Just a few short years removed from the Loar era, this 1930 is right there tonally and aesthetically, with a thick, powerful voice and a significant historical association.

For all the mythic status that Lloyd Loar-era F5 mandolins command, many of the later 1920s and '30s examples we have encountered remain absolutely stellar instruments. While certainly still a considerable investment, the best of these mandolins are wonderful, exciting finds that offer strong value in comparison to their vaunted older siblings.

This mandolin features a big, thick voice, single notes boating a pleasing sense of heft. It sounds great with a light attack, but drive it harder and there is no doubt that you'll be heard across the room in a busy jam. Lots of midrange-forward volume on tap here for players who like to dig in and give it a go. This Fern has that uncanny, dry, immediate response that only decades of a life in service can provide.

That played-in quality makes sense, as number 86288 has a notable pedigree, previously owned by the gospel bluegrass artist, Red Ellis. The mandolin adorns the cover of at least two of Ellis' albums, LP copies of which are included with this instrument. As you can see in those photos, during its tenure with Red, the mandolin's fingerboard has the block inlays more common in later '30s mandolins.

Restoration work includes a replaced, bound fingerboard with vintage-appropriate, pearl dot markers, replaced bridge and pickguard, new gold Waverly tuners, a repaired neck crack, and some light finish touch up, most notably on the back of the neck and on the top where Red's top decals where removed. (You can just make out the faint outline of the letters if you catch the instrument in the right light.)

All in all, this is a wonderful, lovingly restored, 95-year-old Gibson with a notable provenance. This outstanding 1930 F5 Fern is proof positive that there is, indeed, life after Loar.

Include the (removed) block-inlay fingerboard, Red Ellis LPs, and Hoffee flight case.