Product Description
Here we have a very fine Gibson F-5 mandolin #73728, from the collection of David Grisman, signed by Lloyd Loar on July 9, 1923, the same day as Bill Monroe's. David played this instrument on gigs with his Bluegrass Experience band (listen to Dawg playing it below). It shows some playing wear, but is structurally sound and plays wonderfully. A peghead crack has been expertly repaired by master luthier Steve Gilchrist (repair is invisible, even under black light) and Randy Wood repaired hairline cracks under the pickguard and near the bass f-hole).
This mandolin produces similar characteristic sounds of Monroe's iconic bluegrass machine - coarse and firey when dug into, yet bell-like and mysterious when played gently. Its finish is the typical 1923 cremona, the neck is slender and the action is very comfortable. All original parts are present and it comes with an original red-lined Geib & Sons rectangular case. There are quite a few Loar-signed F-5s on the market today, but none share the unique provenance of this instrument. Comes with a signed letter of authentication from the Dawg himself.
