New The Loar LM-500

**gkraushaar** · May-26-2011, 10:35pm

I had the opportunity to set up a number of these today. They are now made in the same factory as the rest of The Loar mandolins, quite a departure from the earlier LM--500s which were made in a different factory.

These mandolins are quite similar to the LM-600s, with a slightly simpler but very tasteful peghead inlay and a scooped out fretboard extension, which I consider an improvement.

Take a look at The Loar website to see a photo of this mandolin. I wouldn't mind having one myself.

**Fstpicker** · May-26-2011, 11:13pm

So what did you think of their sound, George? How might they compare with the LM-400VS tonally?

Thanks.

Jeff

**blueron** · May-26-2011, 11:40pm

The photographs on the Loar website of the new LM-500 are very sweet. I have an LM-400 on order, or else I might consider it. It's great to see the much-scorned Asian makers turning things around and generating respect with some genuinely decent instruments. More power to them, since they are placing quality instruments within reach of those of us who don't have thousands to drop on a mandolin.

ron

**gkraushaar** · May-27-2011, 8:14pm

The LM-500s are a little less throaty than the LM-400, because they have tone bars and the 400s don't. The tone bars appear to be lower on the 500s than on my personal LM-600, however. I really like the 400s.

**Fstpicker** · May-27-2011, 10:16pm

That is good to hear, George. I was wondering if the 500 would sound better than the 400, and if it did, perhaps, I should look into purchasing one. Sounds like I won't have to do that, which is fine with me. I do like a good solid, throaty depth in the tone on a mandolin.

Thank you!

Jeff

**Stephen Perry** · May-28-2011, 1:45pm

I just got one - I'lll try to do a video when I get it set up! Looks good. Had the "G" so it should be!

**mandopaul** · May-28-2011, 11:52pm

Does "throaty" mean deeper tone?

**Fstpicker** · May-29-2011, 3:00pm

Originally Posted by mandopaul

Does "throaty" mean deeper tone?

That's what I think it means. And possibly even more than that...like a strong, deep, rich mid-range tone.

Jeff

**majorbanjo** · May-29-2011, 8:34pm

what's the difference in the 500 and 520 loar?

**Fstpicker** · May-29-2011, 9:55pm

The 500 has a bound ebony fretboard, the 520 has a bound rosewood fretboard. The 500 has a bound headstock binding, the 520 has none. The 500 has Abalone/M.O.P. Custom Flower Pot on the headstock, the 520 only has the M.O.P. Logo. The 500 has a Hard Rock Figured Maple neck, the 520 just has a Maple w/Rounded "V" Profile neck. The 500 has the fret extension scooped out already, and the 520 does not.

As already mentioned above, both the 500 & 520 mandolins are now hand-made in the same factory as the 400, 600, & 700's are being made.

Hope this helps...

Jeff

**gkraushaar** · May-30-2011, 6:20pm

It would seem that the 500 would be a lesser instrument than the 520, but it's the other way around.

**barrangatan** · May-30-2011, 9:00pm

Originally Posted by gkraushaar

It would seem that the 500 would be a lesser instrument than the 520, but it's the other way around.

interesting. I assume the 500 has a higher retail price than the 520 as well? It's a bit confusing I must say

**Jeff Budz** · May-30-2011, 9:41pm

The 520 should a better instrument. How much better? 20 better.

And all amps should go to 11.

**ToneSter** · May-31-2011, 4:43am

I think the 20 means 20 grams of inlay added.....................

Good to hear on the tone comparison, I really like the tone on my LM 400

Jeff........... I do have an amp that goes to eleven, built it about 6 yrs ago 22.5w 6v6 powered dream .................... yeah baby yeah................ to 11

**Erek160** · Jun-22-2011, 9:02pm

I was wondering what country are the mandolins made in?
I'm looking at the Loar LM 700 VS and I really want a mandolin made in the USA.
I'd appreciate a reply.

**P.D. Kirby** · Jun-22-2011, 9:07pm

Originally Posted by Erek160

I was wondering what country are the mandolins made in?
I'm looking at the Loar LM 700 VS and I really want a mandolin made in the USA.
I'd appreciate a reply.

Well keep looking because they are made in China. The 700 is an awesome Mandolin, you should give one a test drive. Just do a search here in the forum and you will see they are quite popular as are a lot of other Pac Rim Mandolins.

**rf37** · Jun-23-2011, 5:09am

I try to buy american when I can but sometimes money dictates purchase. That being said, I have a 500vs and am very happy with it. In my opinion, "the Loar" mandolins are very comparable to many higher end instruments, but you give up resale value. Is it made in the usa? NO!!! But they are hands down the best bang for the buck and with a good set up and a talented player, they can soar right up there with the top dogs imo. And the 500vs deffinately has the tone

rf37

**billkilpatrick** · Jun-26-2011, 7:15am

the 600 i have was made in shanghai - i'd love to be able to contact everyone who had a hand in making it and thank them - let them know how much this foreign white devil appreciates what they're doing

**Paul Hostetter** · Jun-26-2011, 2:19pm

Originally Posted by billkilpatrick

the 600 i have was made in shanghai - i'd love to be able to contact everyone who had a hand in making it and thank them - let them know how much this foreign white devil appreciates what they're doing

They're all watching the Cafe and noting the responses. Thanks!

**billkilpatrick** · Jun-26-2011, 3:58pm

从意大利的问候-谢谢 ... ("greetings from italy - thank you" - courtesy of babel fish - english to chinese-simp)

**Paul Hostetter** · Jun-27-2011, 1:30am

Originally Posted by billkilpatrick

从意大利的问候-谢谢 ...

Huang Jian Ming, the Shanghai wizard, will particularly appreciate that!

**billkilpatrick** · Jun-27-2011, 3:10am

Originally Posted by Paul Hostetter

Huang Jian Ming, the Shanghai wizard, will particularly appreciate that!

ok - now you've really done it ... who is huang jian ming; what's his relation to the mandolin i currently have in my lap and what's his favorite tipple?

**Paul Hostetter** · Jun-27-2011, 1:16pm

Huang Jian Ming is the main guy in the Shanghai shop. He applied his considerable knowledge of violinmaking and arching to the F-5 mandolin and took the initiative to do a different top graduation to eliminate the need for the tone bars, resulting in the 700 and other mandolins like that.

Unfortunately I've never met him—my common contacts are Alan, Travis, Steve and Greg at Music Link—so I have no idea what he likes to drink. But he'll hear your message.

**billkilpatrick** · Jun-27-2011, 2:27pm

Originally Posted by Paul Hostetter

Huang Jian Ming is the main guy in the Shanghai shop. He applied his considerable knowledge of violinmaking and arching to the F-5 mandolin and took the initiative to do a different top graduation to eliminate the need for the tone bars, resulting in the 700 and other mandolins like that.

Unfortunately I've never met him—my common contacts are Alan, Travis, Steve and Greg at Music Link—so I have no idea what he likes to drink. But he'll hear your message.

good - i seem to remember travis posting photos of him in a snap-shot tour of the loar work-shop.

shame about the drink - but - it would have been a virtual beer in any case