We are happy to present the most definitive research on the life and work of heralded musician, acoustical engineer, author, and professor Lloyd Allayre Loar. This 208-page book is accompanied by more than 320 photographs of people, instruments, and documents, many never before published. The story begins with Loar's birth in Cropsey, Illinois in 1886, and explores his work as a young musician, his relationship with Sally Fisher Shipp (Lloyd's first wife), his time overseas supporting the American Expeditionary Forces during WWI, his work as acoustical engineer at Gibson including the development of the Master Model instruments (F-5 mandolin, L-5 guitar, H-5 mandola, and K-5 mando-cello) and the ball-bearing Mastertone tone chamber. The text reveals why and exactly when he left Gibson, his work with Jacobs Publishing as a music magazine editor, Loar's professorship at Northwestern University, the development and demise of his ViVi-Tone product line, Loar's consulting projects with other instrument manufacturers, his method books and musical scores, his involvement with the Virzi Tone Producer, Loar's patents, the author's interaction with Lloyd's second wife Bertha and the amazing discovery of Loar's personal instruments, and much more.
The book poses such questions as: "Did Loar only play Gibson instruments?" "What were his job duties at Gibson?" "Why did Loar leave Gibson?" "Exactly when did Loar leave Gibson?" "What was his involvement with ViVi-Tone?" "Who signed labels at the end of 1925 when he was no longer working for Gibson?" "What about his personal instruments?" and many more...
Roger's research on Lloyd Loar spans more than 50 years and includes his interactions with such notable resources as Gibson historian Julius Bellson, Gibson's past-president Ted McCarty, Lloyd's widow Bertha, and others. The first-ever detailed roadmap of Lloyd Loar's life and work from his birth in 1886 to his death in 1943.
Foreward by George Gruhn
Luthiers who buy this book also enjoy reading The Luthier’s Handbook and The Art of Tap Tuning.
Enjoy this 6:32 minute video about Lloyd Loar - CLICK HERE
• 8-1/2˝ x 11˝
• 208 pages, softbound
• 322 color photographs
• 1 pound 10 ounces