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I have never had any definitive proof, but, virtually everyone whose looked at this agrees....
Charlie Derrington felt this was the very first Gibson Virzi instrument, and, of course, personally...

Hey Danny. Thanks for clearing that all up. The past has been pretty bleak, and I am glad that along with making great new instruments, the repair shop has become "vintage sensitive" as well.
Ken

I love Gibson instruments from the Loar and post Loar period. Having said that, Gibson would be one of the very last places I would send one for work. Not a chance.

Yeah, right. Not in this lifetime.

I was just playing this F5 this morning. The photos are impossible to describe how much like a brand new mandolin it really is. It is almost as though you went to the store ( Gibson Agent ) in 1923,...

Those are just great mandolins. With the family history, that's a wonderful heirloom that you can enjoy in a meaningful way.
Excellent.

The 70's F12 would make a nice little fire on those cool spring evenings...

Thanks, Christian, you are exactly right. I now remember that you sold it for the Rinzler Fern. Sorry for the confusion, so many mandolins....
It was a 20's style shaped case, correct? I had never...

Not a chance at 4K. Maybe... half that..maybe.
Ken

Hey Tom. The Rinzler Fern was in a shaped case when I played it. Exactly like a F4 case from the teens or twenties, only for an F5. Green lining. I would say completely original and straight.
That...

I have only known one F5 in a shaped case. Tom could well be right about the owner ordering another one. Perhaps his own was worn, or somehow broke a latch or something.
Back to the Fern Loar...

I have to say, my own Fern Loar is in quite a bit better shape. Another prominent fellow on this site has a most lovely Fern Loar. Near mint, really. Both with original, rectangular cases. The price...

9799097991I've had 3 or 4 '24 F4's with those buttons. They are original, and, my guess is just that's what the supplier had at the time.
Ken

Henry, that link does not work for me.
Ken

I forgot about that one! So, that's 4 I guess. That was one of the coolest ever! It had an original red lined, shaped case, I think.
The one I have now has the best wood of all of them, and it has...

969129691396914Handel tuners were made in Germany, he's right.
As for the case, I have not seen one like that. It is obviously original, however. I have a rectangular case currently, which is just...

Wow, I can't hardly believe that. Sometimes I really wonder about George.
Gary, I have bought 3 1927 F4's, and two of them came in Loar cases. I still have them both.
I have the cleanest Loar case...

This is a tough thread to wade in on, for sure, because it's really all speculation. I, for one, have always believed that Style 5 instruments were much more factory instruments than "hand built",...

I agree completely with Tom's statement above. I have played and owned Loars that were perhaps better than others, but, without a doubt, every Loar I have played has had that special magic going for...

That is an interesting question. I really do not have a clue, but, perhaps with carefull study of the archives, one could make some sort of conclusion as to changing techniques.

Do you mean F4 and H4?

It was a real beauty. I too found the "sold" sign when I looked!

OK, I have another observation/discussion stimulator. Every Loar I have owned has had the serial number in pencil on the bottom of the bridge. 20's Ferns have that, too. It's normal. Some Loar period...

Thanks Darryl. You know, you had a large part in creating this monster.....
I have a couple of comments, and questions I would like some discussion on. Firstly, these tuners... they are in great...

Thanks! Couple of points..
Interestingly, I am the guy who pulled that 1927 Fern out of the woodwork, ( I don't always get credit in the Archive..) and have noticed the mark off of the t/p cover in...