Official Luthiers Forum!

While hanging around Elderly Music in Lansing yesterday I had the privilege of seeing a very rare instrument that I'm sure is worth mucho $$$. A gentleman and his wife approached the repair desk shop counter with an old and well worn rectangular hard case and stated that he had come to request an appraisal. (Elderly charges $20 for a formal, written appraisal.)

He then opened the case while standing right next to me. My eyes popped when I saw the headstock and body shape of a "fern" Gibson F5 mandolin. He then stated that it was a 1924 Loar that had belonged to his grandfather and it was passed to him from his father about 15 years ago and he had it at home ever since and had rarely played it. It appeared to be in really great condition with little finish checking but showed wear on the tailpiece from what I'm sure was well appreciated use. Considering the mando is 88 years old, it was almost pristine.

He stated that he had read a few articles on the internet which showed similar instruments and he was hoping to get it appraised at at least $200K. I shook his hand and congratulated him on having such a rare and valuable instrument and letting me take a close look at it and wished him luck before I walked off.

When I got home I did a bit of Googling myself and found that Elderly already had one (1924 Loar) listed for sale on their website for $225K !! and that Geo. Gruhn in Nashville has one listed on his website that is fairly well-worn for the bargain basement price of $190K !!

I will probably never get the chance to see another up close and it was quite a thrill.

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Peter

You lucky duck!

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Sounds like a great moment , dang the luck , no camera on hand lol . Memory to enjoy no doubt.

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You didn't ask to play it? I couldn't have resisted!!!

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Phil

http://www.oleninstruments.com

"Those who tilt at windmills are only considered insane by those who can't see the dragon."

Make sure you notify the folks at Mandolin Archive http://www.mandolinarchive.com/ They list, collect pictures and descriptions of every Loar mandolin known to exist (or known to have existed).

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

I second that. This will be a significant discovery if this is an undocumented Loar. If so Dan at the Archive and everyone at the Mandolin Cafe will be super thrilled to see this. Hopefully some pics and a serial number will surface soon.