1923 Fern Loar F5

[Darryl Wolfe]

Dan has posted some new photos of this mandolin on the Archive

http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/73755

This thing is really a unique find

[Gary Hedrick]

So this is one that had not been known before?

[Darryl Wolfe]

Correct

George just sent me this:

"Adam Steffey was in yesterday and played several of our mandolins including the 23 Fern which he said is one of the finest F-5s he has ever heard."

George

[Scotti Adams]

Adam posted his views in the General Discussion area.

[HoGo]

Do I see some repair under the nut on neck? It looks like there's new wood inserted at an angle visible on bass side and perhaps even more of that on treble side of neck. Hard to tell exactly from tha small pics in the archive.

[Gary Hedrick]

I find it a little amazing that these keep showing up.....be it not frequently but still showing up. I was part of such a find back in the late 90's when a lady walked into a music store in Clovis, CA and sold her "wall hanging" to them......then to my brother and then to Charlie Derrington.....

So there is hope for all of us to find that special gem......

[Fretbear]

Where has this beauty been hiding?

[f5loar]

Not too amazing as the remaining 2 dozen or so unfound Loars turn up in today's times. You consider the original owners were in their 20's when they bought them new in 1922,1923 and 1924. They are all dead now which means the mandolin was passed down to their children which is a generation that generally held onto their family heirlooms. It is the children or grandchildren of the original owner that are selling them out due to the current economic times and the internet. They find out what grandpa's old mandolin is worth on the net and off it goes to the highest buyer. This is how this Fern turned up at Gruhns.

[Scotti Adams]

Do I see some repair under the nut on neck? It looks like there's new wood inserted at an angle visible on bass side and perhaps even more of that on treble side of neck. Hard to tell exactly from tha small pics in the archive.

I noticed that as well

[Gary Hedrick]

Well Tom I suppose that make sense.......the farther away from the sanctity given to the original owner the less family value and the greater willingness to cash in on Grandpa's or Great Grandpa's heirloom

So when are one of you big three here on the list going to find one.........or perhaps you already have.....

[MikeEdgerton]

I totally understand the situation Tom is describing. I have instrument I inherited from the 20's (not a mandolin, a Martin uke) that was the first instrument I learned to play. It has meaning to me but I'm going to guess that the instruments my kids grew up looking at and listening to will mean more to them than this one does. I only wish that my step-father had been a mandolin player.

[Darryl Wolfe]

I do not know the story yet, but this is no longer on the inventory list. Waiting to here the scoop

[f5loar]

If it sold at $225K then one can assume the recession is now over!

[Spruce]

If it sold at $225K then one can assume the recession is now over!

The recession never occurred for a good percentage of the folks who can afford to pony up 225K for a mandolin...

[imleath]

The recession never occurred for a good percentage of the folks who can afford to pony up 225K for a mandolin...

I'd imagine it's around 0%.

[f5loar]

don't forget those 1% folks. They spend $225K on home security.

[Utility Picker]

don't forget those 1% folks. They spend $225K on home security.

Their money. With $225K (discretional cash), I'd opt for the Fern.

UP

[Andrew B. Carlson]

Money well spent these days.

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

The recession never occurred for a good percentage of the folks who can afford to pony up 225K for a mandolin...

So true. I imagine for those folks, recessions are like Christmas sale where they can pick up everything from properties and vintage mandolins for cheap.

[Darryl Wolfe]

The deal on this mandolin fell through. Back on market

[Ken Waltham]

Wow. I have some thoughts on that....

[Darryl Wolfe]

I am not at liberty to say much, but the deal was firm and valid and still may go through. The purchasers funding via another totally different situation abruptly did not materialize

[f5loar]

that seems to be the norm these days. You got it but you ain't got it. I hear that all the time.

[Andrew B. Carlson]

I hope a player gets it. Maybe unlikely though. Who's got Loars for sale right now? I know Elderly has 3, Mandolin Bros has 1 and Gruhn has this one. I always make sure I have one picked out (by photos anyway), in case I win the lottery. Which reminds me, I better start buying lottery tickets.

[William Smith]

I hope a player gets it. Maybe unlikely though. Who's got Loars for sale right now? I know Elderly has 3, Mandolin Bros has 1 and Gruhn has this one. I always make sure I have one picked out (by photos anyway), in case I win the lottery. Which reminds me, I better start buying lottery tickets.

I'm with ya on the lottery thing,heck if I win I'll buy 2 and maybe burn one at a festival..or spray paint it Blue? Yeh right but didn't someone do that back in the day or is that just more "Loar",,Buzzzzzz?,,yep they should be played and loved!,I know of one that hasn't left a safe in years,,,,,,
If I ever win the lottery I'd honestly give one away!