Gibson F5 Mandolin #75321 Signed by Lloyd Loar February 18, 1924

Summary

Signed by Lloyd Loar February 18, 1924 manufacture date (traditional estimates)
1924 shipment date, according to Spann's Guide to Gibson
Mandolin, Style F5
Serial 75321
Factory order number unknown
there is no Virzi in this instrument

Description

Played by Frank Ray, Don Brown, CJ Lewandowski

Non-virzi mandolin showing heavy wear throughout. Most all of the wear was non-existent Pre-1970. This is proven by pictures of Don Brown with the mandolin during that time. Finger/pickwear is heavy on pick guard region. Original pick guard with the mandolin and etched “Don Brown” on the back. “DB” in ink in truss rod through, also on the back of original Truss rod cover. Heavy neck wear and peghead wear. Original fretboard, and hardware. Tuning machines redone by Don Macrostie (2019). Highly regarded by Charlie Derrington who placed it in his "top 5". Owned by Frank Ray from 2002-2019.

Categories

Source

From C.J. Lewandowski.
C.J. Lewandowski was born and raised in the state of Missouri. He was bitten by the Loar bug at 13 years old when he played a Feb 18, 1924 signed mandolin once belonging to his musical hero, Don Brown. He then played between the choice of a 1923 and 1924 F-5 as a member of the Ozark Bluegrass Boys. Since that moment on, he has made it a mission to study and play every F-5 he can, along with preserving the history and legacy of the Lloyd Loar period. C.J. Makes his home now in East Tennessee with 73989, the July 9, 1923 F-5 he went to Greece to acquire. He is a member and founder of the Grammy Nominated group, The Po' Ramblin' Boys and is an artist of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings.

You can find him on Instagram at @ozark_mandolin and on the web at http://www.theporamblinboys.com