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The following is the current "for sale or trade" list. Click on the instrument name to see pictures of the instrument. Click directly on any picture to load a very large image. 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 below are available for sale unless marked "on hold" in the description. Click here for a description of our "on hold" policy.
There are more in the shop, this is a partial list......
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World Headquarters...and Guitars!
1920 Gibson A3 Mandolin
1914 Gibson A4 Mandolin
1914 Gibson A4 Mandolin
1916 Gibson A4 Mandolin
1917 Gibson A4 Mandolin
1917 Gibson A4 Mandolin
1918 Gibson A4 Mandolin
1920 Gibson A4 Mandolin
1920 Gibson A4 Mandolin
1936 Kalamazoo KM21 Mandolin
1937 Gibson A50 Mandolin
1939 Gibson A1 Mandolin
1940 Gibson A50 Mandolin
1947 Gibson A50 Mandolin
1917 Gibson F2 Mandolin
1923 Gibson F2 Mandolin
1917 Gibson F4 Mandolin
1919 Gibson F4 Mandolin
1920 Gibson F4 Mandolin
1965 Gibson F12 Mandolin
1988 Gibson F5L Mandolin
1974 Gibson A12 Mandolin
1979 Gibson F12 Mandolin
2003 Gibson F5FB Flame Burst Mandolin
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.
(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 Beaumont click 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 $2950
(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 $3150
(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 $3150
(Serial No. 28715 FON 2959) Excellent condition. The A4 was the top of the line A style mandolin for Gibson in 1916. 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. 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 $2950
(Serial No. 32557 FON 3269) Excellent condition. The A-4 was the top of the line A style mandolin for Gibson in 1917. 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. The hardware and finish are original, but it is 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. 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. Here is a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont. Excellent for Celtic or old-time music. Original hardshell case included. ....USD $2950
(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 inlad 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
(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. 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 $2950
(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, 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. 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 $2950
(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. Excellent for Celtic or old-time music. Just set up by my local luthier Marty Beeson. Clean original hardshell case included.........USD $2950
(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 $1350
(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
(Serial No. EG-4397) Very clean mandolin bought from the family of the original owner. Original sunburst finish and hardware, Adirondack
spruce top with F holes, dark stained nicely figured maple back, sides and neck, white script silkscreened "Gibson" peghead logo, clamshell tailpiece cover. Ebony bridge and tailpiece. It does not have a back brace, so according to book it is an A1. These were used a lot in bluegrass as not everyone could afford a F5.
Nice playing and sounding instrument with no issues. Just set up by my luthier. Frets are fine, neck is straight. Good strong bluegrass sound with a woody chop. For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan Beaumont click here. Very loud mandolin - excellent volume. Comes with a nice clean original soft case.....USD $2150
(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. 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
(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
(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. 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. For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan Beaumont click here. 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
(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 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 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. 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. For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan Beaumont click here. 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
(Serial No.32878 FON 3244) Excellent condition. Original hardware and true red sunburst finish. Has a flamed birch 2 piece back and Adirondack red spruce top. This is a very good sounding F4 with that wonderful woody round hole Gibson tone, and it plays beautifully. No repairs or refinish evident. It does show a little playing wear as seen in the pictures, but that is because it sounds so good, pickers played it! For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan Beaumont click here. This was not a case queen. Excellent for Celtic, jazz, classical, or old-time music. Comes with the original Gibson hard shell case.......USD $6250
(Serial Number: 50008 FON 11903) Excellent minus condition. The F4 was 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, and the elabortae double flowerpot peghead inlay. The bridge has been upgraded to a modern adjustable Loar replica. The action is good and the sound is excellent. BIG tone and volume! Nice woody sound from this mandolin with good bass. 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, but it is missing the pickguard. Its been setup by my luthier and is ready to play. Here is a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont. 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 hardshell case......USD $6250
(Serial No. 62127 FON 11366) Excellent condition. True red sunburst finish. This mandolin was loved - the first owner sent it back to Gibson around 1922 to have a truss rod installed. Gibson also fitted the new 2 piece bridge and provided a new green lined hard shell case. Back then, when your instrument needed work, you sent it back to the factory. The local luthier as we know them today did not exist except possibly in the big cities. Gibson installed the truss rod right through the existing peghead inlay. This was common practice at Gibson for refits. The hardware and finish are original as seen by the Waverly tuners and the clamp mounted pickguard. The nice thing is you get the best of both - the slightly wider neck of the non-truss rodded instrument, but with all of the Loar era improvments. When I bought it, the rear seam behind the tailpiece was starting to open up. Master luthier Gail Hester perfectly reglued the seam and set up the mandolin. You cannot tell the work was done. The nice woods compliment the sound. This is a exceptionally good sounding F4 with that wonderful woody round hole Gibson tone, and it plays beautifully. For a short video clip of this mandolin played by Nathan Beaumont click here. Excellent for Celtic, jazz, classical, or old-time music. As mentioned earlier, it comes with an original early 20s Gibson green lined hard shell case.....USD $7250
(Serial No. 326223) Excellent condition, cherry sunburst finish. 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, flamed maple back and sides, solid spruce top, bound rosewood fingerboard, gold hardware, and the pearl Gibson logo. Frets are fine, neck is straight and the neck set is good. 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 neck is mahogany instead of maple. 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. Click here for a video clip and click again here for a second video clip of this mandolin. Comes with the original Gibson rectangular case......USD $3950
(Serial No. 8119058) If you are looking for beautiful condition new 1988 Gibson F5L it is unlikely you will find one cleaner. You might find a mark or two, as the mandolin has been used in a bluegrass band, but there are no cracks, breaks or bad dings. The worst is some wear to the gold plating on the tailpice cover. Excellent plus condition, "ice tea" Cremona brown sunburst finish. This is the classic Gibson scroll mandolin - long neck, f-holes, elevated fingerboard, beautifully quilted maple 2 piece back 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. 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 July 18, 1988. The mandolin has just been set up by my luthier Marty Beeson. 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 of the band Remedy Tree. Comes in the original hardshell case......USD $7200
(Serial No. 962933) Excellent condition. Original hardware and finish. This cool and unique A12 features the famous lump scroll that makes this mandolin an odd cross between an F and A model. All solid woods. This mandolin has an arched maple back and mahogany sides, a spruce top, and a rosewood fretboard and bridge. Has a 1 1/8 inch nut with a flat fretboard with the treble extension. Frets are fine, neck set is good and the neck is straight. Body is top bound only with multi-ply white binding. No issues and no repairs. Here is a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont. Comes with a hardshell case.....USD $1500
(Serial No. 72779038) Excellent plus condition, sunburst finish. Here's something you don't see often - a late 1970s Gibson mandolin that sounds great! Occasionally a really good instrument was made - this is one of those. The F5s of this period were very flashy, with cherry sunburst finsih, big block fingerboard inlays, and gold hardware. This mandolin has a more traditional (and I think more attractive)appearance. The F12 was intended to be the plainer version of the F5, and this one has all the good stuff of the F5 without the bling - long neck, f-holes, elevated fingerboard, slightly flamed maple back and sides, solid spruce top, bound ebony fingerboard with no treble extension as built, gold hardware, and the pearl Gibson logo. 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 40 years. This mandolin has opened up nicely, with a great chop and bark. Original black rectangular hardshell case with the gold Gibson logo and gold interior......USD $3950
(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 that was custom built for a shop called Making Music up in Washington state. They had about 40 of these built. The mandolin appears very similar to the F5L. However, in addition to the F5L 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. Its set up perfectly. Comes with the original hardshell case.......USD $9950
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1908 Gibson H1 Mandola
(Serial No. 9262 FON 1040) Excellent plus/near mint condition. Very clean instrument with the original end opening case. Mandolas are cool - they are tuned CGDA, a fifth down from a mandolin, and they have this huge resonate voice. They are excellent for giving a little bit different voice to your music by adding the deep tenor counterpoint. Excellent instrument that plays easy and has a deep woody tone. Has the slightly longer scale than a mandolin at 16 inches and the nut is 1 5/16. The H1 has a bound top and fingerboard and "The Gibson" as the pearl logo inlaid in the peghead. Neck is straight, frets are good, no top sinkage. All original finish and hardware. Tuners are correct. Just set up by my luthier Marty Beeson. The instrument has a big deep woody sound and is easy to play. It needs nothing but your fingers on the strings! Comes with the original end opening canvas case.......USD $2650
1910 Gibson H1 Mandola
(Serial No. 9789) Excellent condition showing typical minor playing wear. Mandolas are cool - they are tuned CGDA, a fifth down from a mandolin, and they have this huge resonate voice. They are excellent for giving a little bit different voice to your music by adding the deep tenor counterpoint. Excellent instrument that plays easy and has a deep woody tone. Has the slightly longer scale than a mandolin at 16 inches and the nut is 1 5/16. The H1 has a bound top and fingerboard and "The Gibson" as the pearl logo inlaid in the peghead. Neck is straight, frets are good, no top sinkage. All original finish and hardware except missing the pickguard. Tuners are correct. Just set up by my luthier Marty Beeson. The instrument has a big deep woody sound and is easy to play. It needs nothing but your fingers on the strings! Comes with the original hard shell case........USD $2350
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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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. |
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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. |
NEW Ratliff R5 Mandolin
(Serial No. 1265) New with lifetime warranty to the original owner, 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 Country Boy model R5 from Audey. The Country Boy is built the same as the top of the line R5 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 F5 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 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. Even though its a new mandolin, it has that woody bluegrass bark and the excellent volume and tone that is typical of these mandolins. Here is a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont of Brandon, FL. Comes with a new shaped hardshell case. USD $3750 is list....SOLD
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2000s Tim Davis F5 Mandolin
(Serial No. none) Excellent condition with only a couple of tiny nicks keeping it from new. I bought this one from the original owner. Tim Davis is best known as a custom banjo builder, but his shop did build a few mandolins about the time the "O Brother" movie came out in 2000. All solid woods. This has an Adirondack red spruce top, nicely flamed maple back and sides, mahogany neck, and an ebony fretboard and bridge. Nut is 1 1/8 inch on a flat fretboard with traditional frets. Fitted with Stew Mac Golden Age vintage repro tuners. Action is easy, frets are fine, neck set is good. Good sounding mandolin with a good chop, deep woofy bass and clear trebles. Click here for a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont of the Remedy Tree Band in Brandon FL. Comes with the original hardshell case, also very clean.......USD $3450
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. Click here for a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont. Comes with the original soft case....USD $1050
1932 Martin Style C Mandolin
(Serial No. D-15376) Excellent condition with minor playing wear. Martin made 5 grades of flatback mandolins, from A to E. The Style A and Style B mandolins are easily found, but the higher grades are more difficult to locate, with Style C being the middle grade. Its a early Style C with the colored wood marquetry top binding, Adirondack spruce top with beautifully grained Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a bound ebony fingerboard with slotted diamond inlays, and an abalone pearl soundhole rosette. Good neck and frets, plays nice with a low action but still has plenty of volume. No cracks or repairs. Great for old-time, Celtic, or jazz. Nice tortoiseshell pickguard. All original finish and hardware, with inset tuners and no tuner bushings as made. Martin stamp and serial number on the back strip inside the mandolin. Interesting that this body was originally planned to be a Style D, but was finished out as a Style C. Original tuners and engraved tailpiece cover. Click here for a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont of the Remedy Tree Band, Brandon FL. Comes with a older but probably not original hardshell case.....USD $2450
2000 Bob Shue F5 Mandolin
(Serial No. 3) Excellent condition. Bob Shue was a well regarded luthier in North Carolina, known best for his mandolins. You still see a lot of Shue mandolins at jams in North Carolina. This one was bought from the original owner, who bought it directly from Bob. This one was built with all the good stuff - light sunburst finish, flamed maple back and sides, red spruce top, maple neck, ebony fretboard and bridge, and pearl logo and peghead inlay. It is fully bound top, back, fretboard and peghead. No pickguard as made. The fretboard has been scooped to eliminate pick click. It is fitted with nickle Schaller tuners with pearl button and an engraved tailpiece cover. Shows very minor playing wear. Very good sounding mandolin with good response all across the strings and up and down the neck. Just set up by my local luthier so the mandolin plays like silk and has an excellent bluegrass chop. Click here for a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont of Brandon FL. Comes with a nice hard shell case....USD $3250
2001 Smith Creek Mandolin
(Serial No.040) Excellent condition. I recently bought this mandolin, along with the Gibson listed here as well, from a well known professional NC mandolin picker who is buying a Loar. This was one of his go-to stage mandolins. Outstanding voice with very strong volume and tone. Has a deep woofy bass, strong midrange, and glassy high trebles. Beautiful tone and sustain, a singing voice, lots of mid range power and bark. Excellent recording instrument, just quality tone. Classic F5 scroll mandolin with an Adirondack red spruce top, flamed maple sides and one-piece back, Rubner RMp tuners, engraved James tailiece, 1930s style small dark sunburst on the top and the back, just a really great looking, playing, and sounding mandolin. Good bluegrass chop when needed. Its set up perfectly. Comes with a nice hardshell case.....USD $7250
1940-50s Kay Strad-O-Lin Mandolin
(No serial number) Good entry level vintage instrument. I think this is 1940s wartime production (or just before wartime) based on the logo and the type of tuners, and no bushings. Structually fine with a maple back and spruce top. Has the original see through plastic pickguard and tailpiece cover. The reset of the hardware and finish also look original. Frets are good and the mandolin has just been set up so it plays nicely. Has a modern case..... ....USD $550
2007 Tom Ellis F5 Deluxe Mandolin
(Serial No. 118) Near mint condition, looks almost unplayed. Tom Ellis is considered one of the top mandolin luthiers building today. Outstanding mandolin with a powerful smooth midrange, deep woody chop and clear ringing trebles. Gloss varnish finish with a dark sunburst finish top, back and sides. The top is Adirondack red spruce with traditional tone bar bracing and the sides and one piece back are figured sugar maple. The bridge and radiused fretboard are ebony. Note that the fretboard is scooped and deliberately shortened to eliminate pick click. Pearl logo and peghead inlay. Fitted with gold Waverly tuners, an engraved gold one piece James tailpiece, and both a factory ebony pickguard and ebony arm rest. No repairs or other issues noted. Click here for a video clip of this mandolin, and another video clip, both played by Nathan Beaumont of Brandon FL. Just set up by my luthier so it plays low and easy. Comes with a nice hardshell case...... ....USD $14500
1950s Silvertone Mandolin
(Serial No. none) Excellent condition. Good sounding vintage USA made entry level mandolin for not a lot of money. This would be an excellent instrument to learn to play mandolin. Silvertone was the brand name for instruments sold by Sears and Roebuck. Sears however was not the builder; the builder was Kay in Chicago. Other than the peghead shape, this mandolin is identical to the mid 1950s Kay mandolins. The neck is straight, neck angle is good and the frets are in great shape. The original tuners were shot so I replaced them with a set from the 1960s with an identical footprint. The frets were dressed and the mandolin was set up by local luthier whiz Marty Beeson, so plays very easy. Shows a little minor playing wear and the the usual nicks and dings of a well loved instrument used to make music, not just living in the case. No case but I'll try to find a gig bag....... ....USD $SOLD
2011 Weber Gallatin F5 Mandolin
(Serial #3155004) Very good condition. Gloss solid brown finish, solid spruce top, unbound body with flamed maple back and sides, factory shortened ebony fretboard to eliminate pick click, pearl logo and slotted diamond inlays, Weber one piece tailpiece. This is a F5 style mandolin that's great for bluegrass, or if you just want a good mandolin to have around to pick. Its a clean mandolin showing almost no picking wear. There is some finish flaking on the top edge of the peghead, but it canot be seen fron the front. Good chop and a deep woofy woody tone, just set up so it plays nice and easy. Bruce Weber built a lot of Gibsons and Flatirons there in Montana. He opened his own shop and was turning out high quality instruments. Here is a link to a video of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont.This instrument is ready to go. It needs nothing but your fingers on the strings! Comes with a hardshell case...... ....USD $2750
2014 Weber Gallatin F5 Mandolin
(Serial No. 14479703) Excellent plus/near mint condition. Made in Bend OR, this is Weber's entry level F style mandolin. The term is misleading; the Gallatin is built to the same high quality and performance level as the higher grade Webers, just without most of the bling. This mandolin will give you that good bluegrass sound. Has a overall dark gloss lacquer finish, a solid carved red spruce top which gives it the cut and chop, traditional tone bar bracing, flamed maple back, sides and deep V profile neck, nickle Grover tuners with pearl buttons, Weber one piece cast tailpiece, pearl "The Weber" logo, and an ebony Weber Traditional bridge. The fret board is radiused with 1 1/8 inch nut, diamond position markers, jumbo frets, and no treble extension which helps to eliminates pick click. Its a loud mandolin with good chop and a very warm woody tone. Its well played in; there is a place on the back of the neck where the finish was played off down to the wood. Other than that, its a very clean mandolin - anything that looks like a blemish is probably a reflection. The previous owner took very good care of his instrument. Here is a link to a video of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont. This instrument is ready to go. It needs nothing but your fingers on the strings! Comes with the original shaped grey Weber hardshell case including some case candy....... ....USD $2750
2013 Weber Bitterroot Mandolin
(Serial No. 13447006) Named for the Bitterroot River in Montana. Excellent condition showing some pick wear on the top. This mandolin will give you that good bluegrass sound. Rich medium brown lacquer satin finish. Unlike the earlier Bitterroot series, this mandolin has heavily flamed maple back sides and neck. I think maple is by far the superior tonewood for mandolins. Many of the early Bitterroots were made with mahogany back and sides, which to my ears just doesn't cut it for sound. It also has a solid carved spruce top which gives it a warm cut and chop, beautiful one piece back, traditional tone bar bracing, top bound only, rounded V profile neck, nickle Schaller tuners with pearl buttons, Weber one piece cast tailpiece, pearl peghead inlay and Weber logo, and an ebony Weber Traditional bridge. Has a unbound radiused fretboard with 1 1/8 inch nut, pearl diamond fretboard position markers, jumbo frets, and no treble extension which eliminates pick click. Its a loud mandolin with good chop and a very warm woody tone. This instrument has just been set up by my luthier and is ready to go. Click here for a video clip of this mandolin as played by Nathan Beaumont of Brandon, FL. It needs nothing but your fingers on the strings! Comes with the original grey Weber hardshell case........ ....USD $3350
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1970 Martin 016NY Guitar
(Serial No. 268112) The Martin 016NY is as close as the 1960s Martin company got to making a 1920s guitar. The folk boom of the late 50s made the old style 12 fret Martins fashionable among discerning traditional players, and several so-called New York models were officially added to the line from 1962-1965. These were named to honor both the Martin company's original roots in that city and the strength and influence of the contemporary Greenwich Village folk scene. The blank fingerboard, satin lacquer finish, smaller rectangular bridge, and lack of a pickguard certainly gives it a more vintage vibe, but rest assured these models were intended for steel strings and work well with light gauge bronze. That doesn't mean this one wouldn't sound good with silk & steel strings, however, which would make for even easier string action, and it's very easy with the light gauge steel strings that are on it now. Original tuners, nut, bridge (reglued) and bridge pins and the satin finish is all original. 1 7/8 inch nut, bar frets, top bound only with black/white 5 ply binding, mahogany back and sides with a Sitka spruce top. Has the desirable small maple bridge plate. one minor repair on the bass side, but no cracks. Cosmetically, there are several nicks /dings and some finish checking, common to vintage instruments. It does show some playing wear, with some fretboard divots in the positions near the nut and some pick wear at the edge of the soundhole. Excellent neck set. Nice low action well suited to fingerstyle playing. Here is a short video clip of this instrument played by Nathan Beaumont. It has a bigger sound than is typical of a 0-16, with a lot more bass response. Comes with a newer nice hardshell case that fits well....USD $2950
2012 Martin D-18GE Golden Era Custom Shop Guitar
(Serial No 1598424) Excellent condition with only a couple of tiny nicks keeping it from new. I bought this one from the original owner. Great sounding guitar built to be a faithful copy of the 1934 D18. This has a solid Adirondack red spruce top and scalloped 5/16" Golden Era bracing forward shifted closer to the soundhole. The combination of the two allows more vibration in the top giving more volume. The back and sides are sinker mahogany, which gives it great punch and clarity, assisting the powerful mids and highs. Has mahogany blocks with a dovetail neck joint. Has a 1 3/4" fossil ivory nut on the 30s style V-shaped neck with nickle Wavery tuners with butterbean knobs. Saddle is fossil ivory as well. Action is easy, frets are fine, neck set is good. Here is a short video clip of this instrument played by Nathan Beaumont. Huge Martin sound in this one, perfect for flatpicking. The Martin Custom Shop build sheet is at the end of the images. Comes with the original hardshell case, also very clean.....USD $3950
1976 Martin D35 Guitar
(Serial No. 377938) Excellent condition. This is the classic Martin dreadnaught - solid three piece nicely figured Indian rosewood back and sides and a solid Sitka spruce top. The original black pickguard was doing the taco thing and curling up and off the guitar, so I replaced it with a modern Martin tortoise guard. If you don't like it, I can have pickguard replaced with a black guard. Ebony bridge and fretboard, bone nut and saddle. Standard 1 11/16 inch nut. Nice fancier binding on the body and the fretboard is bound as well. Has the slightly chunky neck profile of the 60s and 70s Martins. Neck is straight, frets are good. The action is nice and low. Bridge is untouched and the saddle is nice and tall. Rosewood bridgeplate. Original Grover Rotomatic tuners. No cracks or repairs noted. Strap button was added at the heel. Has that solid Martin "boom" you need in a good bluegrass guitar. Here is a link to a video of this guitar as played by Nathan Beaumont. This is a excellent sounding nicely aged D-35. Comes with the original blue molded Martin hardshell case......USD $3150
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1935 Recording King Carson J Robison Guitar
(No serial number) Built by Gibson, this guitar was issued to capitalize on the fame of Robison, who was the first Singing Cowboy. Its was an inexpensive guitar that was affordable during the Depression. It is in excellent condition with a couple of repairs. The body is identical to a Kalamazoo KG11, also built by Gibson. The body shape is often refered to as a squatty dreadnought shape. It is thinner, shorter and narrower than a dreadnought. Normal short scale length (24.75 inches), 1-3/4 inch nut width and wide 2-3/8″ inch string spacing at the bridge. Neck profile is a full V. Straight rectangular Gibson bridge. Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Original tuners are black button 3-on-a-plate. Based on the Gruhn book, this guitar was only built from fall 1939 until fall 1940. Excellent condition. Scale length is 24.75 inches, nut is 1.75 inches on the chunky neck, Brazilian rosewood fretboard and small straight bridge, sunburst top, mahogany back and sides with a Adirondack spruce top, top binding only, and original firestripe pickguard. The body is slightly shorter than the Gibson L00. This is a remarkably original guitar. Original ladder bracing gives that authentic thumpy Delta blues and old time sound. The action is very low and playable. The sound is much better than you expect from ladder braces. Solid sound with good projection, good balance and full sounding bass notes. This is an excellent guitar for ragtime or fingerstyle blues. Two top cracks from the edges of the bridge on each side have been glued and cleated and should present no future issue. Click here for a video clip of this guitar as played by Nathan Beaumont of the Remedy Tree Band in Brandon FL. Comes with a newer soft case......USD $2850
1954 Gibson J45 Guitar
(Serial No. x8416_33) Excellent structural condition showing some typical playing wear. I love early J45s. This is one of those guitars you just want to play for hours once you pick it up. Nice well played and open sounding guitar with the only repairs being maybe a short back crack repair. Plays nice and easy - its as comfortable as an old pair of jeans. The sound just rolls out of this guitar. It is loud, very responsive and open sounding. It really nails the slope shoulder Gibson midrangy dreadnaught sound. Sunburst finish, spruce top, mahogany back and sides, 1 11-16 inch nut, Brazilian rosewood fretboard with dot inlays and original Brazilian bridge with fixed saddle. I suspect the back of the neck might have been refinished some time ago as its real clean, but the color is correct. The original Kluson tuners with new buttons work well. The frets are in excellent shape, the neck was reset by luthier Jack Dillen, and the neck is straight. It plays like butter. Click here for a video clip of this guitar as played by Nathan Beaumont of the Remedy Tree Band in Brandon FL. Shows some pick wear and nicks and dings as would be expected with a well loved guitar. Comes with a period (possibly original) hardshell case......USD $7900
1964 Gibson B-45-12N Guitar
(Serial No. 160469) Get your inner Gordon Lightfoot going! The guitar made famous by Gordon, the same year and model as his original 12 string. You would be very hard pressed to find a better one available, anywhere. The guitar has been taken care of, and plays wonderfully. Straight neck, low action. A few scratches here and there, but the finish is still lustrous and has a marvelous patina. Original Klusons work well. This is, of course, not Gordon Lightfoots personal guitar. This one is the same year but a natural top instead of sunburst. It features a 14 fret body shape with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, a mahogany neck, a rosewood fretboard and bridge, original Kluson tuners, a bone nut, and multi-ply binding. The neck is straight, the neck set is good, nice low action, and the frets show just the slightest wear. This instrument is ready to go. Click here for a video clip of this guitar as played by Nathan Beaumont of the Remedy Tree Band in Brandon FL. It needs nothing but your fingers on the strings. Comes with the original hardshell case........USD $2650
1985 Gibson J30 Guitar
(Serial No. 81775534) Near mint condition. If you are looking for a "like new" 39 year old guitar you have found it. This guitar does not show any playing wear at all. This is the first year for this model guitar, so it differs a bit from their book specs. This guitar has a Sitka top with a sunburst lacquer finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, rosewood bridge and fretboard with a 1 11/16 inch nut and 24 3/4 inch scale, dot fretboard inlay, nickle Kluson tuners with metal buttons, and a decal logo. This was intended by Gibson to be a Hummingbird without all the bling. It is also fitted with an undersaddle pickup and an endpin jack. No playing wear, repairs or refinish noted. Comes with the original hardshell case, also very clean........USD $2250
1991 Gibson L1 Guitar
(Serial No. 93241005) This is the guitar Gibson should have built back in the 1930s. Here is your chance to obtain a modern version of a Gibson L-1 guitar (the guitar model Robert Johnson played), built by Gibsons top luthier. Mint condition. I bought this guitar at auction and I think it must have been owned by a collector who bought it new and put it under the bed in 1991. There is simply NO wear - its a 23 year old new guitar, hand-built by Ren Ferguson, one of Gibsons better known builders. Ren signed the label. All hardware and finish is original. Outstanding sunburst top finish, X-braced Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, 1 11-16 inch nut, Brazilian rosewood fretboard with dot inlays and original Brazilian bridge with fixed saddle. The frets are in excellent shape, and the neck is straight. Its been set up so it plays easy and smooth, with a nice low action. It would be perfect for a fingerstyle blues player. Click here for a video clip of this guitar as played by Nathan Beaumont of the Remedy Tree Band in Brandon FL. Comes with the original brown hard shell case with the pink blanket, also mint........USD $3350
2006 Gibson Custom Shop J200 Western Classic Guitar
(Serial No. 1656017) Mint condition with a beauful sunburst lacquer finish, The J200 has been called the "King of Guitars" and rightly so. The Western Classic J200 was built in the Gibson Custom Shop, so it was built with the best woods Gibson had in stock. Like the original J200s in 1937, this guitar has a rosewood back and sides. It has a AAAA grade Sitka top, a maple neck, ebony fretboard and a classic rosewood mustache bridge. Plays perfectly with the big sound these are known for. Here is a video clip of this guitar played by Rod Highsmith of Peace Guitars, and another video clip of this guitar played by Eric Reinertsen of Eric's Guitar Shop. Comes with the original Gibson hard shell case, also very clean........USD $6250
2010 Gibson Advanced Jumbo Guitar
(Serial No. 102760011) Excellent/near mint condition. I think the Advanced Jumbo is the best modern flat top guitar made by Gibson. I've played a lot of them, and they all seem to have a good sound. This one fits that description. Its a 14 fret slope shoulder dreadnaught, 16 inches wide, sunburst finish on a Sitka spruce top, dark natural finish on Indian rosewood back and sides, rosewood bridge, bound rosewood fretboard with chevron inlays, 1 3/4 inch nut, 25 1/2 inch scale, rosewood headstock overlay features chevron and logo inlays, and Grover vintage style open gear tuners. Fitted with a L.R. Baggs (I think) under saddle pickup and endpin jack. Big sound and good bass, even though it looks pretty much unplayed. Very clean guitar - anything that looks like an imperfection is probably a reflection. Comes with the original Gibson hard shell case......USD $2450
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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 active around the time 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. |
1977 Mossman Flint Hills Guitar
(Serial No. 77-4950) 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. Here is a video clip of this guitar as played by Ed Wright of Brandon, FL. The action is perfect.This is an excellent vintage hand built US made bluegrass guitar with lots of volume and tone. Comes with a hardshell case........USD $2950
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 $2750
2008 Collings SJ Guitar
(Serial No. 15540) Mint nearly unplayed condition. I cannot find a single indication that this guitar was played, except for the installation of a strap button. This is the Collings version of the body size commonly called a small jumbo. Beautiful flamed European maple back and sides, Adirondack spruce top, and an ebony bridge and fretboard. The 16 inch lower bout is just slightly wider than a dreadnought, and the sides are almost as deep. The tight curve at the waist creates a very different sound chamber. I have found that SJs, especially in maple, usually have a stronger midrange response when compared to a dreadnought. Many maple guitars sound trebly or brittle to me, but this one has a full, rich sound with good bass. I love Gibson J-200s, but they are just too big for me to play comfortably unless I am standing. I like to pick sitting down most of the time. This SJ gives the tone and volume of a big maple jumbo but it is much more comfortable to play. Collings guitars are known to sound good right out of the box, and this one fits right in. Excellent volume, with clear trebles, a strong midrange, and deep bass. Action is nice and low. Has a 1 3/4 inch bone nut. Neck is straight, frets are perfect, neck set is good. Absolutely no issues of any kind. Click here for a video clip of this guitar as played by Nathan Beaumont of Brandon FL. Comes with the original Geib style Collings hardshell case. List price (MSRP) is $7400. You can get this guitar that cannot be told from new for....USD $5200
2023 Gallagher SG50 Guitar
(Serial No. 4018) Mint condition, made in the heart of bluegrass country in Wartrace, TN. Looks nearly unplayed. Gallaghers are made in very limited numbers so you have to seach them out. Its uncommon to find a used one. Pickers that play a Gallagher have owned the other makes and models and have chosen a Gallagher for the sound. This slope shouldered body is a new model for Gallagher. Once again, Gallagher has built an outstanding blue ribbon flatpicking guitar - the same make as the one that was played by Doc Watson. It has all solid woods with a Adirondack spruce top, sinker mahogany back and sides, an ebony fingerboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, grained ivoriod binding, pearl logo, and nickel hardware. Sinker mahogany is a special tone wood - it offers that strong fundamental mahogany sound, but with more overtones than a mahogany set that has not sat in the bottom of a riverbed for a few hundred years. The large soundhole (similar to the guitar used by Tony Rice) provides for a strong flating picking sound. Nut width is 1-3/4 inch. The sound is simply amazing - very loud with excellent tone. Here is a short video clip of this instrument played by Herb Manila of the band Herb and Hanson, and here is a short video clip of this guitar played by Nathan Beaumont. Action is low with plenty of saddle left. Comes with the original hardshell case....USD $3500
1991 Goodall Koa Standard Guitar
(Serial No. KS 435) Excellent condition with a little pickwear on the top. Jean Goodall indicated that this guitar was a custom order and was built by James himself. It has beautifully figured flamed Koa back and sides, a Sitka top with a abalone soundhole rosette, ebony fretboard and bridge with pearl diamond inlays, a Koa peghead face with the logo in pearl, gold Gotah tuners, and the body binding is Acacia wood. Nut is 1.75 inch and the scale is 25.5 inches. James Goodall has taken the iconic shape and elevated it tonally to more rarified air with the Standard model. It's curves look familiar, but the voice is just as well suited to fingerstyle as flatpicking -- I love the bass response of this guitar, and the balance is superb all the way up the neck and across the strings. The sound is bold and moves free. It's warm, yet focused and bright. The neck fits my hand like a glove. There's something about the feel of this guitar that is just so pleasantly round.It show a little pickwear on the top right under the clear pickguard, but thats about it. The guitar is fitted with a K&K internal pickup and endpin jack. Its a pretty clean, good sounding, and nice playing guitar. Click here for a video clip of this guitar as played by Nathan Beaumont of the Remedy Tree Band, Brandon FL. Comes with a nice hardshell case. Its a pretty clean, good sounding, and nice playing guitar. Comes with a nice hardshell case....USD $6200
1966 Guild Bluegrass F47 Guitar
(Serial No. AK168) Excellent condition. Heres one you do not see everyday, just out of a private collection. This is a 16 inch dreadnaught guitar with a narrow waist, solid mahogany back and sides, solid Sitka spruce top, and a rosewood fretboard with large pearl blocks. The bridge is rosewood as well. The peghead sports both the pearl Guild logo and the Chesterfield inlay used on their higher end guitars. Nut is 1 11/16 inch and scale is 25 1/2 inch. This is a very nice sounding and playing guitar with strong tone and an easy action. It also has the coolest tuners (Kolb Masterclass) I have seen on a guitar, and these are original. Click here for a video clip of this guitar as played by Ed Wright of Brandon FL. Comes with a well-fitting (original?) hard shell case.....USD $3800
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
1995 Taylor 610 Guitar
(Serial No. 951213109) Extremely clean guitar. This guitar has the familiar dreadnaught size body, very highly flamed maple back and sides, a mahogany neck, a solid Sitka spruce top, an ebony fretboard with pearl inlays, and an ebony bridge. Very good sounding guitar all the way up and down the fretboard. Most maple guitars sound brittle to me. This guitar has a very smooth, clean sound. Its very responsive so it is excellent for either singer/songwriters, flatpickers, or fingerstyle players. Here is a link to a video of this guitar. If you need to plug in, it is fitted with an undersaddle Baggs pickup/endpin jack setup that works well. Its an active pickup system with a battery. Very powerful dreadnaught that will work well for bluegrass, but will play other music equally well. Yes, this guitar is actually used, but there are no repairs or issues of any kind. Good neck set, neck is straight, frets are fine, and I'll put in a new battery. Comes with the original brown Taylor hard case......USD $1950
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1934 Martin T-17 Tiple
(Serial #56985) Think of a tiple as an ukelele with 10 steel strings and is tuned A-D-F#-B. The first and fourth strings are double, like a mandolin, while the second and third are triple with the center string tuned an octave below the outer strings in each group. The firsts are tuned in unison. In this standard tuning you can play harmonies to everybody elses guitar and make a major contribution to the ensemble. If you have never heard swing jazz on a tiple you are missing a treat! Natural lacquer finish, all mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, original ebony nut. It has the Martin decal on the peghead as well as stamped inside. 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 nut is 1 1/2 inches. Has the typical nicks and dings of a well played instrument with some finish checking. No repairs noted. Neck is straight, frets are fine. Plays well with a nice low action as it was just set up by luthier Marty Beeson. Has the cool jangly sound you are looking for. Comes with a recent hard shell tenor uke case that fits well.....USD $1750
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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!
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.
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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!