"The Loar" LM700 for new endorsee

**Big Joe** · Jun-13-2012, 5:29pm

We are preparing a new LM700 for Herschel Sizemore. He is the newest endorsed artist for "The Loar" mandolins. His LM700 is in the shop now being prepared for his use. We are reducing the neck size and giving it a speed neck, installing a Cumberland Acoustic bridge, and doing the needed setup for Hershcel's playing preference.

In the process we tested the finish to answer a couple questions. At some time in the past the finish was a nitro cellulose over a poly base coat. This has changed and the mandolins are now fully nitro cellulose. This makes me very happy.

We will be posting some photos in the near future of his mandolin. This is a nice instrument and I think Herschel will be very happy with his "The Loar".

**mfeuerst** · Jun-13-2012, 5:45pm

About how much does a neck size reduction cost (Loar 600). Failrly happy with it, but a smaller neck would be goodness.
Separtely, in your opinion is the nitro-over poly the reason the Loars had such inconsistent finishes?

**Stephen Perry** · Jun-13-2012, 6:48pm

That's great - I hated the N over P approach. Probably helps the sound, too.

**Fstpicker** · Jun-13-2012, 8:51pm

It probably is better for him to have a less-expensive mandolin to take out on trips to play, without taking the risk of any damage to any of the costly mandolins that he owns.

Joe, do you know approximately when they started to use exclusively Nitro on the finish with no poly base? Just wondering at what serial number they had changed over?

Good to see you post on the forum again!

Jeff

**Big Joe** · Jun-14-2012, 1:25pm

It appears, from my discussions with Greg Rich, that the poly undercoat was only on a relatively small amount that were redone at othe factory, so there never was a date of changeover or any particular serial number. A good amount of these mandolins are made every year so it is not unusual that some would have to be redone before shipping. For a short time the redo was poly under nitro. That was stopped as soon as it was known by the company. Now it is standard procedure to use nitro only for the nitro products.

Interestingly enough, it is not unusual to use a poly undercoat or sealer under lacquer, and many companies that use nitro do use a poly undercoat. It is usually quite thin and used as a sanding sealer. However, there is no poly on the Loar nitro products.

**Fstpicker** · Jun-14-2012, 4:53pm

I wonder how one would know if when purchasing a new Loar 700 mandolin, whether it would have a nitro only finish, or still a poly under nitro finish? And is this all of their mandolins, or just the upper end models, i.e. 600 & 700 & perhaps the 400?

Jeff

**mandopaul** · Jun-17-2012, 12:10am

Originally Posted by Big Joe

It appears, from my discussions with Greg Rich, that the poly undercoat was only on a relatively small amount that were redone at othe factory, so there never was a date of changeover or any particular serial number. A good amount of these mandolins are made every year so it is not unusual that some would have to be redone before shipping. For a short time the redo was poly under nitro. That was stopped as soon as it was known by the company. Now it is standard procedure to use nitro only for the nitro products.

Interestingly enough, it is not unusual to use a poly undercoat or sealer under lacquer, and many companies that use nitro do use a poly undercoat. It is usually quite thin and used as a sanding sealer. However, there is no poly on the Loar nitro products.

What do you mean by redo at the factory? Why were they redone with poly?
I've got a 600 that has a 2009 date in it. I hope this is all Nitro, but i guess i'll never know for sure.