Steve Martin's Lloyd Loar F5

[Ed Goist]

Posted today on the Facebook page of Mandolin Brothers Ltd.:
Mike Guggino, mandolinist and vocalist with Steve Martin's Steep Canyon Rangers visited Mandolin Brothers to show us Steve's Lloyd Loar F-5.

[Stephen Cagle]

Really nice! Man it looks to be in really great shape as well. Bet it sounds wonderful.. Whats the date?

[terzinator]

Even a Loar needs a Tone-Gard!

[mando_dan]

Does Martin himself own the Loar?

[Ed Goist]

All I know is what's posted above.
Interesting, no?
I'll watch the Facebook posting for clarification and comments. I love the first comment posted:
"Ha, I'm sure the Steep Canyon Rangers love being known as "Steve Martin's band".

[jramsey]

It's a July 9, five serial numbers away from Monroe's. Got to play it and hear it at Gettysburg this year, killer mandolin. Steve owns it, but has it on loan to Mike indefinitely.

[journeybear]

What's the date?

June 5, 2012.

Good find, and good point shared there, Ed. And good score, Steve. Hope he practices up and works it into the show.

Must be nice to play in a band that has an adjunct member with that kind of generosity. Sweet!

[John Duncan]

Wow! Great for Mike! He'll play the fire out of it. Anybody else notice the pick guard nails in the side of the fingerboard ext? I'm guessing Mike had the guard off for display purposes.

[Ed Goist]

...snip...Steve owns it, but has it on loan to Mike indefinitely.

Wow, talk about a Class Act - Steve Martin provides a sizable annual cash award to a banjo player recognized for excellence, AND is loaning his Lloyd Loar F5 mandolin to a great, young mandolin player indefinitely.

Americana music needs more generous patrons like Steve Martin! Well done!

[ourgang]

WOW!! When did it become "Steve Martin's" Steep Canyon Rangers??

[Fretbear]

Steve already had a nice collection of vintage Gibson banjos, now a nice Loar, and his name is Martin....the pre-war guitars are already monogrammed......

[nobullmando74]

Where do I sign up for a Loar signed mandolin loaner program?

[f5loar]

It might be a July 9th but I don't see how it can be 5 numbers away from Monroes. Monroes is 73987. If you go 5 or even 6 numbers on either side of Monroes it would have to still be a side bound F5. The one he is holding is a top bound F5. Maybe the toneguard is to also help keep from scratching the back but I bet the little mini-tuner on the headstock leaves a mark if left there too long. That's the kind that clamps on and is not spring loaded.

[Glassweb]

I know Lloyd Loar mandolins are by no means inexpensive, but even at their current prices I would consider them a bargain...

[Ed Goist]

Well, I have to ask: Why would anyone, ever, clip a tuner on a Loar F5?!

[SternART]

Even a Loar needs a Tone-Gard!

There is an impressive list of pros, with vintage Gibson's, listed as using them on the ToneGard web page, scroll down & see:
http://www.tone-gard.com/Home/players-photo-gallery

[Mr. Flynn]

Well, I have to ask: Why would anyone, ever, clip a tuner on a Loar F5?!

Because it is an instrument to be played and used. I like Thile's perspective on this with his Loar, it is an instrument rather than a museum piece. After all, in the end it is just one of a very special batch of Gibson instruments. And I think Martin must have the same sort of opinion loaning it out rather than putting it on display in his house or something.

Steve Martin is such a cool guy. Even if I don't always love his comedy, how can you not like the guy?

[jramsey]

It might be a July 9th but I don't see how it can be 5 numbers away from Monroes. Monroes is 73987. If you go 5 or even 6 numbers on either side of Monroes it would have to still be a side bound F5. The one he is holding is a top bound F5. Maybe the toneguard is to also help keep from scratching the back but I bet the little mini-tuner on the headstock leaves a mark if left there too long. That's the kind that clamps on and is not spring loaded.

Hey Tom, I couldn't make out the serial number, just the date, which was definitely July 9. Mike said it was five numbers away from Monroe's, and I took his word for it. He's possibly got his numbers mixed up. As for the pickguard, Mike said he was clacking his pick on it (his Kimble is guardless) and decided to take it off. Absolute hoss of a mandolin, and Mike makes it sound like a million bucks.

[mandroid]

Lloyd L ever have anything to do with the Banjo department?

[sunburst]

WOW!! When did it become "Steve Martin's" Steep Canyon Rangers??

Ummm... when he bought them a Loar?

[sunburst]

Well, I have to ask: Why would anyone, ever, clip a tuner on a Loar F5?!

Ummm... to try to get it in tune?

[sunburst]

Don't forget, Alison krauss bought Dan Tyminski a herringbone to help convince him to join her band. I suppose that sort of thing goes on from time to time.

[Glassweb]

Don't forget, Alison krauss bought Dan Tyminski a herringbone to help convince him to join her band. I suppose that sort of thing goes on from time to time.

(sigh)... wood that it were for all of us!

[llg]

Heck, if she'd let me join her band I'd buy HER a herringbone. (Of course it would have to be a Johnson or something fake)

[journeybear]

Americana music needs more generous patrons like Steve Martin!

Anyone have his phone number? Well, maybe just pass mine along to him.