathroom remodel.
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    Registered User slimt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Lot of money for a conversation piece..

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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Quote Originally Posted by rcc56 View Post
    My concept of "rare" in Loar signed instruments would include the following:

    1. F-5 with one piece back
    2. F-5 with "side binding"
    3. K-5 mandocello

    There are 24 ferns listed in the archive. Undoubtedly, there are others that are not listed.
    I may be wrong, but I'm thinking there are only two Loars with one-piece backs. I've seen them both. Have heard of a third but have not seen it.
    ..... f5joe

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  30. #20
    Registered User Hendrik Ahrend's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Well then: "only" 165k.

  31. #21
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Quote Originally Posted by rcc56 View Post
    My concept of "rare" in Loar signed instruments would include the following:

    1. F-5 with one piece back
    2. F-5 with "side binding"
    3. K-5 mandocello

    There are 24 ferns listed in the archive. Undoubtedly, there are others that are not listed.
    Can we also add the A5? I'd love to play a few notes on that one. But buying it?!?!? That's a rare instrument!

    f-d
    ˇpapá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

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  33. #22
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Quote Originally Posted by fatt-dad View Post
    Can we also add the A5? I'd love to play a few notes on that one. But buying it?!?!? That's a rare instrument!

    f-d
    The A-5 is a fabulous instrument with all the Loar tone. Tut was kind enough to let me play it about 20 years ago.
    ..... f5joe

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  35. #23
    two t's and one hyphen fatt-dad's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Quote Originally Posted by f5joe View Post
    The A-5 is a fabulous instrument with all the Loar tone. Tut was kind enough to let me play it about 20 years ago.
    Yes! I know a few of our café folks have played that Loar A5. What fun!

    f-d
    ˇpapá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!

    '20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A

  36. #24
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    F-5 Joe...Are you sure it was only 20 years ago that Tut let you play the A-5...I didn`t know he had it then, but I don`t keep up with such things.....

    Willie

  37. #25
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    Default Re: Fern Loar F5 Attic Find

    Quote Originally Posted by f5joe View Post
    The A-5 is a fabulous instrument with all the Loar tone. Tut was kind enough to let me play it about 20 years ago.

    That is my personal favorite of all I have played. If I had the $$$, I'd pair it up with the snakehead mandola for everything I'd ever need! Ok, maybee a snakehead L5 too....

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