Gilchrist Restoring the First Loar

[Andrew B. Carlson]

Just saw this on Frank Solivans instagram.

https://instagram.com/p/7q_zcFo4aP/

Sounds exciting!

[Glassweb]

If anyone can set this important instrument straight it would be Steven Gilchrist. I believe he has worked on and restored more Loar F5s than anyone alive... including one of mine many years ago. Not only is Steve an amazingly talented guy, he is an amazingly nice and decent man besides...

[mrmando]

What are those e-mandos hanging up in the back?

[Glassweb]

What are those e-mandos hanging up in the back?

that's kinda what i was wondering... they look my-t-fine!

[hank]

Ok. I joined Instagram trying to get more info but I must need adult supervision. How do you get the details of Frank S. new very old mandolin? I remember reading somewhere he was playing his own Siminoff kit build. He must be doing pretty good locking into the Holy Grail prototype with Luthier extrodinare as his companion in the art to tweak it back to optimum. There has to be more than the tease that got me to join up and follow.

[kudzugypsy]

wasn't that the Loar that was in eastern NC for decades?

[AlanN]

Yep, the long-time owner died a few years ago, I guess the family gave it up. I've played it, just a dandy, June 1922. Would love to see it post-restore.

[Bill Snyder]

I see no indication that this is Frank's mandolin.

[Jeff Mando]

I would like to see what the restoration involves and hopefully pictures!

[Dan Co1e]

Interesting instrument.

From Instagram:




fsolivan: It's not very often one holds the first ever/prototype Lloyd Loar signed Gibson mandolin. With Steve Gilchrist no less. He's about to completely restore it! Son!

[Andrew B. Carlson]

Looks like he met Steve at Carter Vintage according to his other posts. Looks like Steve brought another batch to CVG. Unless these photos were taken awhile ago and just posted this week. So either Carters got the Loar, or Steve simply picked it up there.
https://instagram.com/p/7tkfIho4W8/

[Perry]

I believe Steve's son is making those e-mandos.

https://www.facebook.com/gilchristelectricguitars

[ferrousgeek]

Yep, the long-time owner died a few years ago, I guess the family gave it up. I've played it, just a dandy, June 1922. Would love to see it post-restore.

Alan,

Who, in Eastern NC, owned this Loar originally? You may PM me if you prefer.

[AlanN]

The last owner I know of it was Pat H., who had it for a long time. I played it at Mayes store in Duncan one time, also at Phil Scotton's weekly jam in Ramseur, NC. What an E string.

[ferrousgeek]

Thanks Alan, It dawned on me right after posting, this was the Loar that was stolen from Pat a few years ago and, fortunately, captured and returned to him soon afterward. I never met Pat, but would have enjoyed the opportunity. Have you ever played any of the mandos he built?

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...922-Gibson-F-5

http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...1-owner-passes

[AlanN]

Yeah, that was a strange theft.

Never did see any of Pat's mandolins he built, did not know he was a builder. His playing style was more folksy Italian-esque. He didn't pick much bluegrass, as far as I could tell.

[walter carter]

Those electrics were made by Steve's son Daniel. They have a maple neck-thru. 5 single strings or standard 8-string. Steve Earle bought the first one.

[Bernie Daniel]

Does anyone know what is being "restored" on this mandolin? It looks reasonably intact in the one photos shown? Just a re-fret and set up perhaps?

[AlanN]

It has a crudely-repaired top crack running the length of the face.

There are some terrific photos of 70281 in Darryl Wolfe's F-5 Journal (vol. III, 1999).

[Fretbear]

This is one of the more interesting stories to come along on the MC for some time.
Hoping Steve and Frank will photograph and document the restoration of this important piece and share it with us here.

http://www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/70281

[BradKlein]

Yes. I don't think anyone's brought up the thorny conservation questions around this instrument. Given its historical importance, I suppose that a complete top refinish is unlikely, but the original repairs leave a lot to be desired. Anyway, it's sure to be an interesting story if the details are made public.

I once had a chance to examine the 'Red Mendelssohn' Strad, which bore a long clear 'scar' on it's top from some unknown (and less than masterful) repairman in it's almost 300-year history (much clearer in person than in this photo). Didn't stop it from setting a record for any musical instrument at auction 25-odd years ago. (It was purchased by Elizabeth Pitcairn, then a young student, and now a professional soloist)

[Darryl Wolfe]

I just saw this. This is very exciting to me.

I was contacted by the family after "Pat" passed. I recommended Carter Vintage to them to sell the mandolin. To my knowledge, they never struck a deal as most viewed the instrument as a low end of the price spectrum "dog", not an historically significant Loar.

Essentially, the huge crack was a deal breaker with respect to the middle of the road Loar price they were seeking.

I did recommend that they consider have Gilchrist restore the instrument. That is the last I heard.

This mandolin sounds phenomenal and has a number of very odd "prototypical" features.

I am very interested in seeing this completed.

Steve may even be able to salvage most of the top finish. The rest of the instrument merely needs tidying up as it displays decades of grime and dirt.

[AlanN]

Good post, Darryl.

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

I believe Steve's son is making those e-mandos.

https://www.facebook.com/gilchristelectricguitars

That may be one Gilchrist I can actually afford to own - besides the ivoroid Gilchrist pick that I used to have

[Timbofood]

Yep, this will be a fun one to watch!
Interesting history. Sure will be a joy to see it restored by someone who knows what it is and how to do things "right"!