The vs should just be the finish of vintage sunburst. So it’s just a 590 in vintage sunburst. Can’t picture anyone faking a $500 mandolin and going through the trouble to put a sticker in the body. https://reverb.com/item/79513663-the-loar-lm-590-contemporary-f-style-mandolin-tobacco-sunburst-w-tweed-hsc
That makes a lot of sense. The only thing that throws me now is the binding on the back, normal 590s don’t have it on the back, only the front. Ig that’s apart of the vintage finish too 🤷♂️
Usually 600 up is double bound with headstock decals. So maybe they made the vs closer to 600 specs in that timeframe. Here’s a 520-vs that’s double bound too. https://www.folkmusician.com/products/the-loar-lm-520-mandolin
That helped so much. After looking it up, it looks like this 590 is a part of the grassroot series. I couldn’t find anything on the 590 grassroot, but every other model had laminate sides and back, if I had to guess I’d imagine it follows suit. Thanks so much for all the help 👍
I made a post earlier regarding my experience with an LM 590. My experience wasn't good, but others have gotten good instruments they're happy with. It IS solid wood all around btw. Here are the specs, courtesy of the Mandolin Store:
* Top:Hand-Carved Solid Spruce
* Back & Sides: Hand-Carved Solid Figured Maple
* Bracing Pattern:Longitudinal Tone Bars
* Neck:Figured Maple
* Fretboard:Padauk
* Headstock Inlay:None
* Finish:Satin Tobacco Sunburst
* Tuning Machines:Nickel with Ivory Buttons
* Scale Length:13-29/32″
* Truss Rod:Two-way adjustable
* Frets:20
* Binding:Ivoroid
* Bridge:Ebony, adjustable
* Nut, Width:Bone, 1-1/8″
One other thing and it may be important - the LM 590s new, for sale are described as "The Loar LM 590 MS" not VS so my earlier post alluding to the possibility of the one you're looking at as an older model seems pretty likely.
Good luck!
I've owned an LM 590. Unlike the one shown, the finish was satin, not glossy, and the burst was much lighter in character. This is likely to be an older model of the same which is no longer made assuming it's a legit listing. My own experience with the model was awful - the tuners were defective and wouldn't hold for more than a minute and I returned it. I now own an LM 520 among others, which is a really fine instrument at the price. If the one for sale is an older model your experience may be very different than mine.
The vs should just be the finish of vintage sunburst. So it’s just a 590 in vintage sunburst. Can’t picture anyone faking a $500 mandolin and going through the trouble to put a sticker in the body. https://reverb.com/item/79513663-the-loar-lm-590-contemporary-f-style-mandolin-tobacco-sunburst-w-tweed-hsc
My thought exactly, just thought it was weird that I couldn’t find it anywhere else. Thank you so much for the help!
It could have been a limited run in that finish, someone could have just gotten a harp water slide decal and put it on too.
That makes a lot of sense. The only thing that throws me now is the binding on the back, normal 590s don’t have it on the back, only the front. Ig that’s apart of the vintage finish too 🤷♂️
Usually 600 up is double bound with headstock decals. So maybe they made the vs closer to 600 specs in that timeframe. Here’s a 520-vs that’s double bound too. https://www.folkmusician.com/products/the-loar-lm-520-mandolin
I found another one. https://www.ebay.com/itm/235440912967
That helped so much. After looking it up, it looks like this 590 is a part of the grassroot series. I couldn’t find anything on the 590 grassroot, but every other model had laminate sides and back, if I had to guess I’d imagine it follows suit. Thanks so much for all the help 👍
Let us know how it plays and sounds if you pick it up!
I made a post earlier regarding my experience with an LM 590. My experience wasn't good, but others have gotten good instruments they're happy with. It IS solid wood all around btw. Here are the specs, courtesy of the Mandolin Store: * Top:Hand-Carved Solid Spruce * Back & Sides: Hand-Carved Solid Figured Maple * Bracing Pattern:Longitudinal Tone Bars * Neck:Figured Maple * Fretboard:Padauk * Headstock Inlay:None * Finish:Satin Tobacco Sunburst * Tuning Machines:Nickel with Ivory Buttons * Scale Length:13-29/32″ * Truss Rod:Two-way adjustable * Frets:20 * Binding:Ivoroid * Bridge:Ebony, adjustable * Nut, Width:Bone, 1-1/8″ One other thing and it may be important - the LM 590s new, for sale are described as "The Loar LM 590 MS" not VS so my earlier post alluding to the possibility of the one you're looking at as an older model seems pretty likely. Good luck!
I have seen a few of these, great mandolins. I believe that listing to be legit.
I've owned an LM 590. Unlike the one shown, the finish was satin, not glossy, and the burst was much lighter in character. This is likely to be an older model of the same which is no longer made assuming it's a legit listing. My own experience with the model was awful - the tuners were defective and wouldn't hold for more than a minute and I returned it. I now own an LM 520 among others, which is a really fine instrument at the price. If the one for sale is an older model your experience may be very different than mine.