Loar LH-650 - A reworked project with the goods

[2bornot2bop]

This was a project guitar that I’ve desired to put together for several years.

I recently had a luthier replace all of the wiring, and had new 500k volume and tone pots installed.

Installed a new Bartolini 5J floating pickup, which is my favorite, in lieu of Gibson BJB’s not being available.

New Grover tuners installed.

Installed a vintage tailpiece, featuring a rosewood insert.

The result is, it’s now the woodiest sounding jazz archtop I’ve owned.

16” x 3 3/8”, all solid wood.

There’s nothing like discovering a new and knowledgeable Luthier that’s local to you, whose prices are also very fair.

I’d been wanting to get this done for awhile and had no idea there was a luthier in my backyard.

Checkout Riley Guitars in Everett, WA if you’re seeking a qualified luthier north of Seattle.

[Sam Sherry]

What a classic look!

The Hi-A / Bartolini 5-J is The Shtuff.
It is the jazz guitar sound of my youth --a great-sounding unit, perfect on the right instrument.

Play it 'til it cries out, "Play me more!"

[Stringswinger]

Is this guitar a "Chibson" ?

[wintermoon]

Is this guitar a "Chibson" ?

Looks like a 'The Loar'
Greg?

[skykomishone]

Hey 2B, that looks fantastic. Glad you're enjoying the guitar. That's a good setup.

[deacon Mark]

I have a Bartolini on my Heritage Johnny Smith and a truly wonderful pickup. I have BJB on other guitars but this has no trouble tone-wise with any of them.

A great guitar and one you can play and enjoy. Play the frets off.

[2bornot2bop]

Looks like a 'The Loar'
Greg?

Good eyes. Yes, a Loar LH650. Many don’t realize that once you upgrade the parts it’s a very nice guitar. But to be honest it seems 50% of them came with poor neck angles. This was one of the good ones.

Here’s one I had from 2010 that also had a Barto install that I regretted selling years ago. Took me over 10 years to find another one.

[spencer096]

Another huge fan of the bartolini pickup…got one on my Nickerson and it’s beat out an original rhythm chief, 50s Gibson p90 and 12 pole KA as my favorite.

Great guitar…love the look.

[2bornot2bop]

Another huge fan of the bartolini pickup…got one on my Nickerson and it’s beat out an original rhythm chief, 50s Gibson p90 and 12 pole KA as my favorite.

Great guitar…love the look.

thank you!

Did Nickerson go out of business? Which model do you have?

[2bornot2bop]

What a classic look!

The Hi-A / Bartolini 5-J is The Shtuff.
It is the jazz guitar sound of my youth --a great-sounding unit, perfect on the right instrument.

Play it 'til it cries out, "Play me more!"

thank you Sam!

Is this guitar a "Chibson" ?

it’s a guitar one wouldn’t mind playing out, but I hear you’re retired

Hey 2B, that looks fantastic. Glad you're enjoying the guitar. That's a good setup.

thx Steve! Check out Garrett Riley on Everett Mall Way if you’re ever in the need.

I have a Bartolini on my Heritage Johnny Smith and a truly wonderful pickup. I have BJB on other guitars but this has no trouble tone-wise with any of them.

A great guitar and one you can play and enjoy. Play the frets off.

you’ve got so many nice guitars Mark! You should post more recordings too!

[spencer096]

thank you!

Did Nickerson go out of business? Which model do you have?

im not sure if he’s still making guitars or not…mine is a 1999 virtuoso made w rock maple instead of European.

[Stringswinger]

it’s a guitar one wouldn’t mind playing out, but I hear you’re retired

While I am happily retired from regular gigs, I still so some one-off casuals and some fill in subbing. I will probably do somewhere between 10 and 20 gigs by year end and that is as much as I want to do these days, gig wise. My gig rig these days is mostly one of my three 175's paired with either my Quilter Mach 3 combo or my Bud 6. But if I was using an acoustic archtop for lots of gigs, a reworked Loar like yours would indeed be a sensible choice.

[wintermoon]

Good eyes. Yes, a Loar LH650.

well, I was thinking it was either that or a Polytune

[Rodney Gene]

Great job, looks fantastic! Looks like it want to be played!

[2bornot2bop]

im not sure if he’s still making guitars or not…mine is a 1999 virtuoso made w rock maple instead of European Spruce

beautiful guitar! It projects warmth just lying there!

While I am happily retired from regular gigs, I still so some one-off casuals and some fill in subbing. I will probably do somewhere between 10 and 20 gigs by year end and that is as much as I want to do these days, gig wise. My gig rig these days is mostly one of my three 175's paired with either my Quilter Mach 3 combo or my Bud 6. But if I was using an acoustic archtop for lots of gigs, a reworked Loar like yours would indeed be a sensible choice.

thx for sharing your thoughts and vast knowledge and experience!

well, I was thinking it was either that or a Polytune

Quote of the day!

Great job, looks fantastic! Looks like it want to be played!

thank you!

[Prof Silverhair]

Beautiful work on The Loar! I'd love to know how it sounds now. And in particular, how much of a difference did the tailpiece make? Hope it's still providing you hours of enjoyment!

[2bornot2bop]

Beautiful work on The Loar! I'd love to know how it sounds now. And in particular, how much of a difference did the tailpiece make? Hope it's still providing you hours of enjoyment!

Much warmer tone with the Bartolini pickup. This is the 2nd LH650 I’ve had with the Bartolini on it.

Okay, and I did change the pick guard and electronics.

[Prof Silverhair]

I have a Loar 650 on its way to me now. I plan to give it a similar treatment: new guard, upgraded pickup, and liley a tailpiece.

It's coming to me with 2 pickguards and I have a few as well. I have a Seymour Duncan Johnny Smith that I've been waiting to try in the right guitar. I'm hopeful the Loar is the one!

[lawson-stone]

I started installing a 12 pole floater on my LH650 and vol/tone controls but got stalled and never got back to it. You inspire me to finish the job!

[jads57]

Do these Loars have the large V Shaped necks on them?

[2bornot2bop]

I have a Loar 650 on its way to me now. I plan to give it a similar treatment: new guard, upgraded pickup, and liley a tailpiece.

It's coming to me with 2 pickguards and I have a few as well. I have a Seymour Duncan Johnny Smith that I've been waiting to try in the right guitar. I'm hopeful the Loar is the one!

It's a great arch top. I hope you get one with a straight neck. That was the issue with quite a few of these. But when you get a good one, it's golden.

Most people are unaware of this model's capabilities.

I started installing a 12 pole floater on my LH650 and vol/tone controls but got stalled and never got back to it. You inspire me to finish the job!

time to get busy!

Do these Loars have the large V Shaped necks on them?

No. That's only on the LH700, and LH600. They're non cutaway versions. These guitars truly sings.

[garybaldy]

Do these Loars have the large V Shaped necks on them?

As previously answered, the Loar 700 does have a v neck but it is very slight. I made a crude paper template of mine but I can't remember at what fret. I am curious as to why there is so much fuss made of it as, although I'd read about the 'issue', when I first played mine, it didn't even come to mind and it just felt 'normal'.

[Prof Silverhair]

[QUOTE=2bornot2bop;1461532]It's a great arch top. I hope you get one with a straight neck. That was the issue with quite a few of these. But when you get a good one, it's golden.

Most people are unaware of this model's capabilities.


Fingers crossed.

I figured it's damn near impossible to find a fully carved archtop today for the price of use Loar. Mine was a one owner guitar and played faithfully since '10. Hoping those are positive signs.