Loar-signed L-5s
The shipping dates listed below relate to the instrument’s serial number and are based on information provided in Spann’s Guide To Gibson by Joseph E. Spann
Note that the serial number indicates the date at which the instrument was shipped rather than its date of manufacture. For example, 16 of the instruments listed below were shipped after Loar had left Gibson (ten in 1925 and six in 1926)
If an instrument appears in one of our picture galleries, this is noted beneath the serial number
Serial Number: 73718
Year shipped: 1923
Virzi Number:
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on July 6th 1923
Headstock: Unusual headstock shape, diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays start at fifth fret
Body: Birch back, no Virzi fitted. The back has a translucent brown finish
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Short bound pickguard.
Notes: This is the only L-5 that Gibson is known to have shipped in 1923 and as such, the earliest L-5 on record
Source: Peter Kohman (musurgia.com) and Carter Vintage
Serial Number: 76477
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi Number:
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on March 31st 1924
Headstock: Horizontal ‘The Gibson’ logo (see neck/fingerboard below)
Neck/fingerboard: Late 1920s neck and fingerboard fitted
Body: Birch back. The presence of a label suggests that this guitar was initially fitted with a Virzi Tone Producer, which has since been removed
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece. Short bound pickguard
Notes: The neck appears to have been replaced in the late 20s. The large neck-heel is something more commonly seen on 17-inch L-5s and may have been added when the guitar was returned to Kalamazoo for repairs in 1947
Source: Laurence Kenyon/www.mandolinarchive.com
Serial Number: 76478
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi Number: 10173
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated By Lloyd Loar on March 31st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays start at the fifth fret
Body: Maple back and sides, Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Short bound pickguard, replacement bridge.
Source: Lowell Levinger and Darryl Wolfe’s F-5 Journal
Serial number: 76480
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi Number:
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated By Lloyd Loar on March 31st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays start at the fifth fret
Body: Birch back, Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Short bound pickguard
Notes: (www.mandolinarchive.com lists this guitar as having no Virzi Tone Producer)
Source: Norman’s Rare Guitars
Serial Number: 76482
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi Number: 10187
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on March 31st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays start at the fifth fret
Body: Birch back with maple sides, Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrapover tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Short bound pickguard
Source: George Gruhn, www.gruhn.com and Ruurd Feitsma of the Dutch Archtop Museum
Serial Number: 76483
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi Number: 10185
(See Type One Gallery)
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays start at the fifth fret
Body: Birch back with maple sides
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrapover tailpiece. The pickguard and tuners are not original to the guitar
Notes: The guitar was returned to Gibson c. 1972 and both the neck and body were refinished. A pickup was added in the early 1980s. This has since been removed leaving two small screw holes in the front of the guitar. In addition, there are two small holes at the end of the fingerboard where a pickup was once mounted. The neck joint, which had become loose, was repaired in the early 1960s by Lorenzo Pimentel of Albuquerque, NM. Has original hardshell case
Source: Dan Shelden
Serial Number: 76487
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi Number:
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar: March 31st 1924
Body: no Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Source: www.mandolinarchive.com
Serial Number: 76497
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi Number: 10057
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar: March 31st 1924
Body: Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Gold plated metal parts
Source: www.mandolinarchive.com
Serial Number: 76508
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi Number:
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar: March 31st 1924
Body: No Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Source: www.mandolinarchive.com
Serial Number: 76699
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi Number: 10174
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar: March 31st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays start at the fifth fret
Body: Birch back with maple sides, Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Short bound pickguard. Has original hardshell case.
Notes: The neck may have been re-shaped at the factory
Source: George Gruhn and Carter Vintage
Serial Number: 76705
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi Number:
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar: March 31st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays start at the fifth fret
Body: Birch back and maple sides, no Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Short bound pickguard
Source: www.mandolinarchive.com
Serial Number: 76706
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi Number:
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on March 31st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo. Has the name ‘Lynn Henderson’ on the truss rod cover
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlay starts at fifth fret
Body: Birch back with maple sides. This example was initially fitted with a Virzi Tone Producer, which has since been removed
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece. Incorrect yet rare 1934-35 Grover tuners and non-original long pickguard
Notes: This guitar had block inlays added to the fingerboard, which have since been replaced with the correct dot inlays. The pickguard is a replica, and the guitar has been refretted
Source: Walter Carter at Carter Vintage (cartervintage.com)
Serial Number: 76707
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi Number: 10183
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on March 31st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays from the fifth fret
Body: Birch back with maple sides, Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece. Short bound pickguard
Notes: Retrofitted with late 1920s tuners
Source: Gruhn Guitars, www.gruhn.com
Serial Number: 76708
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi Number: 10179
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on March 31st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays start at the fifth fret
Body: Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Short bound pickguard
Notes: Formerly part of the Scott Chinery Collection
Source: www.mandolinarchive.com/Scott Chinery Collection
Serial no: 76709
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi number:
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on March 31st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo with rhinestones added by previous owner
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays from the fifth fret
Body: Birch back, with maple sides. Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Short bound pickguard
Source: Gary
Serial Number: 76710
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi Number: 10184
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on March 31st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays from the fifth fret
Body: Birch back with maple sides, Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners with engraved base plate and pearl buttons. Short bound pickguard
Notes: This L-5 was formerly owned by David Grisman
Source: Robert Corwin, http://www.oldgibson.com
Serial Number: 76983
Year shipped: 1924
Virzi Number: 10220
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar: Feb 13th 1924
Neck/fingerboard: 1930s replacement neck
Body: Birch back and maple sides, Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts
Source: www.mandolinarchive.com
Serial number: 77391
Year shipped: 1925
Virzi Number: 10322
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on November 17th 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays from the fifth fret
Body: Birch back with maple sides, Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners with engraved baseplate and pearl buttons, mounted so that the cog is positioned above the worm gear. Short bound pickguard
Notes: Has original hard case included
Source: Heritage Auctions
Serial Number: 77392
Year shipped: 1925
Virzi Number: 10313
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on December 1st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays from the fifth fret
Body: Birch back with maple sides, Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Short bound pickguard
Source: The Fellowship of Acoustics (www.tfoa.eu)
Serial Number: 77394
Year shipped: 1925
Virzi Number:
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on December 1st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays from the fifth fret
Body: Birch back with maple sides, Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Original short bound pickguard
Notes: This is George Gruhn’s personal guitar
Source: George Gruhn (guitars.com)
Serial Number: 77398
Year shipped: 1925
Virzi Number:
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar: Dec 1st 1924
Body: No Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Source: www.mandolinarchive.com
Serial Number: 77400
Year shipped: 1925
Virzi Number: 10319
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on December 1st 1924
(details listed below refer to the model after restoration)
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: Reproduction fingerboard with pointed end and dot inlays from the fifth fret
Body: Maple back and sides, Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Short bound pickguard. Original bridge, short bound pickguard and tuners with a replacement pearl nut and period correct reproduction tailpiece made by Jackson Cunningham
Notes: This guitar has been refinished and the treble side of the body, the neck and the fingerboard have been replaced. There are two three-inch cracks on the bass side of the body
Source: Antiques Roadshow USA and Dave’s Guitar Shop
Serial Number: 77401
Year shipped: 1925
Virzi Number: 10328
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on December 1st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays from the fifth fret
Body: Birch back with maple sides, Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Short bound pickguard
Notes: Evidence of the centre laminate showing on the headstock but no repairs, cracks or modifications. Has original hardshell case
Source: Larry Wexer (www.wexerguitars.com) and www.mandolinarchive.com
Serial Number: 77402
Year shipped: 1925
Virzi Number: 10306
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on December 1st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays from the fifth fret
Body: Birch back with maple sides, Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece. Short bound pickguard. Tuners are replacements.
Source: Tom Rhodes
Serial Number: 77404
Year shipped: 1925
Virzi Number: 10305
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on 1st December 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays from the fifth fret
Body: Birch back with maple sides, Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Short bound pickguard
Source: Nino Fazio, http://www.realvintage.it
Serial Number: 77405
Year shipped: 1925
Virzi Number: 10327 (
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on December 1st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays from the fifth fret
Body: Birch back with maple sides
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Short bound pickguard
Source: George Gruhn, www.gruhn.com
Serial Number: 77408
Year shipped: 1925
Virzi Number:
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar December 1st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo, replacement truss rod cover
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end
Body: Birch back with maple sides, Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Replacement tuners, truss rod cover, tailpiece and bridge. Short bound pickguard.
Notes: This guitar was bought from Barney Kessell at ‘Kessell’s Music World’ in 1970 by recording artist/producer/arranger Tom Keene
Source: Dennis Agajanian
Serial Number: 77410
Year shipped: 1925
Virzi Number:
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on December 1st 1924
Headstock: See Notes below
Neck/fingerboard: See Notes below
Body: Maple back and sides, originally fitted with a Virzi Tone Producer but this has since been removed
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece
Notes: Both the neck and fingerboard have been replaced. The tuners and pickguard are not original.
The guitar now has a ‘Gibson Inc.’ label (the Loar signature date was confirmed by Joe Spann from Gibson’s records).
Source: Tim Johnson
Serial Number: 80192
Year shipped: 1926
Virzi Number:
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on Mar 1st 1924 (Dec 1st 1924 according to Mandolin Archive)
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo (see Notes below)
Neck/fingerboard: See Notes below
Body: Birch back with maple sides, no Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Short bound pickguard
Notes: The guitar has been re-necked using the original headstock overlay and fingerboard (20 frets with pointed end) but with the heel changed to the later rounded style. The serial number is now stamped on the back of the headstock. The body has been refinished and re-bound with five-ply binding. Has original hardshell case
Source: Lowell Levinger (vintageinstruments.com) and Schoenberg Guitars (www.om28.com)
Serial Number: 80203
Year shipped: 1926
Virzi Number:
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar: Dec 1st 1924
Body: No Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Source: www.mandolinarchive.com
Serial Number: 80262
Year shipped: 1926
Virzi Number:
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar: Dec 31st 1924 (some controversy exists regarding date, could be Dec. 21, 1924)
Body: No Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Source: www.mandolinarchive.com
Serial Number: 80263
Year shipped: 1926
Virzi Number:
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar: Dec 21st 1924
Body: No Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Notes: This serial number appears on a Gibson F5 copy spotted in recent circulation
Source: www.mandolinarchive.com
Serial Number: 80264
Year shipped: 1926
Virzi Number:
(See Type One Gallery)
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on December 1st 1924
Headstock: Diagonal ‘The Gibson’ logo
Neck/fingerboard: 20 fret fingerboard with pointed end, dot inlays from the fifth fret with double dots at the 12th and 17th frets
Body: Birch back with maple sides, no Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Hardware: Silver-plated metal parts including wrap-over tailpiece and Waverly three-on-a-strip tuners. Short bound pickguard
Source: Ken Waltham
Serial Number: 80411
Year shipped: 1926
Virzi Number:
Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar: Dec 1st 1924
Body: No Virzi Tone Producer fitted
Source: www.mandolinarchive.com