Top woods used on original Loars?

[Willie Poole]

I have read on here about some different kinds of Spruce woods, and just for my own interest I would like to know which Spruce was used in making the 20`s Loar mandolins...

Thanks....Willie

[Richard Mott]

Hi Willie--I believe the Loars were Red Spruce or "Adirondack". Use of Sitka in most instruments came later, not sure how much or when Engelmann was used. Others can jump in and correct. --Richard

[Hendrik Ahrend]

The original F5 spec. sheet specified "the very best Adriondack (sic) or W. Virginia Spruce". However, some tops look so different from others, that there is a good chance Gibson also used other types of spruce. As to "the very best", slip matched (instead of book matched) wood, considerable grain runout and slanted grain does appear. Also, some spruce is tight grain, others is wide grain.

[MikeEdgerton]

T...As to "the very best", slip matched (instead of book matched) wood, considerable grain runout and slanted grain does appear. Also, some spruce is tight grain, others is wide grain.

Consistently inconsistent.