Vintage and Preowned Guitars & Mandolins for Sale

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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OTHER MANDOLINS AND RELATED

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

ELECTRIC MANDOLINS

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

None at this time

MARTIN ACOUSTIC GUITARS 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 ealy 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 3/4 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 thats 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 $3250
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
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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Click here to return to the home page for Mandolin World Headquarters...and Guitars!

GIBSON ACOUSTIC GUITARS
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

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 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.

1976 Mossman Great Plains Guitar
(Serial No. 76-3795) My first "real" guitar was a Mossman. I still think they are outstanding guitars. Excellent condition with straight grain three piece Indian rosewood back and sides, solid spruce top, ebony fingerboard with pearl dots, nickel hardware and an ebony bridge. Built pre-fire in the Winfield, KS shop and signed on the label by all the craftsmen that worked on it. Finish and hardware is all original. Shows the typical finish checking for Mossmans of this era. Mossman was a direct competitor to Martin and Gibson in the 70's and built very high quality guitars. Good action and playability. There is a very well repaired peghead crack, hence the nice price. This is an excellent vintage hand built US made bluegrass guitar with lots of volume and tone. Here is a video clip of this guitar as played by Ed Wright of Brandon, FL. Why play the same thing everyone else has? Comes with a nice hardshell case....USD $2900

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

COLLINGS, TAYLOR, GUILD, AND OTHER FINE ACOUSTIC FLATTOP GUITARS
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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ELECTRIC AND ACOUSTIC ARCHTOP AND SEMI-HOLLOW GUITARS 1970 Gretsch 6122 Chet Atkins Country Gentlemen Guitar
(Serial No. none) Excellent playing and structural condition, showing a lot of playing wear. If you are looking for a collector guitar this is not it. It you are looking for a decently priced Gretsch that plays well, is all original, but has some cosmetic issues, read on. The back of the peghead was refinished so the serial number is gone. However, the guitar specs check out to it being a 1970. It is a hollowbody, 17 inches wide, simulated F holes, double cut, with a single mute, Tuneamatic bridge, two Filtertron pickups with the plates between the poles, gold plated hardware, Bigsby tailpiece, and a snap on back pad (which is in great shape). Both pick ups work, the various knobs and switches all work, and the frets are in good shape. Downside is this guitar has the typical binding deterioration. Please check out the pictures. Comes with the original silver/grey Gretsch hardshell case, in excellent condition. The VG Price Guide lists these in excellent condition for $3500 to 4500. This one is about half of that...USD $ 1850

TENOR GUITARS 1935 Martin 0-17T Tenor Guitar
(Serial No. 460218) 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 ealy 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 3/4 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 thats 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 $ 3250

UKULELES, BANJOS, TIPLES, AND OTHER ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS
1950s Harmony Baritone Ukulele
(Serial Number: None) Excellent condition. Made in Chicage, IL. Harmony only made one model of baritone uke. It is all solid mahogany, with a Brazilian rosewood fretboard and bridge. The decal dates it to between 1955 and 1964. Finished in clear nitro lacquer. Scale length is 19.25 inches, nut is 1.25 inches. Neck is straight, neck is in set correctly and there are no neck joint issues. The neck is nice and straight. Pearl position marker dots. The bridge is also tight to the top with no lifting. Top bound only with tortoise celluloid binding. The tuners all work well. All parts appear original, finish is original, and no repairs are noted. Action is nice and comfortable. Shows a few nicks and dings from making music for decades, but overall its a very solid instrument. Comes with a newer soft case....USD $275
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

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
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ELECTRIC GUITARS, BASSES, AND AMPS

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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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TUNERS AND BUTTONS
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ACCESSORIES Vintage 1960s Plant Leaf Design Guitar Strap
Original 1960s Ace style guitar strap as used by Hendrix, Page, and every other band during that time. Nice clean strap, fairly stiff, showing little use. Black leather backing with yellow and red background with a plant leaf design. Hint - what plant was popular in the 1960s? Black colored metal buckle and rivets on the ends. Black leather ends. Good condition, a good looking and functional strap...USD $125

MANDOLIN WORLD HEADQUARTERS, INC.

MANDOLINS, GUITARS, AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS
FOR SALE OR TRADE

IN TRANSIT OR IN THE SHOP:
No further details are available on these. I do not price instruments until they are ready for sale. Please keep watching the page for the listing!

GIBSON F HOLE MANDOLINS:
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OTHER BLUEGRASS MANDOLINS:
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GIBSON OVAL SOUND HOLE MANDOLINS:
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MANDOLAS, OCTAVE MANDOLINS, MANDOCELLOS AND BOUZOUKIS:
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OTHER MANDOLINS:
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MARTIN ACOUSTIC GUITARS:
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GIBSON ACOUSTIC GUITARS:
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MOSSMAN ACOUSTIC GUITARS:
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OTHER FINE ACOUSTIC GUITARS:
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TENOR GUITARS:
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ELECTRIC SOLIDBODY GUITARS:
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ARCHTOP AND SEMI-HOLLOW GUITARS, ELECTRIC AND ACOUSTIC:
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UKULELES, BANJOS, TIPLES, AND OTHER ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS:
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STEELS, DOBROS, NATIONALS, AND RESONATOR INSTRUMENTS:
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CASES, PARTS, AND MISCELLANEOUS:
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LUTHIER SPECIALS AND FIXER-UPPERS:
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MANDOLIN WORLD HEADQUARTERS, INC.

MANDOLINS, GUITARS, AND OTHER INSTRUMENTSFOR SALE OR TRADE

IN TRANSIT OR IN THE SHOP:No further details are available on these. I do not price instruments until they are ready for sale. Please keep watching the page for the listing!

GIBSON F HOLE MANDOLINS: (Click on the underlined name for price and details- most instruments have video clips as well)

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

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

MANDOLAS, OCTAVE MANDOLINS, MANDOCELLOS AND BOUZOUKIS: (Click on the underlined name for price and details)

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

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

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

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

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

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

ELECTRIC SOLIDBODY GUITARS: (Click on the underlined name for price and details)

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

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

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

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

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