Fern or Master Model

[carleshicks]

I went to elderly today to play the July 9 Loar. This was the first loar i have ever played, and I loved it. I had them bring out The new Master Model so I could compare. I thought that cosmeticly The MM was a very acurate copy of the old Loar . When I played the MM I was impressed with the volume and the tone was amazing, but it still was not nearly as deep or dark as the Loar. I am sure this will come with age. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how they think the New Gibson Fern stands up to a late 20's fern cosmeticly and acousticly. I own a 2003 Fern but I have never played an original.

[carleshicks]

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[Darryl Wolfe]

Excellent question Carl. I'm glad you found the Master Model to compare favorably to the Original Loar. With that said, I suspect (but only my opinion Charlie/Joe) that you may find that the Fern compares a bit more favorably. This is not from a "better effort" standpoint, but from a difference in the difficulty factor between a Loar and a Fern and hence the price differential. Original Ferns had a more airbrushed stain that negated some of the hand work, easier binding to apply and reproduce the look of..and somewhat more forgiveness in the graduations. Coupled with gold plating and a more ornate peghead where minor details don't show up like a bad thumb...I really like what they've accomplished on the new Ferns

[carleshicks]

Were Gibson F-5s made between 1925 and 1928 signed by anyone? if so by who.

[Charlie Derrington]

No one.

Charlie #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[f5loar]

They ran out of the stickers on Dec. 21, 1924 and never re-ordered after Loar left out the back door. Actually I think ole Lloyd put them in his pocket when he cleaned out his desk with the attitude "If I can't sign them nobody will".