ELECTRIC GUITARS, BASSES, AMPS, AND ANYTHING WITH A CORD:(Click on the underlined name for price and details)(/h3)

• None at this time

CASES, PARTS, AND MISCELLANEOUS:
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• Black Bart Bones, Made in USA, genuine cow bones for rhythm playing in old time and Celtic
• 1960s Earth Tone Guitar Strap, Earth tone colors, similar to ACE strap

LUTHIER SPECIALS AND FIXER-UPPERS:
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• None at this time

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NOTE: If the listing shows "ON HOLD", there is a sale working on the instrument and it is NOT FOR SALE.

I have been getting inquiries about Nathan Beaumont. He lives in Fort Washington, FL, currently plays mandolin with the band "Remedy Tree", and attends a local college. He plays (very well!) guitar, banjo, mandolin, dobro, upright bass and fiddle. He has a website: www.nathanbeaumontbluegrass.com and he has his own CD available "Fort Lonesome". He also has numerous videos on YouTube. He can be reached by email at nathanbeaumont1102@gmail.com.

GIBSON MANDOLINS AND RELATED


 1915 Gibson A1 Mandolin
(Serial number 23393 FON 2543) Excellent condition with one noticable and very cool repair, natural top finish. This is the classic teens Gibson oval hole mandolin, which is excellent for Celtic, folk, jazz, old time or just picking fiddle tunes. Natual top finish with a dark reddish brown back and sides, ebony fretboard, original tuners, original pickguard, repro Loar era adjustable ebony bridge, and pearl logo in the peghead. Neck is straight, frets are good and it was just set up so it plays very well. Original finish and hardware. Well, you are probably wondering why a repair is "cool". The mandolin developed a tuner crack on the treble side of the peghead. Most luthiers just glue up the crack, clamp it, and thats it. This repair is a little different. A series of brass screws were installed in the treble edge of the pickguard. Its a very old school repair by a master craftsman. Plays very easy and has strong volume with a very balanced sound. Comes with the original hardshell case...........USD $1650

 1916 Gibson A3 Mandolin
(Serial Number 32690 FON 2268) Excellent condition, natural top finish. The A3 was the middle grade instrument. Appointments include bound top, back and fretboard and an unique pearl inlay in the peghead. Back and sides are solid birch, and the top is solid Adirondack (red) spruce. 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. Neck is straight, neck set is good, and the frets are fine. All finish and hardware is original. No repairs noted. Nice low action as the mandolin was just set up. For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan Beaumont CLICK HERE. Comes with a nice original hardshell case.........USD $2050

 1920 Gibson A3 Mandolin
(Serial Number 59949) Bought from the family of the original owner. Excellent condition, white top finish. Norman Blake has a video out where he uses one. Plays very easy and has strong volume with a very balanced sound - this would be a good session instrument. For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan BeaumontCLICK HERE. Excellent for Celtic, jazz, classical, or old-time music. Neck is straight, neck set is good, and the frets are fine. The body finish is original. Shows a little wear on the top where your arm comes over. Although the camera flash shows the top as white, it has aged to a beautiful ivory color. All hardware is original incluing the hard to find original white pickguard. No repairs noted. Nice low action as the mandolin was just set up. Comes with a nice original hardshell case. .......USD $2550

 1922 Gibson A3 Mandolin
(Serial Number illegible, FON 11578). Excellent structural condition, white top finish. Norman Blake has a video out where he uses one. This is one of the last A3 mandolins produced by Gibson - note that the truss rod was installed through the existing A3 peghead inlay. 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. For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan BeaumontCLICK HERE. Neck is straight as this is an original truss rod instrument with a German Silver truss rod cover, neck set is good, and the frets are fine. The body finish is original. Very clean mandolin. Although the camera flash shows the top as white, it has aged to a beautiful ivory color. All hardware is original including the hard to find original white pickguard. No repairs noted. Nice low action as the mandolin was just set up. Comes with a nice original hardshell case....USD $4250

 1922 Gibson A3 Mandolin
(Serial Number 69593). Excellent condition, white top finish. Norman Blake has a video out where he uses one. This is one of the last A3 mandolins produced by Gibson - note that the truss rod was installed through the existing A3 peghead inlay. Plays very easy and has strong volume with a very balanced sound - this would be a good session instrument. For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan Beaumont CLICK HERE. Excellent for Celtic, jazz, classical, or old-time music. Neck is straight as this is an original truss rod instrument with a German Silver truss rod cover, neck set is good, and the frets are fine. The body finish is original. Very clean mandolin. Although the camera flash shows the top as white, it has aged to a beautiful ivory color. All hardware is original including the hard to find original white pickguard. No repairs noted. Nice low action as the mandolin was just set up. Comes with a nice original hardshell case.....USD $4250

 1914 Gibson A4 Mandolin
(Serial No. 16217 FON 1936) Excellent plus condition. The A4 was the top of the line A style mandolin for Gibson. Very clean mandolin, only showing a little playing wear where the arm comes over the top, and on the back of the neck. Original finish with black top and a reddish back and sides, all solid woods with a two piece birch back and sides, spruce top, pearl logo and fleur di lise in the peghead, original hardware including the inlaid Handel tuners, bound top and back, and a bound ebony fingerboard with treble extension. Fitted with 1920s era adustable Gibson bridge, which was a common upgrade. Nice big woody sound from this mandolin with good bass! Neck is straight, neck angle and frets are good. For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan Beaumont CLICK HERE. No structural repairs and only a few of the usual nicks and dings. Excellent for Celtic or old time or jazz or classical. Comes with a nice original hardshell case......USD $2950

 1914 Gibson A4 Mandolin
(Serial No. 17511 FON 2044) Excellent condition. The A4 was the top of the line A style mandolin for Gibson. This one is really clean. Original finish with black top and a reddish back and sides, all solid woods with a two piece birch back and sides, spruce top, pearl logo and fleur di lise in the peghead, original hardware including the inlaid Handel tuners, bound top and back, and a bound ebony fingerboard with treble extension. Fitted with a new Richie Dotson replica Loar adjustable bridge. Frets were just dressed and the mandolin set up by luthier Marty Beeson. Nice big woody sound from this mandolin with good bass! For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan Beaumont CLICK HERE. Neck is straight, neck angle and frets are good. No structural repairs and only a few of the usual nicks and dings. Excellent for Celtic or old time or jazz or classical. Comes with the original hardshell case.....USD $2950

 1917 Gibson A4 Mandolin
(Serial No. 36374 FON 3503) Excellent condition. The A4 was the top of the line A style mandolin for Gibson in 1917. It has the true 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. Nice one piece back. The hardware and finish are original, including the pearl and wire inlaid buttons on the Handel tuners. 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. Action is low and playable and it has a good ringing sound. Here is a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont. Excellent for Celtic or old-time music. Just set up by my luthier Marty Beeson. Clean original hardshell case included. ....USD $2950

 1918 Gibson A4 Mandolin
(Serial No. 40590 FON 11030) Excellent restored condition. The A-4 was the top of the line A style mandolin for Gibson in 1919. It has a dark 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. Nice one piece back. The hardware and finish are original but missing the pickguard. Nice big woody sound from this mandolin with good bass! Neck is straight, neck angle is good and the frets show very little wear. Here is a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont. There is a long top crack that has beed glued and cleated, and should not be a problem. However, it does lower the price. Shows the usual nicks and dings of an instrument used to make music for a hundred years. Action is low and playable and it has a good ringing sound. Excellent for Celtic or old-time music. Original hardshell case included.......USD $2750

 1920 Gibson A4 Mandolin
(Serial No. 57885) Excellent condition. The A4 was the top of the line A style mandolin for Gibson in 1920. It has the true 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. 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. Action is low and playable and it has a good ringing sound. For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan Beaumont CLICK HERE. Excellent for Celtic or old-time music. Just set up by my local luthier Marty Beeson. Clean original hardshell case included........USD $2450

 1920 Gibson A4 Mandolin
(Serial No. 68143 FON 11484) Excellent condition. The A4 was the top of the line A style mandolin for Gibson in 1920. It has the true 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. 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. Action is low and playable and it has a good ringing sound. For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan Beaumont CLICK HERE. Excellent for Celtic or old-time music. Just set up by my local luthier Marty Beeson. Clean original hardshell case included.........USD $2450

 2004 Gibson A9 Mandolin
(Serial No. 40625030) Excellent condition, satin lacquer finish. Very clean mandolin. This is a great sounding mandolin with the strong woody fundamental tone that Gibsons are known for. It has plenty of power to cut a banjo in a jam and it would record beautifully. The tone is nicely balanced around a strong, popping midrange that holds up and down the neck. This would make a wonderful bluegrass or old time mandolin. The mandolin is set up and plays well in all positions with a nice low action. Spruce top, nicely flamed maple back/sides/neck (uncommon in an A9), ebony adjustable bridge, adjustable truss rod, flat fretboard, 1-1/16" nut width. Tuners have been upgraded to top of the line Rubner tuners. It has a few small nicks, dings, and scrapes of most instruments that have been played for 22 years but the mandolin is crack free with no repairs and none needed. Comes with a nice hardshell case...USD $2450

 1936 Kalamazoo KM21 Mandolin
(FON: 539 B 44) Excellent condition. Kalamazoo was the budget or student line for Gibson. Note that the instruments were made by Gibson in house. This mandolin has mahogany back and sides, an Adirondack (red) spruce top, and a flat rosewood fretboard with a 1 1/8 inch nut and a 13 7/8 inch scale. The neck is straight and in set, and the frets were just dressed and still have plenty of life left. It is top bound only. It has a woody and pretty tone with strength through the upper midrange and fat treble string response. Rounded V neck profile, 100% original, including finish, frets, nut, tuners, bridge, and tailpiece. Here is a link to a video clip of this mandolin as played by Joe Donahue of Wesley Chapel, FL and another link to a video clip by Nathan Beaumont of Brandon. Comes with a case......USD $1750

 1937 Gibson A50 Mandolin
(Serial No. 1992F-21) Nice original wide body mandolin. Has an original 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 tailpiece cover but is missing the pickguard, however the pickguard mounting hardware is in the case. Tuners are correct type Klusons but are a little later wartime era with riveted gears. Looks like it might have had Grover tuners on it at one time. At 14 1/2 inches, these are the longest scale mandolins ever made by Gibson. Frets and neck set are good and the mandolin was and set up by my luthier. Plays like silk and has a good chop. Here is a video clip of this mandolin as played by Joe Donahue. These mandolins were used extensively in bluegrass as they were more affordable than the F5 but still pretty fancy. Comes with a newer hardshell case that fits well....USD $2150

 1940 Gibson A50 Mandolin
(FON 246 27) 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, clamshell tailpiece cover. Very cool translucent amber plastic tuner buttons. These were used a lot in bluegrass as not everyone could afford a F5. Nice playing and sounding instrument with no issues. For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan Beaumont CLICK HERE. Frets are fine, neck is straight. You can see just a little bit of crazing beginning in the original pickguard, but this has been stablized to prevent spreading. Good strong bluegrass sound with good tone and volume and a nice woody chop. Comes with a hard shell case......USD $2150

 1947 Gibson A50 Mandolin
(FON 4443 2) Original sunburst finish and hardware, dark stained nicely flamed maple back, sides and neck, spruce top with F holes, early post war decal "Gibson" peghead logo, clamshell tailpiece cover. These were used a lot in bluegrass as not everyone could afford a F5. Nice playing and sounding instrument with no issues. Tuners are original and they work fine. Note that the buttons are slightly shrunk, which is common on these instruments. Frets are fine, neck is straight. A modern pickguard has been fitted. Good strong bluegrass sound with good tone and volume and a nice woody chop. For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan Beaumont CLICK HERE. Comes with a hard shell case........USD $2150

 1912 Gibson F2 Mandolin
(FON 2009) Very good condition. The F2 is the same mandolin as the top of the line scroll F4, but with less fancy cosmetics. This mandolin has black top finish and reddish back and sides, a flamed birch two piece back, inlaid Handel tuners, pearl logo, bound top and bound ebony fingerboard with treble extension. The back of the mandolin has been refinished in clear, which shows off the birdseye back. Nice big woody sound from this mandolin with good bass! The hardware is original. Neck is straight, neck angle is good, the frets were dressed and the mandolin was set up by local luthier Marty Beeson. The big curl on the peghead was apparently knocked off at some point and has been reglued. There are some pick scrapes on the top near the soundhole and some finish checking on the sides and back of the mandolin. F2s are getting harder to find in decent playable condition, and prices are continuing to rise every year. Did I mention that it has really strong tone and volume and plays like butter? Comes with a beater original or a newer hardshell case, your choice.....USD $3950

 1917 Gibson F2 Mandolin
(Serial Number: 36888 FON 9173) Excellent condition. This 1917 Gibson F2 apparently went back to Gibson in the 1930's. The serial number and factory order number date the mandolin to a build date of 1917. Back then, if you needed work done on your instrument (refret, for example) you sent it back to the factory. Gibson replaced the peghead veneer with one with a straight logo, an adjustable bridge was fitted, a truss rod was added, and a new label with the old serial number and the model name rubber stamped on the label (Gibson used a rubber stamp for the model name on the label in the 1930s onward), and a shaped hardshell case with a pink interior was added. I suppose Gibson could have just replaced the neck on the mandolin, but if they did so it cannot be seen. This is an excellent mandolin upgraded by Gibson to have all of the Loar improvements. The F2 was the next to the top of the line mandolin for Gibson. It has a true red sunburst, spectacular flamy woods on the sides and back, pearl logo, bound top, and a bound ebony fingerboard with treble extension, truss rod in the neck, and an original adjustable bridge. The differences in a F2 and a F4 are cosmetic - the F2 has an unbound back, fingerboard and peghead, and simpler peghead inlay. The build is the same and it has the same sound - just less cosmetic trim. The action is good and the sound is excellent. BIG tone and volume! Nice woody sound from this mandolin with good bass. For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan BeaumontCLICK HERE. Neck is straight, neck angle is good and the frets show very little wear. There is some picking wear evident on the mandolin but no structural repairs. Finish and hardware are original Gibson. Gibson scroll mandolins are hot right now and getting very hard to find, and prices are continuing to rise every year. Comes with the hardshell case....USD $5950

 1925 Gibson F2 Mandolin
(Serial Number: 74819 FON 11903) Excellent minus condition. This is one of the best oval hole mandolins ever made by Gibson - a Loar era truss rod F2. The F2 was the next to the top of the line mandolin for Gibson. It has a darker red sunburst, spectacular flamey woods on the sides and back, pearl logo, bound top, a bound ebony fingerboard with treble extension, truss rod in the neck, and the original adjustable bridge. The differences in a F2 and a F4 are cosmetic - the F2 has an unbound back, fingerboard and peghead, and simpler peghead inlay. The build is the same and it has the same sound - just less cosmetic trim. The action is good and the sound is excellent. BIG tone and volume! Nice woody sound from this mandolin with good bass. For a short video clip of this mandolin CLICK HERE. Neck is straight, neck angle is good and the frets show very little wear. There is some picking wear evident on the mandolin but no structural repairs. Finish and hardware are original. Just set by my local luthier Marty Beeson. Loar era scroll mandolins are hot right now and getting very hard to find, and prices are continuing to rise every year. Comes with the original green lined hardshell case....USD $6950

 1988 Gibson F5L Mandolin
(Serial No. 8173118) If you are looking for a nearly new 1988 Gibson F5L you have found it. You might find a mark or two, as the mandolin has been used in a bluegrass band, but it looks nearly unplayed. Excellent plus condition, "ice tea" Cremona brown sunburst finish. This is the classic Gibson scroll mandolin - long neck, f-holes, flat elevated fingerboard with a 1 1/8 inch nut, beautifully flamed maple back and sides, solid spruce top, bound ebony fingerboard, and the fern peghead inlay in pearl. It has been upgraded with silver plated Schaller tuners and tailpiece cover, as later used on the Monroe model. In 1988 this model was the top of the line for Gibson. This was made in the Bozeman, Montana plant, and was signed by the legendary luthier Steve Carlson on September 19, 1988. All finish and hardware is original, and there are no issues or repairs. The mandolin has just been set up by my luthier. Action is great - easy and low. This mandolin sounds great with a strong chop and bark, even though it is still needs to be broken in. CLICK HERE for a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont of the Remedy Tree Band, Brandon FL. Comes in the original rectangular hardshell case......USD $8,500

 1993 Gibson F5L Mandolin
(Serial No. 3536049) This is one of the cleanest Bozeman built Gibson mandolins I have had for sale in a long time. It was obtained from a dealer in Japan. It looks nearly unplayed. Anything that looks like a blemish is probably a reflection - this mandolin is clean. Near mint condition, sunburst finish. This is the classic Gibson scroll mandolin - long neck, f-holes, elevated fingerboard, beautifully flamed maple back and sides, solid spruce top, bound ebony fingerboard, gold hardware, and the Fern peghead inlay in pearl. Missing the pickguard. Signed by luthier Steve Carlson on April 9, 1993. The mandolin has just been set up by my luthier. Action is great - easy and low. This mandolin sounds great with a strong chop and bark, even though it is still needs to be broken in. Comes in the original rectangular hardshell case, also very clean......USD $8,500

 1999 Gibson F5L Mandolin
(Serial No. 5997129) Excellent plus condition, traditional dark brown tabacco sunburst finish, completely original. This is the classic Gibson scroll mandolin - long neck, f-holes, elevated fretboard, flamed maple back and sides, solid spruce top, bound ebony fingerboard, and the classic Fern peghead inlay. It has the original gold plated Schaller tuners with pearl buttons. If you look hard enough, you might find a mark or two, as the mandolin was been used in a bluegrass band, but there are no cracks, breaks, refinish, or bad dings. This was probably made in the Bozeman, Montana plant, but it has a Nashville label. It was signed by luthier Charlie Derrington on June 10, 1999. Action is great - easy and low. This mandolin sounds great with a strong chop and bark. Here is a short video clip of this instrument played by Nathan Beaumont. Comes in the original rectangular hardshell case......USD $8,500

 2003 Gibson F5FB Flame Burst Mandolin
(Serial No.31218040) Excellent condition. I recently bought this mandolin from a well known professional NC picker who is buying a Loar. This was one of his go-to stage mandolins. This instrument is part of a series built by the Gibson Custom Shop for a store called Music Machine up in Washington state. They had about 40 of these built. The mandolin appears very similar to the F5G. However, in addition to the F5G trim, this mandolin features an Andirondack red spruce top, highly figured maple back and sides, lacquer finish, top bound only, and the back has a sunburst finish. Tuners are silver plated Waverlys with pearl buttons. The mandolin has been speed necked - that is, finish has been removed from the back of the neck to stop your hand sticking in high humidity and to speed up picking. Outstanding sounding mandolin with strong volume and tone. Has a deep woofy bass, strong midrange, and glassy high trebles. Good bluegrass chop when needed. Here is a video clip of this mandolin. Its set up perfectly. Comes with the original hardshell case.......USD $7450

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MANDOLAS, OCTAVE MANDOLINS, MANDOCELLOS, CITTERNS, AND BOUZOUKIS

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FLATIRON MANDOLINS AND RELATED

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 May of 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. Current Flatiron mandolins are low quality Chinese imports. Although Flatiron was the "budget" line, since 1987 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.

 1983 Flatiron A5-1 Mandolin
(Serial No. 83090101) Excellent condition, sunburst finish. Pre-Gibson production. Bought from the family of the original owner. 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 A5 mandolin with nicely flamed maple back, sides and neck, carved spruce top with X bracing, pearl logo, 1 1/8 inch nut, elevated flat ebony fingerboard, and nickel hardware. Finish is original lacquer with a hand applied sunburst stain. All hardware is original except for the tailpiece, which has been changed to an Allen one piece tailpiece. Great playing mandolin that shows a little playing wear. No repairs or refinish noted. The sound is why you want this mandolin. Good chop and bark - excellent bluegrass mandolin. Here is a short video clip of this instrument played by Nathan Beaumont.Signed by Steve Carlson, the shop foreman and considered one of the great builders. Early 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 a newer hardshell case....SOLD

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RATLIFF MANDOLINS

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 just may make the best bluegrass mandolin on the planet for under $5000...we invite you to be the judge.

 1999 Ratliff RA5 Mandolin
(Serial No. 0821) Excellent plus condition, medium red brown sunburst finish. Ratliff builds a fine looking and fine sounding mandolin. Build quality is top notch, as good as it gets. The mandolin has a overall gloss finish, with a single bound top and unbound back and headstock. It has all the design features that give Ratliffs their tone and power. This is the classic A5 style mandolin with the long neck, f holes, and the elevated ebony fretboard with dot inlays. Nut width is 1 1/8 inch. It features a beautiful flamed maple back and sides, and a maple neck. It also features a hand carved Adirondack red spruce top. Tradional flat fretboard thats slightly shortened to eliminate pick click in the sweet spot. Decal logo. Fit and finish is as good as the big builders, and the sound is there. Here is a short video clip of this instrument played by Nathan Beaumont. I think the original owner did not play mandolin. This instrument shows almost no pick wear. To my ears, it still sounds a bit green. However, it still has that woody bluegrass bark and the excellent volume and tone that is typical of these mandolins. Comes with a shaped hardshell case...USD $2550

 2024 Ratliff RA5 "Country Boy" Mandolin
(Serial No. 1280) New with lifetime warranty to the original owner, medium red brown sunburst finish. Audey only builds about 18 mandolins a year. Getting a new one to sell is tough - every dealer out there wants one, as they are excellent mandolins at a good price. Ratliff builds a fine looking and fine sounding mandolin. Build quality is top notch, as good as it gets. This is the Country Boy model R5 from Audey. The Country Boy is built the same as the top of the line RA5 from Ratliff, with a satin finish, less trim, with a single bound top and unbound back and headstock. It still has all the design features that give Ratliffs their tone and power. This is the classic A5 style mandolin with the long neck, f holes, and the elevated ebony fretboard with dot inlays. Nut width is 1 1/8 inch. It features a beautiful flamed maple back and sides, and a flamed maple neck. It also features a hand carved Adirondack red spruce top. Tradional flat fretboard thats slightly shortened to eliminate pick click in the sweet spot. Decal logo. Fit and finish is as good as the big builders, and the sound is there. Here is a short video clip of this instrument played by Nathan Beaumont. Even though it is a new mandolin, it has that woody bluegrass bark and the excellent volume and tone that is typical of these mandolins. Comes with a new shaped hardshell case..........USD $3250 list price - call for your internet price...


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OTHER MANDOLINS AND RELATED

2017 Amesqua F5 Mandolin
(Serial No. 9) Mint condition, black ice lacquer finish, built in Tallahassee, Florida. Debra Amesqua was a fire chief up north, and she retired to Florida and started building mandolins. Building is a passion with her, and it shows. This is an excellent, well built mandolin thats sounds as good as it looks. Finished in a black satin laccquer. Has a highly flamed maple back, sides and neck, an Adirondack spruce top, Stew Mac Golden Age Restoration tuners, a James tailpiece, and a striking custom pickguard. Plays nice with good low action with excellent sound. Has a big, rich voice, great projection and a powerful chop - everything you'd expect from a custom built instrument. Top bound only in white. Has a 1 1/8 inch nut and jumbo frets on the radiused ebony fretboard, which is shortened and scooped to eliminate pick click. Has a soft V profile neck. Its in as-new condition - no repairs, refinish, or other issues noted. Click here for a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont of the Remedy Tree Band, Brandon FL. Comes with a nice hardshell case...........USD $3250

Recent Custom F5 Mandolin
(Serial No. none) Excellent condition, sunburst finish. This mandolin is a bit of a mystery. It appears someone took an already built mandolin and reworked it into a bluegrass powerhouse. You can see a faint outline of the previous name on the peghead under the paint, but I cannot make it out. It has a solid spruce top which is tone bar braced, with flamed maple back and sides. The mandolin is triple bound top and back, and side bound as well. Hardware is gold plated including Grover openback tuners and an one piece tailpiece. Has a truss rod. Has a flat ebony fretboard with a 1-1/8 inch nut and the tree of life inlay. The fretboard has been scooped to eliminate pick click. Here is a short video clip of this instrument played by Nathan Beaumont. Action is low and easy - it is set up well and plays nicely. Comes with a nice hardshell case..........USD $1250

1922 Bruno A Style Mandolin
(Serial No. 403) Excellent condition. Bruno was one of the very large instrument manufacturers in Chicago prior to World War Two. They made mandolins for other labels as well as their own. This is a nice clean mandolin, all mahogany top, back and sides, and a rosewood fretboard and bridge. The body is bound top and back as well as the soundhole. The pickguard is inlaid into the top. Original inlaid tuners that work well. Neck is straight, neck set is good and the frets are fine. All original finish and hardware. Here is a short video clip of this instrument, played by Nathan Beaumont. It has a surprising good sound. It does not chop very well for bluegrass, but would be great as a first mandolin, or just to have something cool and different to have at the house. Its been set up by my luthier is ready to go. Comes with a gig bag........USD $650

2007 Collings MT Mandolin
(Serial #1477) Near mint condition, sunburst finish. The MT is the best-selling mandolin model Collings makes, and it offers excellent value with professional level tone and playability in a simple and understated appointment package. Features a premium carved Engelmann spruce top, seasoned figured Eastern maple back and sides, tortoise binding, an ultra thin all-nitrocellulose lacquer satin finish, and an ebony fretboard and bridge. Frets are in great condition with no noticable wear, neck set is fine, and the action is low and comfortable. Like all Collings instruments, this MT is impeccably crafted. This is a great sounding mandolin with ringing sustain, a wide dynamic range, and an impressive responsiveness that can rival instruments at considerably higher price points. CLICK HERE for a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont of the Remedy Tree Band, Brandon FL. Comes with the original Collings case.......USD $3300

2005 Collings MF5 Mandolin
(Serial No. 308) Near mint condition, black top finish with natural finish back and sides. Collings mandolins are made to the same high standard as their guitars. This is the workhorse of Collings F5s - because it sounds great at a reasonable price. Soundwise this one cuts right through - it will run your local banjos out of town. CLICK HERE for a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont of the Remedy Tree Band, Brandon FL. Very powerful mandolin - you will be heard in a jam. Excellent tone with a good woody chop. It has a fully carved Andirondack red spruce top and beautifully quilted one-piece back and nicely flamed sides and neck. Has an 1 1/8 inch nut on the radiused ebony fingerboard, along with the larger frets used by Collings. Ebony bridge. Side bound like Monroes with grained ivoroid binding. Has a pearl Collings peghead logo and inlay and the one-piece Collings tailpiece. Action is low and easy - it plays like silk. Original shaped TKL hardshell case included........USD $7250

1996 Franklin F5 Mandolin
(Serial No. 011) Excellent condition with one repair. I like small shop builders, and when I saw this at a guitar show I just had to buy it. That was a good decision. I have never before handled a Franklin mandolin, but they apparently know how to build a good one. This model has a dark sunburst lacquer finish, flamed maple back and sides, a solid spruce top, ebony fretboard with diamond pearl positions markers, an ebony bridge with a deer antler saddle, Gotah tuners, fully bound body and peghead, and the body points are abalone. Pearl peghead inlay. Good sounding mandolin thats set up well and has an excellent sound, with woofy chops and clear trebles. The center seam on the top near the tailpiece was reglued so it will not be an issue, although you can see it. CLICK HERE for a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont of the Remedy Tree Band, Brandon FL. Comes with the original hardshell case....USD $2950

1971 Goya Model 158 Mandolin
(Serial No. 1143) Excellent condition. Original hardware and finish. Good mandolins are made everywhere. This is a Goya Model 158, made in Sweden by Levin. Levin is an old and well respected musical instrument maker. This mandolin has a mahogany back and sides, a spruce top, and a rosewood fretboard and bridge. Has a 1 1/8 inch nut with a flat fretboard. Frets are fine, neck set is good and the neck is straight. Body is top bound only with multi-ply white binding. No pickguard as made. Very good sounding mandolin with good response all across the strings and up and down the neck. The instrument has a flat top and back. Its not surprising that it reminds me of the Flatiron pancake mandolins, as this one also has a loud and direct sound. Here is a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont. Comes with the original soft case....USD $1050

2023 Kettler "The Raven" Mandolin(Serial Number 186) I have owned several Kettler mandolins over the years, and they were all excellent instruments. Near mint condition showing only the slightest signs that it has indeed been played. Original lacquer finish with a Adirondack spruce top, flamed maple back and sides, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, one piece tailpiece, 13 7/8 inch scale, and tortoise shell binding. The mandolin is an unusual build, with soundholes in the upper bout and sound ports on the bass side to allow the player to hear the mandolin. Everett Kettler said it is intended to let the entire soundboard vibrate as one piece. I dont know about that, but this is a very good sounding mandolin. Good neck and frets, plays nice with a low action but still has plenty of volume. Here is a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont. All finish and hardware is original. No strap button installed. Comes with a nice hardshell case. This mandolin cannot be told from new except for the price. List on this mandolin is $6000 with a long build lead time. This one is available right now for..USD $3950

2003 Lime Creek Two Point Mandolin
(Serial No. S006M) Mint condition. This mandolin was made by Daniel Myers in Oregon, who is now a successful architect. Building cool things just comes natural to him. I think he was influenced by the Kay mandolins in the 1960s. This mandolin looks very lightly played. It has a Sitka spuce top, outstanding flamed maple back and sides, and an ebony fretboard and bridge. Good chop and bark, but it still sounds like it needs to be played in a little more. For a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont of Brandon FL. Action is nice and low with plenty of saddle left. Comes with a good hardshell case......USD $2750

2000 Washburn M6-SW Mandolin
(Serial No. 300466) Excellent condition. This model mandolin was created in collaboration with the late great Jethro Burns, as noted on the tailpiece cover. Built in Japan. It looks very lightly played. Anything that looks like a blemish is probably a reflection - this mandolin is clean. Excellent condition, sunburst finish. This is the classic Gibson scroll mandolin - long neck, f-holes, elevated fingerboard, beautifully flamed solid maple back and sides, solid spruce top, the body, fretboard and peghead are bound, the top is also bordered with half herringbone trim, ebony fretboard and bridge, bone nut, gold tailpiece and Schaller tuners, and the Washburn peghead inlay in pearl. The mandolin has just been set up by my luthier. Action is great - easy and low. This mandolin sounds great with a strong chop and bark, even though it is still needs to be broken in. Click here for a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont of Brandon, FL. Comes in a nice possibly original hardshell case, also very clean.......USD $650

1952 Martin Style A Mandolin
(Serial Number #A20689) Excellent plus 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 and bridge, 13 inch scale, tortoiseshell binding and pickguard. Good neck and frets, plays nice with a low action but still has plenty of volume. Here is a short video clip of this instrument, played by Nathan Beaumont. Great for old-time, Celtic, or jazz. Original tuners and Style A unengraved tailpiece cover. No strap button installed. Comes with a old but probably non-original case......USD $SOLD

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ELECTRIC MANDOLINS

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

None at this time


BOWLBACK MANDOLINS

1890s Joseph Bohmann Presentation Grade Mandolin
(Serial No. none) Joseph Bohmann was born in Germany and immigrated to the US in 1868 and settled in Chicago. Bohmann had a standing wager of $10,000 (in the early 1900s!) that he could build the fanciest mandolin in the world. This is the instrument he would bring out if challenged. This is a typical bowlback of the period with a canted top of Adirondack spruce. The bowl is Brazillian rosewood with 40 fluted ribs, interlaced between each rib with silver. The are 8 (or 11, depends how you count them) layers of binding. The fretboard is engraved abalone and pearl. The back of the neck is overlaid with genuine tortoise shell, and the front pickguard is tortose shell as well. The small volute on the back of the peghead is snail pearl. The tuners are enclosed with an engraved German silver backplate dated 1891. The tuner buttons are genuine pearl, and the tailpiece is one piece cast bronze. There is extensive pearl inlay everywhere, even on the bottom of the bowl. The bridge is a modern replacement. Comes with a period hard case.........NOT FOR SALE

1900 Joseph Bohmann Paris Exposition Mandolin
(Serial No. none) Joseph Bohmann was born in Germany and immigrated to the US in 1868 and settled in Chicago. This mandolin was built to showcase the Bohmann mandolin at the Paris Exposition of 1900. In fact, that phrase is written on the pickguard. This is a typical bowlback of the period with a canted top of Adirondack spruce. The bowl is Brazillian rosewood with 38 ribs, interlaced between each rib with a strip of lighter colored wood. The are 6 (or 10, depends how you count them) layers of binding. The fretboard is engraved abalone and pearl. The back of the neck is overlaid with genuine tortoise shell, and the front pickguard is tortose shell as well. The small volute on the back of the peghead is snail pearl. The tuners are enclosed with an engraved German silver backplate dated 1891. The tuners are fitted with Handel buttons inlaided with pearl and wire, and the tailpiece is one piece cast bronze. The bridge is Brazillian rosewood. Comes with a period case..........NOT FOR SALE

1950s Ermelinda Silvestri Bowlback Mandolin
(Serial No. none) This is an Italian bowlback mandolin built by Ermelinda Silvestri from the Catania area of Sicily in Italy. I am guessing on the date. It has a spruce top, flamed maple back and sides, a V shaped neck, an ebony fretboard covered with pearl and abalone,a wonderful carved head for the peghead, and pearl and abalone everywhere. The double banded top inlay is a typical Sicilan feature as is the ornate butterfly scratchplate. The mandolin is completely playable...........NOT FOR SALE

MARTIN ACOUSTIC GUITARS  1935 Martin 0-17T Tenor Guitar
(Serial No. 60218) The early 30s were something of a magical time for the instruments being constructed in Nazareth. It seems that Martin and Co. had really hit their stride in building steel-string guitars; and to many, the instruments built in the early 30s represent the apex in all things acoustic guitar. This is a delightful 30s tenor guitar. All hardware and finish is original. The tenor guitar was initially developed in the mid to late 1920s. Tenor guitars enabled players of the four-string tenor banjo to double on guitar without having to learn the six string guitar. The tenor guitar can be considered to be a transition instrument between Dixieland banjo and the six string swing guitar, particularly as it started to outpace the tenor banjo in popularity towards the end of the 1920s. The usual tenor tuning is CGDA, but I tune tenor guitars to octave mandolin tuning (GDAE), which brings out more of the warmth, low end, and overtones the instrument has to offer. This guitar has a clean fundamental, excellent upper mid-range presence, and a beautiful sustain. It has a throaty mid-range when hit hard, and pretties up under a lighter attack. The guitar is in excellent minus condition showing some minor playing wear. These small body all mahogany Martins are great for blues, with that warm sound only a mahogany top will give. Has the scalloped bracing and the larger neck of the 1930s guitars with a 23 inch scale, bar frets, and a 1 1/8 inch nut. There is one minor back crack on the lower bout that was repaired and a ding on the top near the sound hole but thats about it. It does have the usual nicks and dings of a guitar used to play music for decades. Neck has the typically slightly beefier profile that is the hallmark of the best 30s 14-fret Martins. Has the original ebony nut and the original clip point tuners. Plays great with a nice low action and has a huge sound all out of proportion to the small size. This guitar has a full and deep dry voice with enough of a push in the midrange to keep any ragtime picker happy, but plenty of warmth and openness across the strings to satisfy a melodic single note picker. It offers that thunderous response in the bass-end, and a sweet and well-rounded treble. Comes in the original soft case!........USD $2550

 2019 Martin OM28 Modern Deluxe Guitar
(Serial No. 2266179) Near mint condition. This is a modern interpretation of a classic Martin build. Martin still very much knows how to build a powerful OM, and here is a great example. These Modern Deluxe models are great - the same sound as the 1930s guitars, but with a few updated cosmetic and functional touches. Dreadnaught scale length at 25.4 inches, the body is 000 size with Indian rosewood back and sides, Sitka spruce top with scalloped advanced X bracing, a composite carbon fiber bridge plate that boosts volume, herringbone top trim and backstrip, fully bound with flame maple binding, maple heel cap and endstrip, 1 3/4 inch nut with a V profile neck, ebony fretboard with abalone slotted diamond inlays, ebony bridge with 2 1/4 inch bridge pin spacing fitted with Martin Liquidmetal® red dot bridge pins, bone nut and saddle, rosewood peghead faceplate with an abalone script Martin logo, hide glue construction, and gold plated Waverly open back tuners with butterbean buttons. Very lightweight guitar with a beautiful open clear sound. It has an extremely complex tone with lots of volume, clear trebles, and a strong focused bass. For a video clip of this guitar as played by Nathan Beaumont of the Remedy Tree Band, Brandon FLCLICK HERE. It has a quick and delicate sound that responds equally well to fingerstyle or a flatpick. Comes with the original hardshell case........USD $3950 USD

 1968 Martin 00028 Guitar
(Serial Number 236095) Excellent plus condition example of Martin's most popular small body flat top guitar model. Straight grain Brazilian rosewood back and sides, Sitka spruce top, ebony fretboard with slotted diamond inlays and a bone 1 11/16 nut, and an ebony bridge with the pocket saddle. Has an unusual rosewood bridge plate that is small, like the maple plates. Great sounding guitar with a nice low action. Original finish and hardware, no cracks or major repairs. Shows some minor touch up on the top center seam that you can only see from certain angles, but it was not a crack and is not cleated. No repairs noted. Completely solid and a great playing and sounding guitar. Here is a video clip of this guitar as played by Nathan Beaumont. Comes with the original hardshell case.........USD $11,000

 1965 Martin D21 Guitar
(Serial No. 201106) Excellent structual condition showing some playing wear. The D21 can be thought of as a rosewood D18. It has a solid Brazilian rosewood back and sides and a solid Sitka spruce top. Tuners have been changed from Klusons to patent applied for Grover Rotomatics. Neck is straight, frets are good, neck looks like it has been reset as the action is low and comfortable. Has some finish checking on the top and back and and the usual playing wear of a guitar used to make music for 60 years. Has the tortoise binding and pickguard, Brazilian rosewood fretboard and bridge, 1 11/16 bone nut, the through saddle, and the small maple bridge plate. This guitar is a vetern of the campfire wars - there is significant pickwear on the top, right below the pickguard. This guitar has that solid Martin "boom" you need in a good bluegrass guitar. Plays very easy with a nice low action. This is an well played, excellent sounding D21. Why play the same guitar everyone else plays? Comes with a very nice newer hardshell case.........USD $11,650

  1993 Martin D41 Guitar
Near mint condition - looks almost unplayed. Straight grained Indian rosewood back and sides with master grade Sitka spruce top. It features abalone top and soundhole trim, abalone vertical C.F. Martin peghead inlay, forward-shifted scalloped bracing, traditional Martin Style 45 hexagon fingerboard inlays, elegant grained ivoroid bindings on the top, ebony fretboard and bridge, tortoise pickguard, and gold tuning gears with butterbean knobs. Martin uses their best woods on their 40 series guitars and it shows. The sound is powerful, with a clear trebles, strong midranges and the signature Martin boom in the bass. Plays very easily with a nice low action. Here is a short video clip of this instrument played by Nathan Beaumont. Comes with the original black molded Martin hardshell case and some of original paperwork...........USD $4500

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
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GIBSON ACOUSTIC GUITARS

 1962 Gibson Country Western Guitar
(Serial No. 82643) 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 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 (like the Hummingbird) and the wider 1 11/16 inch nut. The Kluson tuners are original. The frets are in good shape. Here is a video clip of this guitar as played by Nathan Beaumont. Very clean guitar showing minimal playing and handling wear. Plays great with a nice low action as the guitar was set up by luthier Bob Peterson. The center top seam has been repaired but you cannot tell from the top - you have to look inside to see the cleats. Has a nice big open woody sound with strong volume and good midrange - exactly what you are looking for in a 1960s Gibson dread. Comes with a newer hardshell case......USD $6750

 1965 Epiphone Frontier Guitar
(Serial No. 300466) Very good condition with some repairs. Built by Gibson in the Kalamazoo plant. This is a players guitar that also has a cool image for stage use. I wanted one of these for years. I finally found one on an auction site. It needed a couple of hairline top cracks glued up and some of the body binding was missing, so I had the cracks glued up and the binding replaced. Back and sides are figured maple and the top is Sitka spruce. This was the next to the top model for the Epiphone dreadnaught line. The rope and cactus pickguard was only used for two years, 1964 and 1965. The sound is powerful, with a clear trebles, strong midranges and good bass response. It plays very easily with a nice low action. Comes with what I think is the original hardshell case in good condition and some of the original paperwork...$4950

 1974 Gibson J50 Deluxe Guitar
(Serial No. A248027) Very good condition. This is one of the rarest guitars on the page - a mid 1970's Gibson deadnaught that sounds great! Most of these are complete dogs with no sound. This has has excellent tone and volume. Gibson made thousands of guitars during their "Dark Age" in the mid 1970s - it stands to reason that at least some of them were good guitars. Its not a prewar AJ but it will do the job. Note that the usually crumbling tortoise binding has been replaced, both top and back, with Gibson style white binding. This is a lot of expensive work - few luthiers will take on this job. Fitted with an undersaddle pickup, soundhole controls and an endpin jack. Someone loved this guitar, took care of it, and made it their own. Mahogany back and sides, Sitka spruce top, 1 11/16 nut, original Kluson tuners, one piece neck, and a sunburst top finish. Plays great with a nice easy low action. Its not just a "good guitar for a 70s Gibson" - its a good guitar, period. Comes with the original hardshell case...........USD $2250

MOSSMAN ACOUSTIC GUITARS

Mossman guitars are considered to be some of the better handcrafted instruments from the 70s and 80s. In direct competition with other high-end brands, Stuart Mossman's guitars could be rightfully compared to Michael Gurian who was also building around the same time period. In fact, it is our opinion that Gurians are to fingerpicking what Mossmans are to flatpicking. Mossman combined high-quality workmanship with great attention to detail to create some of the finest guitars of his era and helped to pioneer the small factory guitar.

 2000 Mossman Blackland Custom Vintage Guitar
(Serial No. 0018018) Excellent condition. Built in Texas, this guitar upholds the reputation of the Kansas built guitars. Top wood was reclaimed from the old pecan trees that were harvested from the grounds in front of the State Capitol building in Austin, Texas. It has flamed Santos mahogany sides, and a three piece back of Santos mahogany and black walnut. Nut is 1 11/16 inch. Neck is straight and in set, frets are fine. The action is low and comfortable, with room to lower the saddle if desired. Fretboard and bridge are rosewood. Click here for a video clip of this guitar as played by Nathan Beaumont of Brandon, FL. This is an outstanding hand built US made bluegrass guitar with lots of volume and tone....USD $3250

COLLINGS, TAYLOR, GUILD, AND OTHER FINE ACOUSTIC FLATTOP GUITARS

 2006 Collings OM1A Varnish Guitar
(Serial Number: 12070) Excellent plus condition. The Ochestra Model (OM) is one of the most versatile guitars out there. It excells as fingerstyle steel string guitar, but it flatpicks pretty well too! The compact shape makes the Collings OM equally easy to handle onstage or when sitting on the couch, and the relatively shallow body – barely over 4 inches deep – results in a balanced tone and immediate response. This guitar features a mahogany back and sides with a Adirondack red spruce top and a varnish finish. This guitar features a Honduran mahogany back and sides with tortoise body binding and ebony butt wedge, Adirondack red spruce top with scalloped braces, and a varnish finish. The fretboard and bridge are ebony. Scale is 25.5 inches with a 1.75 inch bone nut. The ebony belly bridge has 2 3/16 inch string spacing at the bridge. Fitted with nickle Waverly tuners with butterbean metal buttons. I think the varnish finish sounds warmer and "looser" or more "relaxed" than nitro lacquer. I prefer the sound (and also the warm glow) of varnish, but note that the finish is softer and will tend to dent rather then scratch. This guitar sounds amazing. CLICK HERE for a video clip of this guitar as played by Nathan Beaumont of Brandon, FL. When you take excellent starting materials and a world class builder, the end result is a superior instrument. Comes with the original hardshell case.....USD $6250

 Gitane Cigano GJ-15 Grande Bouche Guitar
(Serial No. 11010155) Excellent condition - looks unplayed. Very clean guitar. I've alway been facimated by gypsy jazz guitars, so I bought one. This is called a Grand Bouche as it has the large soundhole, which gives that deep Gypsy sound. CLICK HERE for a video clip of this guitar as played by Nathan Beaumont of the Remedy Tree Band, Brandon FL. From the Saga website: From the complicated playing techniques, to the limited availability of truly affordable instruments necessary to capture that proper Gypsy tone, the obstacles to learning how to play Gypsy Jazz music can easily discourage the seasoned guitarist, let alone a beginner. To make it even easier to begin this exciting musical journey, Saga Musical Instruments and Gitane guitars introduce the new GJ-15 Cigano Student Gypsy Jazz guitar! Its short-scale, D-hole design gives it that characteristic deep bass response and incredible volume making it the perfect rhythm instrument. Value, tone, playability and workmanship will meet or exceed any players expectations. The guitar has solid ribbon mahogany back and sides, with a solid Sitka spruce top with traditional large D-shaped soundhole. Neck is a slim profile. Rosewood fretboard and bridge. The traditional brass tailpiece and rosewood compensated mustache bridge is perfect for the Django Reinhardt enthusiast. Good neck set, neck is straight, frets are fine. Comes with a really nice foam hard case...USD $550

 1970s Gurian JM Guitar
(Serial No. C3546) Excellent condition showing some typical playing wear. Here is one of American luthier Michael Gurian's JM (Jumbo Mahogany) models made in the early 1970's in Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Although he called it a jumbo, it is not as large as a Gibson J-200 but is instead more akin to a jumbo OM with the top being 15.5 inches across the lower bout. Gurian got his start building classical guitars and even though this is a steel-string guitar, it has a lot of classical elements such as the slightly rounder, less squared-off body, a plain fretboard and wooden binding. Has a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The binding is maple and a fine rope-pattern purfling borders the top. The rosette features a herringbone center and wooden outer rings. Scale length measures in a 25.6", nut width is 1-11/16", and the neck has a comfortably asymmetrical rounded profile. Gurian guitars sound really good and they play very nicely. This example was obviously well loved and played - there is a spot of playing wear right where your arm comes over the top - and it would be perfect instrument for someone looking for a robust but well-mannered fingerpicking guitar. The guitar is clean throughout and in excellent structural and cosmetic condition with a fast playing neck typical of Gurians. It is fitted with an undersaddle pickup and an endpin jack. The tone of the guitar is deep, warm and mature revealing the clarity of each note. Gurians are rare high quality acoustics that have been played by pros like Jackson Browne, Paul Simon, Pierre Bensusan and of course many others. As a side benefit, Gurians have the best label ever inside! It reads "Gurian Workshops, Earth, third planet from the Sun". Comes with the original hardshell case.....USD $2950

 1970s Gurian JM Guitar
(Serial No. C3546) Excellent condition showing some typical playing wear. Here is one of American luthier Michael Gurian's JM (Jumbo Mahogany) models made in the early 1970's in Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Although he called it a jumbo, it is not as large as a Gibson J-200 but is instead more akin to a jumbo OM with the top being 15.5 inches across the lower bout. Gurian got his start building classical guitars and even though this is a steel-string guitar, it has a lot of classical elements such as the slightly rounder, less squared-off body, a plain fretboard and wooden binding. Has a Sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The binding is maple and a fine rope-pattern purfling borders the top. The rosette features a herringbone center and wooden outer rings. Scale length measures in a 25.6", nut width is 1-11/16", and the neck has a comfortably asymmetrical rounded profile. Gurian guitars sound really good and they play very nicely. This example was obviously well loved and played - there is a spot of playing wear right where your arm comes over the top - and it would be perfect instrument for someone looking for a robust but well-mannered fingerpicking guitar. The guitar is clean throughout and in excellent structural and cosmetic condition with a fast playing neck typical of Gurians. It is fitted with an undersaddle pickup and an endpin jack. The tone of the guitar is deep, warm and mature revealing the clarity of each note. Gurians are rare high quality acoustics that have been played by pros like Jackson Browne, Paul Simon, Pierre Bensusan and of course many others. As a side benefit, Gurians have the best label ever inside! It reads "Gurian Workshops, Earth, third planet from the Sun". Comes with the original hardshell case.....USD $2950

 2008 Merrill C18 Guitar
(Serial No. C000225) If you are looking for high quality dreadnaught guitar, built by a master luthier, using only the best materials, you have found it. Virginia luthier Jim Merrill has spent his life chasing the tone and quality of vintage Martin guitars. He specializes in the highest quality, hand-made, vintage replica guitars. If you want the sound of a pre-war Martin without paying the high price, Merrill is the guitar for you. They deliver remarkable tone and volume. Jim crafts only about 20 acoustics in a year. His construction shows inspiration from the classic Martin dreadnaughts of the mid-1930s, often called the Golden Age of Martin. Both the braces and the top are select AAA grade Adirondack (red) spruce. The braces are hand scalloped to 1930s specifications, with a high X-brace. The top has both herringbone and ivoroid top trim. The bridge plate is made from 100 year old maple. The back and sides are Honduran mahogany. Jim uses traditional build techniques, such as hide glue construction and nitrocellulose lacquer finish. The guitar has a two way adjustable truss rod. Fossil ivory is used for both the nut and the saddle. The bridge and fretboard are ebony. Tuners are Waverly. The nut width is 1.75 inches, scale length is 25.4 inches, and string spacing at the bridge is 2 5/16 inch. The neck was just reset by luthier Jack Dillen so the action is low and comfortable. The guitar is in near mint condition and comes with the original high quality custom hard shell case.......USD $6950

  2006 Petros Applegate FS Guitar
(Serial No.32239) Mint condition. Petros Guitars are built by Bruce Petros and his son Matt in Wisconsin. Bruce has been building since 1972 and he has figured it how to build great guitars. Bruce chose the tulip headstock motif to honor the small Wisconsin town near his shop, called Holland Town by the locals. He builds from the finest tonewoods - this guitar has an Adirondack red spruce top bordered with abalone, an abalone rosette, cocobolo back and sides, ebony fretboard and custom made bridge with a compensated saddle, 1.75 inch nut, 2.25 inch bridge spacing, gold Gotah tuners with custom buttons, and a 14.5 inch lower bout/11 inch upper bout. Petros is known for their exceptionally high quality craftsmanship. The new FS bracing system frees the top to move as never before, evoking better projection and improved volume. The sound is warm, full bodied, and complex, with beautiful harmonics, clear trebles, a solid bass, with all notes even up and down the fretboard. Click here for a video clip of this guitar as played by Nathan Beaumont of Brandon, FL. The neck and fretboard are equally confortable for finger style, flatpicking or strumming. The guitar is set up perfectly. Comes with a Calton case. New, these guitars start at $12,000. You can buy this guitar that cannot be told from new for....USD $6850

 2000 Roy Noble Cocobolo Custom Guitar
(Serial No. 338) Near mint/excellent plus condition, looks nearly unplayed. Roy Noble was a noted west coast builder. The legendary guitarist Clarence White is best remembered for his Martin guitar with the large soundhole, but Clarence was known to record with only Roy Noble guitars. The cocobolo peghead overlay features a diagonal ivoroid strip through the center, and ivoroid binding on the top edge. There is truss rod access before the bone nut. Nut is 1 3/4 inch, the mahogany neck profile is a shallow D profile. The ebony fretboard features a 1 3/4 inch bone nut, slotted diamond pearl inlays, and black side dot position markers on the bass side of the ivoroid fingerboard binding. Tuners are Waverlys. The rosewood bridge has a bone saddle and original unslotted bone bridge pins with black dots. The red spruce top has a herringbone soundhole rosette, a tortoise pickguard, and herringbone purfling inside the flamed faple binding on the top edge. This was an experimental guitar for Noble. Cocobolo is a dark sounding tonewood, and maple has a better treble response. The sides are made up of a thin strip of cocobolo and a thin strip of maple laminated together, and the cocobolo back has a large center wedge of maple. Both of these were done to to balance out the cocobolo tonally. The back edge is bound in ivoroid. Strap button added at the heel. The guitar has been set up by my local luthier and it plays like butter and sounds amazing. Here is a link to a video of this guitar and here is another video link by Nathan Beaumont. Frets are fine, neck set is good. Comes with the original hard shell case.....USD $5950

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
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ELECTRIC AND ACOUSTIC ARCHTOP AND SEMI-HOLLOW GUITARS

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TENOR GUITARS  1935 Martin 0-17T Tenor Guitar
(Serial No. 60218) The early 30s were something of a magical time for the instruments being constructed in Nazareth. It seems that Martin and Co. had really hit their stride in building steel-string guitars; and to many, the instruments built in the early 30s represent the apex in all things acoustic guitar. This is a delightful 30s tenor guitar. All hardware and finish is original. The tenor guitar was initially developed in the mid to late 1920s. Tenor guitars enabled players of the four-string tenor banjo to double on guitar without having to learn the six string guitar. The tenor guitar can be considered to be a transition instrument between Dixieland banjo and the six string swing guitar, particularly as it started to outpace the tenor banjo in popularity towards the end of the 1920s. The usual tenor tuning is CGDA, but I tune tenor guitars to octave mandolin tuning (GDAE), which brings out more of the warmth, low end, and overtones the instrument has to offer. This guitar has a clean fundamental, excellent upper mid-range presence, and a beautiful sustain. It has a throaty mid-range when hit hard, and pretties up under a lighter attack. The guitar is in excellent minus condition showing some minor playing wear. These small body all mahogany Martins are great for blues, with that warm sound only a mahogany top will give. Has the scalloped bracing and the larger neck of the 1930s guitars with a 23 inch scale, bar frets, and a 1 1/8 inch nut. There is one minor back crack on the lower bout that was repaired and a ding on the top near the sound hole but thats about it. It does have the usual nicks and dings of a guitar used to play music for decades. Neck has the typically slightly beefier profile that is the hallmark of the best 30s 14-fret Martins. Has the original ebony nut and the original clip point tuners. Plays great with a nice low action and has a huge sound all out of proportion to the small size. This guitar has a full and deep dry voice with enough of a push in the midrange to keep any ragtime picker happy, but plenty of warmth and openness across the strings to satisfy a melodic single note picker. It offers that thunderous response in the bass-end, and a sweet and well-rounded treble. Comes in the original soft case!........USD $2550 USD




UKULELES, BANJOS, TIPLES, AND OTHER ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS
 2013 Martin 3K Soprano Ukulele
(Serial No. 1702424) Mint condition, stamped Custom Shop on the neck block along with the serial number. This uke shows no playing wear. The top, back and sides are highly flamed Hawaiian Koa wood, and the neck is mahogany. The fretboard is ebony, with split diamond position markers and a strip of binding down the center of the fretboard. Also has the small ornament at the base of the top, and is stamped Martin on the back of the peghead. These are details found on the original 1920s 3K ukes. Fitted with Grover tuners with black buttons. Multi-ply binding on the top, back and soundhole rosette. Excellent volume and tone. CLICK HERE for a video clip of this guitar as played by Nathan Beaumont of the Remedy Tree Band, Brandon FL. Comes with the original Martin Geib style hardshell case, also mint......USD $2750

STEELS AND RESONATOR INSTRUMENTS For a good article on Weissenborn, Kona and similar Hawaiian slide guitars CLICK HERE!

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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!

ELECTRIC GUITARS, BASSES, AND AMPS

None at this time

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!

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CASES
 1939 Geib Aeroplane "Racing Stripe" Case This is one of the finest, most beautiful, and well-built guitar cases ever made, a 1939 (estimated) Geib "Aeroplane" or "Racing Stripe" tweed case. These are famous among collectors and players for their craftsmanship and style. This is a 17 inch lower bout case, suitable for a Gibson L-5, L-7, and ES-300 guitars. It is also an excellent fit for Gibson J-200 models and other 17 inch guitars. The condition of this case is excellent considering its age. All latches, hinges, and the metal feet are original hardware. The handle is a replacment. The interior has the original pink lining. The only significant wear to the lining is on the underside of the lid, where some of the pile is worn from the pickguard offgassing. The exterior tweed is in excellent shape, with very light scuffing and a few very small tears....USD $2500

TUNERS AND BUTTONS

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ACCESSORIES

 Taylor Guitar Strap
Genuine Taylor Guitar strap. Black sueded leather with the embroidered Taylor logo in silver. The strap appears unused....USD $50

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!

To send me email click:  1939d18@gmail.com To return to the Mandolin World Headquarters Home Page  CLICK HERE