TG - 000127 ca. 1935 Kalamazoo KG-14 (L-00) Tenor Guitar     EXC +   This is a beautiful piece. Built on a Gibson L-00 X - Braced body with a 23" scale length tenor neck. Sunburst spruce top and mahogany back and sides. All original finish and completely crack free. Recent expert setup with new nut and saddle and fingerboard plane and new frets so it plays beautifully. Original Grover two tab tuning pegs and the Kalamazoo script on the headstock. Original bridge and firestripe pickguard. The neckblock is stamped with FON #172 - 33. Gig Bag.
Price: Consigned at -   $1495.00

TG - 000126 1938 Gibson L-7 T Archtop Tenor Guitar     EXC -   Here is a rarity. The only one I've seen with the "picture frame" inlays in the fingerboard and the lovely fleur de lys inlay on the headstock. The tight straight grained sunburst spruce top is crack free and in the picture you can see that little smudge inside the tailpiece arms which may be removeable. And there is some pickwear on the treble side of the fingerboard extension. Maple back and sides are also crack free but there is a slight shrinkage of the back to the side about 4 inches to the treble side of the end pin. It is solid and barely noticeable. Original tuning pegs work fine. The label bears Serial Number 95426. Original "alligator" hard shell case is worn but cool.
Price - Consigned at:   $4500.00

DM - 00011 1999 Duff F-5 Mandolin     EXC -   An exceptionally fine sounding mandolin that has some play wear but is crack free and generally in excellent condition. Classic sunburst spruce top and flame maple back and sides. Engraved tuning pegs and flowerpot inlay on the headstock. Engraved "Duff" tailpiece and adjustable bridge. The little pick wear around the scroll is indicative of the gentle play wear this mandolin has developed over more than a decade of use. But it is 'played in' and has a great easy setup and the sound is strong and classic for bluegrass or anything else. Hard shell case.
Price:   $6995.00

GM - 00141 1925 Gibson F-2 Mandolin     EXC -   Serial number 82669 which is a little hard to read on the label dates this to just after Mr. Loar had parted company with the Gibson folks to soar on to the greater heights of ViviTone. Unusual super slanted Gibson pearl logo on the headstock and truss rodded neck with 1 3/32" nut width. There is the common headstock scroll repair well done and not very noticeable. There is also one tiny surface crack at the bottom of the back also not very noticeable. The lacquer on the back has a lot of checking which is typical of many Gibson finishes of this era. The beautiful sunburst top is crack free with original pickguard, tailpiece and adjustable bridge. It also has it's original hard shell case is fair condition. This mandolin is set up beautifully, plays easily and sounds exceptionally good.
Price:   $4950.00

TG - 000125 ca. 1927 Weissenborn Tenor Guitar     EXC   A beautiful example of the classic little Weissenborn tenor guitar. Lower Bout Width = 12"   Scale Length = 23"   Nut Width = 1 5/32"   Crack free koa wood top and back and sides. All original from the Waverly pancake tuning pegs to the Knutsen inspired bridge to the classy end strip on the bottom. The peghead has a small repaired surface crack on the upper treble lobe that does not go through and can only be seen from the back. The Weissenborn stamp is clearly visible inside. Big sound from a little guitar that's easy to travel with. Great setup. Chipboard case.
Price:   $1795.00

TG - 000124 1937 ca. KayKraft Venetian Style B Tenor Guitar     EXC   You see a fair number of these in the Style A with the mahogany back and sides but these Style B models are more rare. This one has a stunning "Argentine Grey" style Sunburst on the top as well as on the flame maple back and sides. It is triple bound also on top back and sides. The fingerboard has diamond/snowflake pearl inlays. The headstock has 'state of the art' pearloid veneer with the gold tinted vertical "Kay Kraft" logo. All original from the two tab Grover tuning pegs to the end pin, tailpiece, bridge and elevated pickguard. Lower Bout = 13 1/4"   Nut Width = 1 1/8"   Scale Length = 23 1/4"   The label instructions describe how to work the adjustable neck angle. It really works. This thing is a hoss with plenty of volume and is fun to play as well as being really good looking. Here's a short sound clip:

Newer chipboard case.
Price:   $2295.00

GM - 00144 1925 Gibson A-4 'Snakehead' Mandolin     EXC+   A wonderful specimen of a very early (FON # 8123 and Serial # 81564) 1925 classic Loar period Snakehead with the gorgeous deep red sunburst finish on the spruce top and dark stained maple back and sides. It has a nice slim ( 1 1/8" at the nut) truss rodded mahogany neck. It's completely crack free with no issues or repairs or replacements and it is all original from it's end pin to it's tuning pegs. "Snakehead" headstock with colorful abalone inlaid fleur de lys. It has its nice original hard shell case and its original Virzi Tone Producer #10636 beautifully intact. It has a great setup, plays easily with good height on the original patent stamp dated adjustable bridge. The tone is full and bright and rich and spacious.
Price:   $7650.00

VF - 00012 ca. 1938 Vega Flat Top Guitar     EXC -   Another great sounding late thirties Vega Flat Top in nice original condition. Spruce top is crack free as is the mahogany back. There is one small repaired crack in the upper bout of the bass side. The original finish on the mahogany back and sides has aged with light streaks in it which I've also seen on other old Vega's from this period. Everything appears to be original from the tuning pegs to the end pin with the exception of the one black bridge pin although maybe it's the original one? Vega logo on the headstock and label in fine condition. Lower bout - 13 1/2"     Scale Length = 25"     Nut Width = 1 3/4"     It's had a neck set and plays comfortably and in tune with action at the 12th fret, 6th string of 4/32" and first string of 3/32". Ladder braced. Big sound from this medium size body. Chipboard case.
Price:   $2750.00

TG - 00123 ca. 1937 Gibson L-00 T Tenor Guitar     VG++   This is a beautiful example of this model with the classic tight dark sunburst finish on the top and dark mahogany back and sides. The entire guitar is crack free and completely original with the exception of a replaced and cracked end pin. Truss rodded mahogany neck with 1 3/16" width at the nut and Gibson script on the headstock. The guitar has three issues which the consignor would rather let the next owner deal with thus the bargain price. One of the original tuning pegs (the 3rd 'G' string one) sometimes slips. The action at the 12th fret is 11/64th" and it notes slightly sharp. While the guitar plays fine over most of the neck, it would benefit from a neck set. The original bridge is pulling up slightly and looks like it's been that way for a long time. Probably not a problem but a business card can be slid underneath it so it might be a good idea to have it expertly glued back down. There is a chipboard case with disconnected lid that will protect it in shipping but is of little use. This is a fine original crack free great sounding guitar that will be a real bargain for the player who wants to take care of the issues.
Price:   $1595.00

LF - 00015 2000 David LaPlante D-21 S     Near Mint   LaPlantes re-creation of the 12 fret Martin D-21 is a grand success. Big fat bottom and nice clear high end. Plenty of volume. Scale Length measures 25 7/16" and the fingerboard width at the nut is 1 13/16". This guitar would be mint but for some finish blemishes on the side of the neck both sides of the nut where it hung in one of those 'guitar hangers'. The spruce top is crack free as are the beautifully book matched Brazlian rosewood back and sides. Elegant plain rosewood headstock overlay and fine working original tuning pegs. Completely original from top to bottom with signed label on the end block. Hard shell case.
Price:   $4500.00

VB - 00018 1925 Vega Artist Plectrum Banjo     EXC +   This actually is a conversion and the best I've ever seen. The previous owner thought it had been done by Renee Karnes but had no documentation. Originally a Style M (tenor), a gorgeous plectrum neck with the Artist pattern engraved inlays and beautifully flamed maple has been perfectly fitted to the rim. All the hardware has been gold plated. The original dowl stick has been retained. The headstock inlay is perfect and the gold Planets work great. Lovely inlay on the heel cap. Stunning finish work on the resonator whose figure can be seen on the inside as well. The serial number 65275 is stamped into the inside of the rim as and also on the dowel. Gold clamshell tailpiece and a Wurlitzer label inside the rim. Big sound and great setup. Modern hard shell case.
Price:   $2250.00

AM - 00011 1992 Steven Andersen F-5 Mandolin     Near Mint   Here is a perfect example from a highly respected maker. It really is near mint with just a teeny nick or two. And the sound is just magnificent, rich and clear. Not woofy like some bluegrass mandolins but will certainly cut it for bluegrass and really shine on jazz, swing or anything else. Sunburst spruce top and flame maple back and sides. Completely original from the end pin to the tuning pegs. Wonderful attention to detail everywhere with a beautiful feathery fern-ish headstock inlay. The label is signed and dated by Steven Andersen 7-20-92 and is serial number #149. Original hard shell case.
Price:   $6250.00

MM - 00017 1936 Martin Model 2-30 Mandolin     EXC -   These are lovely instruments and we don't see many of them. This one is a fine example with a beautiful sunburst crack free spruce top and spectacular flame maple back and sides. Original tuning pegs and Martin Decal on the Brazilian rosewood headstock veneer. Diamond / snowflake inlays grace the ebony fingerboard. Original ebony bridge and engraved tailpiece. Pickguard is long gone. Plays easily with a comfortable low action and sounds sweet as can be. Straight neck, good frets. Rare instrument. Newer tweed hard shell case.
Price:   $4500.00

MF - 00080 1937 Martin D-18     EXC Restored   First of all, this thing does have the sound. Really strong, really pre war-like. But .... the consignor bought it 20 or so years ago and discovered later that it had been retopped. Looks maybe like Martin factory work from the fifties. The top is crack free and has a quasi matte finish as do the back and sides ... all crack free. The bridge is no doubt a replacement and the tuning pegs are Waverly relic nickel #4078 replacements. The headstock appears all original and the end pin probably not. There is a patch in the bass side near the bottom. Neck appears original and nut width measures 1 23/32". The action on the bass side is 3/16" and on the treble side 5/32". It plays great. A wonderful bluegrass guitar. Serial # 66490. Many historically interesting stickers on the hard shell case. This guitar was used on the David Grisman / Jerry Garcia CD "Shady Grove".
Price:   $12,500.00

GB - 00041 1925 Gibson TB- Granada Tenor Banjo     EXC-   A fine sounding banjo with a good recent setup and neck set. It has the nice purfling rings on the back of the back of the resonator which has been beautifully refinished and matching purfling on the inside of the rim and on the side of the neck. The grooved tension hoop is gold plated and engraved as is the two piece flange and the many holed tone ring skirt and tailpiece. There is no serial number chalked on the inside of the resonator but the serial number 8060-1 is stamped inside the rim. It has the hearts and flowers inlay pattern on the fingerboard and the "Mastertone" legend on the headstock and beautiful wood inlaid designs on the back of the headstock. The neck is beautiful flame maple. A preious owner removed the ball bearings and springs from under the tone ring and they are in the pocket of the newer 5 string hard shell case.
Price:   $4750.00

AG - 80192 1924 Gibson L-5 signed by Lloyd Loar     EXC Restored   Good deep sounding example that has been re-necked using the original headstock overlay. It has also been completely refinished (except for the peghead) and re-bound with 5 play binding. All highly professional work, perhaps by Gibson. Beautiful sunburst spruce top is crack free save for what looks like a hairline finish crack on the treble side of the fingerboard. The maple back and sides also appear crack free. The tuning pegs, tailpiece and pickguard also appear to be original but the attachment tang of the pickguard bracket looks to be a replacement. It has a Master Model Label with Serial # 80192 and a Signature Label signed by Lloyd Loar March 1, 1924. The case could well be original and sports some old decals and stenciling.
Price:   $24,500.00

NM - 00014 1932 National Style 1 Resonator Mandolin     EXC-   Plain and simple and in really nice condition with a fresh re-fret and setup and new cone and biscuit. It sounds great. Both top and back are nice and clean with no breaks or dents or separations or the like. Plain headstock and 40's period tuning pegs with new buttons. Some soldering has been done on the original tailpiece. It all works just fine. Decent gig bag.
Price:   $1495.00

TG - 00122 ca. 1931 National Triolian Tenor Guitar     EXC-   Great setup on this one and rich strong sound. The original finish is in quite nice shape on the top with its khaki - ish color and its palm-ish designs blasted here and there. The back has the same 'starburst' designs and also quite a few scratches. But there are no cracks, breaks, dents, separations or serious dings anywhere. Really quite nice. It was sent back to National a couple of years ago by the consignor for a neck set and new fretboard and the cone and biscuit are also new. All else from the tailpiece to the tuning pegs to the headstock decal is original. The top of the peghead bears the stamped serial number 113 B. Nice little Martin gig bag.
Price:   $1695.00 Price Reduced: Now $1495.00

GM - 000140 1906 F-3 Artist Model Mandolin     VG++  : This is the best sounding and nicest playing example of one of these old 3 point Artist Models that I've run across. The top is crack free with original finish worn at the sound hole and pickguard(s) there's a cute little added one. The back and sides are mahogany and also crack free. There is a hairline repaired heel crack and the common headstock scroll repair but this one is really expertly done. There is also a virtually invisible repair to the treble side of the neck below the peghead. No headstock crack, just a little chunk replaced where it was all grunged up. Like I said, you can't see it or feel it. The headstock and the area just below it have been refinished. The original engraved Handel tuning pegs have one replaced gear and screw. Original end pin and original compensated bridge and "pineapple" tailpiece. The hard shell case is nice and looks maybe like it was custom ordered or even home made. And it's got the "Orville Label" serial number 4841.
Price:   $5750.00

AG - 00107 ca. 1939 Le Domino "Big Boy" by Regal     VG +   This Big Boy has a 15 1/4" lower bout and a scale length of 25 1/2 " with a nut width of 1 7/8" and it is a great fingerpicking guitar. Sorta like an archtop, sorta like a flat top. The top appears to be solid spruce and the back looks like birch. It is all original from the tuning pegs to the tailpiece, bridge and pickguard. The script on the headstock is in unusually good shape as is the Regal label. There is a bit of wear to the dominos on the fingerboard but the dominoes just above the tailpiece are in pristine condition. Fancy soundhole rosette. It looks like a 2 piece heel construction or a very perfectly horizontal hairline crack repair. Hard to tell. It sounds really good and plays nicely with a comfortable action. Ratty old oversize chipboard case.
Price:   $1750.00

KM - 0002 1989 Everett Kettler Model TF-2     EXC +   This mandolin is a real hoss with tons of volume and plenty of bass and a nice fat high end that develops a bit of reverb to it. Spruce top and flame maple back, sides and neck. Note the small f-holes and unusual carve to the top. Pearl inlaid rosewood peghead overlay as well as rosewood fingerboard, and pickguard. Allen style tailpiece and ebony adjustable bridge. Beautiful heel treatment. Fine workmanship throughout. Everett Kettler of South Woodbury, Vermont is quite a character and is no longer making mandolins. If you go to www.mandolincafe.com and search the forums you will find a few interesting articles about him. He makes furniture, wooden boats, Amish horse carriages, as well as musical instruments. He has signed and dated the label March 6, 1989, serial number 0133. This is an unusual and powerful mandolin. Hard shell case.
Price:   $2850.00

BU - 0004 ca. 1935 John Grey Banjo Uke     EXC   Very nice little banjo uke from the esteemed English maker John Grey. Birds eye maple back and blue striped maple sides.   10 1/4" head and 13 1/4" scale length. Maple rim and mahogany neck and dowel.   Resonator attaches with a single thumb knob. There is a dark grain line that definitely is not a crack in the heel of which we have large pictures. The letters R B E are stamped into the bottom of the heel. Friction tuning pegs with the number 13797 stamped into the back of the peghead. John Grey& Sons, London on the headstock. The piano shaped case is unique.
Price:   $795.00

GB - 00040 1926 Gibson TB-4 Mastertone Banjo     EXC   This is a fine example of a fairly rare model. It has an 18 fret 21" scale length tenor neck. Nut width = 1 1/8 inches. It has a great setup and is easy to play and sounds really good. It has the rare "Gibson" script in a pearl block on the headstock as well as the Mastertone block inlaid into the rosewood fingerboard at the 18th fret. Original Grover tuning pegs and original two piece flange and grooved tension hoop. And the classic 60 hole ball bearing tone ring. Mahogany rim, neck and resonator with a few scratches on its back. The serial number 8169- 22 appears both on the inside of the resonator and the inside of the rim. The label is in nice shape as well. And it has its original hard shell case which is a bit tattered but still functional.
Price:   $3450.00

TG - 00119 1953 Gretsch Synchromatic Cutaway Tenor Guitar     EXC -   This is the only one of these that I have run across and it is a fantastic guitar. Not only beautiful but plays really nicely and has a big warm sound. With the cutaway you've got the access you need to those upper frets on the beautifully inlaid ebony fingerboard. Nicely aged spruce top and maple back and sides. There are signs (a couple of teeny holes and a patch in the pickguard) of a previous pickup installation. No gross jack hole on the side or bottom though, whew. Original tailpiece and classy deco tuning pegs by Grover. And the headstock inlay is classic. The label is in nice shape with serial number 7747. And it has a fine quality modern hard shell case. The whole thing is crack free. A fantastic axe indeed.
Price:   $3750.00

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