Brush with a Loar

[jjboone101]

My wife and I went to a patio party last night and to my surprise, my friend had arranged for a four-piece band to play. Later that evening someone mentions "did you notice the mandolin player is picking a Loar?" I just thought it was a really, really nice Fern. Anyway, I start talking to the guy on a break about his Loar and he just hands it to me. Play it. Good God. What an experience and what tone. He bought it from Gruhn's in '79. Norman Blake apparently owned it at one point. Monroe had picked on it at a festival. I'm just hoping a tiny bit of mando karma transfered. I know this isn't a big deal to you veterans who have played several Loars before, but I was a Loar virgin prior to last night. Anyway, what a wonderful experience and what a gracious gesture by a Loar-owning mandolin player.

MORAL: A stuffy patio party can turn into a Loar encounter if you're lucky.

jj http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Eugene]

I've only played one...so it's still a big deal to me. There's something a little intimidating about holding a wee instrument in my hands that has the potential to take more money at auction than my ratty condominium would! I try to make sure my instruments cost me less than my vehicles, let alone my housing.

[ethanopia]

Congrats on your first encounter. I've never had the pleasure, but am awaiting the day. I think I'm going to try and go to IBMA and I'm sure there will be more than one there, if any generous soul would be so kind as to let me have a pass at thier it would be greatly appreciated...

[Fretbear]

Congratulations, it is a big deal; I didn't know that Blake had "traded" in Loars, just that he now owns one. I think he once owned Sam Bush's "Hoss" as well and did some "hippy sanding" to the top, as well as spilling coffee on/in it.... Anybody know anything more about this previous Loar?

[Darryl Wolfe]

From the details you mention, it sounds like the Griffith Loar. ##72615. #I sold it in 79 after acquiring a clean non-refinished one. #Tut Taylor owned it and Norman played it most of the time. #It resides in North Carolina with "Mike"

And yes, Norman spilled coffee on the top, and Randy Wood refinished it. #This was not a major loss since the mando had the top and neck refinned by Gibson in the early '30's.

The are quite a few pics before and after on the Loar pic thread (page 6 and 15)

[jjboone101]

Thanks for solving the mystery Darryl!

[TommyK]

Wow! You guys sure know your Loars!
How many Loars are out there to keep track of who owned, played, sold, spilt beverages upon, and had refinished?
The only thing I know for sure about my guitar is that I currently own it, pretty much where it is and that it's probably out of tune!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

[Darryl Wolfe]

207 are accounted for

[jim simpson]

My encounter was with a Loar that was owned by a fellow named Henry in Pa. He didn't play just owned it. I played it with a group of pickers for an hour or so and it was all that. I hadn't been playing that long but that instrument seemed to inspire my playing. I believe he sold it to or through Mandolin Bros. around '94 or '95. I seem to remember it going for around $50,000 or $60,000. I did go to his home to look at another mandolin he had for sale. I think it must have been an import that he had Gilchrist retop for him. It looked good but didn't sound good. He said that he had sold some old barnwood to Gilchrist thus his willingness to top the mando. The top looked like one of his but that was all.

[Darryl Wolfe]

Yep...That's the late Henry Garris. #He owned the red fern Loar depicted in the Loar Pic of Day thread. #Sold it thru Mando Bros around 95. I still have some maple I got from him along with an original 23 Gibson Catalog

[chirorehab]

Darryl,

You should film a documentary...

Eric

[jjboone101]

hell, I'd buy the DVD!

[Fstpicker]

Wow...what a neat thread! And I'm just excited to be able to "borrow" my friend's 1929 Gibson A Mandolin for a week, which has "killer" tone BTW. He's going to sell it to me for $600, so I'm tempted.

Darryl...man, you're a "walking encyclopedia" of "Gibby's" it seems. I'll have to peruse your website more.

Jeff

[Boombloom]

My encounter was with a Loar that was owned by a fellow named Henry in Pa. He didn't play just owned it. I played it with a group of pickers for an hour or so and it was all that. I hadn't been playing that long but that instrument seemed to inspire my playing. I believe he sold it to or through Mandolin Bros. around '94 or '95. I seem to remember it going for around $50,000 or $60,000. I did go to his home to look at another mandolin he had for sale. I think it must have been an import that he had Gilchrist retop for him. It looked good but didn't sound good. He said that he had sold some old barnwood to Gilchrist thus his willingness to top the mando. The top looked like one of his but that was all.

I'm intrigued! About 10 years ago I purchased an F5 copy from David Musselwhite at a Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival. He told me that the top was from Steve Gilchrist and the rest was by an unknown builder, possibly from Ohio. The truss rod cover plate says Henry Garris on it. I ran into Mr. Gilchrist at the Noppet Hill Bluegrass Festival a few years later and he confirmed that he carved the top. I later got an email from him that says "so if it sounds bad you can blame me." Can anyone help shed more light on this instrument?

[Dobe]

My first time was around 10-15 years back at Midwinter in Colo. Caleb R of Open Road walks up to me & says " check out my new mando". So I set down my Nug "A" & spank it a little' look it over. Needs lots of work: back separation,fretwork/setup, cracks near F-holes (I'm sticking my fingers in to feel for cleats) Take a look at the label & say " It is a Gibson huh?" He says " Yep (some date) Loar !" Tells me what he paid & I'm quietly thinking (what a waste of money) Boy do I feel stupid ! Spanked it a couple more times & gave it back. Didn't even like holding it then (fear of the unexpected seizure and consequential damage I could cause). Still liked my Nugget better anyway ! I've since played it since it's resurrection & it's improved greatly; probably would need to spend a few weeks with it to really get to know her but I wouldn't describe it as stellar. Definately a great mando but... A couple Gilchrist's, Montleone's & pretty much every Nugget I've ever played: Stellar !! The thing that's worth mentioning though is Caleb's attitude toward her. He'll let most anyone try her out, sets her down here or there; (I'd probably be a bit more protective). But that's how they should be treated. Taken out and played & shared with the community. It's just a mandolin ! Thanks Caleb !!!!!

[jim simpson]

Boombloom,
That sounds like the same mandolin I tried. Henry Garris did tell me that it was made by someone in Ohio before it was re-topped. Maybe it didn't sound good to at the time as I was probably still hearing the Loar sound in my head.
Do you still have it and how would you describe it's sound? (what a small world this mandolin community is!)

[tburcham]

Jonathan, you are a fortunate man! That's a once in a lifetime event for musical mortals, like me (-;

[Boombloom]

I've still got it. It hasn't seen the light of day in a while. I mostly play upright bass. The World's Cheapest Gilchrist sounded OK last time I played it. I used to play it regularly and it really got to sound pretty great. I showed it to a well known dealer who told me I could ask almost 4 times my purchase price for it at this point. Pretty sure I'd always miss it though if I sold it, just like any instrument I was ever stupid enough to sell. They almost always sound better after they're gone. Anyway, I wish I knew who the Ohio builder was....

[George R. Lane]

I once was granted the privilege of playing John Reischman's Loar. He was playing a concert in town and I was the chief photographer at the newspaper. I had to get a photo for the features page and thought I would ask him to sign my case. Of course he obliged and ask to see my mando. After he got through plaing mine he handed me his and said, I played yours, now you play mine. I managed to play a few chords and a couple of fiddle tunes. What a thrill that I will never forget.

[jim_n_virginia]

My friend and former teacher Herschel Sizemore has FOUR Loars and I got to play 2 of them. Both sound just like I expected a Loar to sound like. Have seen a few more passed around to play at festivals. It's funny all the people I have met who own Loars are not overly protective and will pass it to you with no problem if you are a player.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Quote from Jim - "My friend and former teacher Herschel Sizemore......" Forget the Loars,i'd settle for a month's tuition from Herschel so i could maybe be worthy of the instruments i have. There are some folk who actually 'live my dreams' ,
Ivan:disbelief:

[luthier88]

I saw and played 2 at Harry West's place many years ago in Durham, NC, and I've had the pleasure of John Reischman's. My first was at a wedding party in Chapel Hill, NC, and at the break, I walked up and brazenly asked if I might see his Loar, and I got lucky!

As far as Norman Blake is concered, Nancy has a Loar that is to die for...

[goldtopper]

My friend and former teacher Herschel Sizemore has FOUR Loars and I got to play 2 of them. Both sound just like I expected a Loar to sound like. Have seen a few more passed around to play at festivals. It's funny all the people I have met who own Loars are not overly protective and will pass it to you with no problem if you are a player.

The one I played was under the same circumstances-
There was a post here years ago where folks were talking about Loars. I said I never had the pleasure. A member here who lives near me emailed me, invited me to his office and let me play all I like. It's an amazing world isn't it?

[Rex Hart]

I concur with the poster who said that most Loar owners are very free to let other mando players play their Loars. I had the privilege of playing Jimmy Orchard's Loar here in south central Missouri. What an honor and a very gracious man. I believe this one was dated April/July 1923 ? Darryl, do you have any info on this one?

[RobP]

I got to play John Reischman's as well. I arranged a private lesson with him a couple of years ago at the Porland Rivercity Bluegrass festival - we traded mandolins for a while during the lesson. He wanted to trade back at the end though :)

[i-vibe]

not even close to being the same thing.....but i have a '63 FENDER P-BASS which though not a LOAR...it is a pretty special instrument.

it's always a joy watching folk's expression when i'm on break somewhere and someone strikes up a conversation about it and i invite them to play it some.