A Loar Story with Darren Nicholson: June 13, 1923 Gibson F-5 Mandolin

This is what Everyman Vintage is all about. Fine vintage instruments with a human touch, told from a human perspective. Darren Nicholson of Balsam Range chronicles (AND DEMOS) his June 13, 1923 Gibson F-5 Lloyd Loar mandolin, affectionately dubbed "Ferdinand," after the original owner. The demo closes the video after the brilliantly-told story. Subscribe for more tasty vintage instrument content!

[@banjoist123]

It's a testament to the quality of these early Gibsons that the thing can sit fully strung for 90 years and the neck is still flat. I've seen 2 year old mandolins that can't claim this.

[@gregjones8065]

Great story of a treasure seemingly "lost" for many years! It's hard to believe there are still some undocumented Loars out there. Congratulations to Darren on being able to aquire and play it!!

[@pepcjim1]

What a wonderful story. What a wonderful responsibility.

[@robtsologtr]

We do not own fine instruments, we have stewardship. It’s our duty to enjoy them, share music through them, and someday “pass it forward.” I love my Monteleone mando, a am dedicated in seeing that future generations experience it. ❤

[@marty4485]

Awesome Darren,happy you were able to get such a important piece of American 🇺🇸 history. You deserve it brother.

[@johncostelloe743]

Thank you for sharing your great story listening in Ireland God Bless

[@tomehCanada]

Congratulations. I'm happy the mando found a player to make it live.

[@dennisschell5543]

What a great story! Thank you.

[@Vader99ify]

I would love to just be able to afford a regular F5. Glad to hear a piece of history ended up in good hands!

[@fiddlix]

What a find. I’ve played several Lora mandolins but that one is the is in best original condition I have ever seen. Congratulations… !

[@michaelmullins1290]

Amazing story. You've always seemed so humble. I'm glad you got it bud. Hopefully I'll get to hear it in person one day.

[@kellydonaldson2296]

Such a great story. Couldn't be in better hands. Thanks for sharing!

[@hardworkerm3304]

Wonderful story and congratulations! I have it's Sibling. #72206 February 26, 1923 Video, the instrument. And your presentation are astounding

[@reedj112]

Thanks for the words about the video. Ferd is exquisite and happy Darren was able to get it! I'd love to pick 72206 some day!

[@MelTurbyfill]

Hi Darren! Somethings are just meant to be. Congratulations on finding such an incredible instrument. It not only looks fantastic, it sounds fantastic when you play it. I look forward to catching a performance where you play this mandolin live. Thank you for sharing such a great story.

[@stephenhenion8304]

Music is all about interpretation, feeling, emotion, flow, and tone. As an accomplished musician, this Mandolin is the best at all of these. You Do play better with an instrument of this Heritage! Wishing you many productive years of 🎶🎵🎶

[@jameswhite874]

Darren, Great Mandolins have Great stories behind them and yours my friend has that.

[@rockyross7334]

A great story. You're very fortunate to have this lovely old instrument..

[@modernarcheology2868]

I don't play a string instrument and know nothing about Mandolin's, but thoroughly enjoyed this video. What a great story! So glad you were able to come across this and add it to your set of instruments.

[@Firekeeper61]

Great presentation! My Haywood County brother God bless you!

[@tanukibrahma]

Those mandolins really do sound sweet

[@ACOUSTIC_4LOVE]

Wonderful Story! Truly God works in mysterious ways. Enjoy that LOAR. Sounds amazing-especially as you hit those high registers

[@user-sc1dg1vw9l]

Beautiful story.

[@geecheer7098]

Very happy for you Darren. Wonderful story.

[@KennyHaney-iy3ob]

awesome story and awesome mandolin

[@dalonergan]

Really great content, can’t wait to see more.

[@williamsmith41]

Awesome, Very happy for you Darren!

[@bricebowlin8834]

If you're not already aware, it seems that Gibson has sort of re-adopted specs from that time frame on their mandolins. As of this time last week I believe. Early to mid-20s from what I understand. You present yet another fine bit of entertainment. I really appreciate the focus on the finer/vintage/antique instruments and equipment.. Also I want to give you props for personally responding to replies/responses. I can't say how much I appreciate it and how extremely different it truly is.. Says a lot about you as a man and what you mean to do with your channel.. Thank you my friend

[@reedj112]

Thank you so much for watching and for your comments. I love sharing music and stories, and though I've been quiet for a while, there's more to come!

[@annaklinecreates]

Heck yeah, friend. So, so cool. Long live Ferd!

[@sangsayre1820]

Mabey the best one I ever heard ❤🎶

[@rede5426]

What a great story for a great instrument. Deserves to have a song written about it! Great stuff. Thnx sharing. In 22 it all began, Lloyd Loar built a Ferdinand .... lah de dah lol.

[@dalgguitars]

What a fun story!

[@GabrielWsieman]

Very cool Darin! Great mandolin too!

[@jjmuni]

Lloyd Loar certainly was a genius ahead of his time a known musician and innovator but not a luthier. There must have been great craftsman in Kalamazoo in the first half of the last century.

[@tylerrichman9]

This was a great video. I really enjoyed it. Thanks!

[@reedj112]

Thanks, Tyler!

[@dutchmiller704]

Wow. What a story. Hope to see you play it someday.

[@kenji3389]

Mando sounds so happy under your fingers.

[@Mandoslicer]

Hey Darren! Wow Wow Wow!!! I can’t imagine the depth of everything when you finally did the deal. Just amazing. I couldn’t help but wonder how it compares to your Duff A Model. Regardless, this is the mandolin story of the year for sure and a sure fire life changer for you. I can’t think of a person more poised for it than you buddy. Cheers! Bobby

[@reedj112]

I'm not Darren, so I can't speak with the same level of authority regarding how the two mandolins compare, but I have played both, and they are both incredible, albeit different, instruments. Darren's Duff is one of my favorite mandolins on earth, but there is a "Loar thing" that Ferdinand has that the Duff doesn't. I would best describe that "thing" as a clarity and power in the upper registers, almost a chimey, bell-like quality. It truly is beautiful and what I think makes Loars so special. I'm not sure I've ever encountered that exact quality in other mandolins. But none of that detracts from quality of the Duff, that thing is a hoss. So to sum it up, I'd love to have them both!!! They are great instruments that do their thing at the highest level, they are just different.

[@rodneyharouff5739]

that's real cool!

[@WildwoodvalleyBoy]

...would you NOT tell the purchase price ?

[@johnlowry7768]

All the from AUSTRALIA WOW!

[@dolinman]

wow

[@musicofanatic]

Lloyd Loar was not a luthier, nor was he actually an accredited "Acoustic Engineer" as stated on the label he signed. Additionally, he did not design every aspect of the F-5...others at Gibson such as Ted McHugh came up with design aspects like the elevated fingerboard termination. That aside, what a great "meant to be" story, well presented!

[@daynewatson7902]

What song is it at the end?

[@daynewatson7902]

Never mind, it’s lonesome moonlight waltz

[@robtsologtr]

Lonesome Moonlight Waltz by Bill Monroe

[@danlloyd1775]

Are you going to bring the Lloyd lore to Mark Lloyd's house warming party in asheville on August 16th? I will see you there anyway. My name is Dan marks brother

[@lloydsplace101]

thats not the same mandolin in the picture of him playing.

[@reedj112]

Sure is!

[@lindseywalker6925]

C'mon man!!! How much did it cost!!??

[@pmscalisi]

There’s no need to ask 😂

[@60beats44]

Thank you so much Reed for sharing this story with us. And what a sound, both coming from you and your cherished instrument. As a beginning mandolinist I would love to learn this tune kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3mcnamDZ9Glnq8&ab_channel=DavidBenedictMandolin Would you perhaps be in a position to help me with a TAB version?

[@reedj112]

Thanks so much for watching and for reaching out! Unfortunately, that's really something I do have much experience in, so I can't be much help with the tab.

[@rogerbeaird3320]

So what I got a cheap fender lol 😅😮😮😅😅😮😅😊😊

[@reedj112]

If it plays good and sounds good...it is good!

[@iknowyouarebutwhatami]

Darren is the nicest guy too

[@iknowyouarebutwhatami]

You're wayyy more famous now Darren lol.