I was just looking at an ad (a favorite pastime) for a “Loar copy” mandolin. It got me wondering: What exactly constitutes a “Loar copy”?
What does that really mean? What diffentiates an “authentic” Loar copy from a “this is for marketing purposes” Loar copy? Aren’t all F5s essentially Loar copies — ranging from good to horrible copies?
Further, if you follow the blueprints and so-and-so’s measurements and tolerances, does the physical creation of said mandolin constitute a Loar copy? Or does it take something extra — the maker’s skill and that added secret something that a Gilchrist or Dudenbostel brings to the project (not that I’ve known them to say they are building “Loar copies”)? In other words, is building a Loar copy a matter of following the recipe and using the proper materials, or does it take more than that?
Is it to some degree a matter of luck and the grace of God? Master Builder Bob makes two Loar copies. One is fantastic. The other one is a pretty good instrument but not really that special.
Are some Loar copies more Loar-like than other? There there semi-Loar copies? Attempted Loar copies? Inspired by Loar copies? In homage to Loar copies?
Finally, is it possible for somebody who really knows the general sound of Loars to play one of these Loar copies and have a reasonable sense whether it is or isn’t Loar-like? Assuming it is possible (that would be my guess), how often do these folks play a “Loar copy” and say, “Wow! This is a good Loar copy!” Does that *ever* happen? Or maybe it happens … all the time. I’m just asking the question. I don’t know.
In short, does calling an F5 mandolin a Loar copy have any meaning whatsoever?
I’m not trying to nitpick or be sarcastic. I have a Red Diamond “July 9,” which is supposed to be a Loar copy. It’s an amazing mandolin. I don’t have words to tell you how good it is. A couple of good players have told me it’s the best-sounding mandolin they’ve ever heard. As I understand it, it is a Loar copy from a maker reputed to be especially good at copying Loars. Is it really Loar like? I dunno. I played a Loar once, a long time ago, when I wouldn’t have known the difference between a Loar and a new F9.
I’m envisioning several possibilities:
1. It is indeed possible, by making measurements and testing wood flexibility, etc., to reliably build a new mandolin — indeed, to build a run of multiple new mandolins — that fall into the broad category, mostly sonically, of being legit Loar copies.
2. It is possible to try to build a mandolin to Loar specs, as above, and that fact is a meaningful claim. However, the mandolin’s ultimate quality of being Loar-like is up to the (knowledgeable) player to determine. In other words, attempting to build a Loar copy does not necessarily result in what is one can meaningfully termed a Loar copy, except in a mechanical/engineering/construction sense.
3. There are all kinds of great mandolins, intentional Loar copies and otherwise, and some, by purpose or happenstance, can be called modern analogs to Loars.
4. None of this has any practical meaning. A Loar is a historical artifact. All F5s are to a greater or lesser degree descendants of those mandolins. Each stands on its own merits. Labeling can tell you a something about intention and marketing, but said information is of relatively low resolution.
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