Gilchrist Restoring the First Loar

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

I have vague recollection of the theft that took place, and it's good to see it being worked on by Steve's masterful hands. If it's being sold I can't think of a better place than CVG to handle it.

[Ken Waltham]

This is really exciting to me as well! I have never played or even seen this F5, but it is legendary in Loar circles. If you've not seen photos of it, it has a seriously bad repair going on, and Steve is the only man on the planet that can do it right! He will make this F5 into something totally amazing!! Can''t wait!

[Bill Snyder]

This is really exciting to me as well! I have never played or even seen this F5, but it is legendary in Loar circles. If you've not seen photos of it, it has a seriously bad repair going on, and Steve is the only man on the planet that can do it right! He will make this F5 into something totally amazing!! Can''t wait!

Really? The only man on the planet that can do it right? That's awful. That means that when he is no longer doing repairs like this there will not be ANYONE else capable.

[Ivan Kelsall]

IMHO,i would think that other outstanding luthiers such as John Monteleone & Lynn Dudenbostel could do a good job on this Loar as well. I would agree that Steve G.will do a sterling job but, 'the only man' ????,
Ivan

[Hendrik Ahrend]

'The only man'? Are we nit-picking about words? Steve will do a fine job. I wonder, though, will he refinish only one half of the top or the whole instrument? Such context entails various decisions, such as should one even try to get close to the original Loar varnish recipe (which is not even fully known; Steve's own is probably superior)?

I'm really curious. BTW Steve certainly did a great job on this one:www.mandolinarchive.com/gibson/serial/75319

[Ivan Kelsall]

In the light of what's been done to expensive mandolins in the past,& knowing SG's skill,i'd expect him to remove the top & inspect it thoroughly to understand exactly what requires doing. I've no doubt that it can be inspected without removing the top,but whether the work could be done effectively is another matter. If he gets to hear of this thread,i hope Mr Gilchrist will chip in & update us with some 'facts'. Without facts,whatever we post is mere conjecture (at the moment),
Ivan

[Timbofood]

I agree, Steve Gilchrest is a great choice for this restoration project but, I'm pretty sure there are a couple of guys out there with the skill set to do an equally accurate restoration.
It's exciting to see the hub-bub over this even before he's had time to get into the project.

[Ken Waltham]

I'll stick to my statement...

[Fretbear]

As it is presently in Mr. G's hands, these discussions are all moot, and we can all agree that is the place it should be.

[hank]

[AlanN]

As one who has first-hand experience with SG's restorative work, I'm with Ken, and am looking forward to the (re)finished project.

And please, please spell his name correctly...sheesh.

[Timbofood]

Sorry, finger glitch!
I'm sure that's never happened to you Alan.
Popcorn indeed Hank!
I certainly did not infer that it was NOT in good hands simply that I know of another very talented luthier who would treat the instrument with equal care and respect.
Now that SG has it, there is no reason to second guess the quality of workmanship will go into the restoration. I, for one, will certainly be happy to hear the project has been completed however long it may take. It's lasted this long with less than optimum care and after this, it should be around to celebrate another milestone birthday down the line.

[shylock3]

[
Steve is a fabulous person, you guys are sure putting the pressure on him. His reputation has been well earned. As far as anyone else doing as good a job as him, you would have had to have had a lot of work done by different luthiers-to know.
He will do a superb job, could someone have done better, we'll never know.

[Hendrik Ahrend]

[
Steve is a fabulous person, you guys are sure putting the pressure on him. His reputation has been well earned. As far as anyone else doing as good a job as him, you would have had to have had a lot of work done by different luthiers-to know.
He will do a superb job, could someone have done better, we'll never know.

If this thread put pressure on Steve, he would be the wrong person to do the job. But I think he is fine and fully aware of the importance of this work at hand. And as always, there's more than one way to do this job right - and afterwards clucking chickens.

[AlanN]

Yes, Timbo, I have been guilty of the fat-finger. It's just that Steve's name seems to get the toothpaste (Crest) treatment a bit too often, for my taste. Heck, Lynn D.'s name isn't misspelled nearly as frequently...

[Timbofood]

That's because it's "the Dude" man, there's a beverage here!
No worries, I am much like Norris from "The Big Sleep"
Marlowe- "Oh, Norris you were mistaken, Mrs. Rutledge didn't want to see me."
Norris-"I make many mistakes, sir."

[mrmando]

Steve is the only man on the planet that can do it right!

Well, all I can say is, Thank goodness for Gail Hester!

[BradKlein]

This can be a great thread. But not if we list every repair person who has worked on a Loar.

Any other memories or info on this particular instrument? It's condition? History?

[Willie Poole]

Remember about two years ago when a few luthiers worked on and restored an A model Gibson that was ready to be trashed and it came out looking like new, they passed it around and each one did a different chore on it so I am sure there is probably a few people that could handle the job, but Steve is certainly the top choice for this project to do the whole thing...

Willie

[Timbofood]

When all is said and done, I am sure it will be a thing of beauty and joy to behold! I don't care who does it, at least in Steve's hands, it will get all the help it needs. Now, I am getting out of here so the man can work!

[Andrew B. Carlson]

Dan Voight just posted a picture of Loar #1 on his instagram.

https://instagram.com/p/8Gsl_2vpjv/

Dan, do you know any more details of this restoration?

[Spruce]

Really? The only man on the planet that can do it right? That's awful. That means that when he is no longer doing repairs like this there will not be ANYONE else capable.

[AlanN]

Was at a b-day party for a picker friend last night. One of the guys there had recently attended a Monroe camp and Loar #1 was a topic of conversation there. Seems the mandolin top *requires* attention now, as the old repair gave way and it fell down.

[Ken Waltham]

Aahh. Well, this is one of the most important mandolin restorations in recent memory, barring 73987. I am so glad it is finally getting the attention it should have had a decade ago. I would love to play it and see it for a week or two!

[Fretbear]

Seems the mandolin top *requires* attention now, as the old repair gave way and it fell down.

What a surprise, it looked so well done.......