Loar designed the flagship L-5 archtop guitar and the Gibson F-5 mandolin that was introduced in 1922, before leaving the company in 1924.

Are Gibson mandolins still made?

Today, Loars F-5 mandolin is often considered the holy grail of mandolins. Gibson is now known mostly for building electric guitars, but they still offer a variety of mandolins, which are produced in the acoustic Bozeman, Montana shop.

How do I know if my mandolin is vintage?

Most antique mandolins have bowl-shaped backs made of a number of wooden ribs, and lutelike, teardrop-shaped bodies. Mandolins of an unusual shape are more identifiable and often more valuable. Check aesthetic features like the shape of the pickguard, the tailpiece cover and inlays or ornaments.

How do you tell how old a banjo is?

You can find the age of your banjo by Google searching the model name and serial number. If your banjo was handmade, you can have it dated by an expert. Some banjos are incredibly rare and can be worth thousands.