Steve Martin's Lloyd Loar F5

**Darryl Wolfe** · Jun-06-2012, 1:02pm

I can't match that mandolin to anything we have photo's of. We may have the number. Assuming it is a 737xx July 9 23

**f5loar** · Jun-06-2012, 1:19pm

It's not hard to find and hear all those brands in my area of North Carolina. I bet in one days time within a 120 mile radius I could go out and pick on 25 Loars and/or Ferns. Dudes are in our area too and they would be the hardest to find. Darryl, seems I recall Mando Bros. did have a top bound July 9th a few months back. Nobody said how long Martin has owned it and I'd say with the mounted clip tuner and no pickguard with toneguard installed that all did not happen on the day he bought it. There are however still quite a few missing July 9th numbers from the F5Journal files so it could be one of the missing numbers, just not from the Monroe batch.

**dcoventry** · Jun-06-2012, 1:25pm

Originally Posted by mtucker

Given there are a limited number of any of these floating around, especially in any one area, where are you finding such a conglomeration of them to play?...in upstate NY?

Heck, mando folks find other mando folks. Either by similar interests, festivals, informal gatherings or psychic bond.

In Salinas and Santa Cruz there sure a lot of tasty mandos.

**Justus True Waldron** · Jun-06-2012, 1:30pm

Originally Posted by mtucker

Given there are a limited number of any of these floating around, especially in any one area, where are you finding such a conglomeration of them to play?...in upstate NY?

As Journeybear pointed out, I've managed to get around quite a bit. I dated a professional fiddle player for a couple years and travelled up and down the east coast playing shows and meeting other musicians. I also go to lots of festivals, and you'd be surprised for how few of these there are how often you can find one at a good festival. I travel down to the city a lot, I got to play a nice 80's Monteleon GA there a couple months ago. I also hang out at my luthier's booth a lot at festivals, and people always bring their stuff in to get checked out or tweaked. At Joe Val this year I saw and played a Nugget and a Dude (from one collector and I believe cafe member), and at least one Kimble and a paganoni, and numerous other no name handmades. Now keep in mind I haven't played nearly as many of these as I have kenucky's (I can count maybe 13+) My luthier Macica's (11) or collings (8?), but I have at least tried one or more of each. I have only gotten to play one Lloyd Loar, but it was a private and unrushed experience (and oddly enough it was down in Key West, another visiting musician). Like I said, I make no claim to be an expert on these things, and I realise anybody can run their mouth on the Internet, but if I claim to have played an instrument, it's because I have, and usually was able to play it enough to develop an opinion. It also helps having an instrument that people want to try themselves... I've had pro players (Jesse Cobb for example) ask to swap mandos with me. Are there many high end mandos in upstate NY? Aside from my luthier's shop (And Frank Wakefield's loar right here in town!) not so much. But they are out there, if you are interested you just have to know where to look.

**Jeff May** · Jun-06-2012, 2:03pm

Originally Posted by f5loar

Seems I heard the same thing when Ronnie McCoury got his Loar that his Gil sounded so much better. Usually the guys saying those sort of things don't own a Loar. It's up to the picker how he feels about what he likes and not what others like. There are plenty of pro pickers that could care less if they had a Loar or not and then there are those that long to own one someday. I can't think of a pro that sounded bad with a Loar.

Just as a side note, for the last couple of months I've noticed that all of the photos I've seen of Ronnie, he's playing his Gilchrist. I've kinda been wondering if he's having the Loar re-fretted or something, or if he's gone back to the Gilchrist as his main instrument.

As far as Steve Martin loaning a Loar to Steep Canyon Rangers' mandolin guy, I say good on him. And if the guy wants to play it, who can really blame him, even if he does have a Kimble or Dude, or whatever.

I play a Gibson mandolin now, mainly because I finally admitted to my shallow self that I wasn't going to be satisfied in my MAS journey until I had one (even if it just needs to run its course and I move on to something else someday). I let a really nice Weber go to get the Gibson. I'm guessing that a lot of these top flight players, who already have incredible mandolins, feel the same way about playing a Loar.

**journeybear** · Jun-06-2012, 2:51pm

Originally Posted by Justus True Waldron

I have only gotten to play one Lloyd Loar, but it was a private and unrushed experience (and oddly enough it was down in Key West, another visiting musician).

SAY WHAT?!?

There was a Loar here and it didn't make its presence known to me?!?

It didn't somehow send out a vibe that I would pick up on and draw us together like a homing beacon, like Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan? How is that possible?

What has this world come to?!?

**Justus True Waldron** · Jun-06-2012, 3:03pm

Originally Posted by journeybear

SAY WHAT?!?

There was a Loar here and it didn't make its presence known to me?!?

It didn't somehow send out a vibe that I would pick up on and draw us together like a homing beacon, like Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan? How is that possible?

What has this world come to?!?

Yeah, it was 2 years ago, but I think he comes down every year in January. I didn't even know it was a loar at the time I played it, but I felt sure it was once I way playing it, and have since confirmed (I don't know why I didn't think to look at the label, I didn't know that much about mandolins back then, and honestly was enjoying playing it too much). It's owner is known by some people on here and in the bluegrass circle, but I won't name names because I know he doesn't advertise what he has. You know the family he knows down there though...

**Ivan Kelsall** · Jun-07-2012, 1:26am

Quote - "Lloyd L ever have anything to do with the Banjo department ?" . I believe that Lloyd Loar is credited with having developed the Gibson 'Mastertone' range of banjos. :-
"Charged with reviving fading guitar sales, Loar created the Gibson L-5, part of the "master model" series of instruments that are the cornerstone of his fame. The series includes the H-5 mandola, the F-5 mandolin (Bill Monroe played one of Loar's F-5s), the K-5 mando-cello and the Mastertone line of banjos".
How 'bout that !. Developing possibly the finest mandolin ever & it's nemesis all in one go,

Ivan

**journeybear** · Jun-07-2012, 1:52am

Originally Posted by Ivan Kelsall

How 'bout that !. Developing possibly the finest mandolin ever & it's nemesis all in one go

Oh, I don't think it's the banjo itself that rankles mandolinists so, it's the players, or the bad ones, who perform almost unspeakable acts of cruelty by playing badly or loudly. But I could be wrong ...

**Ivan Kelsall** · Jun-07-2012, 6:54am

Or even playing at all JB !. I thought i'd better get that in. Better from a banjer picker,it might soften the blow for others on here,
Ivan

**ourgang** · Jun-07-2012, 7:35pm

Not the Loar, but sounds grrrrrrrrrrrrr8!!

**sgarrity** · Jun-08-2012, 12:44am

Looks like he's playing a Henderson in that video. Even the pros have MAS!

**Mandolin Mick** · Jun-08-2012, 1:36am

Thanx for posting that video! Great playing! When I saw the Rangers last year I was impressed at how tight they were. Martin and the Rangers make a great team!

**Verne Andru** · Jun-13-2012, 4:03pm

Gotta scoup that Florida!

**hedgehog** · Jun-14-2012, 11:30am

Frankly I like the Rangers without Steve better. Truer bluegrass, more variety, like'em a lot. Love Steve too, but as a band I'd like to listen to these guys by themselves are great. Was just watching another of their videos. Incredable sound mamagement. THe banjo would step juuussssttt far enough away from the mic to give the mandolin or the violin a needed boost, then he's slide in to give a little more power to the banjo then back out, not quite that beautiful piston like approach Monroe liked with a single mic set-up. This is smoother, less frantic and VERY effective. I like'em more and more as I see them play. The lead singers voice is not my favorite, but he does better than alright.

**jjboone101** · Oct-08-2012, 10:28am

Just saw the Steep Canyon Rangers this weekend and got to chat a bit with Mike Guggino backstage and take a look at this Loar up close. Absolutely beautiful and tone for days. Mike really pulls on it. He said that Steve Martin has indeed given him an indefinite loan on this fine instrument. He said he had Dave Harvey set it up and tweak a few things but not much needed to it. He had a ToneGard on it as well. I asked about his Kimble and he said he still has it, it's great and sounds good, but it "isn't a Loar"...hard to argue with that.

**Bernie Daniel** · Oct-08-2012, 2:21pm

Originally Posted by jjboone101

Just saw the Steep Canyon Rangers this weekend and got to chat a bit with Mike Guggino backstage and take a look at this Loar up close. Absolutely beautiful and tone for days. Mike really pulls on it. He said that Steve Martin has indeed given him an indefinite loan on this fine instrument. He said he had Dave Harvey set it up and tweak a few things but not much needed to it. He had a ToneGard on it as well. I asked about his Kimble and he said he still has it, it's great and sounds good, but it "isn't a Loar"...hard to argue with that.

Earlier in this string some comments and concerns were raised about the possibilities that a clip on tuner would cause problems to a Loar's headstock -- so by the token we shouldn't we then discourage the use of permanently installed tone guards or and arm rests on the sides and back of a Loar?

**Glassweb** · Oct-08-2012, 3:31pm

Once a person shells out that kind of money for a Lloyd Loar F5 it's theirs to do with as they will. My philosophy about these instruments is to try and keep them in the best "non-altered" shape as possible, but not all Loar owners agree with that. Better to have them played than not played however...

**rb3868** · Oct-08-2012, 5:14pm

Originally Posted by sgarrity

Looks like he's playing a Henderson in that video. Even the pros have MAS!

I've gotta think pros might have it worse. Ever see Randy Bachman's guitar collection? (last I heard, he has over 150 German-built guitars alone. SSHEEEEEESH. and over 100 gold/platinum record awards). I'm guessing it's the same for a lot of pro mando players, especially with all the great stuff out there today

**jjboone101** · Oct-08-2012, 6:30pm

I think Mike is more concerned with chunking up the back of the Loar with his belt buckle vs. possibly putting some marks on the side where a ToneGard clips. Plus, wouldn't the varnish be so cured after 90+ years that those little rubber "arms" on the Gard shouldn't have any impact?

**Mike Bunting** · Oct-08-2012, 6:41pm

Originally Posted by jjboone101

I think Mike is more concerned with chunking up the back of the Loar with his belt buckle vs. possibly putting some marks on the side where a ToneGard clips. Plus, wouldn't the varnish be so cured after 90+ years that those little rubber "arms" on the Gard shouldn't have any impact?

Agreed on that.

**woodwizard** · Oct-08-2012, 6:59pm

Coming in late I know but...Really liked & enjoyed that tune MUCH!
They are all GREAT!

**Paul Merlo** · Oct-08-2012, 7:04pm

Originally Posted by Bernie Daniel

Earlier in this string some comments and concerns were raised about the possibilities that a clip on tuner would cause problems to a Loar's headstock -- so by the token we shouldn't we then discourage the use of permanently installed tone guards or and arm rests on the sides and back of a Loar?

Yes, but surely one's Nana could knit a fine silk F5 "cozy" to prevent such damage?

**Bernie Daniel** · Oct-08-2012, 8:05pm

Originally Posted by jjboone101

I think Mike is more concerned with chunking up the back of the Loar with his belt buckle vs. possibly putting some marks on the side where a ToneGard clips. Plus, wouldn't the varnish be so cured after 90+ years that those little rubber "arms" on the Gard shouldn't have any impact?

Originally Posted by mike bunting

Agreed on that.

Actually you are both missing my point.

If there is concern about something as innocuous as a tuner with a very gentle gripe and attached via soft rubber pads on the headstock --then the concern should logically be greater for the possibility of damage to the back and sides with an arm rest a device much requires MUCH greater compression to install and also a device known to occasionally damage a mandolin top. back and sides (regardless of the age of the finish).

Ditto, a tone guard that clamps on in several places and also known to sometimes (albeit infrequent) mar the finish a mandolin.

Personally I don't worry about any of those "add-ons" -- I use tuners, arm rests and tone guards but IMO the one least likely to cause any damage to a 90-year old Gibson is the tuner.

**Mike Bunting** · Oct-08-2012, 8:35pm

Originally Posted by Bernie Daniel

Actually you are both missing my point.

If there is concern about something as innocuous as a tuner with a very gentle gripe and attached via soft rubber pads on the headstock --then the concern should logically be greater for the possibility of damage to the back and sides with an arm rest a device much requires MUCH greater compression to install and also a device known to occasionally damage a mandolin top. back and sides (regardless of the age of the finish).

Ditto, a tone guard that clamps on in several places and also known to sometimes (albeit infrequent) mar the finish a mandolin.

Personally I don't worry about any of those "add-ons" -- I use tuners, arm rests and tone guards but IMO the one least likely to cause any damage to a 90-year old Gibson is the tuner.

Forgot to comment on the post that inspired you. I agree with you too. I don't think it matters either.