If you enjoy learning about mandolins, you’ve probably heard of Lloyd Loar. But if you’re not quite sure who he was, take a moment to read this bio, because he’s arguably the father of the modern mandolin.
Lloyd Loar was an accomplished musician
Lloyd Loar played in bluegrass bands which toured all throughout the USA (and even overseas). Although he was proficient on several instruments, he was really a master of the mandolin.
The Gibson company always tried to promote themselves by forming mutually-beneficial relationships with accomplished musicians. Gibson was one of Mr. Loar’s patrons, and he played their instruments on stage.
But Gibson didn’t stop at giving out a free mandolin or guitar to the musicians they sponsored. They also let their musicians get their hands dirty in the luthier shop. Lloyd Loar didn’t just play around with some pre-existing designs. Rather he actually invented a few successful designs, several of which went on to be the state of the art in terms of modern mandolin design.
Lloyd Loar’s mandolin designs were (and still are) state of the art
Although Loar produced several successful designs, and a slew of experimental designs (many of which were electric), he’s best known as the father of the famous Gibson F5 and A5 mandolins. These mandolins are about as good as it gets in the context of mandolin design.
Original Gibson mandolins made by (and signed by) Lloyd Loar can fetch upwards of a couple hundred thousand dollars today.
So next time you play an F style mandolin, take a moment to thank Lloyd Loar for creating the perfect blend of form and functionality that’s allowed mandolins to survive and thrive up to the modern day.
