Restoration
Gibson F5 mandolin #76790
Signed by Lloyd Loar September 18, 1924
w/Virzi Tone Producer #10117
Repair completed November 2022
Repair issues
Non-original stain and finish (lacquer, circa 1930's)
Re-fretted with wide frets
Repair job
Remove finish and replace with original style hand water stain sunburst and varnish finish
Re-fret with original style .040" fretwire
Notes
This late 1924 Loar, with all original hardware, was refinished by Gibson in the 1930s with their typical thick sprayed nitrocellulose lacquer sunburst finish of that period.
Interestingly, still in its original rectangular case was this letter dated Jan 21, 1932 from the greatly respected virtuoso of the era, Walter Kaye Bauer of the earlier Gibsonian Orchestra fame, promoting the virtues of this instrument to its prospective new owner.
It is unclear from his description of the mandolin’s condition in this letter whether it was before or after refinishing.
Some of the original water stain was still in the surface of the wood after stripping and I was able to use this as a guide when restaining, including much of the original neck patina and varnish finish that was remnant under the 30s lacquer finish.
