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MANDOLIN WORLD HEADQUARTERS, INC.

MANDOLINS, GUITARS, AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS
FOR SALE OR TRADE


Are you looking for a vintage Martin guitar or Gibson guitar, a fine Gibson mandolin, or a good upright Kay bass? Perhaps other brands of vintage mandolins are your interest. we often have a Flatiron mandolin, Collings mandolin, or a Ratliff mandolin in stock, and occasionally a Summit, Nugget, Monteleone, and even a Loar F5 has been found here. Perhaps a Fender Stratocaster, Telecaster, or Jazzmaster is your thing. Or maybe you're a dedicated Gibson Les Paul or National Tricone or Duolian player. These and many other fine vintage stringed musical instruments can often be found on this web page. The selection changes frequently, and cool instruments arrive on a regular basis. Keep reading for great deals!

Charles Johnson

American flag picture and link to Resistnet.com 9702 Gayton Road
Suite 147
Richmond, Virginia 23238
United States of America
Phone 804-937-4880
Skype ID: charlesjohnsonva
My business phone hours are:
Monday-Friday: 7:00 pm -10:00 pm East Coast time zone USA
Weekends: 12 noon - 10:00 pm East Coast time zone USA

E-mail to:1939d18@gmail.com

We are honored to do business with Japan

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The following is the current "for sale or trade" list. The camera icon camera icon means an image is available. Click on the instrument name or the small thumbnail picture beside it to see the full size picture. Additional digital photos are available for any item listed. I'm open to trades - what ya got? I'm especially interested in a good Martin guitar or a fine Gibson mandolin; will trade up, down, or sideways for these! As always, you have a 48 hour trial period on mail order sales of used or vintage instruments. See the details under "ordering".

All instruments listed are available for sale unless marked "on hold" in the description. Click here  for a description of the "on hold" policy.

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Sale / Trade List - Updated January 30, 2012

Recent arrivals (scroll down for complete list)

GIBSON F HOLE MANDOLINS:
(Click on the underlined name for price and details)

OTHER BLUEGRASS MANDOLINS:
(Click on the underlined name for price and details)

GIBSON OVAL SOUND HOLE MANDOLINS:
(Click on the underlined name for price and details)

MANDOLAS AND MANDOCELLOS: 
(Click on the underlined name for price and details)

OTHER MANDOLINS: 
(Click on the underlined name for price and details)

MARTIN ACOUSTIC GUITARS: 
(Click on the underlined name for price and details)

GIBSON FLATTOP ACOUSTIC GUITARS: 
(Click on the underlined name for price and details)

OTHER FINE ACOUSTIC GUITARS:
 (Click on the underlined name for price and details)

ARCHTOP AND SEMI-HOLLOW GUITARS, ELECTRIC AND ACOUSTIC:
(Click on the underlined name for price and details)

UKULELES, BANJOS, TIPLES, AND OTHER ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS:
(Click on the underlined name for price and details)

STEELS, DOBROS, NATIONALS, AND RESONATOR INSTRUMENTS:
(Click on the underlined name for price and details)

ELECTRIC SOLIDBODY INSTRUMENTS AND AMPS:
(Click on the underlined name for price and details)

CASES, PARTS AND MISCELLANEOUS:
(Click on the underlined name for price and details)

LUTHIER SPECIALS AND FIXER-UPPERS:
(Click on the underlined name for price and details)

Please click on the name of the instrument or the camera icon beside it to see more details and larger pictures. If you would like additional images of a specific instrument please email your request. 
Click here   for how to order and return policy information
Click here   for information on selling your instrument to me
Click here   for condition and case abbreviations
Click here   to return to the home page for Mandolin World Headquarters...and Guitars!

GIBSON MANDOLINS AND RELATED

camera icon  1925 Gibson A Junior "Snakehead" Mandolin
(Serial #81248) Loar era snakehead. Excellent minus condition, Sheraton Brown top finish with dark back and sides. Looking for a good mandolin for fiddle tunes or sessions? This is it! Lots of volume in this one! The "A Junior" model was the entry level mandolin for Gibson. Even so, these are excellent instruments. They do not have body or fingerboard binding, and the truss rod is not adjustable. Then again, all Gibson mandolins prior to 1922 didn't even have truss rods. Where it counts, however - all solid woods, carved spruce top, carved birch back and sides - its the same mandolin as the higher grade versions. All hardware and finish is original except missing the pickguard. Shows some playing wear and the back seam has been reglued behind the tailpiece. No other repairs evident. Recent professional setup by luthier Jerry Ray. No logo on the peghead as made by Gibson. Neck is straight and the frets are in good shape. Plays nice and has a good ringing sound. Excellent for Celtic or old-time music. Newer hardshell case included....USD $1500

camera icon  1925 Gibson A Junior "Snakehead" Mandolin
(Serial #76675 FON 11654) Loar era snakehead. Excellent condition. This was originally a Sheraton Brown top finish with dark back and sides and was refinished to natural some time ago. Not a factory refinish but not a bad job, either. Whoever did the refin knew what they were doing. The "A Junior" model was the entry level mandolin for Gibson. Even so, these are excellent instruments. They do not have body or fingerboard binding, and the truss rod is not adjustable. Then again, all Gibson mandolins prior to 1922 didn't even have truss rods. Where it counts, however - all solid woods, carved spruce top, carved birch back and sides - its the same mandolin as the higher grade versions. All hardware is original except for a reproduction Loar era bridge. Shows some playing wear but no repairs are evident. Recent professional setup. No logo on the pegheads as made by Gibson. Neck is straight and the frets are in good shape. Plays nice and has a good ringing sound. Excellent for Celtic or old-time music. Your choice of soft case or gigbag included. ....USD $1350

camera icon  1925 Gibson A Junior "Snakehead" Mandolin
(Serial #82704 FON 8766) Loar era snakehead. Excellent minus condition, Sheraton Brown top finish with dark back and sides. Looking for a good mandolin for fiddle tunes or sessions? This is it! Lots of volume in this one! The "A Junior" model was the entry level mandolin for Gibson. Even so, these are excellent instruments. They do not have body or fingerboard binding, and the truss rod is not adjustable. Then again, all Gibson mandolins prior to 1922 didn't even have truss rods. Where it counts, however - all solid woods, carved spruce top, carved birch back and sides - its the same mandolin as the higher grade versions. All hardware and finish is original except missing the pickguard. Shows some playing wear but no repairs are evident. Recent professional setup. No logo on the peghead as made by Gibson. Neck is straight and the frets are in good shape. Plays nice and has a good ringing sound. Excellent for Celtic or old-time music. Newer hardshell case included....USD $1500

camera icon  1924 Gibson A "Snakehead" Mandolin
(Serial No. 77443 FON 1204) Snakehead! Another Loar era instrument with that great sound. This is an early production snakehead with the brown top finish. Excellent overall condition showing some pickwear on the top. All finish and hardware is original including the tuners. Has the adjustable truss rod in the neck. Shows some minor playing and case wear but no repairs are evident. Great playability and sound - the classic round hole Gibson punch and volume, with the modern feeling slimmer snakehead neck profile and all of the Loar era improvements. Excellent for Irish, Celtic, and old time music. Comes with the original hardshell case...USD $3450

camera icon  1924 Gibson A "Snakehead" Mandolin
(Serial No. XX742_FON 8229) Excellent minus condition showing some honest playing wear. Its a Loar era snakehead with the black top finish. Has a few small nicks and dings as expected and shows some shirt button wear on the back. There is a little typical finish checking. The only issue is a missing pickguard. All finish and hardware is original.  Has the truss rod in the neck. Frets are fine, neck is straight, top has a good arch. Great playability and sound - the classic round hole Gibson punch and volume. Would be a very fine session instrument. Excellent for Irish, Celtic, and old time music. Comes with the original hardshell case....USD $3450

camera icon  1916 Gibson Style A1 Mandolin
(Serial number 25364 FON 2653) Excellent condition, natural top finish. This is the classic teens Gibson mandolin. Shows some typical wear on the top edge where your arm comes over, some case wear on the upper sides. There are a few very minor nicks and dings but nothing serious as seen in the pics. Otherwise, its a clean and all original mandolin. Original finish and hardware. Neck is straight, no repairs noted, and it sounds and plays great! Just set up by my luthier. Plays very easy and has strong volume with a very balanced sound. Excellent for Celtic, jazz, classical, or old-time music. Comes with the original hardshell case....USD $1500

camera icon  1927 Gibson Style A1 Mandolin
(Serial No. 84768) Excellent original condition. These are sleepers on the market. This a Fern era Gibson A style body with oval sound hole, adjustable truss rod, and the straight painted script Gibson logo. All hardware and finish is original. Very clean mandolin bought from the family of the original owner. Great sounding mandolin with a very woody tone and yet still has the sweet round sound of the oval hole mandolins. Very loud mandolin - excellent volume. Plays very nicely too with good frets and a straight neck. Has some finish checking on the back and the typical nicks and dings from playing a well loved instrument. No repairs. Comes with a very beat original case.....USD $2750

camera icon  1919 Gibson A2 Mandolin
(Serial No. 49989 FON 11166) Excellent minus condition, Sheraton brown finish. Nice playing and sounding mandolin just set up by my luthier. No breaks or cracks, neck is straight, frets are fine, all original finish and hardware but missing the pickguard. Has two small screw holes where a non-original guard was mounted. Has the usual nicks and dings of a mandolin used to make music for 90 years. Big open woody round hole sound. Comes with the original hardshell case.....USD $1750

camera icon  1920 Gibson A2 Mandolin
(Serial No. 62694 FON 11347) Excellent condition, Sheraton brown top finish, dark brown back and sides, bound top, back and fingerboard, pearl logo, ebony fretboard and bridge. Excellent tone and volume, plays nicely as it was just set up by my luthier. No repairs and none needed, neck is straight, frets are fine, all original finish and hardware Has the usual nicks and dings of a mandolin used to make music for 90 years, including a chip out of the upper edge of the peghead. Big open woody round hole sound. Comes with the original hardshell case.....USD $1750

camera icon  1921 Gibson A2 Mandolin
(Serial No. 66897 FON 11550) Excellent condition, Sheraton brown top finish, dark brown back and sides, bound top, back and fingerboard, pearl logo, ebony fretboard and bridge with the aluminum bridge saddle only used in 1921. Excellent tone and volume, plays nicely as it was just set up by my luthier. No repairs and none needed, neck is straight, frets are fine, all original finish and hardware but missing the pickguard. Has the usual nicks and dings of a mandolin used to make music for 90 years. Big open woody round hole sound. Comes with the original hardshell case.....USD $1750

camera icon  1921 Gibson A2 Mandolin
(Serial No. 67658 FON 11450) Excellent condition, Sheraton brown top finish so dark that it looks almost black, dark brown back and sides, bound top, back and fingerboard, pearl logo, ebony fretboard and new Loar replica bridge from Cumberland Acoustic. Excellent tone and volume, plays nicely as it was just set up by my luthier. No repairs and none needed, neck is straight, frets are fine, all original finish and hardware. Has the usual nicks and dings of a mandolin used to make music for 90 years. Big open woody round hole sound. Comes with the original hardshell case.....USD $1750

camera gif  1922 Gibson A3 Mandolin
(Serial No. 69460 FON 11578) Excellent minus condition, original white top finish with a reddish back and sides. Has a truss rod in the neck. This is the last year before the snakeheads and you get the best of both styles - the wider fingerboard of the paddle peghead neck but also has the adjustable bridge and truss rod and, most importantly, they have the sound of the snakeheads. You get all of the Loar era improvements with a wider neck for more comfortable playing. Plays very easy and has strong volume with a very balanced sound - this would be a good session instrument. Excellent for Celtic, jazz, classical, or old-time music. Shows some minor nicks and dings and a little wear on the edge of the top that's expected on an A3 that was played. The wear on the upper back edge of the peghead is caused by leaning the instrument against the wall for years. Neck is straight, frets are fine. I'm not certain of the exact year as I'm guessing on the first two digits of the serial number, but white top A3s with truss rods were only made in 1922 and a few in 1923. The body finish is original but shows some apparent water damage on the bottom near the endpin and it looks like the back edge seam near the tailpiece was reglued. Other than the addition of a reproduction Loar era adjustable bridge all hardware is original including the difficult to find white pickguard and it comes with the original hardshell case.....USD $2500

camera gif  1916 Gibson A4 Mandolin
(Serial No. 25364 FON 2653) Excellent minus condition. The A4 was the top of the line for the Gibson A style mandolins. It has the overall red finish with the slight red sunburst as is correct for 1916, a pearl logo and peghead inlay, bound top and back, and a bound ebony fingerboard with treble extension. The hardware is all original including the inlaid Handel tuners. Nice big woody sound from this mandolin with good bass! Neck is straight, neck angle is good and the frets are in great shape. Just set up so plays like silk. Shows a little playing wear and the the usual nicks and dings of a well loved instrument used to make music, not just living in the case. Excellent for Celtic, old time and jazz. Comes with a nice original hard case....USD $2250

camera icon  1917 Gibson A4 Mandolin
(Serial No. 38937) Very clean mandolin in excellent repaired condition. The A4 was the top of the line for the Gibson A style mandolins. It has the overall red finish with the slight sunburst as is correct for 1917, a pearl logo and peghead inlay, bound top and back, and a bound ebony fingerboard with treble extension. The hardware is all original including the inlaid Handel tuners but it is missing the pickguard. A top crack has been repaired as shown. Its been stable under tension for several months. With modern glues this will never be a problem in the future. Nice big woody sound from this mandolin with good bass! Neck is straight, neck angle is good and the frets are in great shape. Just set up so plays nicely. Soft case....USD $1950

camera icon  1918 Gibson A4 Mandolin
(Serial # 46309) Excellent condition. The A-4 was the top of the line A style mandolin for Gibson in 1918. It has the red sunburst top finish and reddish back and sides, pearl peghead inlay and logo, bound top and back, and a bound ebony fingerboard with treble extension. The hardware and finish are original but the pickguard is missing. Nice big woody sound from this mandolin with good bass! Neck is straight, neck angle is good and the frets show very little wear. No repairs or refinish noted. There is some top sinkage as shown, but its been like this for several years and appears stable. Action is low and playable and it has a good ringing sound. Excellent for Celtic or old-time music. Original hardshell case included...USD $1950

camera icon  1924 Gibson A4 Mandolin
(Serial No. 77217 FON 11066) Excellent minus condition, true red sunburst finish. A straight original mandolin showing some minor playing wear. Snakehead A models from 1923-1925 are the most sought after of the Gibson A style round hole instruments, and for good reason. They sound great! This is the A4 which was the top of the line for the A style mandolins. Has the pearl logo and inlay in the peghead, fully bound, ebony fretboard with treble extension, reproduction Cumberland Acoustic adjustable ebony bridge, original and rare chocolate button tuners, tailpiece and pickguard. This is a classic Loar era instrument with the sound that you expect from this period. Just set up by my luthier so it plays smoothly with excellent volume and tone. This is just a great sounding mandolin - an excellent demonstration of why many pickers believe the snakeheads are the best oval hole mandolins ever made by Gibson. No major structural issues and the finish is original. Comes with the original hardshell case, also in very clean condition. ...USD $7450

camera icon  1935 Gibson A4 Mandolin
(Factory Order No. 785) Excellent condition. Very late for a round hole A4 mandolin, and this one has the rare elevated fingerboard, only made for a few years in the 1930's. This was undoubtedly a special order. The A4 was the top of the line A style mandolin for Gibson. It has a true red sunburst, flamed maple back and sides, straight pearl logo in the peghead, bound top and back, and unbound peghead and fingerboard as was usual on 30s era Style 4 instruments. Has the adjustable truss rod in the neck. The finish and hardware are original including the original adjustable bridge. Nice big woody sound from this mandolin with good bass! Neck is straight, neck angle and frets are good. No structural repairs and has a few minor nicks and dings, the usual playing wear, as seen in the pics. Missing the interior label as is common on 30s Gibsons but has the factory order number is stamped on the neck block. Just gone over and set up professionally. Excellent for Celtic or old time, and this mandolin would be superior for classical. Comes with the original hardshell case....USD $2850

camera icon  1938 Gibson A00 Mandolin
(Serial No. EG-6072) Original sunburst finish and hardware, Adirondack spruce top with F holes, dark stained nicely flamed maple back, sides and neck, white script silkscreened "Gibson" peghead logo, clam shell tailpiece cover. These were used a lot in bluegrass as not everyone could afford a F5. Nice playing and sounding instrument with no issues. Frets are fine, neck is straight. Minor repair to the pickguard at the mounting point. Good strong bluegrass sound with a woody chop. Very loud mandolin - excellent volume. Comes with an original somewhat beat up cardboard case...USD $1500

camera icon  1952 Gibson A40 Mandolin
(Serial No. Z635 13) Excellent minus condition with a dark sunburst finish front and back. Bought from the family of the original owner here in Richmond, VA. This is a nice A style with F-shaped sound holes with a carved spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Fretboard is flush with the top. Classic "Gibson" decal logo above the truss rod cover on the peghead. Fully bound top, back and fingerboard. All hardware and finish is original but missing the guard. The original buttons were crumbling and have been replaced with new exact repros. Shows some finish checking and the usual nicks and dings of well-loved instrument played for over 50 years. Frets are fine, neck is straight and it was just set up by my luthier Jerry ray. It plays fine with a nice low action and has the classic Gibson post war sound. This model has a good bluegrass pedigree - many groups used these mandolins in bluegrass as they were much more affordable than the F-5's. Comes with a newer hard case....USD $1150

camera icon  1963 Gibson A40 Mandolin
(Serial No. 63338) Excellent condition with a tobacco sunburst finish front and a natural finish back and sides. This is a nice clean A style with F-shaped sound holes with a carved spruce top and a mahogany back and sides. Fretboard is flush with the top. Classic "Gibson" decal logo above the truss rod cover on the peghead. Fully bound top and fretboard, unbound back as made. All hardware and finish is original but it is missing the pickguard. It plays fine with a nice comfortable action and has a decent chop, but it still sounds a bit green. Has a few nicks and dings but overall a clean mandolin. This model has a good bluegrass pedigree - many groups used these mandolins in bluegrass as they were much more affordable than the F-5's. Comes with a newer hard shell case....USD $1150

camera icon  1940 Gibson A50 Mandolin
(Serial No. 1992F-11) Nice original wide body mandolin. Original finish and hardware includes a sunburst finish, highly flamed maple back, sides and neck, ebony fingerboard with Lucas style inlays and the "thick" pearl peghead Gibson logo and Fleur-Di-Lise. Has the original tuners and tailpiece cover but is missing the pickguard, however the pickguard mounting hardware is in the case. At 14 1/2 inches, these are the longest scale mandolins ever made by Gibson. Just beautifully refretted with original size wire and set up by luthier Jerry Ray. Small crack on the lower treble side near the end pin was professionally repaired. Plays like silk and has a good chop. These were used extensively in bluegrass as they were more affordable than the F5 but still pretty fancy. Comes with the original hardshell case...USD $1500

camera icon  1952 Gibson A50 Mandolin
(Serial No. Z1404 34) Excellent plus condition with a dark sunburst finish front and back. This is a nice clean A style with F-shaped sound holes with a carved spruce top and flame maple back and sides. Fretboard is flush with the top. Classic "Gibson" decal logo above the truss rod cover on the peghead. Fully bound top, back and fingerboard. All hardware and finish is original. The original tuner buttons have shrunk a bit over the years but they have been stabilized and are good to go. It plays great and has a decent chop. This model has a good bluegrass pedigree - many groups used these mandolins in bluegrass as they were much more affordable than the F-5's. Comes with a newer hard case.....USD $1350

Please click on the name of the instrument or the camera icon beside it to see more details and larger pictures. If you would like additional images of a specific instrument please email your request. 
Click here   for how to order and return policy information
Click here   for information on selling your instrument to me
Click here   for condition and case abbreviations
Click here   to return to the home page for Mandolin World Headquarters...and Guitars!

camera gif  1940 Gibson F4 Mandolin
(Serial No. 96388 FON 565F) Not too many of these around. Gibson F style mandolins from the 1930's and 40's are extremely uncommon. By then, the mando craze from the teens and early 20's had faded away. This particular mandolin features a simple pearl Gibson logo in the unbound peghead and traditional dot inlays in the fingerboard. Has a sunburst top, chocolate brown stained maple back and sides, a checkerboard pattern soundhole rosette, and the treble extension on the fingerboard. The fingerboard is elevated off the top like the F5. The condition is overall excellent. No repairs, crack or other structural issues noted. It retains all of it's original hardware except the missing pickguard. The tuners, bridge, tailpiece and cover are all correct. The fitting between the tuners on the back of the peghead is for a strap. The best thing about this mandolin is the sound!! It is really a great sounding mandolin. It has a very deep throaty bass response. The playability is great. As a general rule, the F-4/F-2s from this era are consistently good sounding. I have had several of these and they are real sleepers on the market. Comes in the original hardshell case....USD $5,500

camera gif  1940 Gibson F4 Mandolin
(Serial No. 96390 fon 565F) Gibson F style mandolins from the 1930s and 40s are extremely rare. By then, the mando craze from the teens and early 20s had faded away, and the F4 was only built as a special order. This particular mandolin features a straight across pearl Gibson logo in the unbound peghead and F7 style Nick Lucas inlays in the bound fingerboard, squared at the bottom. Has a sunburst top, chocolate brown stained maple back and sides, and a checkerboard pattern soundhole rosette. The fingerboard is elevated off the top like the F5. The condition is overall excellent. No repairs, crack or other structural issues noted. It retains all of it's original hardware except the missing pickguard. The tuners, bridge, tailpiece and cover are all correct. The best thing about this mandolin is the sound!! It is really a great sounding mandolin. It has a very deep throaty bass response. The playability is great. As a general rule, the F4/F2s from this era are consistently good sounding. I have had several of these and they are real sleepers on the market. Comes in the original hardshell case....USD $5,500

camera gif  1942 Gibson F4 Mandolin
(Serial No. 97566_fon58134) This is one of last Gibson F4 models produced. Gibson F style mandolins from the 1930's and 40's are extremely rare. By then, the mando craze from the teens and early 20's had faded away. This particular mandolin features a 20s style slanted script logo in pearl and the single flowerpot in the unbound peghead and dot inlays in the fingerboard. Has an adjustable truss rod. Sunburst top finish with chocolate brown stained maple back and sides, a checkerboard pattern soundhole rosette, and a pointed fingerboard end like an F7 instead of the normally seen treble side extension. The fingerboard is elevated off the top like the F5. The condition is overall excellent. Has a well repaired hairline heel crack but no other repairs noted. It retains all of it's original hardware except the missing pickguard. The metal button tuners and the tailpiece and cover are all original and correct. Its been fitted with a new Cumberland Acoustic bridge and the original bridge is in the case. Shows some playing wear on the treble side on the top that was not touched up well. The best thing about this mandolin is the sound!! It is really a great sounding mandolin. It has a very deep throaty bass response. The playability is great. As a general rule, the F-4/F-2s from this era are consistently good sounding. I have had several of them and these are real sleepers. This is one that you can walk up to the guy with the Loar era 1923 model F4 that he just paid a lot more for and you can hang in there with him. Comes in the original red line hardshell case...USD $5500

camera gif  1951 Gibson F12 Mandolin
(Serial No. A8772) Excellent plus condition, sunburst finish. I bought this one from Dave Grisman. The F12 was intended to be the plainer version of the F5, but this one is still the classic Gibson scroll mandolin. It has all the good stuff - long neck, f-holes, elevated fingerboard, quilted maple back and sides, solid spruce top, bound rosewood fingerboard, gold hardware, and the pearl Gibson logo. The only difference from the F5 of the period is the unbound peghead, single ply body binding, a simpler peghead logo, no treble extension, and the shape of the tailpiece cover. That's it - and the price, of course. Action is great - easy and low. Original finish and hardware. Shows some expected finish checking and the usual small nicks and dings of mandolin used to make music for over 50 years. Tailpiece cover has some holes drilled in it, probably for some kind of pickup mount. Big scroll on the peghead has been broken off and reglued. Some playing wear on the back of the neck. Comes with a 60s black shaped hardshell case with the pink interior...USD $4950

camera icon  1968 Gibson F12 Mandolin
(Serial No. 896437) Excellent plus condition, sunburst finish. Here's something you don't see often - a late 60s Gibson mandolin that sounds great! The late 1960s were the beginning of Gibsons "dark period" and quality control was very erratic. Occasionally a really good instrument was made - this is one of those. The F5 of this period had a bright cherry sunburst with big block fingerboard inlays, gold hardware, and multiple body binding - a very flashy instrument. This mandolin has a more traditional appearance. The F12 was intended to be the plainer version of the F5, but this one is still the classic Gibson scroll mandolin. It has all the good stuff - long neck, f-holes, elevated fingerboard, slightly flamed maple back and sides, solid spruce top, bound ebony fingerboard with no treble extension as built, 1 3/16 inch nut, gold hardware, and the pearl Gibson logo. Action is great - easy and low. Shows some expected finish checking and the usual small nicks and dings of mandolin used to make music for over 40 years. This mandolin has opened up nicely, with a great chop and bark. Original black rectangular hardshell case with the gold interior...USD $3750

camera icon  1992 Flatiron F5 Artist Mandolin
(Serial No. 9209691) Near mint condition, sunburst finish. Bought from the original owner. Top of the line mandolin for Flatiron. When Gibson went to the NAMM show in 1987, these were the high quality mandolins they were competing with. They couldn't beat them, so they bought the company. This was built side by side with Gibson F5s. Excellent sounding and playing F5 scroll mandolin with flamed maple back, sides and neck, carved spruce top with X bracing, Fern peghead inlay and logo in pearl, bound peghead and bound elevated ebony fingerboard, and gold hardware. Great playing mandolin that shows almost no signs of playing wear. This one has the sound - powerful chop and bark, strong tone - excellent bluegrass mandolin. Signed by Bruce Weber. Bozeman built Flatirons are always heavily in demand, because most pickers won't part with theirs - once you play this one you'll know why. Comes with the original hardshell case, also near mint, with the original warrany card inside the case pocket....USD $5850

camera icon  1996 Gibson F5V Mandolin
(Serial No. 61183049) Excellent plus condition, varnish sunburst finish. This is the classic Gibson scroll mandolin - long neck, f-holes, elevated fingerboard, heavily flamed maple sides and back, solid spruce top, bound ebony flat fingerboard, and the pearl logo and Fern style peghead inlay. Tuners are nickle Schallers and the tailpiece and cover are silver plated like the Monroe model. This was the premium F5 model made with the best woods and a varnish finish and was produced in very limited quantities. It is the same model as the current F5 Fern Varnish. This was made in the Bozeman, Montana plant and was signed by Bruce Weber. Shows almost no playing wear. Just set up by my local luthier Jerry Ray so the action is great - easy and low. Good woody woof, excellent chop and bark and this mandolin will cut a banjo. Newer hardshell case....USD $6450

camera icon 1998 Flatiron A5 Artist Mandolin
(Serial #80624049) Excellent minus condition, sunburst finish. Want the sound and playability of a Flatiron F5 Artist at a more affordable price? This is the classic Flatiron mandolin in an "A" body style. These came in two trim levels - the Artist is the higher grade version. It has the long neck, f-holes, bound top, back, fingerboard and peghead, elevated radiused ebony fingerboard with extension, pearl flowerpot and logo, solid heavily flamed maple back, sides and neck, solid spruce top, and gold hardware with pearl buttons on the tuners. This mandolin has a Nashville label but was probably built in the Bozeman, MT plant and finished in Nashville, as 1998 was the year Gibson shifted production. The Artist series mandolins have X top bracing, which many pickers think gives a more percussive chop. Must work - this one has the good bluegrass chop for sure. This mandolin has nice low action and has strong tone and good volume. Fitted with a Fishman bridge pickup and end pin jack. There's a minor center seam repair on the back at the bottom and it shows some wear on the tailpiece cover. Comes with the original shaped hardshell case.....USD $2250

GIBSON MANDOLAS AND MANDOCELLOS

None at this time

Please click on the name of the instrument or the camera icon beside it to see more details and larger pictures. If you would like additional images of a specific instrument please email your request.
 

Click here   for how to order and return policy information
Click here   for information on selling your instrument to me
Click here   for condition and case abbreviations
Click here   to return to the home page for Mandolin World Headquarters...and Guitars!

FLATIRON MANDOLINS AND RELATED

flatiron peghead
Flatiron was started by Steve Carlson as "Back Porch Productions" in Bozeman, Montana in 1979. Bruce Weber was an early employee and built many of the mandolins. Their first mandolins were copies of the teens Gibson "Army-Navy" pancake mandolins. They later branched out into carved top instruments, and were building a superior mandolin to Gibson by the mid to late 1980s. In late 1987 Gibson bought Flatiron and moved all mandolin production from Nashville to Bozeman. Mandolins were built in Bozeman until 1998, when Gibson moved all production back to Nashville. In 2000 Gibson discontinued the Flatiron line, and later revived the name to use for cheap souvenir mandolins at the Opry Mills Store in Nashville.

Although Flatiron was the "budget" line, Gibson and Flatiron mandolins were built side by side in the plant by the same luthiers. Both are the same high build quality. There were some models of each that were identical and the only difference was the color of the finish and the name on the peghead. There are some basic differences in the upper end models. The top of the line Gibsons were always tone bar braced, used traditional size fret wire and had the classic fingerboard extension. The Flatiron top of the line Master and Artist mandolins were X braced, which many pickers think gives a more percussive chop. They also had abbreviated fingerboard extensions, had a radiused fretboard and used larger fret wire. The pre-Gibson carved top Flatirons are considered some of the best post war mandolins made. The Bozeman era Gibson and Flatiron mandolins are excellent bluegrass instruments.

camera icon  1985 Flatiron F5 Artist Mandolin
(Serial No. 8510013) Excellent plus condition, sunburst finish. Top of the line mandolin for Flatiron. Pre-Gibson production. When Gibson went to the NAMM show in late 1987, these were the high quality mandolins they were competing with. They couldn't beat them, so they bought the company. Excellent sounding and playing F5 scroll mandolin with flamed maple back, sides and neck, carved spruce top with X bracing, Fern peghead inlay and logo in pearl, bound peghead and bound elevated ebony fingerboard, and gold hardware. No repairs noted. All hardware and finish is original . Great playing mandolin that shows just a little playing wear, mostly wear on the gold plating. Good chop and bark - excellent bluegrass mandolin. Signed by Steve Carlson, the shop foreman at the time and still considered one of the great builders. Bozeman built Flatirons are always heavily in demand. Most pickers won't part with theirs - once you play this one you'll know why. Comes with the original hardshell case...USD $5500

camera icon  1992 Flatiron F5 Artist Mandolin
(Serial No. 9209691) Near mint condition, sunburst finish. Bought from the original owner. Top of the line mandolin for Flatiron. When Gibson went to the NAMM show in 1987, these were the high quality mandolins they were competing with. They couldn't beat them, so they bought the company. This was built side by side with Gibson F5s. Excellent sounding and playing F5 scroll mandolin with flamed maple back, sides and neck, carved spruce top with X bracing, Fern peghead inlay and logo in pearl, bound peghead and bound elevated ebony fingerboard, and gold hardware. Great playing mandolin that shows almost no signs of playing wear. This one has the sound - powerful chop and bark, strong tone - excellent bluegrass mandolin. Signed by Bruce Weber. Bozeman built Flatirons are always heavily in demand, because most pickers won't part with theirs - once you play this one you'll know why. Comes with the original hardshell case, also near mint, with the original warrany card inside the case pocket....USD $5850

camera icon  1998 Flatiron A5 Artist Mandolin
(Serial #80624049) Excellent minus condition, sunburst finish. Want the sound and playability of a Flatiron F5 Artist at a more affordable price? This is the classic Flatiron mandolin in an "A" body style. These came in two trim levels - the Artist is the higher grade version. It has the long neck, f-holes, bound top, back, fingerboard and peghead, elevated ebony fingerboard with extension, pearl flowerpot and logo, solid heavily flamed maple back, sides and neck, solid spruce top, and gold hardware with pearl buttons on the tuners. This mandolin has a Nashville label but was probably built in the Bozeman, MT plant and finished in Nashville, as 1998 was the year Gibson shifted production. The Artist series mandolins have X top bracing, which many pickers think gives a more percussive chop. Must work - this one has the good bluegrass chop for sure. This mandolin has nice low action and has strong tone and good volume. Fitted with a Fishman bridge pickup and end pin jack. There's a minor center seam repair on the back at the bottom and it shows some wear on the tailpiece cover. Comes with the original shaped hardshell case.....USD $2250

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RICHARD BEARD MANDOLINS AND BOUZOUKIS

Beard peghead
Mandolin World Headquarters is the exclusive dealer for Richard Beard mandolins and 'zooks. These excellent instruments are hand-built in North Carolina. Richard teaches woodworking and is known in the area for both his Celtic music radio show and his excellent picking at the local Irish session. As a session player he knows the difference in an instrument suited for Celtic and Irish music instead of the usual bluegrass mandolin. Richard only builds a handful of instruments a year and the build quality is top notch - right up there with the best. If you play Celtic and are ready to step up to a professional grade instrument at an affordable price you need to check out one of these.

camera icon 2009 Richard Beard Octave Mandolin / Bouzouki
(Serial #28) Used with warranty. I sold this instrument a few years ago and liked it so much I bought it back. Its an outstanding example of Richards fine craftsmanship. These are professional grade instruments. Tremendous resonance and response in this one. It has a strong and powerful percussive sound with a deep rich bass. The back and sides are Hawaiian Koa which I think is a superior tone wood for long scale double course instruments. The fingerboard and bridge are ebony, and the solid Sitka spruce top is x-braced with herringbone top trim. The neck has an adjustable truss rod and the ebony fingerboard has slotted diamond inlays. Solid one piece tailpiece eliminates buzzing and loose covers. Fit and finish is first class professional work - as good as those famous guitar makers. Nut is 1 3/8 inch. Scale length is 24 1/2 inches so it gives the guitar-like resonance for backup rhythm playing. The x-braced top gives it plenty of punch for driving a session. Nice low action plays effortlessly with a great neck. Its currently tuned GDAE as an octave mandolin but any zook tuning like ADAD or GDAD would work as well. Richard has agreed to extend the same structural warranty to this used instrument as comes with a new instrument. Handmade in North Carolina and comes with a custom fitted TKL hardshell case...SOLD..another on order

RATLIFF MANDOLINS

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Ratliff peghead
Audey Ratliff runs a one-man shop making mandolins in east Tennessee. At one time he had a small production shop with assistants, but he found that the way to insure high quality workmanship and good sound was just to do it himself. He has now concentrated his efforts on building the finest F5 style bluegrass mandolin available. The mandolins sound better than ever...the bad news is that they're getting harder and harder to get. Audey may make the best bluegrass mandolin on the planet for under $5000...we invite you to be the judge.

camera icon  2011 Ratliff Flat Top Mandolin
(Serial No. none) New unplayed condition. Looking for a mandolin for camping, or one to give your friend who is just starting out? Audey has been building mandolins in Tennessee for a long time. He builds all types, and this one is modeled after the Flatiron pancakes and the Gibson Army Navy models from the teens, with a flat top and back and three small round soundholes. All solid woods with maple back and sides, spruce top, maple fretboard and bridge, and Grover tuners. Matte lacquer finish and a 1 1/8 inch nut. Just set up by my local luthier so it plays nice with a good low action. Not a banjo killer but louder than you would expect. Not really a bluegrass mandolin but would be excellent for Celtic and old time. Comes with a gig bag....USD $200

camera icon  New Ratliff DM Mandolin
(Serial No. 1029) New with warranty, natural top with dark red brown back and sides. Looking for a mandolin for rock band? This is a decidedly unconventional mandolin from a well-respected traditional maker. Audey only build about 18 mandolins a year. Getting a new one to sell it tough - every dealer out there wants one, as they are excellent mandolins. Build quality is top notch, as good as it gets. Two horn body shape like a classic electric guitar, carved solid spruce top, flamed maple back and sides, long 21 fret maple neck with deep body cutaways for upper fret access, 1 1/18 inch nut, radiused ebony fretboard with a slightly shortened unfretted treble extension to eliminate pick click in the sweet spot, ebony adjustable bridge, pearl logo, and nickle Grover tuners. Fitted with a Fishman bridge with built in pickup and a side jack. Good mandolin sound and it plays nicely. Not a deep bluegrass chop but you are not playing bluegrass on this, are you? Works well for a band or studio where you plug in and it certainly has the wow factor when you take it out of the case go up on stage. Mint unplayed condition - anything that looks like a blemish or scratch is a reflection. Comes with a lifetime warranty to the original owner. Gig bag included. ....USD $2250

camera icon  2011 Ratliff R5 Scroll Mandolin
(Serial No. 1040) New with warranty, medium red brown sunburst finish. Audey only build about 18 mandolins a year. Getting a new one to sell is tough - every dealer out there wants one, as they are excellent mandolins. Ratliff builds a fine looking and fine sounding mandolin. Build quality is top notch, as good as it gets. This is the classic F-5 style scroll mandolin with the long neck, f holes, and the elevated bound ebony fretboard with dot inlays. Nut width is 1 1/8 inch. It features a beautiful flamey maple back and neck and flamed and quilted maple sides. It also features a hand-carved Sitka spruce top and is bound top, back, fingerboard and peghead. Custom ordered with a very slight radius to the ebony fretboard and a slightly shortened unfretted treble extension to eliminate pick click in the sweet spot. Pearl headstock inlay and logo. Fit and finish is as good as the big builders, and the sound is there. Even though its a new mandolin, it has that woody bluegrass bark and the excellent volume and tone that these mandolins are known for. Comes with a new rectangular TKL hardshell case...USD $SOLD..another on order

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OTHER MANDOLINS AND RELATED

camera icon 2010 BRW F5 Mandolin
(Serial # 98) Mint condition. Ben Wilcox builds a fine mandolin, and this one is exceptional. Traditional F5 body style mandolin with an Englemann spruce top, heavily flamed sugar maple back, sides and neck, triple bound including the neck and peghead, ebony peghead overlay with floral torch inlay in mother of pearl & abalone, ebony bridge, nickle Waverly tuners with pearl buttons and a satin finish silver Bill James tailpiece. Tradition varnish finish in a light sunburst similar to a 1923 Loar. The ebony fingerboard has a 12 inch radius, banjo frets, a round neck profile, a 1 1/8 nut and is shortened to both eliminate pick click and to allow complete access to the sweet spot for picking. Recently set up professionally for low easy action. Good loud mandolin with a sweet tone and a nice chop and cutting trebles. Very clean near mint condition. No nicks, dings or other issues. Any blemish you see in the pictures is a reflection. This is what you are looking for in a pro level bluegrass mandolin. Comes with a nice hardshell case...USD $5250

camera icon 2010 Dave Cohen C# Mandolin
(Serial No. 04301006) Near mint condition. Dave is a builder right here in Richmond, VA. He is well known for his research into the physics of mandolin construction, and this instrument reflects that passion. Its not a traditional F5. Dave calls it a C# as that's half way between an "A" and a "F". Maple back and sides, redwood top, ebony fretboard, maple binding, and Dave's own original low-mass bridge design. The tailpiece is conventional; the ebony cover slides off for changing strings. There is no truss rod as the two-piece neck has a deeply buried upside-down T-beam of CF/epoxy composite, which will never move. The scroll is also his design, very elegant and functional but clearly not a Gibson copy. All of these elements come together to produce a rich and vibrant sound that is clear and balanced - perfect for jazz or classical. Plays perfectly with a nice low action and even intonation up the neck. Original shaped hardshell case...USD $3250

camera icon 2004 Will Parsons F5 Mandolin
(Serial No. 210704) Will Parsons has been hand building mandolins in West Virginia for decades, mostly using locally harvested tone woods. He has figured out how to make them sound right. This one has a dark sunburst finish, walnut back and sides, spruce top, flat ebony fretboard with a 1 1/8 inch nut, abbreviated fretboard to eliminate pick click, Schaller tuners, and a pearl logo. Like many southern US mandolins, the finish has been removed from the back of the neck to help speed the picking. Its fitted with a new Cumberland Acoustic bridge but the original bridge built by Will is in the case pocket. The frets were dressed and the mandolin was just set up by my luthier Jerry Ray. The big scroll on the peghead has been professionally reglued and the mandolin shows minor playing wear and the usual nicks and dings of an instrument used to make music. Good volume and tone, nice cut and drive with the walnut giving a tone a little darker than a maple back mandolin. Comes with a nice shaped hardshell case...USD $2650

camera icon 2006 Andrew Poe F5 Mandolin
(Serial #1) Excellent plus condition. This is Poe serial number 1 - but Andrew Poe previously built 23 mandolins under the Driftwood name. You just know he put a little more effort into this as it was the first one with his name on the peghead. The pride of craftsmanship shows in every detail of this outstanding mandolin. It has all the good stuff - hand applied varnish finish, red spruce top, spectacular highly flamed maple back, sides and neck, abalone pearl peghead logo and Fern inlay, 1 1/8 inch nut, radiused ebony fretboard and bridge, double bound with both top and side binding, and gold James tailpiece and Waverly tuners with ebony buttons. Has a handmade bound ebony pickguard that is easily removable with just two screws. Finish removed on the back of the neck to give a smooth fast action. Very clean mandolin showing almost no wear. Big chop and a solid woody tone, cutting trebles, just set up so it plays nice and easy. Its ready to go hunt down some banjos! Comes with a nice hardshell case...USD $5450

camera icon 2005 Randy Wood F5 Fern Mandolin
(Serial #1405) It just doesn't get much better than this. Randy Wood is considered one of the all time great mandolin builders, and instruments like this one is why that reputation is well deserved. Here's one of his more recent ones in excellent plus condition that's just a great mandolin. F5 style mandolin with a hand rubbed varnish finish, red spruce top, heavily flamed maple back, sides and neck, radiused ebony fretboard with 1 1/8 inch nut and scooped treble extension, Fern style peghead inlay and logo in colorful abalone pearl, silver plated Waverly tuners with pearl buttons and one-piece custom Randy Wood tailpiece. Set up professionally for low easy action. Strong volume with an excellent big chop and cutting trebles. This is what you are looking for in a professional level bluegrass mandolin. Comes with a nice hardshell case...USD $7250

camera icon 2000 Smith Creek F5 Mandolin
(Serial No. 019) Dave Smith builds a professional level mandolins - just ask Rhonda Vincent, who played a Smith Creek for years. This one has a dark sunburst lacquer finish, highly figured maple back and sides, Adirondack red spruce top, flat ebony fretboard with a 1 1/8 inch nut, gold Schaller tuners, and a pearl logo and peghead inlay. The ebony Parisian eye endpin is a nice detail. The frets were dressed, a new Cumberland Acoustic bridge was fitted, and the mandolin was just set up by luthier Jerry Ray. Plays easy and has excellent volume and tone with nice cut and drive for your bluegrass band. Comes with a nice hardshell case...USD $3750

camera icon  2005 Stanley F5 Mandolin
(Serial number 10) Near mint condition with a structural warranty. I'll tell you how much I like Chris's mandolins - I bought one for myself. Chris Stanley is a great picker and has owned several Loars and Ferns, so he knows tone. He's also an accomplished woodworker and luthier, so when he decided to build mandolins he had a pretty good head start. This mandolin is impressive - the fit and hand rubbed varnish finish is great, the action is easy and the tone is there. Look at that back wood - its bookmatched highly quilted maple. The top is red spruce and is deliberately mismatched like most Loars you see. All high grade parts - ebony fingerboard and bridge, pearl logo, Silver plated hardware, and grained multi-ply ivoroid binding. Now, there's two camps on mandolin sound. The Loar F5 was made to play in ensembles, so it has a good midrange as well as bass and treble. Many modern mandolins are looking for a deep woody woof on the bottom, sometimes decent trebles, but usually lack in the mids. This mandolin is firmly in the Loar camp. Its a very well balanced mandolin across the strings, with strong even response. Yes you have the chop but you also have the rest of the notes as well. Chris has agreed to extend a structural warranty to the new owner. Its a pre-owned mandolin, so finish wear and nicks and dings are not covered. Comes with a hardshell case...$6250 USD

camera icon  2009 Pomeroy A5 Mandolin
(Serial No. 137) Near mint condition, all blonde mandolin in a lacquer gloss finish. This is an outstanding value in a hand made A5 style mandolin. Has a fully carved top and back, tone bar bracing, and is crafted with a seasoned select solid Colorado Englemann top and flamed Vermont red maple back, neck and sides. Pearl logo, flamed maple peghead overlay and has a 3 piece neck laminated with a strip of walnut down the center. The bindings are maple with black strips of ebonized maple on the inside and bottom edges. Has a radiused ebony fingerboard and bridge, Grover tuners, and a Gibson "style" tailpiece with the sterling silver "Lady" logo. Nice sounding and playing mandolin with a easy action as it was just set up by my luthier. Sounds a little "tight" as it has not had much playing. You can hear it will be an excellent mandolin with some picking to open it up. Comes with a nice shaped hardshell case...$1750 USD

camera icon  1927 Martin Style A Mandolin
(Serial Number #11124) Excellent condition showing a little pickwear. Original lacquer finish with an Adirondack red spruce top, mahogany back and sides, ebony fingerboard with small dot markers, original ebony bridge and nut, rosewood binding and tortoise pickguard. Good neck and frets, plays nice with a low action but still has plenty of volume. Original tailpiece and arrowhead end Waverly tuners. Shows some finish checking on the top and some of the usual nicks and dings of a well loved instrument but no repairs noted. Great for old-time, Celtic, or jazz. Comes with the original case...$900 USD

camera icon  1956 Martin Style A Mandolin
(Serial Number #A22279) Excellent condition showing only the slightest signs that it has indeed been played. Original lacquer finish with a Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, rosewood fingerboard with small dot markers, rosewood bridge, tortoise binding and pickguard, original ebony nut. Good neck and frets, plays nice with a low action but still has plenty of volume. Original tuners and tailpiece. Strap button replaces bottom screw on the tailpiece. Shows some finish checking on the top and some of the usual nicks and dings of a well loved instrument but no repairs noted. Great for old-time, Celtic, or jazz. Comes with the original hardshell case...$900 USD

camera gif 1925 Martin Style B Mandolin
(Serial No. 11964) Excellent condition with very little playing wear. This is the early style cutout peghead with the Martin stamp embossed on the back and no decal on the front. Beautifully grained Brazilian rosewood back and sides, spruce top, herringbone rosette and back strip, and an ebony fingerboard with slotted diamond inlays. Good neck and frets, plays nice with a low action but still has plenty of volume. Great for old-time, Celtic, or jazz. Nice tortoiseshell binding and pickguard. Original tuners and plain tailpiece cover. Original case...USD $1500

camera gif 1924 Martin Style B Mandolin
(Serial No. 11167) Excellent condition with very little playing wear. This is the early style cutout peghead with the Martin stamp embossed on the back and no decal on the front. Beautifully grained Brazilian rosewood back and sides, spruce top, herringbone rosette and back strip, and an ebony fingerboard with slotted diamond inlays. Good neck and frets, plays nice with a low action but still has plenty of volume. Has a small well-repaired side crack. Great for old-time, Celtic, or jazz. Nice tortoiseshell binding and pickguard. Original tuners and plain tailpiece cover. Comes with a newer hardshell case....USD $1500

camera gif 1920 Vega Model 202 Cylinderback Mandolin
(Serial No. 38824) Excellent plus condition, somewhat uncommon sunburst finish. Clean mandolin with only minor playing wear. Has the curved mahogany back and sides, solid spruce top, ebony fingerboard, fancy soundhole ring, and an inlaid pickguard. Finish and hardware are original with no repairs. Has the usual nicks and dings of a well loved teens mandolin, but nothing major. Has a beautiful sweet sound and plays like silk. Excellent for classical and Celtic music. Comes with an old possibly original hardshell case......USD $1600

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MANDOLAS, OCTAVE MANDOLINS, MANDOCELLOS, CITTERNS, AND BOUZOUKIS

camera gif 1914 Gibson H1 Mandola
(Serial number 23400) Excellent minus condition. The mandola is tuned CGDA, a fifth down from the mandolin. Many players like the mandola for its rich deep sound while having the little bit wider fingerboard and slightly longer scale length over the mandolin. The H1 has a bound top and fingerboard and "The Gibson" as the pearl logo inlaid in the peghead. Finish is original. Tuners and tailpiece are original and the bridge is a Dan Smith Loar replica. Pick guard is missing. Huge resonant sound. It was just set up professionally so it plays like butter. Neck and frets are perfect. Comes with a hardshell case...USD $2150

camera gif 1920 Gibson H1 Mandola
(Serial number 62841 FON 11364) Excellent minus condition. The mandola is tuned CGDA, a fifth down from the mandolin. Many players like the mandola for its rich deep sound while having the little bit wider fingerboard and slightly longer scale length over the mandolin. The H1 has a bound top and fingerboard and "The Gibson" as the pearl logo inlaid in the peghead. Shows some mottling of the original Sheraton Brown top finish which is typical of this finish when it ages. Tuners, tailpiece and bridge are original. Pick guard is missing. Huge resonant sound. It was just set up professionally so it plays like butter. Neck and frets are perfect. Comes with a hardshell case...USD $2250

camera gif 1987 Hartz Buskirk Mandola
(Serial No. 003) Excellent condition. This instrument was custom made for the late great Paul Buskirk by Steve Hartz of Nacagdoches, Texas, and was used to record the 1993 CD "Nacagdoches Waltz". Paul Buskirk was well known as a mandolin and tenor banjo player, and is credited with teaching Willie Nelson how to play guitar. Willie in fact plays backup guitar on the CD. The label indicates this is a mandola, but the scale length is 21.5 inches. I have it strung up and tuned as an octave mandolin and it works fine. Top is spruce and the back, sides and neck are flamed maple. The flat ebony fingerboard has a 1 3/8 inch nut. Pearl logo and fingerboard inlay. The pickguard is missing, and the instrument has several nicks and dings as it was a working instrument for Buskirk. No repairs noted. Has a huge rich sound and a nice low action. Excellent for studio or live work as a mando cello, octave mandolin or possibly mandola. Would be perfect for Celtic or classical music. Comes with a large custom made hardshell case and a copy of the CD....USD $4250

camera icon 2009 Richard Beard Octave Mandolin / Bouzouki
(Serial #28) Used with warranty. I sold this instrument a few years ago and liked it so much I bought it back. Its an outstanding example of Richards fine craftsmanship. These are professional grade instruments. Tremendous resonance and response in this one. It has a strong and powerful percussive sound with a deep rich bass. The back and sides are Hawaiian Koa which I think is a superior tone wood for long scale double course instruments. The fingerboard and bridge are ebony, and the solid Sitka spruce top is x-braced with herringbone top trim. The neck has an adjustable truss rod and the ebony fingerboard has slotted diamond inlays. Solid one piece tailpiece eliminates buzzing and loose covers. Fit and finish is first class professional work - as good as those famous guitar makers. Nut is 1 3/8 inch. Scale length is 24 1/2 inches so it gives the guitar-like resonance for backup rhythm playing. The x-braced top gives it plenty of punch for driving a session. Nice low action plays effortlessly with a great neck. Its currently tuned GDAE as an octave mandolin but any zook tuning like ADAD or GDAD would work as well. Richard has agreed to extend the same structural warranty to this used instrument as comes with a new instrument. Handmade in North Carolina and comes with a custom fitted TKL hardshell case...USD $sold

ELECTRIC MANDOLINS

For a brief discussion of Tiny Moore, Johnny Gimble and the Gibson EM-150 mandolin click here!

  • None at this time
  • MARTIN ACOUSTIC GUITARS

    camera icon 1946 Martin 017 Guitar
    (Serial No. 95578) Very good plus condition with one noted repair. All mahogany body including the top gives these guitars a warm rich sound perfect for blues and fingerstyle. Has the original 1 11/16 inch ebony nut. Peghead overlay, bridge and fingerboard are Brazilian rosewood with a gold Martin decal logo on the peghead. Nice easy action as it just set up. Shows player wear with the usual nicks, dings and pickwear. There are some capo marks on the back of the neck and a few grooves in the fingerboard from playing but the neck is straight and the frets were just dressed and crowned. There is one repaired side crack on the bass side. Its stable but not the best color match on the finish work. Tuners are exact replacement reissue Klusons. All this sounds bad but it plays easy and sounds great. Its a dynamite little guitar that is perfect for sitting on the couch and playing some blues. And, its priced right for 64 year old vintage Martin. Comes with an old softshell case....USD $2300

    camera icon 1956 Martin 0017 Guitar
    (Serial No. 148491) Excellent condition. All mahogany body including the top gives these guitars a warm rich sound perfect for blues and fingerstyle. Has the original ebony 1 11/16 inch nut. Peghead overlay, bridge and and fingerboard are Brazilian rosewood with a gold Martin script logo in the peghead. Nice easy action as the neck was just reset, the frets dressed and the guitar was set up beautifully. Shows some minor player wear with a few nicks, dings and pickwear. No cracks which is unusual for a 55 year old mahogany guitar. No repairs evident other than possibly a reglued bridge. Comes with a newer hard shell case...USD $2950

    camera gif 1945 Martin 0018 Guitar
    (Serial No. 92795) Excellent condition. Great sounding and playing small body guitar. Adirondack spruce top with scalloped braces, mahogany back and sides, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge - whats not to like? All the good stuff coming to you in a small couch friendly package. Very well balanced guitar with a big open woody sound and strong volume. It would be a fabulous recording guitar. Has the standard 1-11/16 nut. Peghead overlay and fingerboard are Brazilian rosewood with gold Martin script logo. The neck was just reset by luthier Ward Elliott so the action is low with plenty of saddle. There is a repaired area on the lower side that is probably a jack hole repair. Tuners have been changed for nickel open back Grovers as used on Martin small bodies from the 60's. Has an ebony truss rod so its light and responsive. Wartime peghead has no tuner bushings as built. Shows player wear with the usual nicks, dings and pickwear. The top has turned a nice orange and the lighting shows the run out in the book matched top. That is not a modified top, its one piece of wood that was sawed and book matched end to end. The grain shows differently in direct light which gives the appearance of two different pieces of wood. Neck is straight, frets were just dressed and crowned. Strap button added at the heel. Comes with a newer hardshell case....USD $5900

    camera gif 1957 Martin 0018 Guitar
    (Serial No. 155937) Excellent condition. Mahogany back and sides with a Sitka spruce top and tortoise binding. Peghead overlay, fingerboard and bridge are Brazilian rosewood with gold Martin script logo. Original finish and tuners. Has a recent neck set and an exact repro replacement bridge by luthier Jack Dillen. 00 size Martins are about the size of a classical guitar and typically have a very well balanced sound. This one fits the bill there as well as having a big open woody sound and strong volume. It would be a fabulous recording guitar. Shows some playing wear at the back edge and on the top and has the usual nicks and dings expected in a well played guitar. Looks like it had a larger pickguard on one time and now has a replaced black Martin teardrop guard. No cracks or repairs. Neck is straight, frets are good, action is perfect. Comes with a newer hardshell case....USD $3200

    camera icon 1948 Martin 00018 Guitar
    (Serial No. 108119) Excellent minus condition. Nicely aged spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Martin is supposed to have used Adirondack spruce for the tops until the early 50's, but no one can really tell by looking at it. To be sure, you have put it under a microscope in a lab. The open back Kluson tuners are original. Rosewood peghead overlay with gold Martin script. Has that nice meaty 40s Martin C shaped neck profile with a standard 1 11/16 nut width. Weighs almost nothing - this guitar is light as a feather. The bridge has been reglued, there is the usual pickguard crack repair under the high e string, and a couple of short dryness side cracks have been professionally glued. No other repairs noted. It does have some minor scratches, nicks and dings and honest pickwear from 60 years of playing. Neck has probably been set at some time in the past as the action is low and comfortable. The frets are in good shape and the neck is straight. Has a nice big open woody sound with strong volume. Comes with a 1990s black Martin hardshell case....USD $5900

    camera gif 1952 Martin 00018 Guitar
    (Serial No. 123477) Excellent minus/very good plus condition. Nicely aged spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Martin is supposed to have used Adirondack spruce for the tops until the early 50's, but no one can really tell by looking at it. To be sure, you have put it under a microscope in a lab. This is a beautiful piece of bearclaw spruce. Bearclaw is a natural figure in the wood that is caused by compression on the lower part of the tree trunk. The wood is denser so the top can be lighter, thinner and more responsive without giving up strength. Weighs almost nothing - this guitar is light as a feather. The open back Kluson tuners are original. Rosewood peghead overlay with gold Martin script. Has a Martin C shaped neck profile with a standard 1 11/16 nut width. The bridge was reglued and the neck was recently reset by luthier Dave Sheppard and the action is low and comfortable with plenty of saddle left. Dave also repaired the typical Martin pickguard crack under the high e string, a couple of short dryness side cracks, and a long back crack. No other repairs noted. The frets are in good shape and the neck is straight. There are some minor scratches, nicks and dings and honest pickwear from 57 years of playing. Has a nice big open woody sound with strong volume. Comes with a newer Martin hardshell case....USD $4850 ON HOLD for Rob in FL

    camera gif 1942 Martin 00028 Guitar
    (Serial Number 81128) Excellent plus condition early wartime example of Martin's most popular small body flat-top guitar model. Straight grain Brazilian rosewood back and sides, Adirondack spruce top with scalloped braces, herringbone top trim, ebony fretboard with slotted diamond inlays and a bone 1 11/16 nut, and an ebony bridge with the long bone saddle. As built from Martin with an ebony reinforcement rod in the neck as steel was scarce during the war years, but the neck is straight and true. Great sounding guitar with a nice low action, as the neck was reset and the guitar was refretted by luthier Dan Blom in Tennessee. Original finish and hardware, no cracks or major repairs. Shows some typical minor playing wear on the back of the neck and few nicks and dings, but nothing major. Completely solid and a great playing and sounding guitar. Comes with a newer hardshell case....USD $24,500

    camera gif 2007 Martin 000-28VS
    (Serial No. 1263761) Near mint condition. 000 size, 12 fret body, rosewood back & sides, Sitka spruce top with scalloped braces, herringbone top trim with aging toner, 25.4 inch scale, wider 1 13/16 inch nut, big chunky vintage V profile neck, ebony fretboard & pyramid bridge, maple bridge plate, old style long saddle, square-slotted peghead, Waverly nickel individual tuning gears. Warm and woody sound, perfect for ragtime or fingerstyle. Comes with the original Geib style hard shell case.....USD $3100

    camera gif 1964 Martin D18 Guitar
    (Serial No. 195959) Excellent condition. This is the classic Martin D18 - solid mahogany back and sides and a solid spruce top. Tuners are the correct single line Klusons. Neck is straight, neck was just reset and it plays great with a nice low action. Has some finish checking and playing wear but no cracks or other repairs. Has the tortoise binding and pick guard, Brazilian rosewood bridge and the small maple bridge plate. Looks like it has the original Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and someone added Martin D45 abalone inlays. This one has that solid Martin "boom" you need in a good bluegrass guitar. Plays very easy with a nice low action. This is an excellent sounding D18. Comes with a newer hard shell case.....USD $3250

    camera gif 1966 Martin D18 Guitar
    (Serial No. 216673) Excellent condition. This is the classic Martin D18 - solid mahogany back and sides and a solid spruce top. Tuners are the correct Grovers marked Patent Applied For. Has a few nicks and dings and but overall a clean guitar. Neck is straight, neck set is fine and it plays great with a nice low action. has some finish checking but no cracks or other repairs. The white area in the picture of the back is a reflection. Transition model with the black binding and tortoise pick guard and the small maple bridge plate. Has a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. This one has that solid Martin "boom" you need in a good bluegrass guitar. Plays very easy with a nice low action. This is an excellent sounding D18. Comes with a newer hard shell case.....USD $3750

    camera gif 1967 Martin D18 Guitar
    (Serial No. 222361) Excellent minus condition. If you are looking for a festival or campground warrior this is your guitar. It has the classic Martin D18 features with a solid mahogany back and sides and a solid Sitka spruce top, Brazilian rosewood fretboard and bridge, and the correct Patent Applied For Grover tuners.  Original finish and hardware.  Has a few nicks and dings and but overall a clean guitar. Neck was just reset and the guitar set up by luthier David Sheppard. It plays great with a nice low action. Has a repaired pick guard crack and a filled jack hole in the lower treble side. Must have had an oversize guard at one time as you can see the shadow on the top. Black binding and pick guard. Still has the small maple bridge plate. Good powerful guitar that can really drive your sound.  This is an excellent sounding D18. Comes with a 70s Martin molded hard shell case missing the logo plate....USD $2950

    camera gif 1968 Martin D-18 Guitar
    (Serial No. 233487) Excellent plus condition. This is the classic Martin D-18 - solid mahogany back and sides and a solid spruce top, black pick guard and binding. Tuners are the correct Grovers marked Patent Applied For. Has a few nicks and dings and a small spot of thumb wear on the side of the neck but overall a clean guitar. Neck is straight, neck set is fine and it plays great with a nice low action. No cracks or other repairs. Black binding and pick guard but still has the small maple bridge plate. This one has that solid Martin "boom" you need in a good bluegrass guitar. Plays very easy with a nice low action. This is an excellent sounding D-18. Comes with a newer hard shell case...USD $3100

    camera gif 1969 Martin D-21 Guitar
    (Serial No. 253673) Excellent condition. The 21 series Martins were intended as the line between the 18 and the 28 series. They have Brazilian rosewood back and sides like the 28 series and a rosewood fingerboard and bridge and the simpler binding of the 18 series. I bought this one from the second owner who had it for over 30 years. Has nicely figured Brazilian rosewood back and sides and a Sitka top. Original black binding and guard. Standard 1-11/16 nut width. Tuners, bridge and finish look to be original. Has the usual pick guard crack common to most older Martins and one short area for a few inches where it looks like the binding was reglued but no other repairs are evident. Its not visually obvious but it must have had a neck set as it has a nice low action with good volume and plenty of saddle left. There are some nicks and dings from the last 39 years of playing. This guitar has that well-known Martin "boom" that is ideal for bluegrass. These guitars are sleepers on the market. You can get all the sound of a older Martin dreadnought, the collectability of a Brazilian rosewood guitar, and have an instrument that's just a little bit different than all the others for much less than a D-28. Comes with a newer hard shell case....USD $5400

    camera gif 1959 Martin D28 Guitar
    (Serial No. 166865) Excellent condition. This is an outstanding bluegrass guitar with all the punch you expect in a older Martin. Nicely aged spruce top and highly figured Brazilian rosewood back and sides. This guitar was gone though recently by luthier Harry Eibert with a new exact old style replacement bridge, neck set and refret. No cracks or crack repairs - not even a guard crack. Has the standard 1 11/16 inch nut and an ebony fingerboard and bridge. Rosewood peghead overlay with gold Martin script. Plays easy with low action, and has a nice big open woody sound with strong volume. Has the expected finish checking, pick wear, and the usual nicks and dings of a well loved and much played guitar. Finish and hardware are original. Comes with an old maybe original hard shell case...USD $10,550

    camera gif 1961 Martin D28 Guitar
    (Serial No. 179644) Excellent condition. This is an outstanding bluegrass guitar with all the punch you expect in a older Martin. Nicely aged spruce top and highly figured Brazilian rosewood back and sides. This guitar was gone though recently by luthier Dave Sheppard who reset the neck and dressed the frets. No cracks or crack repairs - not even a guard crack. Has the standard 1 11/16 inch nut and an ebony fingerboard and bridge. Rosewood peghead overlay with gold Martin script. Plays easy with low action, and has a nice big open woody sound with strong volume. Has a spot of buckle rash on the back and the expected finish checking, pickwear, and the usual nicks and dings of a well loved and much played guitar. Finish and hardware are original. Comes with the original hardshell case...USD $8,550

    camera gif 1964 Martin D28 Guitar
    (Serial No. 194652) Excellent structural condition with some playing wear. No breaks or cracks - not even a pick guard crack. Just back from a neck reset and fret work by luthier Jack Dillen. Old growth figured Brazilian rosewood back and sides, Sitka spruce top, ebony fretboard and bridge, and a standard 1-11/16 inch nut. Original Grover tuners. Neck is straight, frets are good, neck set is good. Nice low action. Has the desirable long saddle bridge and the small maple bridge plate, which may be why it has that big booming Martin sound. Comes with a 70s Martin molded hard shell case...USD $7,550

    camera gif 1969 Martin D28 Guitar
    (Serial No. 246322) Excellent condition. Nice old style straight grain Brazilian rosewood back and sides, Sitka spruce top, ebony fretboard and bridge, and a standard 1-11/16 inch nut. Neck is straight, frets are good, neck set is good. Original Grover Rotomatic tuners are correct for the guitar. Shows some finish checking especially on the top and some minor nicks and dings but overall a clean guitar. No cracks or major structural repairs. Strap button added at the heel. The bridge pins and strap button look like fossil ivory to me. I suspect the neck has been reset sometime in the past as it plays very easily with a nice low action. Probably a few new frets as well but if so its a very good job - very hard to tell if this was done. Big bluegrass Martin boom in the sound. Comes with a newer hard shell case...USD $6,300

    camera gif 1999 Martin D-35 Guitar
    (Serial No. 691155) Excellent condition. Solid Indian rosewood back and sides and the top is solid Sitka spruce with beautiful silking. Standard Martin 1 11/16 nut. Original hardware and finish. Looks like there is a replaced bridge and an edge bump repaired at the upper treble bout and possibly some overspray in that area, but the repair work is professional and you have to look hard to see it. Excellent action and a great big sound will make you heard over those banjos. Comes with the original molded Martin hard shell case...USD $1600

    camera gif 1987 Martin D37K Guitar
    (Serial Number: 473741) Nice condition with a few repairs. Beautiful Koa wood back and sides of a quality you cannot get now. Look at the flame in that wood! Has a Sitka spruce top with aging toner, mahogany neck, ebony fretboard with Foden inlay pattern, ebony bridge, abalone soundhole rosette, Martin Schaller tuners, 28-style back stripe, white body binding, black/white purfling, 5 ply top purfling, 1-11/16" nut width. There is a repaired center seam on the top and a two short nearly invisible repaired hairlines where the bridge was reglued. Koa has a unique sound somewhere between mahogany and rosewood. Has the warmth like mahogany but just a bit of bite in the sound like maple. Nice playing guitar with easy action, but the saddle is all the way down. Fitted with a strap button at the heel and a pickup with an end pin jack. Comes with the original Martin molded hard shell case.....USD $2350

    camera gif 1990 Martin J-40M Guitar
    (Serial No. 495278) Excellent condition showing some minor playing wear. The small jumbo body style sometimes called a 0000 size will sit more comfortably in your lap than the usual dreadnaught. Despite having "M" in the model name the back and sides are Indian rosewood, the top is Sitka spruce and the fingerboard and bridge are ebony. 15 7/8 inch lower bout, 6 ply top binding and soundhole rosette, decal logo, and the very cool D45 style abalone hexagon fingerboard inlays. Gold tuners and endpin jack, but there is no pickup in the guitar. Shows a few minors bumps and dings indicating it was used to play music, but these are minor and too small to photograph. Good sounding guitar used extensively on praise recordings by the original owner. Nice even sound across the strings for fingerstyle but has that signature Martin boom on the bottom end if you dig in with the pick. The frets were just dressed and the guitar set up by Jerry Ray, my local luthier. Plays smooth as silk with a nice low action. Comes with a very nice, well fitting hardcase which may not be original as it does not look like the usual Martin case but it fits the guitar like a glove...USD $2350

    camera gif 1960s Martin D28 Neck Only
    (Partial serial number 544) Neck only from a 1960s era Martin D28. Original finish and decal. No cracks. Shows a partial serial number on the end of 544. Neck uses the T-bar style truss rod and would have been fitted with full size Grover Rotomatic tuners...USD $400

    camera gif 1960s Martin D28 Neck Only
    (Partial serial number 360) Neck only from a 1960s era Martin D28. Original finish and decal. Repaired hairline heel crack. Shows a partial serial number on the end of 360. Neck uses the square tube style truss rod and would have been fitted with full size Grover Rotomatic tuners....USD $400

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    GIBSON ACOUSTIC GUITARS

    camera icon 1940 Gibson HG00 Guitar
    (Batch No. 331F) Excellent plus condition, original sunburst finish. 12 fret Gibson small body same as a L00 but set up with a high nut and straight saddle for Hawaiian or slide playing. The bigger body volume really gives more power to the guitar. Has mahogany back and sides, Adirondack spruce top, round neck with a V profile, 1 3/4 inch wide raised nut, flat Brazilian rosewood fretboard and bridge, and a white silkscreened peghead logo. Has conventional guitar frets. It came to me with cheap import tuners so I found a set of 40s open back Klusons that are correct for the guitar and had those installed. No repairs or cracks - this guitar is nice. These are excellent for slide or they make a powerhouse conversion to a conventional Spanish style neck. Comes with the original soft case...USD $3900

    camera icon 1943 Gibson Banner LG2 Guitar
    (FON 2798-38) Excellent condition all original wartime example of Gibson's most popular small body flat-top guitar model. This guitar was made in 1943 dating by the features. Has the original sunburst top finish and dark back and sides. Mahogany back and sides and a x-braced mahogany top, tapered headstock, small rectangular bridge, single bound top and single bound back, and the gold Gibson script peghead with the "Only a Gibson is Good Enough" banner. 1-3/4 inch nut with a chunky rounded profile, not the usual "half baseball bat" profile of most Banners. Very playable neck. The open back strip Kluson tuners are original. Great sounding guitar with a nice low action, as the neck was just reset, the bridge reglued and a beautifully done undetectable refret by luthier John Hamlett in Charlottesville. It has the usual playing wear but no major structural repairs. Completely solid and a great playing and sounding guitar. Comes with a newer hardshell case....USD $3550

    camera icon 1947 Gibson LG2 Guitar
    (FON 4432-30) Excellent condition post war example of Gibson's most popular small body flat-top guitar model. Has the original sunburst top finish and dark back and sides. Mahogany back and sides and a X-braced spruce top, the small tortoise pattern pickguard, tapered headstock, small rectangle bridge, single bound top and single bound back, and the gold Gibson script peghead logo. The open back strip Kluson tuners are original and work well. Great sounding guitar with a nice low action, as the guitar was just refretted and neck reset by luthier David Sheppard. One top crack in the upper treble bout has been repaired as shown and it has moderate playing wear. Replaced endpin. Completely solid and a great playing and sounding guitar. Comes with a newer hardshell case.....USD $2850

    camera icon 1958 Gibson LG2 Guitar
    (Serial No. t643826) Excellent condition. Not mint but just about as clean a guitar as you will find that's actually been played. Everything looks to be completely original. Great sounding guitar that has more volume that you would expect for the size. Sunburst finish, X braced Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, Brazilian bound rosewood fretboard with pearl inlays and Brazilian bridge, 5 layers of top binding and single bound back. Has the standard 1950s Gibson nut width of 1 11/16 inch. The Kluson tuners are original. The frets are in good shape and the neck is straight. Nice tall saddle, about 1/8 inch. No repairs. It does have typical checking and a few places showing playing wear. There are some fingerboard divots in the first few frets showing the guitar was played. Has a nice low action as the guitar was set up by luthier Jerry Ray here in Richmond. Comes with the original brown hard shell case - the only one I've ever seen for a small body Gibson....USD $2850

    camera icon 1945 Gibson J45 Banner Guitar
    (Serial No. none) Excellent minus condition, original sunburst finish showing playing wear. I'm guessing a bit on the year, but its either a 1944 or a 1945. Original banner peghead wartime Gibson. This is a tremendous guitar - the sound just rolls out of it. The more you dig in, the more the guitar gives back. The sound is very full, rich and well balanced. These are the most sought after of the slope shoulder Gibsons, and for good reason. It just rolls out of the guitar. A lot of players like the big beefy neck in these Banners. Has mahogany back and sides, tapered headstock, single ply binding, and the small pickguard. Excellent playing guitar as the neck was just reset and partially refretted by luthier Harry Eibert. Its an exceptional sounding guitar as well with the powerful yet sweet tone you only get from these early J-45's. Action from the fingerboard is 5/32 on the bass side and 3/32 on the treble, right where it should be. Strap button added at the heel. Comes with the original hardshell case...USD $8500

    camera icon 1959 Gibson J45 Adjustable Guitar
    (FON No. S756-21) Excellent condition. Excellent playing and sounding guitar. Its been played a lot and its loud and very responsive and open sounding. It really nails the slope shoulder Gibson midrangy dreadnaught sound. Excellent for backing up fiddle tunes or singers. Sunburst finish, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, Brazilian rosewood fretboard with dot inlays. The bridge was professionally changed to a fixed bridge. The Kluson tuners are originals and they work well. The frets are in excellent shape and the neck is straight. Shows some finish checking and some minor playing wear. Strap button added at the heel. Comes with a newer hardshell case...USD $4250

    camera icon 1959 Gibson J45 Adjustable Guitar
    (FON No. S1910-2) Excellent condition. This is one of those guitars you just want to play for hours once you pick it up. Plays nice and easy - its as comfortable as an old pair of jeans. The sound just rolls out of this guitar. Its been played a lot and its loud and very responsive and open sounding. It really nails the slope shoulder Gibson midrangy dreadnaught sound. Excellent for backing up fiddle tunes or singers. Sunburst finish, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, Brazilian rosewood fretboard with dot inlays and original Brazilian bridge with adjustable saddle. I thought about having it changed out for a fixed saddle but it sounds and plays good now - why fix it if its not broken? The Kluson tuners are originals and they work well. The frets are in excellent shape and the neck is straight. Shows some finish checking and lots of nicks, dings and playing wear as would be expected with a well loved guitar, but overall a solid instrument. Strap button added at the heel. Comes with a newer hardshell case....USD $3450

    camera icon 1943 Gibson Southern Jumbo Banner Guitar
    (FON 2426-45) Excellent condition, original sunburst finish showing some playing wear. Original banner peghead wartime Gibson. The factory order number seems to indicate this was built in 1945, but it has all the features of a 1943 guitar. It has the black stripe down the center of the top, riveted tuners, no truss rod adjustment at the headstock, and the lower belly bridge, all being features usually only found on 1943 models. Bought from the son of the original owner. Has mahogany back and sides, bookmatched two pice Adirondack red spruce top, tapered headstock, multi ply top binding, and the small pickguard. Original tuners and finish. Its an exceptional sounding guitar as well with the powerful yet sweet tone you only get from these Banner era guitars. Its been played a fair amount and shows some strap burn and wear on the bass side and the usual nicks and dings all over of a well loved guitar. There is a repaired back seam and it looks like the inside seam lining was partially replaced. I suspect a neck set was done at some time in the past as well, as the action is about perfect. It was gigged for the last five years, so the sound just rolls out of it. The more you dig in, the more the guitar gives back. The sound is very full, rich and well balanced. Its been professionally refretted with modern vintage size wire and the frets were just dressed and the guitar set up by luthier Jerry Ray. Jerry also removed the endpin jack and fitted one of Bob Colosi's endpin plugs. The endpin looks right and fits the appearance of the guitar. Has the original tuners and finish. Action from the fingerboard is 5/32 on the bass side and 3/32 on the treble, right where it should be. Hard to find these in decent shape. Comes with a newer hardshell case. ....USD $13,500

    camera icon 1945 Gibson Southern Jumbo Banner Guitar
    (Order No. 2426-13) Excellent minus condition, original sunburst finish showing playing wear. I'm guessing a bit on the year, but its either a 1944 or a 1945. Original banner peghead wartime Gibson. This is a tremendous guitar - the sound just rolls out of it. The more you dig in, the more the guitar gives back. The sound is very full, rich and well balanced. It just rolls out of the guitar. These are the most sought after of the slope shoulder Gibsons, and for good reason. A lot of players like the big beefy neck in these Banners. Has mahogany back and sides, tapered headstock, double parallelogram fingerboard inlay, multiple ply binding, and the small pickguard and bridge. Excellent playing guitar as the neck was just reset and partially refretted by luthier Harry Eibert in NY. Its an exceptional sounding guitar as well with the powerful yet sweet tone you only get from these early Banners. Action from the fingerboard is 5/32 on the bass side and 3/32 on the treble, right where it should be. The neck is an original three piece laminate, and there is a repair to a crack on one side only of the heel. It was repaired completely when the neck was out for the reset. Big sound and a very scarce guitar. It is over 65 years old - who knows what stories it could tell. Its just a great old Gibson. Comes with an old probably original hardshell case...USD $11,000

    camera icon 1955 Gibson Southern Jumbo Guitar
    (Serial No. W21605) Excellent plus condition, local Richmond guitar. Nice clean guitar showing no repairs and only very playing wear. Everything looks to be completely original. Great sounding guitar that really nails the slope shoulder Gibson midrangy dreadnaught sound. Sunburst finish, Adirondack spruce top, mahogany back and sides, Brazilian bound rosewood fretboard with double parallelogram inlays and Brazilian bridge, seven layers of binding. The Kluson tuners are original with new reproduction aged buttons. The frets are in excellent shape and the neck is straight. Has a nice big open woody sound with strong volume. Strap button added in the middle of the heel. Comes with the original cardboard alligator print case in fair condition or a newer hard shell case....USD $6500

    camera icon 1957 Gibson Country Western Guitar
    (Serial No. U3287 23) Excellent condition. The Country Western is the same model as the Southern Jumbo but with a natural finish top. Otherwise the guitars are identical. Fabulous sounding guitar that really nails the Gibson midrangy dreadnaught sound. Natural top finish, Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, Brazilian bound rosewood fretboard with double parallelogram inlays and Brazilian bridge, and seven layers of top binding. The Kluson tuners are original with (I think) new aged buttons. The frets are in good shape and the neck is straight. Original finish and no repairs other than a minor pick guard crack repair at the top of the soundhole. Has the usual nicks and dings of a well loved guitar. Plays great with a nice low action as the guitar was set up by luthier Jerry Ray here in Richmond. Has a nice big open woody sound with strong volume and good midrange - exactly what you are looking for in a slope shoulder Gibson dread. Comes with a newer hard shell case...USD $5350

    camera icon 1961 Gibson Country Western Guitar
    (Serial No. 13672) Excellent plus condition. The Country Western is the same model as the Southern Jumbo but with a natural finish top. Otherwise the guitars are identical. Fabulous sounding guitar that really nails the Gibson midrangy slope shoulder dreadnaught sound. Natural top finish, Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, Brazilian bound rosewood fretboard with double parallelogram inlays and Brazilian bridge, and seven layers of top binding. Still has the tall thin 50s style top and back braces and the wider 1 11/16 inch nut. The Kluson tuners are original. The frets are in good shape and the neck is straight. Original finish and no repairs other than two very minor back cracks that have been professionally repaired by luthier Dave Sheppard. Very clean guitar showing almost no playing wear. Plays great with a nice low action as the guitar was set up by luthier Jerry Ray here in Richmond. Has a nice big open woody sound with strong volume and good midrange - exactly what you are looking for in a slope shoulder Gibson dread. Comes with a newer hard shell case....USD $4750

    camera icon 1965 Gibson J45 Adjustable Guitar
    (Serial No. 262102) Excellent condition showing some very picking wear. Very cool guitar that was originally cherry sunbust and has now faded to a warm amber color. Marked J45 ADJ on the inside back. Desirable slope shouldered body style, spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Bridge is the early style adjustable with the ceramic saddle. Has the narrower 9/16" nut. Good sounding guitar with a nice bass response and big full tone. Plays great with a nice low action as it was just set up by my luthier. Neck is straight, set is good and the frets are in good shape. Has the original tuners, original Brazilian rosewood bridge and fretboard, and the original pick guard. Excellent overall cosmetic condition showing some fingerboard divots in the first few frets and the usual nicks and dings of a well played instrument. No repairs or refinish noted. Comes with a hard shell case...USD $2950

    camera icon 2010 Gibson Kristofferson Southern Jumbo Guitar
    (Serial No. 11480053) Near mint condition. Limited edition of 300 from the Gibson Custom Shop. This is an accurately detailed recreation of Kris Kristofferson's beloved Southern Jumbo. It features pattern grade quartersawn mahogany back and sides, AAA grade Sitka spruce top, 24 3/4" scale, 1.725 inch bone nut, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, Mother-Of-Pearl parallelograms with Mother-Of-Pearl eagle on 12th fret, soft V neck profile. Has an active Fishman pickup fitted with an endpin jack and controls at the edge of the soundhole. Strap button added at the heel. Nice low action as it was just set up, good balanced Gibson mid-rangey tone well suited to accompany singing. No certificate. Comes with a nice hardshell case. New these list over $4000, dealers sell them at $3149, you can get this nearly unplayed "as-new' guitar for...USD $2550

    COLLINGS, TAYLOR, COLLINGS, AND OTHER ACOUSTIC FLATTOP GUITARS

    camera icon 2011 Bourgeois 00 Country Boy Guitar
    (Serial No. 005558) Mint unplayed condition. If you just can't settle on one playing style and need a guitar to be as versatile as you are - this is the guitar for you! The 00 is appointed much like the Country Boy, with a premium Adirondack red spruce top with nice silking, advanced high X scalloped braces and mahogany back and sides. The neck is a modified V shape with a traditional diamond shaped volute on the back of peghead underneath the nut, 1-23/32 inch nut width, 25 inch scale length, and 2-3/8 inch spacing at the bridge. Has a beautiful figured Brazilian rosewood peghead overlay, ebony fretboard with old style small dot pearl inlays, and nickel Waverly tuners with 30s style oval metal buttons. Built with hide glue like the guitars of the 30's. Has a open, airy, and crisp dynamic tone, with a mellow bottom end and crisp trebles, but still lots of projection and power. Adirondack Spruce tops have the highest volume ceiling of any topwood, yet they also have a rich fullness of tone that retains clarity at all levels. The stiffness of the red spruce makes for a lightning-quick response. Its a real pleasure to play, too. Good clarity and sustain, perfect for blues to bluegrass. Superb craftsmanship. Nice low action, neck is straight and the frets are fine. Just set up by my local luthier Jerry Ray. The guitar looks new, showing no playing wear and no repairs. Comes with the very nice original hardshell case....USD $2750 ON HOLD for Joe in TN

    camera icon 1994 Breedlove DR Deluxe Guitar
    (Serial No. 7517) Excellent near mint condition. I have always thought Breedlove instruments were of very high quality, but their non-traditional appearance just wasn't for me. When they brought out the Traditional series I started to take notice. This is a very fine bluegrass guitar. Has all the good stuff, Indian rosewood back and sides, Adirondack red spruce top, advanced scalloped braces, ebony fretboard and bridge, Greven old style pickguard, and gold open back Grover tuners. Has a 1 3/4 inch nut with a comfortable modern neck profile. Neck is straight, frets are excellent, plays very nicely with a low action. The guitar is very clean, near mint. Anything you see in the pictures that looks like a blemish is a reflection. Comes with the original high end hard shell case....USD $2750

    camera icon 2007 Collings CJ Guitar
    (Serial No. 13304) Mint unplayed condition. This Indian rosewood slope-shouldered dreadnought with pre-war scalloped bracing on the Sitka top is everything a large body guitar should be. Its deep and resonant with plenty of projection for playing along in a jam yet sensitive enough to be played softly with just your fingers. Details include a bound "haircut" peghead with pearl logo, bound ebony fingerboard with dots that get smaller as they go towards the body, grained ivoriod binding, ebony bridge, and nickle Wavery tuners. Has a 1 11/16 inch nut with a 25 1/2 inch scale length. Strap button added at the heel. Plays easy with the action just high enough so it does not rattle when flatpicked hard. Lots of saddle left to lower the action if desired. No cracks or repairs of any kind. Comes with the original Collings hardshell case also mint condition....USD $3150

    camera icon 2004 Collings DS2HA Guitar
    (Serial No. 10300) Mint condition, looks unplayed. Collings is one of the most respected of the modern small shop builders, and this guitar is as good as it gets. 12 fret dreadnaught body, spectacular figured AAA grade Brazilian rosewood back and sides and AAAA grade Adirondack red spruce top, ivoroid binding, old style herringbone top trim, slotted diamond inlays in the ebony fretboard, ebony bridge, pearl logo, and Waverly tuners. Custom ordered with a 1 3/4 inch nut on the slot peghead. The larger body gives it more depth and power than a standard 14 fret guitar. Very responsive and powerful bluegrass voice. It combines the bass presence of an old D-28 with more substantial midrange and treble. Works well for hard flatpicking but will also respond to a delicate touch for fingerstyle. Comes with the original hard shell case. ...USD $9250

    camera icon 1995 Guild F45CE Guitar
    (Serial No. AF040981) Excellent condition showing some playing wear. Looking for a nice stage guitar? This one does the job. US made in the old Guild Rhode Island factory. All black finish, solid mahogany back and sides, solid spruce top with a soft cutaway, rosewood fretboard and bridge, pearl logo, and active Fishman electronics with an endpin jack. All the finish, hardware and electronics are original, and the pickup sounds good through an amp. It does show some buckle wear on the back and some nicks and dings of a well used guitar, but its strong and ready for stage use. Its hard to correctly photograph a black instrument - most of the white spots in the pictures are reflections. Just set up and checked out by my luthier. Comes with the original Guild logo hardshell case. Priced for a working musician...USD $900

    camera icon  1920s Harwood Harp Guitar
    (Serial No. 1014) Very good condition. Harwood guitars were distributed By Jenkins Music Co. of Kansas City. This was probably made by Regal or Bruno in Chicago around 1920, give or take a decade or so. Has nicely figured Brazilian rosewood back and sides, solid Adirondack spruce top, and ebony fretboards. Body is about the size of a 00 or 000 size Martin. There are some repaired top, back and side cracks but all were professionally repaired and cleated. Original tuners. I think the bridge may be replaced as it looks newer, even though it is Brazilian rosewood as well. The neck was reset, the frets were dressed and the guitar was set up by luthier Dave Sheppard. Plays nicely and has a unique sound with the six string harp neck. Very playable instrument ready to go. Comes with a large, heavy home made wooden hard shell case...USD $1650

    camera icon  1977 Mossman Flint Hills Guitar
    (Serial No. 77-5008) My first "real" guitar was a Mossman. I still think they are outstanding guitars. Excellent condition with straight grain two piece Indian rosewood back and sides, solid spruce top, ebony fingerboard with pearl dots, nickel hardware and an ebony bridge. Built pre-fire in the Winfield, KS shop and signed on the label by all the craftsmen that worked on it. Finish and hardware is all original with no repairs noted. Shows the typical finish checking for Mossmans of this era. Mossman was a direct competitor to Martin and Gibson in the 70's and built very high quality guitars. Good action and playability. This is an excellent 34 year old hand built US made bluegrass guitar with lots of volume and tone. Why play the same thing everyone else has? Comes with a hard shell case...USD $1850

    camera icon  1977 Mossman Flint Hills Guitar
    (Serial No. 77-4542) My first "real" guitar was a Mossman. Back during the "dark days" of Gibson and Martin in the mid-70s, Mossman was consistently making high quality hand built guitars. The pride of craftsmanship shows, as each employee who worked on the guitar signed their initials on the label. They have stood the test of time and are still considered outstanding guitars. Excellent condition with straight grain two piece Indian rosewood back and sides, solid Sitka spruce top, ebony fingerboard with pearl dots, nickel hardware and an ebony bridge. Strap button added at the heel. Built in the original Winfield, KS shop. Finish and hardware is all original with no repairs noted. Shows the typical finish checking for Mossmans of this era. Good action and playability. This is an excellent 33 year old hand built US made bluegrass guitar with lots of volume and tone. Why play the same thing everyone else has? Comes with a hard shell case...USD $1850

    camera icon  2006 Roy Noble Mahogany Guitar
    (Serial No. 429) Excellent plus/ near mint condition. Roy Noble has been building guitars for about 50 years and he has it down. All of the recorded work by famed picker Clarence White was on a Noble guitar. Noble guitars are noted for a wonderful open sound with a quick response, great power, and smoothness. This one is has figured Amazon ribbon mahogany back and sides and what looks like a German spruce top. Also has flamed maple bindings around top and back, Roy's handmade wooden herringbone top purfling and soundhole rosette, unbound ebony fingerboard with no fret markers, 1 3/4 inch nut, peghead with figured mahogany overlay and maple truss rod cover, ebony bridge, and nickle Waverly tuners with white grained ivoriod buttons. The guitar sounds great with tremendous punch and volume. This guitar will play the most sensitive passages with a beautiful clear voice, but when you dig in with a flatpick, banjos run for cover. Even when strung up with light gauge strings this guitar fills a room with sound. Noble guitars are known for their carrying power. They clearly project sound quite a ways out from the player. Comes with the original high end TKL hard shell case...USD $3300

    camera icon  2007 Santa Cruz OM/PWM Custom Short Scale Guitar
    (Serial No. 3560) Near mint condition, looks almost unplayed. Anything that looks like a blemish is a reflection. This OM P/W is a beautiful example of Santa Cruz's legendary Pre-War bracing, making this guitar sound like a 30s model while retaining balance and bright clarity. It is perfect for the picker that loves the advantages of a professional hand-built small shop instrument without the cost of rare wood and fancy ornamentation. Custom built with an Adirondack spruce top with advanced X and scalloped bracing, Honduran mahogany back and sides, tortoise binding, 1 3/4 inch nut, bridge is 2 3/16 inch spacing, and the scale length is 24 3/4 inch. Also has nickle open back tuners with grained ivoriod buttons, squared unbound peghead with a Brazilian rosewood overlay and pearl logo, ebony fretboard with dot inlays, old style rectangular ebony bridge and firestripe guard. Fabulous sounding guitar, very lightly constructed - very resonate and responsive. Set up perfectly, very smooth playing guitar with a nice low action. Works well for flatpicking but responds beautifully to a delicate touch for fingerstyle. Comes with a clean original hard shell case....USD $3150

    camera icon 1995 Santa Cruz D Custom Guitar
    (Serial No. 1354) Excellent near mint condition. I think Richard Hoover and the luthiers at Santa Cruz build some of the best guitars available. The combination of figured Brazilian rosewood back and sides with a fine grained German spruce top is one of Richards's favorite wood combinations, and for good reason. The guitar has a strong powerful volume with a beautiful clear articulate tone. Its just an exceptional sounding instrument. Very light weight and extremely responsive guitar. Brazilian rosewood back and sides, German spruce top, fully bound ebony fingerboard and bridge, small dot fingerboard inlay, gold Waverly tuners, and a pearl logo and soundhole rosette. 1 3/4 inch nut. Neck is straight, frets are excellent, plays very nicely with a low action as the neck was just reset by Steve Kovacik in NY. The reset is very clean, nearly invisible. The pictures of the bridge are new since the reset. The remaining pictures are older and do not show the taller saddle. The guitar is very clean, near mint, with two finish checks in the top lacquer. Anything you see in the pictures that looks like a nick or a ding is a reflection. Comes with the original high end TKL hard shell case...USD $6500

    camera icon 2006 Taylor GS8 Guitar
    (Serial No. 20060719131) Excellent plus/near mint condition. Bob Taylor personally designed the Grand Symphony body style for a unique sound. The higher, wider waist and a rounder lower bout you get in the GS8 guitar result in distinctive tone with deep piano-like bass, rich mids, and clear, balanced highs all with plenty of volume. Has solid Indian rosewood back and sides, solid Sitka spruce top, abalone rosette and microdot fret markers, grained ivoriod binding, bound ebony fretboard and ebony bridge, and gold hardware. Strap button added at the heel Guitar is very clean and looks almost new. Any blemish you see in the pictures is likely a reflection. Comes with the original brown gator print Taylor hardshell case...USD $2000

    camera icon 1993 Taylor 555 12 String Guitar
    (Serial No. 1930406104) Mint unplayed condition - looks new. Taylor made their reputation by building great 12 strings. This one has the jumbo body size, mahogany back and sides, heaviliy silked Sitka spruce top with nice crossgraining, tortoise binding, wide thin neck profile, ebony fretboard and mustache bridge, slotted diamond fretboard inlays, and a pearl logo and soundhole rosette. Very clean guitar showing no signs of playing wear - anything that looks like wear or a blemish is a reflection. There are some natural wood inclusions in the top on either side of the lower bout. Big ringing sound that really drives. Just set up by my luthier so it plays like butter. Comes with the original brown Taylor case with the pink lining...USD $1250

    camera icon 2000 Taylor 810CE Guitar
    (Serial No. 20001111132) Excellent minus condition showing some minor pick wear and a few dings. Excellent guitar for those pickers looking for the power of the classic rosewood/spruce dreadnaught. Higher grade Taylor with a premium Sitka spruce top, quartersawn Indian rosewood back and sides, soft Venetian cutaway, ebony fingerboard and bridge, abalone rosette, pearl progressive diamond inlay on fingerboard, and gold hardware. Neck is the wide flat profile with a 1 3/4 inch nut with low action for comfortable playing. Has the Fishman Expression pickup system which has the slider controls in the side and an end pin jack. This has been a working guitar playing hundreds of gigs so it shows some honest wear. There's a ding in the lower bass side of the top, some finish checking as it was used in Montana, and some odd scratches on the top near the pick guard. Neck is straight, frets are fine, and the sound is exceptional either plugged in or strictly acoustic. Good sustain and overtones, great projection, well balanced, and a lot of punch - this guitar has some power. The tone and volume have been played into this one. Comes with the original Taylor hard shell case....USD $1900

    camera gif1940's Vega Profundo Guitar
    (Serial No. 39629) Excellent condition. You know, there were other guitar makers with quality instruments besides Martin and Gibson. Vega was a well respected Boston maker of mostly banjos, but they built mandolins and guitars as well. This was the top of the line flattop for Vega in the 40's. Brazilian rosewood back and sides, solid Adirondack red spruce top. Very modern feeling neck profile. Recent neck set so it plays like silk. There is a minor repaired top crack near the center seam and the pick guard and tuners are replaced. Sounds huge with a good cut for lead work. Comes with a hard shell case.......USD $3250

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    ELECTRIC AND ACOUSTIC ARCHTOP AND SEMI-HOLLOW GUITARS

    camera icon 1951 Epiphone Zenith Archtop Guitar
    (Serial No. 63473) Looking for a cool archtop to play without breaking the bank? This one will do the job at a reasonable price. Very good plus condition, sunburst finish. 16 3/8 inch body with a carved solid spruce top, carved maple back, sides and neck, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with dot pearl inlay, bound top and back, pearl logo and crown peghead inlay. All hardware and finish is original except I think the face of the peghead was refinished. Why it was done I have no idea, as there are no cracks or repairs on the guitar. Excellent action and playability, with a sweet, wide open voice. Has the expected finish checking and the usual nicks and dings of a well played guitar. Shows a little strap burn from a vinyl strap on the back and an area on the side where the pickguard mount rubbed a bit. Missing the pickguard. Comes with the original hardshell case....USD $950

    camera icon 1935 Gibson TG-50 Tenor Guitar
    (Serial No. 1374-8) Excellent original condition, sunburst top finish, dark back and sides. Carved solid spruce top with maple back and sides, 14 3/4 inch wide archtop body with F holes, flat back, ebony fretboard and bridge, bound top and back, Grover patent banjo tuners with white celluloid knobs, trapeze tailpiece, pearl peghead logo. Nut is 1 1/8 inch and the scale length is 23 inches. All hardware and finish is original but missing the pickguard. Plays nicely with a good sound. No repairs noted. Good condition cosmetically, nice shiny finish with just the usual small nicks and dings and some chipping on the peghead veneer. Comes with the original cardboard case. ...USD $1600

    UKULELES, BANJOS, TIPLES, AND OTHER ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS

    camera icon   Late 1930s-early 1940s Martin Style 1T Tenor Ukulele
    (Serial No. none) Excellent condition. Tenor body size, all mahogany, tortoiseshell binding, 12 fret body, metal friction tuners, ebony fretboard with T frets and pin bridge. Has the decal on the front of the peghead and a Martin stamp inside. Plays beautifully with a solid full sound. Martin ukes do not have serial numbers so dating them is somewhat inexact. This one has the tortoiseshell binding which was first used in 1935. By sometime in the 1940s the model had changed to a 14 fret body, so this is somewhere in between. Comes with the original somwhat beat softshell cardboard case...USD $1350

    camera icon   1930s Regal Clown Stencil Ukulele
    (Serial Number: none) Very good condition. Made in Chicago in the 1930s. All mahogany body and neck. Original tuners. Dark finish with a gold stencil of circus clowns, horses and elephants on the front. Shows a fair amount of playing wear - this uke was well loved. Excellent tone and volume. Has a few reglued seams but no crack repairs evident. No case...USD $175

    camera icon   1950s-60s Duke Kahanamoku Soprano Ukulele
    (Serial Number: none) Excellent condition. Probably made in Japan in the 1950s or 1960s. Has the Hawaiian coat of arms decal on the peghead and a gold Duke Kahanamoku decal on the front. Duke Kahanamoku was an Olympic gold medalist swimmer and an early supporter of the sport of surfing. All mahogany construction with some nice cross grain saw marks on the back. Original tuners and finish. Shows some nicks and dings from playing but no repairs. Plays nicely and has a good sound. No case...USD $150

    camera icon   1931 Martin T-17 Tiple
    (Serial No. 45497) Think of a tiple as an ukulele with 10 steel strings. If you have never heard swing jazz on a tiple you are missing a treat! Natural lacquer finish, mahogany top, body and neck, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with original bar frets, rosewood bridge, and original ebony nut. While not well remembered now, numerous small African-American string-swing ensembles of the 1930's and '40's made extensive use of these small but loud instruments for fast melody work and rhythmic strumming. Two of the best known were the Spirits Of Rhythm (featuring guitarist Teddy Bunn) and Cats and the Fiddle, where Tiny Grimes got his professional start. Overall length is 27 1/2 inches, and the original ebony nut is 1 1/2 inches. Has the typical nicks and dings of a well played instrument with some finish checking and playing wear on the back of the neck. There is a small area of disturbed finish on the top on either side of the fingerboard where I suspect non-original pick guards were removed. Otherwise original finish and hardware. No cracks. Neck is straight, frets are fine. Action is very playable. Plays well and has a good sound. Comes with a newer hardshell case...USD $1250

    camera icon   1959 Martin T-17 Tiple
    (Serial No. 166749) Think of a tiple as an ukulele with 10 steel strings. If you have never heard swing jazz on a tiple you are missing a treat! Natural lacquer finish, mahogany top, body and neck, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge, original ebony nut. While not well remembered now, numerous small African-American string-swing ensembles of the 1930's and '40's made extensive use of these small but loud instruments for fast melody work and rhythmic strumming. Two of the best known were the Spirits Of Rhythm (featuring guitarist Teddy Bunn) and Cats and the Fiddle, where Tiny Grimes got his professional start. Overall length is 27 1/2 inches, and the original ebony nut is 1 1/2 inches. Has the typical nicks and dings of a well played instrument with some finish checking. Original finish and hardware. Has one well repaired back crack. Neck is straight, frets are fine. Action is very playable. Plays well and has a good sound. Comes with a newer hard shell case...USD $1250

    camera icon   1979 ODE Model 6500 Banjo
    (Serial No. 2-79-24) Excellent condition. Often referred to as a Style D, this is a Baldwin era top of the line ODE banjo with walnut neck and resonator with two concentric rings, and the patented tone ring as first developed by Chuck Ogsbury. Pearl inlay in the peghead and fretboard, all gold hardware, engraved armrest and tailpiece which show some plating wear, pearl tuner buttons, 5th string sliding capo added. Frets are good, neck is straight, fingerboard shows some minor playing wear in the upper frets only. No buckle wear on the back. Peghead has not been bumped or bruised. Three piece neck has center sandwich with excellent finish. Neck adjustment key is included. All finish and hardware is original. Set up well with good action and great volume. For a melodic style player, the tone is that perfect combination of bell like overtones and ringing highs. Comes with the original Balwin ODE hard shell case with the Gretsch logo...USD $2750

    camera icon   Pre-war Gibson Mastertone Banjo Wrench
    Excellent condition. Original, nickel plated, pre-war, early 30s,"Gibson Mastertone" banjo wrench/key used to tighten banjo head brackets using 1/4" hex-shape nuts. Used on TB-3, TB-4, and others for that period. It also has a wrench part end (7/16") which fits the coordinator rod nuts and the inside lug resonator nuts. Make you pre-war Gibson Mastertone complete or just add to your collection of banjo wrenches. Gibson only used this style for a few years in the early 1930s...USD $125

    STEELS AND RESONATOR INSTRUMENTS

    For a good article on Weissenborn, Kona and similar Hawaiian slide guitars click here!

    camera icon   1951 Eddie Alkire E Harp Lap Steel
    (Serial No. X36788) Excellent plus condition. Eddie Alkire, from Easton PA was a true American entrepreneur, inventor, and musician. He developed his "Complete Technic and Chord Method " in order to provide "Technical velocity and four-part harmony" on a ten string non pedal guitar, pre-dating the introduction of pedals. More info on Eharps here. Manufactured under agreement by Valco. This one is very clean and all original, including the intact raised pick guard that's usually cracked. The pickup and controls work fine.  Comes with the original tweed hard shell case....USD $1100 ON HOLD for Daniel in MA

    camera icon   1937 Rickenbacker Model 100/Silver Hawaiian Model Lap Steel Guitar
    (Serial Number D950) Excellent condition 6 string chrome plated metal body. First year with the single control knob. All of the hardware and electronics are original including the desirable wider 1-1/2" horseshoe pickup. Even the tuner buttons, usually cracking on these, look new. Small ID number engraved on the tip of the peghead. The guitar works fine and this pickup is hot! This is the definitive Rick lap steel sound. Comes with the original shaped hard shell case.....USD $1500

    camera icon   1954 Rickenbacker Electro Hawaiian "Frying Pan" Lap Steel Guitar
    (Serial No. none) Excellent condition. Very rare reissue of the original Rick Electro Hawaiian Frying Pan. Differs from the 1930s original in that it has a postwar narrower pickup, decal logo and a very cool tortoise Bakelite back plate. Original green grey finish, electronics and hardware. Still has the bite and growl you expect with a Rickenbacker. This is sound you want for slide blues. Comes with a 1930s era original soft case....USD $2500

    camera icon   1941 Gibson EH-125 Lap Steel Guitar
    (Serial #E3815-29) Excellent condition. All original 7 string lap steel with the hot second generation P90 pickup. Pearl logo and peghead inlay on the peghead. All finish, electronics and hardware is original, with the exception that a few tuners have been repaired with new buttons brazed on a long time ago. The steel plays and sounds great. Comes with the original case....USD $1000

    camera icon   1954 Gretsch Jet Twin Mainliner Lap Steel Guitar
    (Serial No. X38206) Excellent condition. Cool old double neck lap steel guitar made by Valco for Gretsch. Having two necks let you put one in C6 and the other in E7 if you are playing old time country steel or traditional swing, or just open G and D to cover the bases in a blues or rock band. Pickups work great and are hot with a good bite. 23 inch scale length on both necks. Finish, electronics and most of the hardware is original. The pickup control knobs had cracked and the tuner knobs had crumbled, so the knobs and the tuners are modern replicas. Comes with a new gig bag.....USD $850

    camera icon   1930s Oahu Square neck Lap Guitar
    (No serial number) Excellent condition, square neck, sunburst finish on top, back and sides. Built by one of the premier Chicago companies for Hawaiian, lap steel and lap guitars. Oahu was big into the raised action/ no frets sound. Many of these were sold as student guitars, as was this one as evidenced by faint notes written in pencil on the edge of the fretboard. Larger body size than is usually seen, a about the size of a Gibson J-185. The square neck and straight saddle means it was intended to played as a lap guitar. All mahogany top, back and sides, rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Fretboard has flush frets. Nice original checkerboard binding on the top and back. Has a good old time sound with the ladder braced top. Shows one minor punch repair on the lower back, otherwise its in excellent shape. Original finish and hardware. Comes with the original cardboard case...USD $650

    camera icon   1930s Dobro Model 25 / 27 Resonator Guitar
    (No serial number) Excellent condition, roundneck, sunburst finish. This is a Regal built Dobro with either a birch or mahogany body and mahogany neck, f-holes on the upper bout, bound top and back, no sound well. All the finish and hardware is original, including the original cone. Strap button added at the heel. As there is no serial number, it could have been built as early as 1937 or as late as 1942. This was introduced as Model 25 and was renamed to Model 27 in 1939. Just had a neck reset and frets dressed by luthier Jerry Ray so it plays nicely for either fingerstyle or slide. Shows some fretboard wear and most of the finish has been played off the back of the neck, so you know it was well used and loved. Has that nice warm tone with bite that you look for in a vintage Dobro. Comes with a period hard shell case....USD $1290

    camera icon   1932 National Duolian Guitar
    (Serial No. C4957) Blues approved! Excellent condition cosmetically, excellent condition soundwise. Has most of the original cool crystal finish that looks green on the top but looks almost silver on the back. There is some playing wear on the front as shown but the rest of the finish is in amazingly good condition. Has the 12 fret body, original neck with slot peghead and flat f-holes. The fretboard is in good condition. This just came back from luthier David Sheppard in NC, where it was completely gone over. He reset and trued the neck and added an invisible carbon fiber internal truss rod, dressed the frets, and set up the guitar. The front of the peghead has the National Duolian stamp and the serial number stamp is on the end of the peghead. Neck is straight, neck and fingerboard have some wear, neck set is good for both slide and picking. Its an excellent sounding National - it has that raspy growl that the good ones have. Comes with a original soft case....USD $3450

    camera icon   1931 National Triolian Guitar
    (Serial No. 1415P Patent Applied For) Blues approved! Excellent condition cosmetically, excellent condition soundwise. Has most of the original cool yellow brown finish with the Hawaiian scene silkscreened on the back. Early 12 fret body, original neck with slot peghead and flat f-holes. The fretboard is in good condition and the back of the neck still retains some of the original paint. Original cone and hardware. The front of the peghead has the National Triolian decal and the serial number stamp is on the end. No repairs evident. Neck is straight, neck and fingerboard have some wear, neck set is good. The guitar has the sound you are looking for in a metal body. Comes with a newer hard shell case...USD $3450

    camera icon   1932 National Triolian Guitar
    (Serial No. 1344P Patent Applied For) Blues approved! Excellent plus condition both cosmetically and soundwise. Has most of the original cool yellow brown finish with the Hawaiian scene silkscreened on the back. Early 12 fret body, original maple neck with slot peghead and flat f-holes. The fretboard is in good condition and the back of the neck still retains some of the original paint. Original cone and hardware. The front of the peghead has the National Triolian decal and the serial number stamp is on the end. No repairs evident. Neck is straight, neck and fingerboard have some wear, neck set is good. Just got it back from National Guitars in California, where they straightened the neck, installed an invisible carbon graphite truss rod, and reset the neck. The guitar plays easy for both fingerstyle and slide and has the growl and bite you are looking for in a metal body. Comes with a newer hardshell case...USD $3850

    camera icon   1932 National Triolian Guitar
    (Serial No. W3132) A very clean Triolian bought from the family of the original owner. Has an unusual brown sunburst finish. Completely original including the tuners, biscuit and cone. Has a few chips in the finish and shows only minor playing wear. Frets are original and in excellent condition and the flamed maple neck is straight. Good sounding reso with action just high enough for slide but can still be played up the neck. Comes with a newer hardshell case...USD $3850

    camera icon   1932 National Triolian Guitar
    (Serial No. 2045) Blues approved! Excellent condition structurally, excellent condition soundwise. Steel body refinished some time ago in a matte grey/black that looks like old metal. Early 12 fret body, original maple neck with slot peghead and flat f-holes. The fretboard is in good condition and the back of the neck still retains some of the original paint. It has what I think is a newer National cone. Tuners are correct but you can see an old extra screw hole to the side so it must have had others at some point in the past. The front of the peghead has the National Triolian decal and the serial number stamp is on the end. No repairs evident. Neck is straight, neck and fingerboard have some wear, neck set is good. The guitar has the sound you are looking for in a metal body. Comes with a newer hard shell case...USD $2750

    camera icon   1933 National Style 0 Guitar
    (Serial No. S4501) Blues approved! Excellent condition cosmetically, excellent condition soundwise. Has the cool Hawaiian scenes etched or sandblasted into the body. Chrome-plated all-brass 12 fret body, rolled f holes, and the original maple neck with slotted peghead. Has original plating, tuners, and tailpiece. Cone and biscuit are modern National replacements. Condition of the plating and etched Hawaiian scenes is about 90% or so, and all of the body seams are intact and unmolested, a rarity right there. It does have one side dent on the lower treble side and three small additional screw holes in the top, probably for a pick guard and a long gone pickup. The fretboard is in good condition with some wear in the upper frets. The front of the peghead has the National decal and the serial number stamp is on the end of the body. No repairs evident. Neck is straight, neck and fingerboard have some wear, neck set is good. The guitar has the sound you are looking for in a metal body. Comes with a newer hard shell case....USD $2850

    Click on the name of the instrument or the small thumbnail picture beside it to see the full size picture. If you would like additional images of a specific instrument please email your request. 
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    ELECTRIC SOLIDBODY GUITARS AND AMPS

    camera icon   2003 Tom Anderson Classic T Guitar
    (Serial No. 08-13-03A) Near mint condition - looks unplayed. Tom Anderson and his staff hand-build some of the world's finest electric guitars. This is a professional axe. Perfect workmanship, plays like butter, great Tele tone, completely even balance between the neck and bridge pickups, 3 way switch, Buzz Feiten tuning system - this guitar has it all. Looks beautiful too, with the classic translucent blonde finish on a swamp ash body with the blue grain lines showing through. Rock maple neck with an African rosewood fretboard. Weighs 7 lbs 14 oz. Comes with an additional mint green (white) pickguard in the case if you prefer that look. Original center pocket hardshell case, also near mint.....USD $1950

    camera icon   1963 Fender Telecaster Guitar
    (Serial No. L10982) Excellent condition. This is the classic Telecaster blond/butterscotch finish. Has the spaghetti black logo and single string tree on the peghead. Neck is dead straight with a nice and slightly chunky "B" profile. Has the original frets that have been dressed but are still playable. Good rock and roll guitar, not real twangy. Original hardware and electronics, with no routes and no repairs. One tuner is replaced with a reissue. Black bottom pickups, pots date to 40th week of 63. The switch tip was replaced decades ago with a clear tip, and the original owner engraved his initials in the top on one knob and "1961" in the top of the other. Has the four large numbers stamped under the guard which supposedly indicates a 1960s era factory refin. Has an original white guard which may be late 60s as well. There is a shadow of a removed sticker on the top, shows some edge wear and scuffing but nothing through the finish. Nice light weight at 6.5 pounds. Just set up so it plays like butter. Good vintage single string tree Telecasters with original pickups and no routes are getting harder to find and here's a chance to get a nice one - and it sounds good, too! Comes with a late 60s logo Fender case with one broken latch....USD $12,500

    camera icon   1969 Fender Telecaster Guitar
    (Serial No. 274804) Excellent condition. This is the classic Telecaster blond/butterscotch finish. Has the black logo and single string tree on the peghead. Neck is dead straight with a nice and slightly chunky "B" profile. Has the original frets that have been dressed but are still playable. Good rock and roll guitar, not real twangy. Completely original finish, hardware and electronics, with no routes and no repairs. Shows some edge wear and scuffing but nothing through the finish. Just set up so it plays like butter. Good vintage single string tree Telecasters with no changes are getting harder to find and here's a chance to get a nice one - and it sounds good, too! Comes with the original case...USD $6950

    camera icon   1974 Fender Telecaster Guitar
    (Serial No. 649639) Excellent condition. This is the classic Telecaster blond finish with the blue grain lines showing through. Has the black logo and single string tree on the peghead. Neck is dead straight with a nice and slightly chunky "B" profile. Has the original frets that have been dressed but are still playable. Completely original finish, hardware and electronics, with no routes and no repairs. Medium weight at 8.4 lbs. Shows some edge wear and scuffing, just enough to be cool. Just set up so it plays like butter. Good 70's Telecasters with no changes are getting harder to find and here's a chance to get a nice one - and it sounds good, too! Comes with the original case. .....USD $3850

    camera icon   1974 Fender Telecaster Guitar
    (Serial No. 627194) Excellent plus condition. This is the classic Telecaster blond finish with the blue grain lines showing through. Has the black logo and double string tree on the peghead. Neck is dead straight with a nice and slightly chunky "B" profile. Has the original frets that have been dressed but are still playable. Good rock and roll guitar, not real twangy. Very hot bridge pickup. Completely original finish, hardware and electronics, with no repairs. Shows some edge wear, some scuffing on the back but nothing through the finish, and one finish chip on the back edge of the treble horn. Medium weight at 8lbs 2 oz. Just set up so it plays like butter. Good vintage Telecasters with no changes are getting harder to find and here's a chance to get a nice one - and it sounds good, too! Comes with the original case and the original owners manual, both of which are also very clean.....USD $3600

    camera icon   2001 Fender 57 Reissue Stratocaster Guitar
    (Serial No. V133825E915676) Near mint condition, sunburst finish. The Fender American Vintage '57 Stratocaster is an exact recreation of a classic design. It's true to all the original specs and detailing, including neck and headstock shapes, body contours, and even the original hand-beveled pickup magnets. Comes fitted with American Vintage pickups, the original synchronized tremolo (with ashtray included), nickel silver frets, Kluson tuners, and other vintage appointments. Maple fretboard. Just set up so it plays like silk with a nice low action. Very clean guitar - still has the plastic on the pickguard. Comes with the original Fender tweed hardshell case...USD $1200

    camera icon   1968 Fender Telecaster Neck
    Excellent condition. Rosewood fretboard on maple neck. Original tuners and decal. Appears to be original frets. Neck is straight, no issues....USD $2000

    Please click on the name of the instrument or the camera icon beside it to see more details and larger pictures. If you would like additional images of a specific instrument please email your request. 
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    ELECTRIC BASSES AND BASS AMPS

    camera icon   1972 Fender Precision Bass
    (Serial No. 366765) Not perfect but for a 39 year old bass this is in excellent plus condition. Custom color black with a maple fretboard. No fret wear, very minor playing wear with the most significant being some pickwear near the bridge, a few other edge chips and dings and a small area of strap rash on the back, no major dings or scrapes, no buckle wear, no routes, no changes of any kind. Almost no wear on the side of the neck. Original finish, hardware and electronics. Pots date is 304-7222. The bass is completely straight under the guard. Neck is stamped 5 May 72 B. Weighs just 8 lbs 10 oz on my digital scale. Just set up with Rotosound 45-105s and plays fine all the way up the neck. Has the original black case with the red orange interior. ...USD $3200

    KEYBOARDS AND EFFECTS

    camera icon   1970s Kustom Kombo II Organ Maintenance Manual
    Original service manual in excellent condition. Has sections for interconnect diagrams, schematics, and a parts list...USD $100

    CASES, PARTS AND MISCELLANEOUS

    camera icon   Recent Gibson Master Model Case
    Excellent condition. This is the case supplied by Gibson with their high end Master Model F5 mandolin. Its a copy of the original Loar F5 case. Gibson will not sell these cases individually. To get one, you have to buy a Master Model. This one is in used but excellent condition, with one small repaired tear in the tolex on the top. ...USD $700

    camera icon   1960s Gretsch 17 Inch Archtop Case
    Nice clean case for White Falcons or other large archtops. Exterior is silver grey with white trim. Interior is maroon velour. No musty smells or interior stains. All latches and hinges work well...USD $600

    camera icon   1930s Gibson Redline 17 Inch Archtop Case
    I got this with a 1939 J35, and it was the case originally purchased with the guitar. Nice clean case for Gibson L5 or other large archtops. Exterior is black alligator print tolex. Interior is green felt. Shows some wear but no musty smells or interior stains. Original hardware. All latches and hinges work well...USD $750

    camera icon   1940s Gibson Brown 17 Inch Hardshell Case
    Nice clean case for 17 inch Gibsons. This might be a J-200 case. Will fit a 17 inch archtop easily. has the brown exterior and a red velvet interior. Shows some wear inside and out but no musty smells or interior stains. Original hardware, missing the bottom feet on the neck end. All latches and hinges work well....USD $750

    LUTHIER SPECIALS

    Are you searching the flea markets and antique stores every weekend for looking for old or cool instruments? Are you looking for something decent to fix up and play? On a tight budget and don't mind a little sweat equity? Keep reading for great deals! I get a lot of instruments in. Some need work or have significant wear or finish issues. Many are projects that I just do not have the time to get started, let alone complete. A few I've just had for too long and they need to go on down the road. Some are just cool wall hangers. These instruments are sold as-is. There is no approval period. I might look at a trade if its not another project. I'm not interested in low ball offers on these, as most are priced at my cost. Assume that they need work to make them right. You do get a good deal on the price!

    None at this time

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    All prices subject to change, up or down, without notice. All instruments are subject to prior sale. All instruments are sold as-is, with an approval period of 48 hours after receipt. For details click on "How to order" information above.

    Appraisals Click here for information on appraisals.

    I'm looking for O, OO, and OOO size Martins and Gibsons, also Gibson mandolins and mandolin parts. Please let me know what you have for sale. Cash or fair trades offered. Thanks! Keep in touch!

    Looking for something special, got one to sell, or just want to comment?
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