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  • Mandolins       


    Latest Arrivals

    JR-0004 1924 Gibson A-Jr.   VG+   Here ya go. The classic snakehead sound in Gibson's classic Loar era economy model. This one has it for sure and it's got no cracks top or back. And it has been refretted and the fretboard slightly radiused by Folkway music. The orginal bridge is in the case pocket and it is currently set up with a Cumberland adjustable bridge. It plays easily and sounds fantastic. Original tailpiece and tuning pegs. Cool original coduroy lined case.
    Price:   $1795.00

    LL-0001 July 9,1923 Gibson F-5 Master Model signed by Lloyd Loar. Excellent condition. One of the best ones. Ask David Grisman, Jake Howard or Martino Coppo what they think of it. Classic elegant sunburst spruce top. Flame maple back. Elegant headstock. Original tuning pegs. Just a few teeny nicks here and there. Original tailpiece. And the labels are in fine shape. The original case has had its ribbon hinges and pocket tab replaced and it snuggles it's baby quite nicely. You can see more picture of the case on my Museum Page. I sent it to Steve Gilchrist shortly after I got it a few decades ago to have a few minor issues taken care of. All further details can be gone over when you come here to check it out.
    Price:   $145,000.00

    NM - 0002 ca.1900 Maurer "New Model" Presentation Mandolin   EXC   This baby is flat out amazing! Gorgeous in every respect and it is easy to play and sounds great with plenty of volume and lots of cut. Intricate Ivory,Abalone and pearl abounds everywhere. beautiful Headstock design with pearl buttons on the tuners. Nice volute and engraving on the back of the peghead . thirty eight rosewood ribs make up the back. Engraving graces the tailpiece. Top and back. There might be a number after the "New Model" on the label but I can't see it. It plays comfortably with a nice low action. The evony strip under the fingerboard binding is a sign that this is a Larson made instrument. Scale Length = 13" and Nut Width = 1 1/8". It is blessed to live in a hard to find good quality vintage hard shell case.
    Price:   $2850.00


    HO - 00012 ca. 1895 Howe Orme Style 3 Mandolin (Mandolinetto)     EXC +++   This is a museum quality condition example of this cylinder top design but it also plays and sounds terrific with fine volume. Classic aged Adirondak spruce top is crack free as are the brazilian rosewood back and sides. Simple rosewood peghead overlay and original tuning pegs that work just fine. The label is in fine shape and the serial number #0976 appears there as well as being stamped into the top of the headstock. Original bridge is fitted perfectly to the 'humped' cylinder top. Original tailpiece with the May 15,1894 Patent stamp. And the hard violin style case is also in fine shape including the perfectly working spring latches.
    Price:   $2995.00 Reduced Price - - Now   $1795.00    SOLD


    Gibson Mandolins

    AC - 0003 1937 Gibson AC Century Mandolin   Excellent and Original.   Factory Order number 1336 C-3 places its manufacture date to 1937. Classic dark sunburst top and sunburst flame maple back. Pearloid peghead overlay with rosewood inset with Pearl script and slotted diamond inlaid into the rosewood inlay. Pearloid truss rod cover. Pearloid fingerboard also with rosewood insets and pearl diamonds inlaid into them. This is a pretty flashy instrument. Original tuning pegs and engraved tailpiece. Chipboard case is likely also original and maybe even the cool old cord strap.
    Price: $4500.00

    GM - 00089 1928 Gibson A Model Blackface     EXC   A little wear on the black top and a bit as well on the birch back and sides which like the rest of the mandolin are crack free. This is a real good player with a good strong sound. Silver stenciled "The Gibson" on the truss rodded headstock and original tuning pegs. Adjustable bridge with 1921 patent stamp and nice engraved tailpiece. Good label with serial # 87208 nice and clear. Good newer shaped tweed hard shell case.
    Price:   $2850.00


    Martin Mandolins

    We are fresh out of Martin Mandolins at this time. Sorry.

    Other Mandolins

    GM - 00106 2007 Corrado Giacomel Octave Mandolin     EXC+   A beauty from Corrado Giacomel of Genoa Italy. Red Sunburst spruce top and flamey maple back and sides, all crack free. Maple neck and ebony fingerboard, pickguard and adjustable bridge. Super comfortable ebony tailpiece. I think if the classic Loar design two point body with a scroll is the American equivalent to the Corvette, then the Giacomel design is equivalent to the Ferrari. He has given an Italian flavor even to the 'flowerpot' on the headstock and certainly to the classic scroll. Gold plated tuning pegs. This mandolin has great power and fantastic tone that has plenty of depth in the low end and develops nice reverberation at the high end. K&K pickup just expertly installed by Alan Perlman. 20" Scale Length     1 5/16" Nut Width.   Gig Bag.
    Price:   $12,000.00

    SM - 00018 ca. 1905 Stahl Style 8 Mandolin       EXC   but for one very hard to see (and even harder to photograph) crack in the bowl back that has been expertly repaired. Email for a large picture that shows it better if interested. It does not affect structural integrity nor playability. The rest of the instrument is splendid with the abalone trimmed top with it's ornate inlaid tortoise shell pickguard and abalone trimmed soundhole. The fingerboard is also trimmed in abalone. Tasteful inlay on the headstock and original tuning pegs with the engraved back plate. Looks like a medalian of some sort was once placed above the back plate, perhaps a dealers emblem. There are some hairline surface cracks on the bottom of the ivory trimmed skirt but that's all they are. Exact replica bridge and original engraved tailpiece. The label is also in fine shape. It plays easily with comfortable action and intonates fine. An exceptional instrument. Unfortunately, no case but we can ship very securely.
    Price:   $1395.00

    SM - 0009 Oscar Schmidt "Sovereign" Mandolin     EXC   From the mid to late twenties, this rare little beauty plays just great and has a really nice full mellow sound. Pearloid fingerboard and headstock and beautifully grained book matched mahogany (or maybe it's koa) back and sides. The wide grain spruce top is crack free as is the rest of the mando and has an inlaid pearloid pickguard, fancy diamond trim around its border and soundhole, an intricate carved bridge and an engraved tailpiece. Original tuning pegs with one replaced shaft. Old end opening case has about had it.
    Price:   $895.00


    Banjo Mandolins

    DBM - 0003 mid teens "The Dayton" Banjo Mandolin"     EXC ++   We have another gem here in museum quality that is not only rare but a great sounding instrument. Made by Charles Rauch in (guess where) Dayton, Ohio known for his high quality and innovative instruments. Unique horizontally laminated thick rim of maple and walnut with a metal tone ring. Pearl inlaid "The Dayton" on the headstock with metal ferrules surrounding the posts of the original tuning pegs. Ebony pearl inlaid fingerboard is extended and elevated over the head. Nice original cloud taiplpiece cover over a replacement tailpiece (original is in the case with one broken tab). The metal label is present and excellent displaying serial number #1506. And the original hard shell case is in fine condition with corduroy interior and in the pocket an original "D" Dayton tuning key, the original bridge, and tailpiece. 10" Rim     14" Scale Length     1 3/32" Nut width
    Price:   $1750.00


    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
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