• Mandolins
  • Banjos
  • Steels , Slides & Ukes
  • Mandolas
  • Flat Top Guitars
  • Solid Body Electrics
  • Mandocellos
  • Arch Top Guitars
  • The Museum
  • Tenor Guitars
  • Resonator Instruments
  • Back To Main Page
  • Mandolas      


    H4 - 0003 1920 Gibson H-4 Mandola       EXC -   This is a fine example of Gibsons finest mandola up until the introduction of the H-5. And many folks prefer the sound of these round hole H-4 models. This one with serial #61471 dates to 1920 and the original tuning pegs with their beautiful marbelized buttons also conform to that period as do the tailpiece and bridge. But the original finish is lacquer which Gibson didn't start using until 1925. So this instrument was probably assembled and the stain applied in 1920 and then finished and sold in 1925 or 26. At any rate the sunburst spruce top is gorgeous even without its pickguard and the sunburst maple back and sides are likewise. The entire instrument is crack free with only very minor dings here and there and an almost invisible headstock scroll repair. Beautiful double flower pot on the headstock and the original hard shell case is in pretty nice shape too.
    Price:   $8250.00    ON HOLD

    Mandocellos      

    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




    To contact Players Vintage Instruments, e-mail us at info@vintageinstruments.com
    Or telephone:  415-669-1107   West Coast Time
    Or write to: Box 445, Inverness, Ca. 94937
    Lowell Levinger - Proprietor


  • Mandolins
  • Banjos
  • Steels , Slides & Ukes
  • Mandolas
  • Flat Top Guitars
  • Solid Body Electrics
  • Mandocellos
  • Arch Top Guitars
  • The Museum
  • Tenor Guitars
  • Resonator Instruments
  • Back To Main Page

  • All images and text on this web site are :
    Copyright 1997-2008 by Players Vintage Instruments.