K5 Mandocello database
Shipping dates are based on the serial number list in ‘Spann’s Guide to Gibson’
#75255
Serial number 75255. Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar February 11 1924, shipped 1924. Has a Virzi tone producer, but the serial number is unknown.
Notes: This mandocello was strung up as a guitar at one point. The original Style 5 mandocello tailpiece was stored in the case and eight holes were originally drilled in the headstock. It has since been restored as a mandocello. Has a unique headstock shape (prototype?). Virzi (very large) but no visible Virzi label/virzi serial number. Featured on Tone Poems 2 by David Grisman
Source: Darryl Wolfe
#76698
Serial number 76698. Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar March 31, 1924, shipped 1924. Virzi Serial Number 10222. No images
Source: Darryl Wolfe
Serial number 76711. Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar on March 31st 1924. Virzi Serial Number: 10216
Source: Mighty Fine Guitars
Serial number 76712. Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar March 31, 1924. Virzi Serial Number 10221
Source: Darryl Wolfe
#76713
Serial number 76713. Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar 1924. there is no Virzi in this instrument. No images
Notes: Has gold-plated hardware, light overspray, no Virzi. Was set up as a guitar at one point (mandocello saddle re-used). Mandocello tuners left in place. Tailpiece replaced with guitar trapeze style. Missing Signature label. Birch back
Source: Darryl Wolfe
#76979
Serial number 76979. Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar October 13, 1924. Virzi Serial Number 10213. No images
Source: Darryl Wolfe
#76980
Signed on on Oct 13th, 1924 but shipped out later. All hardware is original.
This trio of Loar signed mandolin family instruments was held in a private collection for almost 50 years. The instruments are in excellent original condition and have recently been set up by David Harvey, the head of the Gibson Mandolin division. The mandola was signed by Loar on March 31st, 1924, the mandocello on Oct 13th, 1924 and the mandolin on April 12th, 1923. Additionally, the F-5 mandolin and the H-5 Mandola are both non-Virzi instruments and are housed in a one-of-a-kind double rectangular case. Information Laurence Wexer.
Source: Laurence Wexer and Watchtower Guitars
Serial number 76981. Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar October 13, 1924. Virzi Serial Number 1021x
Source Darryl Wolfe. Photographs courtesy of the Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra
Serial number 76984. Signed and dated by Lloyd Loar October 13, 1924. Virzi Serial Number 10218
Source: Darryl Wolfe