About The Loar: These mandolins burst on the scene in 2008 and created quite a stir. Embodying the spirit of the rare and costly vintage mandolins from the Golden Age, the all-solid mandolin (LH-500-VS) from The Loar has high-end features at an affordable price. The Loar Hand-Carved Mandolin (LM-600-VS) is an instrument you have to hear to believe. The hand-buffed tobacco sunburst finish with nitrocellulose lacquer provides a vintage sheen and an authentic pre-war-style bark that will impress even the most avid vintage purist.