Don Brown Loar mandolin. Neck reset, head block/neck dovetail rebuild

Welcome to McClanahan Stringed Instruments
In this video, you will see Master Luthier Jonathan McClanahan perform the extensive repair of rebuilding the internal headlock and neck dovetail on this vintage Feb. 18th 1924 Gibson Lloyd Loar F5 mandolin that was owned and played by the Legendary Bluegrass Artist Don Brown. Jonathan has decades of experience working with all makes and models of vintage instruments ranging from mandolins, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, violins, lutes, basses, stand up basses etc...
McClanahan Stringed Instruments is based in Nashville Tennessee where Jonathan McClanahan builds his musical instruments by hand with many of the Old World traditions. Jonathan began his career as a teenage musician doing his own repair work. This knowledge of Luthiery eventually landed him a job at the Gibson Custom Shop where he and his co-workers built guitars for world renown Artist such as: Jimmy Page, Angus Young, Eric Clapton, Vince Gill, Paul McCartney, Ozzy Osbourne, Chet Atkins, Slash and many more. Jonathan eventually answered the call to build his own musical instruments and hasn't looked back. His primary focus is building his own line of McClanahan mandolins and Carve Top guitars as well as doing extensive repair work on Legendary Vintage instruments of all kinds.
You can also find Jonathan's work on his website: www.mcclanahanstringedinstruments.com
Email - [e-mail]
Cell - 615-557-3342
Send all comments or questions to:
Facebook: / jonathan.a.mcclanahan
Instagram: / mandolin_architect
Website: mcclanahanstringedinstruments.com

[@RosaStringWorks]

You really did a nice job. For the record/history of the mandolin. Don had sent it back to Gibson 3 times. The back was coming off again and he forced it on me to fix that. There was so much glue in the joint that I took the back off, cleaned everything then put it back on. I did NOT do any other repairs. I assume Gibson did the dowels and other shims that you saw. Again, you did a great job. Thanks from my uncle Don in Heaven.

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

I’m glad you liked it!

[@philipchan8133]

.??? good morning! so you saw this video. im sure you have nothing to do with the dowel either, but why was it there? just want to comment on the condition of the instrument. the bill monroe mandolin was restored better. when you workedon the mandolin, was the binding repair already there or not? the next comment by henry brown, he is your cousin? you can comment on your regular vlog. i watch it daily. thanks. philip from vancouver 🇨🇦.

This is wonderful! I'm so happy Don's mandolin was in good hands and found it's way to you! I'm thrilled you had the experience to properly fix this special instrument. I married into the Brown family to Denny (2nd son of Don) the banjo player in 1980 and was lucky enough to hear Don practice and play this on stage more times than I can recall. I always thought it had such a beautiful sound of course; but I didn't know quite how special it was. I'd love to hear Don sing Blue Moon of Kentucky just one more time. My own father custom made banjos back in the day and his name was W. Huff if you ever see any of those. He made around 100 of them. He really enjoyed working with wood also. Yes, that's exactly how I met my husband. I really miss those days full of music 🙂

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Thank you so much for writing me! I love your story of the history of your family and this mandolin. Yes! I’ve heard of your Fathers banjo’s. They are highly coveted. Thank you again for telling us your story!

Thank you so much for such a Special note! I think my dad was talented also. The banjo he built my husband Denny was displayed in an exhibit one year in the 80’s called Tuning the wood and displayed all year. That banjo traveled through the state of Illinois museums in that exhibit. God Is pretty busy connecting us through music it seems. Take care and thank you again!

[@HBSuccess]

It just struck me... that instrument is 100 years old next month! Amazing repair job.

[@RickFaris]

I grew up hearing and playing this mandolin while owned by Frank Ray. Love it and a phenomenal job restoring it to its original glory!! Bravo sir

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Hey Rick! Thank you so much. It was a lot of fun to do. I’m glad you liked it!

[@Badhands55]

Like watching a plastic surgeon and a dentist - incredible repair

[@mandohat]

My friend who played with Don Brown, told me he set it up once, and lowered the bridge to where it sounded good and was comfortable to play, and Don hated it and made him put it back where he had it.

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

A lot of players likes high action for sure. I personally don’t though. I like medium string height

[@boco1951]

Hey that’s terrific!

[@badscrew4023]

100 years old!

[@thelastjohnwayne]

In a month this Mandolin will officially be 100 years old

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Crazy isn’t it!!! Love it

[@dennisbrown4968]

It is great to see the restoration of this mandolin. I am one of Don’s sons and I was just a young boy when dad got this mandolin. I remember how thrilled he was to own and play this instrument for the rest of his life. It was certainly his most prized possession. Though it is sad for us that the instrument is no longer in our family, I am so pleased that this mandolin that is so renowned continues to honor my dad. I am proud when I hear it referred to as the “Don Brown Loar”. It truly is a remarkable instrument that has it all when it comes to tone!!

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Dennis…. It is such an honor to hear your story and connection to this mandolin. Your family name will live on forever in this mandolin. No matter who owns it, it will always be called “The Don Brown Loar”. I’m getting a lot of messages from family members of Don. It’s truly an honor. God Bless you and the Brown family

[@user-eo1wl8up3j]

with you on this denny, have played this mando a few times. frank ray told me this is the closest to monroes you can ever get. jon, great vid and ex. work. was surprised to hear the neck had been removed in the past. kudos my friend!

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Thank you, I’m glad you liked it. Yes, it had definitely been removed once before

[@waynearbaczawski7012]

Amazing work Jonathan. Loved this video!

[@christerwestlund7571]

Top notch work. Greetings from Norway.

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Hey Norway!!!!! Thank you 😊

[@NaydzArt]

Masterful restoration!!! Great photography and explanation of every step.

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

I’m so glad you liked it!!! Thank you

[@2old4u]

Excellent. The detail and information in this video is perfect. Your skill and craftsmanship are a joy to watch.

[@pablo6305]

My friend i got 1920s kallamazo and a newer broken loar that i was thinking about putting loar neck on kalamazoo. And put the truss rod in kalamazo . Well i live in Michigan and if you need simeone to clean your shop and sharpen your tools and laugh at all your jokes. Then im your man cause im way over my head. Mandolin sounds great so im befudled by your skill. Hats off.

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

I’m glad you like it. Thanks you!

[@mandodude148]

One of the best mandolins I’ve ever played. Great job Jonathan!

[@oregonoutback7779]

Very impressive repair job, Jonathan. Don't believe I would have been able to attempt a repair on something that valuable. Excellent work. Thanks for sharing.

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Thank you buddy! Im glad you liked it!

[@redlaur]

Nice Work !!!

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Thank you!

[@peterjames2580]

Great match on the grain! Loved the video! You are skilled. I enjoyed it and having built some F-5's it was great to look inside the dovetail so close. Thanks so much.

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Hey Peter! Thank you so much. Im glad you liked it!

[@missouriboy66]

Johnathan, what an amazing repair! I grew up around that mandolin in MO. It’s one of the absolute top 2 or 3 for sure. Thanks for preserving this piece of Bluegrass history…

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Thank you my friend! I’m so glad you liked it!!!

[@markmaupin793]

Excellent restoration! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Thank you Mark!

[@jameschristiansson3137]

Sounds wonderful.

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Thank you James!!!

[@markmelville6670]

Awesome job. Way harder than it looks.

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Yes!

[@jonahguitarguy]

Beautiful Repair! Great piece of history.

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Thank you!

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Thank you so much!!!

[@kinnjohn]

That is dandy handiwork!

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Thank you!!!

[@ngiles1000]

Top-notch repair work

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Thank you so much!

[@jamsforyams]

Wow!

[@charlespeck886]

It has excellent tone, I can see why Jerry copied all the construction for his Mandolins! Rings out with ease!

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Thank you!

[@TimothySweeney]

waaay cool, FAT FAT FAT tone on that Loar

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

It’s got it all!!!

[@leelossi1257]

Great repair! What is the value of this Mandolin for insurance purposes? Thanks for your awesome video

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Hey Lee… for discretion purposes, I’m not permitted to talk about that. There are numerous posts on Loars for sale on the internet though. I’m glad you liked it!

[@badscrew4023]

Hi Jonathan - great job with the reset and the explanation! I’ve got a workshop question: I see you’re using cow hide as a workbench top - do you recommend this over other materials ?

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Hey Brad… yes, I love it. It’s very protective for the instruments

[@SFarling]

What strings did you put on it?

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

I always use the Diadarrio phosphorus bronze 75’s

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Yes sir…. It was as difficult to diagnose as it was to actually do it. 😊

[@mosswareproaudio6328]

And this one: BLUEGRASS BREAKDOWN Recording Studio Mix. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ineTc4OlZst8a8k

[@feelinghealingfrequences7179]

does it have the virzi?

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Great question…. It doesn’t currently have a virzi. I’m not sure if it ever did

[@CaptainRon1913]

Problems, not issues

[@McClanahanStringedInstruments]

Yes!

[@rusty-qs2be]

Why not titebond?

[@tacratt6091]

Why would you put Titebond in a $100,000 dollar instrument that was built with hide glue?

[@CS-eb9wh]

Well, if that is the 2nd of the top 2, what do you consider number 1? That said, I do have my opinion based on personal experience. I will admit, I've only played 12 or 15 more or less. Enquiring minds want to know.