Lloyd Loar, Acoustic Engineer for Gibson at the time, was highly respected and referred to as ‘Master Loar,’ so that is where the Master Model and Mastertone came to life. Through the teens and late 1920s, there were mandolin and banjo orchestras. It is a company rich in style and incredible craftsmanship. “One of my favorite things to do is build the instruments that are so highly regarded, and get to sign them. The youngest Gibson mandolin endorser and G3 Artist shared, “It was worth the drive to just be in the same room with all of those amazing instruments.” Young mando-man, Wyatt Ellis, of Maryville, TN, traveled to Cortland, Ohio, in May 2022 to attend one of Harvey’s Gibson presentations, and ultimately became a part of one held at Mitch and Cindy’s Bluegrass Jamboree. “I have enough to make it interesting, and usually bring a couple dozen instruments.” Harvey has a diverse instrument collection, ranging from 1903 to more recent days. He played that mandolin his entire life, and shared the stage with Red Allen, the Osborne Brothers, Frank Wakefield and many others.” Harvey admits that he is a complete mando-geek, and includes personal references in his presentations. I love seeing the faces of the people as I do these presentations.” There is some conjecture, connecting the dots. I try to tie the history all together with interesting stories. I trace the instruments back to their original owners when possible. “We play the instruments and discuss the innovation in design, sound production, and construction. These days David offers a condensed history of the Gibson company and its products in a seminar presentation, that covers instruments from 1895 to modern times. “This was during the heyday of mandolin orchestras,” he pointed out. The musical educator discussed how production increased from under 500 instruments built in 1902 to 3000 per year just a few years later. Production started in 1902 and quickly increased in number after implementing Henry Ford’s automation and assembly line model.” Orville was approached to build 100 mandolins for a mandolin orchestra, and he has been quoted to say, ‘They would be $100 per instrument and take a hundred years.’ Upon hearing this, a group of investors approached Orville about licensing his name to form the Gibson Mandolin and Guitar Company. Orville Gibson applied for two patents in 1894 for the A model and F model mandolins, and was granted the patents in 1898. “Founded in 1902, Gibson is successful due to its diversity, and has a rich history. Harvey is a walking/talking encyclopedia of the Gibson Instrument Company.
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