Loar Picture of the Day

**Darryl Wolfe** · Mar-12-2004, 4:40pm

75940

**Darryl Wolfe** · Mar-12-2004, 4:43pm

87346

**Darryl Wolfe** · Mar-12-2004, 4:45pm

87346

**Darryl Wolfe** · Mar-12-2004, 4:46pm

87346

**ethanopia** · Mar-12-2004, 5:10pm

whoa 75940 has a two tone nut. I supose they did that because they thought that the A and E strings sound better with Ebony.

interesting...

**mandoJeremy** · Mar-12-2004, 5:19pm

Is it me or does 75940 look like the tuners on the right side are higher than the left, which is opposite from most of the other Loars that had the left side usually higher.

**mandofiddle** · Mar-12-2004, 5:28pm

What are all those little circle inlays on 75940? #Did they do that at Gibson, or after the fact?

**Michael Lewis** · Mar-13-2004, 2:36am

Holy rhinestones Batman! I hope that was done many years ago, because if it was done recently it would take a real . . . well it ain't mine, and I wouldn't do it.

Jeremy, you're right, the treble side machines are set higher.It shows most accurately on the pic of the back.

**Brian Aldridge** · Mar-13-2004, 5:38am

I've had the pleasure to play 87346, and I must say it sounds as good as it looks.

**RI Jim** · Mar-13-2004, 9:47am

Hey Michael, Your note just TOTALLY made my day ! I'm putting the finishing touches on a couple of instruments in the white here and i noticed on has the keys slightly higher on the left side.... if you don't know to look for it it's not noticeable, but now i can hype my 'mistake' as being ' just like a Loar ' .... Even if it is a mistake on the Loar as well !

Life is Good !

**Darryl Wolfe** · Mar-13-2004, 10:07am

I think the rhinestones were done by the orig owner H. S. Torro. #I've known the mando since the mid '70's and it was that way then. #Maybe the owner (an occasional cafe cruiser)can shed some light. #I do know that some have had to be replaced to maintain the correct look/balance #

ps:That mandolin came within a whisker of being my first Loar in '75/'76..just didn't quite work out

**evanreilly** · Mar-13-2004, 7:48pm

Is that 'rhinestone' one pictured on the Norman Blake album cover??

**LGS** · Mar-15-2004, 7:52am

The rhinestones were on 75940 when I bought it. I almost didn't buy it because of them. I remember at one point a jeweler in Nashville thought they might be white sapphires, but couldn't tell without popping one out.

The nut is compensated with the G & D backed up slightly. Danny Ferrington made it for me years ago. It's an ebony base with a bone insert to back up the G & D. It's worked very well.

And yes Evan that's it on the cover of the Blake album. You have a good eye.

**evanreilly** · Mar-15-2004, 8:55am

Ah, then it is probably pictured with that other Loar in that group!
I would also guess that it appears on the 'Master of Bluegrass' album as well.

**76547** · Mar-15-2004, 5:51pm

Bruce,

I remember you looking at mine at the Wintergrass Festival and commenting about it. At the time I was in such awe that I didn't give it much thought. I am looking at the picture and thinking architecturally and structurally as these are the businesses I am in. In looking at the picture it seems to me that this was done to help keep the top and bottom bindings from twisting out/off when hit. If hit from the outside or inside and forced one way or the other the tip binding would keep the edge binding from moving with how it is cut into the edge bindings. In other words these joints are not just flat plnes that could slip. The are cut into each other and stronger.

**danb** · Mar-27-2004, 4:05am

Here's #72361, a new listing at Elderly Instruments:

Kind of an ugly sunburst, in my opinion!

Mar-27-2004, 10:12am

The burst does look differen't, Looks more like a 22 than a 23 to me. I wonder if it has been refinished?

**Mark Marino** · Mar-27-2004, 1:40pm

If you have amassed a large collection of pictures of Loar's, there's probably a reasonable market for a coffee-table book. I know a few geeks like me that have both the Gruhn vintage guitar book, and the history of Gibson. I could stare at these pictures four hours (maybe I need hormone replacement therapy)

**danb** · Mar-31-2004, 12:38pm

From Jack Schultz, here's Scott Tichenor playing 76547 (happy birthday 76547, signed 80 years ago today!)

**danb** · Mar-31-2004, 12:58pm

One more from Jack (reduced image sized for him)..

Happy birthday !

**evanreilly** · Mar-31-2004, 2:06pm

Dan B: you spoiled the mystery... you posted a pic of Scott...<GGG>

**Tom C** · Mar-31-2004, 2:18pm

75940
- That one looks like it has 2 totally different types of maple pieces on the back.

**danb** · Mar-31-2004, 2:58pm

not to go too far off topic, but scott's also pictured here!

**f5loar** · Mar-31-2004, 11:27pm

I guess I have to pull out my old Fern Loar and wish it a Happy Birthday today too!!! I just did a show with it last month and it's never sounded nor played better. I do think these things get better with age.