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  • Mandolas      

    JHHM- 001 ca. 2002 John Parlier "JJ Hes" Mandola     EXC ++   This mandola was custom ordered by the previous owner from luthier John Parlier of Maryland to be built as a mandola, but in the 'mandolinetto' style of the late 1800's; similar to the Howe Orme instruments. And a mighty fine job of it he did indeed. The herring bone trimmed top is fine straight grained cedar and the back and sides are beautiful flamed mahogany. The heel is done in the classic (and lovely) European style. The headstock sports a flamed ebony veneer with an engraved pearl diamond inlaid into it. The ebony fingerboard is inlaid with diamond snowflakes and the bridge is also ebony. The Allen tailpiece is engraved with the former owners first name. The label is in perfect shape. The Schaller tuning pegs are in fine working order. The custom case also built by the luthier (out of boards from an old barn) once closed on the mandola leaving a small dent in the side but is it hard to see because of the grain of the wood. Scale Length = 16"   Mahogany Neck with adjustable truss rod   Nut Width = 1 1/4"   Lower Bout = 9 1/2"   It's 2 3/4" deep. Rich full sound and nice low easy action all the way up the neck and a great looking axe.
    Price:   $1250.00

    Mandocellos      





    MC - 00016 1935 Kalamazoo Mandocello     EXC   This is a remarkable example of a rare instrument and it is a fine player as well. Crack free spruce top and mahogany back and sides also crack free. Nicely contoured slight V shape neck with rosewood fingerboard and good original frets and it has just been reset and frets done and the setup is superb. It plays easily and has a strong smooth sound, not tubby like so many round hole mandocellos but more like the 'real deal' K-5. Kalamazoo script on the headstock and completely original from the tuning pegs to the end pin including the tailpiece, adjustable bridge, and firestripe pickguard. There is FON # 351A stamped inside the back. No case but we'll pack securely.
    Price: $3850.00

    MC - 00015 1916 Gibson K-1 Mandocello     EXC   The finish was complete toast on this baby and it needed a new bridge and complete setup but it has all now been professionally done and it looks fantastic and plays really nicely. Classic pumpkin yellow top with birch back and sides. No cracks anywhere. It's missing its endpin and tailpiece cover but the tailpiece itself is original and it has a new adjustable bridge. There was once a pickup where there now is a little chunk missing from the pickguard. Original tuning pegs and "The Gibson" on the headstock. The label is in good shape with serial number #27644.   And it has its original hard shell case which is in pretty good shape and real hard to find.
    Price:   $3950.00

    MC - 00014 1938 Epiphone De Luxe Mandocello Conversion     VG   Now here is a unique piece. A standard 1938 Epiphone De Luxe "Masterbilt" guitar serial # 12690 that has been converted to a way cool mandocello. Nut width is 1 1/2 inches and very comfortable. Bridge is adjusted all the way down but the action is fine and the thing is great fun to play. Scale length is 25 5/8 inches and it's got the big 17 1/4" lower bout for the big sound. Solid spruce sunburst top with the classy bound f- holes and "honest play wear" especially where the pickguard once resided but no cracks. Looks like it probably had a pickup glued on to it for awhile below the end of the pearl cloud inlayed fingerboard. Nice flamey maple sunburst back and five piece laminated flame maple neck the heel of which has been painted black after a repair which has left a tell tale line running through the screw hole left from a previous strap button. And there's the plugged 1/4" jack hole in the usual location on the lower side. Gorgeous inlaid asymetrical peghead and new 4 in a line gold tuning pegs. The conversion retained the original Frequensator tailpiece and uses ingenious little holders which make it relatively easy to re-string. And it still resides in its original Lifton (Built like a Fortress) pink plush lined hard shell case with the classic embossed "E" on the inner side of the lid. I suppose it's possible that there might have been a special order or two in 1938 for Epiphone De Luxe mandocellos but I sure haven't seen one. So I think this is the only game in town folks.
    Price:   $3250.00    ON HOLD

    To contact Players Vintage Instruments, e-mail us at info@vintageinstruments.com
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    Or write to: Box 445, Inverness, Ca. 94937
    Lowell Levinger - Proprietor


  • Mandolins
  • Banjos
  • Steels , Slides & Ukes
  • Mandolas
  • Flat Top Guitars
  • Solid Body Electrics
  • Mandocellos
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  • The Museum
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