The Loar LH-500 Archtop

[g***@yahoo.com]

In the Feb 2007 issue of Acoustic Guitar magazine, there's a review
of the Loar LH-500 archtop. Anyone played one of these?

The AG article list the back and sides as "laminated maple".
However, the Loar website indicates "solid maple" in the detailed
specs. I'm also curious about the nut width. I've heard
conflicting reports between 1-3/4 and 1-11/16.
http://theloar.com/index.php?id=1359


This seems like a pretty cool guitar. Lots of vintage appeal IMO and
relatively inexpensive considering what archtops go for.

-Brian
http://wrennhouse.com

[g***@yahoo.com]

Just to follow up on the Loar archtop... I test-drove a couple of them
at Elderly today. I think they're just about the quietest guitars
I've ever played. With little projection and no pickups, they seemed
almost useless quite frankly. Though I got to say the action and
playability was nice. Ah, no matter, I was banjo shopping anyhow.

-Brian
http://wrennhouse.com

[John Holbrook]

Post by g***@yahoo.com
Just to follow up on the Loar archtop... I test-drove a couple of them
at Elderly today. I think they're just about the quietest guitars
I've ever played. With little projection and no pickups, they seemed
almost useless quite frankly. Though I got to say the action and
playability was nice. Ah, no matter, I was banjo shopping anyhow.
-Brian
http://wrennhouse.com

So, did you find any banjos that you liked? Tell us all about it/them.
Heck, email me privately if you're hesitant about irritating the acoustic
guitar police! <g>

--
John
Remove capo to reply

[Ed Edelenbos]

Post by John Holbrook

Post by g***@yahoo.com
Just to follow up on the Loar archtop... I test-drove a couple of them
at Elderly today. I think they're just about the quietest guitars
I've ever played. With little projection and no pickups, they seemed
almost useless quite frankly. Though I got to say the action and
playability was nice. Ah, no matter, I was banjo shopping anyhow.
-Brian
http://wrennhouse.com

So, did you find any banjos that you liked? Tell us all about it/them.
Heck, email me privately if you're hesitant about irritating the acoustic
guitar police! <g>
--
John
Remove capo to reply

I don't think it'll irritate the AGP too much... just the thought of rings
and drumheads makes us realize even the worst guitar in the world isn't a
ban....

Ed (grinnin')

[John Holbrook]

Post by Ed Edelenbos

Post by John Holbrook

Post by g***@yahoo.com
Just to follow up on the Loar archtop... I test-drove a couple of them
at Elderly today. I think they're just about the quietest guitars
I've ever played. With little projection and no pickups, they seemed
almost useless quite frankly. Though I got to say the action and
playability was nice. Ah, no matter, I was banjo shopping anyhow.
-Brian
http://wrennhouse.com

So, did you find any banjos that you liked? Tell us all about it/them.
Heck, email me privately if you're hesitant about irritating the acoustic
guitar police! <g>
--
John
Remove capo to reply

I don't think it'll irritate the AGP too much... just the thought of rings
and drumheads makes us realize even the worst guitar in the world isn't a
ban....
Ed (grinnin')

Shut up.

Thank you.

John
Remove capo to reply

[Ken Cashion]

On Sun, 31 Dec 2006 09:42:49 -0500, "Ed Edelenbos"

Post by Ed Edelenbos

Post by John Holbrook

Post by g***@yahoo.com
Just to follow up on the Loar archtop... I test-drove a couple of them
at Elderly today. I think they're just about the quietest guitars
I've ever played. With little projection and no pickups, they seemed
almost useless quite frankly. Though I got to say the action and
playability was nice. Ah, no matter, I was banjo shopping anyhow.
-Brian
http://wrennhouse.com

So, did you find any banjos that you liked? Tell us all about it/them.
Heck, email me privately if you're hesitant about irritating the acoustic
guitar police! <g>
--
John
Remove capo to reply

I don't think it'll irritate the AGP too much... just the thought of rings
and drumheads makes us realize even the worst guitar in the world isn't a
ban....
Ed (grinnin')

Re heads and rings...

When I was in the attic tearing up my rotator cuff, I found my tenor
banjo neck. The fret board was starting to separate from neck, the
veneer and abalone inlay over the patent head was laying beside it,
and the maple and walnut neck was getting a gap several places.

All in all, in great shape for 30 years of attic life.

I bought a tenor banjo in a hock shop in East Texas and made a
five-string neck for it. I played it a bunch, but now I want a tenor
something, so I decided I would convert this old 1920 banjo back to
tenor.

Also with drum head, I have a grand-daddy banjo I made for my jug
band. The snares are in tact on the back so I can pull back my
stomach while playing it and unmute the snares to resonate after each
chord.
Images at
http://www.photos.windmillpro.com/Images/Thumbnails/MusicTH.html
images 90 - 93.

Oh, yeah...I have a banjo uke!

Ken

[g***@yahoo.com]

Post by Ken Cashion
Also with drum head, I have a grand-daddy banjo I made for my jug
band. The snares are in tact on the back so I can pull back my
stomach while playing it and unmute the snares to resonate after each
chord.
Images at
http://www.photos.windmillpro.com/Images/Thumbnails/MusicTH.html
images 90 - 93.

...a stomach mute? That's a new one!

-Brian
http://wrennhouse.com

[Ken Cashion]

Post by g***@yahoo.com

Post by Ken Cashion
Also with drum head, I have a grand-daddy banjo I made for my jug
band. The snares are in tact on the back so I can pull back my
stomach while playing it and unmute the snares to resonate after each
chord.
Images at
http://www.photos.windmillpro.com/Images/Thumbnails/MusicTH.html
images 90 - 93.

...a stomach mute? That's a new one!

It shouldn't be. We all have one. <g>

While playing a guitar, mandolin, uke, and having it against your
stomach, without stop playing it, lean back so the back is free to
resonate and there will be a much better sound. This even included
playing an autoharp while standing.

I have only found one instrument whose sound is not improved by
putting some space between the back and the stomach/chest...those are
made from Styron. That plastic needs to be muted to get rid of a lot
of the brittleness, treble, brightness, whatever.

Ken

[g***@yahoo.com]

Post by John Holbrook
So, did you find any banjos that you liked? Tell us all about it/them.
Heck, email me privately if you're hesitant about irritating the acoustic
guitar police! <g>

Elderly has a pretty good selection of both resonator and old-time
banjos. I'm leaning toward an open back 'jo made by local
Michigander Bart Reiter. I'm GAS'n big time, but I'm going to
have to wait until they get more in stock. They had a used one, but it
was showing some signs of wear around the rim cap.

I may need to chop off my ring finger while learning to play the
clawhammer style. Anyone use the frailing technique on guitar?

-Brian
http://wrennhouse.com