Gibson A5-L

[Ken Berner]

I noticed on e-Bay that there is a '95 Gibson A5-L being called a Loar Master Model. I didn't think that this mandolin was a copy of the "one and only" A5 that he built. Can someone verify this?

[Scotti Adams]

..I think it was loosely based on that design....

[evanreilly]

Close; but no cigar.
Tut Taylor's new Prodigal mandolins may be closer. He had the original A-5 in hand & shop for a long time.

[BigJoe]

A5L is not a clone of a Loar. It is pretty though. Sounds great and lots cheaper than a Fern. Just not a Loar copy.

[Steven Stone]

According to Mark Taylor the Prodigal A-5 is the only accurate reproduction of the only known Lloyd Loar A-5.

It is a very fine instrument with a lovely varnish finished sunburst, and serious bass response, but at $12K list price for an A-style body, it had better be great http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[mandoJeremy]

12K for an A style, I DON'T THINK SO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll stick to my varnished Bush model for the tone I desire!

[PatrickG]

Mandolin Bros. has a Gibson A-5L in stock and claim that is has a "triple-ply" top. They're wrong, aren't they?

[Darryl Wolfe]

Speaks for itself...longer body that is the same shape as the oval hole A's of the period. #1-3/8" thick instead of 1-1/2". #F-holes placed to coincide with the neck joining the longer body at the 15th fret

[Fred G]

Hey BigJoe, I was noticing my 99 A5L and comparing it to some 98 and older models and I was wondering. Did the design change slightly around that time? It seems that the slope up to neck is slighter. If you look at the A5Ls on elderly right now, it seems to show that.
I love mine!

[Big Joe]

A5L's do not have three ply tops. They are ALL solid maple. No plywood in a Gibson...not even in the bad years. The A5L may have changed after moving the production to Nashville. We attempted to correct a few design things that we felt could be improved. Not bashing pre Nashville, just making a statement. Thank you.

[Scotti Adams]

..Joe...a maple top?...say it aint so... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Fred G]

Patrick, I think the triple ply they are refering to is the triple ply binding which ids on the pickguard as well.
Joe, I like the current design better than the older ones, nice job.

[Willie]

See how things get messed up on here? Joe made a mistake in his statement, probably due to being too busy, and from now on people will bet the farm that Gibson uses MAPLE for their tops....SHEEZE...Willie:p