The Ricky Skaggs Mandolin, Like Lloyd Loar Built It For You Himself

The Gibson F-5 Master Model mandolin designed by Lloyd Loar in the early 1920s is one of the most loved and most lusted-after stringed instruments ever made. The sonic depth and impeccable playability of these creations embodies the zenith of the art, and the instruments themselves are venerated by the very best players in the world — a condition that has pushed them well out of the range of mere mortal pickers. However, in cooperation with bluegrass virtuoso Ricky Skaggs, Gibson Original crafted the first mandolin to come close to Lloyd Loar’s rigorous standards in many moons: the Ricky Skaggs Limited Edition Distressed Master Model mandolin. First introduced to the public two winters ago, the mandolin is like a trip back in time to the golden era of luthiery; this little arch-topped beauty looks, feels and sounds like the creation of a master craftsman working a full 85 years ago, and plays like nothing else made today.

Limited to a run of just 30 hand-made mandolins, the Gibson Ricky Skaggs Model is the result of a year-long process that closely involved the artist himself every step of the way. Patterned on the Skaggs’s own favorite of a vast personal collection, a 1923 F-5, this new instrument is born out of a no-expense-spared approach to recreating a slice of history, with the result that it’s hard to believe this is a product of 21st century mandolin making.

The rare, fine-grained red spruce top wears a hand-applied cremona sunburst finish that has been sealed by a coat of “French polished” varnish, then hand distressed by artisans. Carved for sweet and sympathetic resonance, this light, responsive arched fillet of solid spruce is partnered by supple tone bar bracing, and joined by a back and sides of solid, flamed maple, for a crisp attack, heightened articulation, and excellent projection. To top off the tonal extravagance, the mandolin is assembled with hot hide glue to maximize sonic depth and richness. The figured maple neck is carved to a speedy rounded-V profile that precisely follows the lines of Skaggs’s own mandolin, and capped with a bound 29-fret ebony fingerboard with modest mother-of-pearl dot inlays. A mammoth-ivory nut (1 1/16" width) contributes warmth and definition, while back at the body end an adjustable vintage-reproduction Master Model ebony bridge further aids in resonance and projection. A Tone-Gard back isolator lets the back ring freely without interference from the player’s body.

While all of these fine points might seem the long way around to create a “contemporary” mandolin, the sonic results speak for themselves, with the Ricky Skaggs Model stacking up impressively to original Loar mandolins. “I’ve got several Lloyd Loars,” Skaggs recently told Gibson. “They each sound different, yet really great. But for my latest album Instrumentals, I used my Skaggs Distressed F-5 model on every track.” When an artist like Ricky Skaggs votes with his fingers, there’s no greater testament to the success of the artisans at Gibson Originals in Nashville, TN. And to ensure each of the 30 numbered limited examples lives up to his own signature mandolin, Skaggs is inspecting each one that comes out of the shop for tone, appearance, and playability.

Several period-correct cosmetic touches have been applied to the Ricky Skaggs Limited Edition Distressed Master Model to top off the tonal achievements of this design: the carved scroll headstock wears a distressed ’20s flowerpot inlay, rounded pearloid buttons dress the Waverly tuners, the tortoise pickguard is bound like the originals, and all hardware is silver plated for a subtle touch of elegance. Each mandolin comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, a Loar-era hardshell case, and a Small Dog case cover embroidered with the model name.

No, you can’t build your own time machine to pick up an original Lloyd Loar F-5 hot out of the Gibson plant, and remortgaging the house to acquire a vintage example today might be just a little extreme, but the Ricky Skaggs Limited Edition Distressed Master gets you as close as you’d ever hope to come to landing a mandolin from the 1920s right here in the 21st century. Miss this chance, though, and you might have to wait another 85 years.

To Check another PC Card work in real mode

If another PC Card works in real mode, the problem is specific to the card that doesn’t work. Contact the card’s manufacturer.

To remove your PC Card and replace it with another, follow this step :

1. Remove the PC Card

2. Insert a different PC Card

3. Test the new card in real mode

4. Use the configuration software included with the card.

Refer to the documentation provided with the card for information about its use

If the other PC Card doesn’t work, the problem is with either its slot or you’re your computer.

To determine whether your calling card is on the list :

1. Click Start, point to Setting, click Control Panel, and then double-click Telephony

2. Click Calling Card

If your calling card is not on the list, you have to add it :

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Telephony

2. Click Calling Card

3. In the Calling Card dialog box, click New

4. Type a name for your calling card in the Create a New Calling Card Named box, click OK, and then click OK again

5. Type the calling card access numbers in the appropriate access number boxes

6. Type the calling card PIN number in the Personal ID Number (PIN Number) box, and then click OK