Loar Picture of the Day

[f5loar]

The problem with those type of "not all original" Loars is the investors that can afford them don't want them and the pickers that want them can't afford them. There are many Loars in original condition but in only poor condition with lots of finish lost and maybe some repaired cracks but still solid in all respects and usually great pickers.
Those that come to mind are Mike Marshalls and Butch Waller.

[Glassweb]

[QUOTE=f5loar] The problem with those type of "not all original" Loars is the investors that can afford them don't want them and the pickers that want them can't afford them.

Well put Tom... that's it exactly. I think from now on the only super high-price Loars will be the all-original ones that are in excellent-plus to mint condition. There are VERY few of them that are still in that category.

[Travis Finch]

Hey everybody, was just following the auction (online...I'm over in London). For the record, the Loar went for around $62,500-65,000..can't remember which.

I was primarily interested in the Lyon and Healy mandola, went for $6,000 btw.

[buckles]

Did that Loar actually sell? It was lot #30 and lot#30 is not mentioned in the results of the auction. Maybe it didn't meet the reserve?

[Travis Finch]

Could well be, that figure was the final bid. Who knows? Maybe the reserve wasn't met.

ETA: Just checked the website. Looks like the Loar went unsold.

(Also, for those interested-the mandola actually went for $7,110 not sure if that's including commisions, etc.)

[Ken Waltham]

No, the Loar sold.
62500.00 plus 18.5% buyer's premium, plus, for this guy, a 6.25% MA state tax. He was on the floor.

[f5loar]

So that's about 79K for a refinished Loar. Not bad in today's crippled US economy. You can still buy a house for that amount.

[Glassweb]

i had a feeling that L&H mandola would bring a decent amount... it sure looked nice. and if the Loar was bought for almost $80K i'd say that's a pretty healthy price, all things done to this instrument considered... Lloyd Lives!

[Darryl Wolfe]

I agree, this is good. I really did not expect it to bring nearly this much, but only from an economy perspective (not what I think it is worth perspective)

[Ken Waltham]

The one thing I will say for that mandolin, besides it did really sound and play good.. is that all the "restoration" work is already done. And, it has aged for 10 years. And, I sent it to Oz to the greatest there is, so, that risk is already taken care of.
It has the "right" fininsh, by the world's greatest luthier, it has all the right hardware, case and peghead overlay. The only thing, and it's small, is that the pickguard binding piece, that is against the fretboard, is 1950's. It is more white in colour than the rest of the p/g's original binding.
Pretty small complaint. We did not change that in the restoration process.
It had beautiful wood, and sounded great. The non Virzi Feb 18's are wonderful mandolins, and, if you did not own one, and really wanted a Loar, but not for 200K, that was THE ONE, as far as I'm concerned.
Having said that, you are now 79K into a non original F5, and that's a real gamble.
It's a call that could go either way, I guess.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Ken, is the overlay original to the instrument

[Ken Waltham]

Yes, the overlay is original. As I recall, it was quite colourful as well, certainly more than most. Pink and green.
The only non original part is the replaced fingerboard. And, I really don't think anyone could ever tell.
I have lots of photos of it in it's "orignal" state, as I bought it.
A really pretty slab cut back, and nice rims. Forest green coloured case interior.
Ken

[Glassweb]

so... for less than the cost a mint, Master Model Fern, someone picked up a Gilchrist refinished Feb. 18th Loar. not bad sez I. you know, as time goes on even the cleanest existing Loars will be degrading in one way or the other. it may be a scratch, or a crack on the top... perhaps a seam separation on the back or the tuners will just wear out. at this point all you can do (if you want a Loar) is try and find (or wait for) the best Loar you can find within your price range. you got $225,000 to spend? great, the world of Lloyd will be your oyster. got about $150,000? go a for a VG+ example that sounds great. your accountant tells you $70K is your limit? fine... you just bought a Gilchrist refinished Loar with original hardware and case for less than half of what an original finish example would go for. don't give a damn about a Loar F5 but still want a top pro-quality mandolin? choices? are you kidding? how about a Gil, Dude, Kimble, Brentrup, Ellis, Wood, Monteleone, Mowry, Weins, Hamlett, Haisley, Hester, Heiden, Daley, Gibson DMM, Collings, Brock, Poe, Clarke etc... etc... frankly, if you can't find a GREAT mandolin for under $5K you ain't lookin' in the right places...

[Ken Waltham]

Yes, I think if that's your price range, it was a fantastic F5, signed by Loar himself. It doesn't get much better.
If I didn't have one, I'd have bought it.

[Kent Martin]

I read the 2 Loar Picture of the Day threads end to end over the last 5 days -- fascinating, quite a resource. I'll know what I'm looking at the next time one comes in the door.

OK, the first time one comes in the door.

It's also good inspiration for #2 which I hope to start building soon.

Thanks, all.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Does anyone know where the Pee Wee Lambert mandolin is now. The owner came by my house years ago, but I have forgotten his name. That would be 71628 a '22 model that Gilchrist redid

[danb]

We sorted this one out, the owner wishes to stay anonymous

[Richard Morrison]

Family heirloom that has never been for sale

...and from the look of the neck finish, never been played.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Ms. Hester's A5 and Lloyd make a nice pair

[grassrootphilosopher]

Ms. Hester's A5 and Lloyd make a nice pair

Since they do indeed make a nice pair how about posting a soundclip of both.

[Skip Kelley]

Darryl, That is one sweet looking couple!!!

[Darryl Wolfe]

I guess it only fitting that we mark the 86th anniversary of the Loar signed February 18, 1924 instruments. There were more than 60 instruments signed on this day, by far the largest batch of Loar signed instruments. These would include Mike Marshall, JR's, Gene Johnsons and the Rybka/Williamson mando to name only a few.

[f5loar]

I got to pick quite a bit on the above Hester A5 yesterday and today and it sounds and plays as good as it looks. This is what independant builders are all about. When you see this fine of a quality luthier work that turns out a superb sounding, easy playing near flawless mandolin such as this one you know it can't get any better. The neck was fast and smooth. The wood excellent quality. The fit and finish very 20's Gibson like.
The notes clean and true sounding. The sound very punchy with clarity and power to spare. I'm usually not very impressed with these copies of the original Loar A5 since I've been able to pick on the holy grail A5 all others seem pail in comparsion. It seems most copies are just near copies and fail to really capture what that one off Loar accomplished way back in 1923.
This one got it right. While I have never played any other mandolins by Ms. Hester I can say she understands what it's all about and for certain nailed it dead center on this one example I played. I felt the same as I did when I first played Dudenbostel NO. 1 and NO. 2 F5 models. I knew better things were coming down the road and they sure have as Lynn continues to put out quality workmanship and great sounding mandolins. I understand this one was several years old and she has done some improvments to current ones being made. If that is true then this is one mandolin luthier you need to keep an eye on. Very, very nice. I understand this particular one is for sale. If you are in the market for a used A5 for a great price by one of the up and coming top of line luthiers than look no further. In the words of the late Michael Jackson
"THIS IS IT".

[Darryl Wolfe]

Just in case anybody forgot how fine 84252 is, here are some new photos

[Gail Hester]

That Fern is absolutely jaw-dropping gorgeous.

Darryl, thank you for posting the wonderful pictures of the A5 and Lloyd. Lloyd is amazing.

f5Loar, thank you for your incredible review of the A5. I’m speechless and that’s never happened before.