"The first thing that came to my mind was Psycho"

November 19, 2016 8:44 AM

Australian luthier Stephen Gilchrist explains how he went about restoring Gibson F5 Mandolin #70281, the first such Gibson instrument to be signed by Lloyd Loar on June 1, 1922.

Antiques Road Show: 1924 Gibson F-5 “Lloyd Loar” Mandolin

John Reischman talks about and plays his 1924 Lloyd Loar Gibson F5.

Lloyd Loar-signed mandolins being played by people who were born at least 57 years after Loar worked for Gibson:

1924 Lloyd Loar-signed Gibson F-5 mandolin played by Sierra Hull

Chris Thile with his Lloyd Loar mandolin (#75316)

Carter Vintage Guitars - Chris Thile - Two February 18th, 1924 Loar Mandolins

Previously: Punch Brothers, Mandolin Brothers and Lloyd Loar.

posted by mandolin conspiracy (11 comments total)

As an occasional mandolin player, I found this post riveting. Thanks!
posted by Lynsey at 9:38 AM on November 19, 2016

Great post. Another case where seeing a highly-skilled craftsman do his job is better than porn - especially when it's on one of my favorite musical instruments.
posted by jferg at 9:51 AM on November 19, 2016

this is so timely for me as I am taking a trip to Carter Vintage Guitars in just a couple days & am not sure if I dare ask them to let me put my dreadful short-fingered hands on one of their Loars or not.

& John Reischman has the most beautiful tone in the world and is a nice man to boot
posted by queenofbithynia at 9:59 AM on November 19, 2016

Just beautiful. Perhaps you don't need therapy or booze if you can do that kind of thing in your workshop.
posted by Coda Tronca at 10:30 AM on November 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

posted by mandolin conspiracy

I see what you did there.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 10:35 AM on November 19, 2016 [6 favorites]

Anything to do with Loar instruments tends to put one in mind of Psycho. They are an unholy mess of fiddly bits following an overall design pattern of It seemed like a good idea at the time.
posted by scruss at 10:38 AM on November 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

They are an unholy mess of fiddly bits following an overall design pattern of It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Heh. Case in point: the Virzi tone producer. Originally intended for violins, but they found their way into Loar-era mandolins.

See also: The Virzexorcism.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 11:07 AM on November 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

That is a beautiful restoration.
posted by maxwelton at 12:06 PM on November 19, 2016

No one tell Kurt Russell.
posted by adept256 at 2:29 PM on November 19, 2016

My grandfather played the mandolin. I appreciate this just a bit more because of that.
posted by Splunge at 2:39 PM on November 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

The sound file is lovely.
posted by bonobothegreat at 5:15 AM on November 20, 2016