Now you can own a loar

[olgraypat]

The "Music Link" has announced they will be offering a solid wood “F-style” mandolin...

This is the first mandolin from their "vintage acoustics division," and will be known as The Loar. It will have a spruce top, flamed maple back, sides and neck, "all made with solid, premium grade woods."

Other Music Link lines are Johnson, Recording King and Paris Swing. It will sell for $799.99, but hey, you can probably get one for less on e*** or maybe at that price, they'll throw in a Johnson guitar with your new Loar.

[tin ben dur]

I would really like to own one of these. Mostly as a travel mandolin for camping and stuff. I just hope they do not spray a ton of laquer on it like other companies do.

[Super400]

A Loar for $800.00. Probably.

[mikeo2]

Plenty of people have got a Loar for 800 or less, but that doesn't mean you can too :P

[Bob Simmers]

Bill's was $150.00 in that barber shop, wasn't it?

[wsm]

Plenty of people have got a Loar for 800 or less, but that doesn't mean you can too :P

Seems like all of them went for a lot less then $800.

Originally.

[Steve Davis]

Finally I can afford a real Loar.

[Tailspin]

I just took a look at it and by its description it sounds as good as any eastman.

[jmkatcher]

I should start selling one made out of corrugated cardboard in Bangladesh and call it The Monroe.

[garyblanchard]

I wonder that a company would choose a name that is so iconic. Wouldn't it set up comparisons that are tough to live up to? If it were up to me, I'd rather establish a new identity. Of course, where am I?

I am reminded of my youth when the only guitar strings available locally were Black Diamonds. I still have nightmares about those strings. They were trashy going on and went downhill quickly from there. I learned to buy several sets of good strings when I could get downtown to buy them. When the new Black Diamond strings appeared on the market, I couldn't believe that anyone would use that name. The new company might be making the best strings in the world, but I'm too traumatized to try them. There is a case where the new product had to be better than the old one, but can they overcome the memories of us old geezers?

[Soupy1957]

I'm wondering if Gibson will jump all over this with some sort of "trademark infringement" suit?! In the meantime, it reminds me of the MM-50 and is probably comprable.
-Soupy1957

[Glassweb]

Really pathetic stuff... let Lloyd rest in peace. Of course, I guess there have been plenty of shoddy violins made over the last few hundred years that have sported a "Stradivarius" label. The more things change...

[jaydee]

It really seems pretty bizarre doesn't it? If you know what that name implies you'll know you aren't looking at it when you see one of those. That choice will only invite unfavorable comparisons, unless, they have made some super mandolins.
Jeremy

[JEStanek]

You can get a cardboard mandolin kit for $35 from here. It looks more like a dulcimer neck on a teardrop shaped box but it can be had....

Jamie

[cooper4205]

it looks like the have the option of a sumi-made "custom-shop" limited model. i doubt that one will have the $799 price tag, though

[Scott Tichenor]

Announced here on the Cafe three days earlier.

[mandroid]

that would be getting a 'the Loar', and not finding an attic L.Loar.
it all depends on what the definition of "Is", Is..

[garyblanchard]

Knowing of some of the people involved in this project, I am sure it will be a quality instrument. I just don't think, if I were selling it, I would want people comparing it to the "holy grail" of mandolins. I guess it shows a lot of confidence in their product.

[Desert Rose]

Soupy not to worry about trademarks

The parent company OWNS the legal trademark on "The Loar" free and clear, its in commerce and Gibson has never attempted to trademark this so they are out

Gibson can do nothing about it, in fact its Gibson who cant use the term "the Loar"

Scott

[Soupy1957]

GaryBlanchard: "Knowing of some of the people involved" (What more can you tell us about this instrument, based on some of the folks you know? Where it's made; how it's made; what materials are used...etc..)
-Soupy1957

[Adam Tracksler]

the banjos that they just released -- the recording king -- have been VERY well received over on the banjo hangout...

[garyblanchard]

Greg Rich is involved, who has also been involved with the Recording King banjos (as was noted), and also the Blueridge guitars, which I have played; in fact, my wife bought one. These are made in Asia, though I don't remember which country right off. These will be, I'm sure, nicely made. I just don't think they will match the Loars of old. Seems like, as I say, a comparison I would not encourage my customers to make. I guess they know what they are doing though.

[Desert Rose]

Hello Gary

Nice to see you on the eight string side of things

With a price tag of $800 the chance that anyone would do more than feel the name is familiar is slim to non existant

No attachment business wise to the old $150,000 mandolins is implied or intended. If anyone mistakes this... well they have bigger problems likely

Its simply a name... one with a glorious past for sure but thats all

Put it this way would you rather have your mandolin say Loar or Johnson

Seriously this is an Asian instrument firmly aiming at the other Asian instruments in the same price range and we are not concerned that any more will do anything but boost sales, there sure wont be any disapointed that their 800 dollar mandolin cant be resold for $40,000

Scott

[Mikey G]

I don't get it.

[Glassweb]

What I really don't get is this constant mantra about how people that own Loars don't or can't take them out and play them. NOT TRUE! Everyone I know that owns a Loar plays it regularly and even plays them "out". Do you think concert violinists buy Strads and Guaneris to let them sit in a case - WRONG! There may be some collectors who strictly collect and don't even play... perhaps they never take them out of the case. But the mandolinists who own Loars generally play them and play them a bunch. It seems like the people who dream of owning a Loar have got some serious paranoia about the instrument they lust after! Best for them to buy the $800 "Loar". Sorry to be such an *&!$hole, but just know that for the most part we Loar owners buy them to PLAY them, not to drool over them. Nuff said...