GM - 00037 2008 Duff F-5 Mandolin     EXC +++   This baby is almost mint and it plays and sounds fantastic. Beautiful 2 piece flame maple back and flamey maple sides and a gorgeous cremona sunburst spruce top. The neck is also flame maple. Classic flowerpot inlay on the headstock and a nice detail of a sunburst even on the top edge of the peghead. Original tuning pegs and engraved tailpiece and adjustable bridge and end pin. Fine label with serial number 13908. Very Loar/Gilchrist-like sound. New hard shell case.
Price:   $6995.00

GM - 00036 1936 Gibson "Fern" F-5     EXC   This one will stand up to any mandolin in any situation. It's right up there with the best of the best. Sunburst spruce top is crack free as are the flame maple back and sides. Original pickguard which has a teeny almost invisible repaired crack at its tip. Tailpiece, bridge and end pin are also original as are the tuning pegs. Beautiful Fern inlay on the headstock and on the back of the headstock a "Made In USA" stamp indicating that the mandolin was originally shipped out of the country. Also two small holes that once held a strap attachment bracket. One can envy the scroll from the front or the back with great satisfaction. There is normal player wear on the back of the neck but one doesn't notice it at all when playing. The thing plays great. The label is in fine shape showing the serial number 93722. And the original 'red line' hard shell case is in pretty nice shape.
Price:   $54,500.00

HH - 0007 ca. 1900 Hammond Harp Mandolin     EXC   A custom order for an imaginative player? A stroke of genius by the builder himself? herself? One can't help but wonder. But it combines extreme innovation with an acutely unique sense of design. From the H. Hammond Company of Sioux City, Iowa. Red stained spruce top has a couple of repaired cracks as does the Brazilian rosewood back. The sides are crack free. The headstocks have beautiful burl veneers, perhaps walnut. The bass harp strings are arranged in three double courses and have their own 5 fret fingerboard! Original tuning pegs work fine and the back plates on the set of 8 match the back plates on the set of 6 where as the top curves of the pegheads are exquisitely complimentary. Tasty pearl inlays on the main fingerboard and by the way the frets are good and the action is low and it plays quite nicely. Beautiful heel arrangement. Dual tailpieces. One of them patented 1891 . Interesting wood octagonal soundhole rosette and inlaid maybe tortoise pickguard. And the label is mostly intact and proudly states "Work Guaranteed". This is also put on the heel block and there are some Made in Sioux City labels inside as well. No case.
Price:   $3750.00

HO -0005 ca. 1900 Howe Orme Style 4 Mandolin     EXC -   These little old things put out a lot of sound for their size. Lower Bout = 7 1/2".   Nut Width = 1 1/8".   Scale Length - 13 1/8".   The Style 4 sports the spruce top with the "cylinder" hump being partially responsible for it's fine tone. It also has gorgeous Brazilian rosewood back and sides and fancy engraved inlays on the ebony fingerboard as well as the headstock. Lovely soundhole rosette and five ply (white/red/black/white/black) body binding. Original tuning pegs. The label is in good shape and the serial number is #0785.   There are two repairs, both typical. One at the heel and one at the back of the peghead. Both are solid and professionally done. It has it's original violin case in fairly decent shape.
Price:   $1895.00

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. 20" Scale Length     1 5/16" Nut Width.   Gig Bag.
Price:   $10,500.00

NM - 0008 ca. 1932 National Triolian Mandolin     VG ++   Great setup and sound on this classic. The brown to tan sunburst finish is in really nice shape on the top with pick wear in the usual spot and just a few nicks near the edges. The back also looks fanstastic with just a few edge nicks and scrapes. Original tailpiece and endpin and a new cone with biscuit bridge and a new fretboard and neck set. It plays in tune and true and clear with replaced Elite tuning pegs and good frets and a straight neck. The Trioian decal on the headstock is in fine shape. The 15" scale length makes it sound great when tuned down to F or even E. Original case could benefit from some stitching. There's a little undocumented history on this one. The consignor says that it was supposedly played on The Amos and Andy show (whether radio or TV is not clear) and it came from an estate sale in LA of a guy who played in a lot of studio bands.
Price:   $1395.00

LM - 00012 ca. 1920's Leland Brilliantone Mando by Larson Brothers     EXC-   This is a lovely Larson made mandolin and yes it is really called a "Mando" on the label. The top is beautifully aged spruce and crack free. The back and sides are highly figured Brazilian rosewood and there is one repaired crack in the back and none on the sides. Rosewood overlay on the headstock and original enclosed tuning pegs that work fine. Original tailpiece. Paper thin tortoise shell pickguard and exquisite reproduction bridge by Chris Berkov as well as a complete setup. Clear strong voice and easy playing. It fits in this funky old case so that's what we'll ship it in.
Price:   $895.00

SM - 00017 ca. 1912 - 1914 Shutt Mandolin     EXC+   While not labeled, this mandolin and the other one in The Museum share with the labeled Shutts and each other many similar characteristics that pre-date features 'introduced' on the F-5 in 1922. The neck joins the body a little past the 14th fret. The light cremona sunburst top is carved with f-holes. The fingerboard is elevated as is the pickguard. The back and sides are flamey sycamore. The same triple binding and workmanship is evident on these slope shouldered Shutts as on the more flamboyant ones and these sound just as good if not better. This one has a plain headstock but a fancy engraved flower with leaves on the tuning pegs cover. And the case is a true gem and a joy to operate with its push button spring latches. And the real good news is that this old Shutt sounds like a real carved top f- hole mandolin ... no kidding .... chop and volume and punch and tone and everything. Quite useful.
Price:   $1995.00

GM - 000092 1922 Gibson F-2 Mandolin     EXC -   Maybe it has something to do with the bone bridge top or maybe it's because this is a 'Loar period' instrument but this one has exceptional volume and punchiness like many A-2Z's and other Loar era models. Classic sunburst spruce top is crack free as is the flame maple back. Original tuning pegs and tailpiece and pickguard which shows a hairline where it has been repaired. The headstock sports "The Gibson" logo in lovely pearl and has been refinished. All other finish is original and there is a some wear on the back of the neck but it feels fine. This thing plays great by the way with a nice low action. You might even want to raise the action a tad. The original frets have medium wear but will last for awhile longer. The serial number is hard to read on the label but after much scrutiny it appears to be #72176. The original hard shell case is a bit beat up and needs a new handle but it's there and has protected the mandolin over 80 years. This is a fine players mandolin from the best period at Gibson.
Price:   $5950.00

GM - 00071 1919 Gibson F- 2     EXC-   Sn # 49891     A fine sounding and playing example of a late teens Gibson F model with the reddish sunburst top and red stain birch back and sides. This one has the nice carving on the rear scroll as well as the front one. Original engraved tail piece and replacement Schaller tuning pegs and adjustable bridge. Pearl angled "The Gibson" script inlayed on the headstock. There is some 'honest play wear' and a few nicks and scratches and one typical hairline coming up from the treble point and another teeny hard to see hairline across the back of the peghead which has been closely inspected, sealed and pronounced healthy. Nice original hard shell case with replaced handle.
Price:   $4350.00

Gm - 00095 1915 Gibson F-2 Blackface Mandolin     EXC -   This one has the checking or crazing on the original top finish that some people (like me) really like. And it also has the binding that ends on the inside of the scroll which likewise appeals to some of us. It has one solidly repaired hairline crack next to the bass side of the fingerboard that is no biggie. It's got the desireable Handel tuning pegs with the inlaid buttons and its original tailpiece , pickguard and endpin and a Loar period replica adjustable bridge. Nicely figured slab cut birch back and sides. And the headstock does NOT have the typical repaired scroll crack neither big nor little. The label is in nice shape. It lives in a sturdy travelite style case.
Price:   $4350.00

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

GM - 00086 1955 Gibson EM- 150 Electric Mandolin     VG-   Well here's another warhorse for you. It's had several repairs to the sunburst top and some to the sides as well. The modestly flamed maple back, however, is crack free. No funny business around the heel or headstock and the original tuning pegs work fine. This mandolin has a well balanced acoustic sound with easy action and the pickup works great and the volume and tone control likewise with no scratchiness or crumpiness. And although it's beat, it is the original hard shell case.
Price:   $1150.00

MM - 00014 1929 Martin Style 20 Mandolin     VG+   Here's a first year of issue of this model. Crack free with well aged spruce top and flame maple back and sides. Ebony fingerboard with abalone dots inlaid. Nice engraved tailpiece, original tuning pegs, ebony bridge, replaced pickguard and brazilian rosewood peghead overlay. This one plays very easily, really sweet and beautiful tone. Non original hard shell case.
Price:   $2800.00

MM - 00012 1962 Martin Model 2-15     VG+   There certainly weren't a lot of these puppies made. Carved sunburst spruce top and mahogany back and sides. Nice playing and sounding instrument. Original tuning pegs with a great little strap attachment device on the back of the peghead. A clever endpin arrangement has been added to the tailpiece. Gold Martin script on the Brazilian Rosewood headstock overlay. There's a mark on the top that looks like maybe someone put something hot down on it once. Hardshell case in fair shape.
Price:   $895.00

NM - 0009 1929 National Triolian Mandolin     VG++   Here's a classic blues mandolin for you in fine shape with no issues, dents, separations or the like. There is the usual paint wear on the top but very little on the back. You can see that the yellow paint was applied first and then the brown over that. Striking birds eye maple neck and original fancy engraved tuning pegs and the National Shield on the headstock. The tailpiece is in fine shape. The neck is straight, the frets are fine and this puppy is set up very nicely with a nice low action. Serial number is #149. It has a nice black Travelite case that fits it perfectly. Tuned down from G to E these old National resonator mandolins growl like no others.
Price:   $1995.00

SM - 00016 1940's Stradolin Jr.     VG   Like many of it's bretheren this low end Stradolin has no business sounding so darn good. But it does anyway. And it has a comfortable action and good frets and a straight mahogany neck. Complete and original with one teeny hairline crack coming up from the bass f- hole that poses no threat and no other repairs or issues, just the play wear you see in the pictures. The tone of this thing is really sweet and full. Sunburst spruce top and likewise sunburst birch ? back and sides. Original black buttoned tuning pegs and a very cool Gumby - like peghead. Original pickguard, rosewood adjustable bridge and nice cloud tailpiece. No case.
Price:   $675.00

VM - 0007 ca. 1940 Vega D- 100 Electric Hollow Body Mandolin     EXC+   A nice example of electrification from one of the innovative pioneers of the early days. And it sounds pretty good acoustically too with its elevated fingerboard and it plays real nice and easy. Sunburst spruce top and subtly 'bursted' mahogany back (those are reflections in the picture) and sides. All crack free and clean and all original from amber buttoned tuning pegs to cloud tailpiece to the tone and volume knobs and the inside label. Vega script on the headstock is nice and clean too. It's got the old amphenol style input jack and a good proper cable that works fine. All the electronics also work fine.   The original hard shell case is in nice shape. Scale length is 13 3/4".
Price:   $1995.00

DM - 0004 1911 Dayton Style B Mandolin     VG+   A rare item and a unique design. This one is fancier and in nicer shape than the Pair in the Museum. It's black top original finish is in nice shape with some wear and the mahogany back is excellent and nicely figured. Viewed from side the white divider would appear to be simply ornamental but there is a false back - secondary sound board - in the middle of the instrument that has almost impossible to photograph cats eye shaped sound holes in it. The label is fairly well preserved. It has a good full strong sound and plays easily with straight neck good frets and good action. It has attractive fingerboard and headstock inlays and original tuning pegs and a very nice original case.
Price:   $1695.00

GA - 00044 1980 Monteleone Grand Artist     EXC ++   This is #44 and signed and dated by John Monteleone. I'm lucky enough to hear a lot of great mandolins played by great mandolin players on a regular basis. This one has character and quality to equal any of them, whether they are worth 25 grand or a hundred grand. Gorgeous sunburst spruce top and intense flamed maple back and sides. The Grand Artist displays many of John Monteleones distinctive innovations such as the tailpiece which has since been copied ad infinitum and the headstock design. The custom bridge has bone insets for the treble strings. His unique scroll is a beautiful extrapolation of old Orville's from both front and back. Triple bound rosewood pickguard. Gold engraved tuning pegs. Deluxe arched plush lined hard shell Ameritage case.
Price:   $24,500.00

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

NM - 0005 1930 National Triolian Mandolin     VG+   This is a rare little beast and it is one of the loudest mandolins I've ever heard. Plays good too. 15" scale length so it sounds real bluesey tuned down to F or E. (E sounds great but F is easier for transposing 'on the fly' in jams) It's got the rare early 8 grid coverplate with the usual worn pick area, some chipping on the sides, just a few nicks on the back. Original tuning pegs and the National Triolian Shield on the peghead. No case.
Price:   $1950.00

NM - 0007 1943 National Style 0 Mandolin     EXC-   But for a repaired area on the back near the heel. This is a rare late model and possibly one of the last that National made. Etchings of palm trees adorn the top and in these last couple of years there are palm trees on the sides too and even the bottom. And the back is spectacular with it's palm tree and full moon reflected in the water while the couple peacefully and romantically paddle their canoe. Ah Hawaii ! There's some wear on the back of the neck and general honest wear throughout but this thing is basically in fine shape and ready to play the blues. The action is comforatble, it plays in tune and the tone and volume just can't be beat. National shield on the headstock and the original deco tuning peg covers are still there although the actual tuning pegs are replaced with proper period ones. One shaft is slightly bent but it works fine. Original pickguard as well. This is a fine rare instrument. No case.
Price:   $2350.00

WM - 0004 Walton Mandolinetto ca. 1912     VG ++   Only one of these I've ever seen and it is a beauty. No cracks or repairs. Lots of herringbone binding on the aged spruce top and high quality brazilian rosewood back and sides with a mini-zipper backstripe. Attention to detail abounds. Note the herringbone heel trim and how it extends up the back of the neck. It extends to the bottom as well where it surrounds the tailpiece. The profusely inlaid headstock even has inlaid mother of pearl string ferrules. Abalone inlaid diamonds grace the side of the peghead. The fingerboard is likewise profusely inlaid with a couple of small pieces needing to be replaced. The tuning pegs are also of high quality. And the original aluminum compensated bridge was state of the art at the time and gives a nice tone. The instrument plays well and sounds lovely with good volume. Scale Length = 13 inches and the Nut Width is 1 1/8 inch.   A quaintly decaled fiddle case is its slightly oversize home but with padding provides fine protecion.
Price:   $1695.00

BFM - 0002 ca. 1905 "Artist Model" Bowlback Mandolin     EXC   A fine example of the 'state of the art' in mandolins back it its day. Six ply binding topped off with alternating pieces of ebony and pearl trim the crack free spruce top and a gorgeous pearl butterfly adorns the inlaid tortoise shell pickguard. A one piece Brazilian rosewood skirt encloses 23 rosewood ribs each separated by a thin strip of maple. The new ebony fingerboard is bound and has side dots and ends in an attractive extension that gives a full 22 frets. This mandolin plays easily and sounds great. A beautiful piece of Brazilian rosewood adorns the headstock and its original tuning pegs are in fine shape. No makers name inside. No case.
Price:   $995.00

SM - 00010 ca. 1905 Wm. Stahl Bowl Back Mandolin     EXC+   From the estate of Pepito Perez (Pepito The Clown) of "I Love Lucy" fame, (not to mention his other movies from 1949 to 1951) comes this Larson Brothers gem. Obviously played but also treasured and displayed with it's hanging cord which is still nicely intact and wrapped on the original engraved covered tuning pegs. Forty Brazilian rosewood ribs compose the back with a rosewood skirt enclosing them. The top is aged spruce with pearl trim around the edges and soundhole. The entire instrument is crack free. The pickguard is ornately inlaid with vines. The label is in fine shape. It has the characteristic Larson black stripe under the fingerboard binding and nice inlays in the ebony fingerboard. The headstock is also pearl inlaid. No case.
Price:   $1395.00

WM - 0003 1920's Weymann Mandolute     VG+   These don't come around that often and this one plays nicely and has a fine sound for folk, celtic, etc. (not bluegrass). The neck and frets are fine. Dark stained spruce top and flamey maple back and sides. The sides are recessed in the European style which looks very cool. One well repaired crack on the top and no cracks on the back or sides. The original tuning pegs have lovely engraved cover plates and the Weymann Decal resides on the back of the peghead. No case.
Price:   $675.00

KM - 0006 1915 C. Knutsen Harp Mandolin     EXC-   Here is a beautiful museum piece that is also a cool playable instrument.   The label states "C. Knutsen Sole Patentee".   The beautifully aged spruce top is crack free. There are a couple of minor old repaired cracks in the attractive mahogany back and a couple more old repairs in the bass side. The elegant fingerboard inlay and cosmic peghead inlay really set it off. Not to mention that gorgeous butterfly with it's wispy antennae inlaid into the pickguard and one (or is that two?) of the sexiest bridges ever. It has its original tuning pegs and tailpieces. I've seen quite a few harp mandolins but not many with actual harp bass strings on them. Experimenting with different tunings is great fun. It is all original and ready to rock. No case.
Price:   $7950.00

MM - 00018 1964 Ray Matty Custom Electric Mandolin     EXC   Incredible !!   A one of a kind creation from Ray Matty (Raymod Matteo) who after working for Gibson as a young man built his own instruments in New York as well as playing in various bands and sessions. The D'Angelico influence is evident in the headstock inlay while the wavy pearl fingerboard inlays are unique. The double scroll body is semi hollow with triple bound spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The workmanship (check the scroll detail) is superb throughout with a custom pickup, tailpiece, pickguard, armrest and adjustable inlaid bridge. Elegant engraved tuning pegs. This is a handmade professional instrument that plays easily and sounds great. Nut Width = 1 1/8"   Rectangular Gibson original hard shell case.
Price:   $2650.00

VMB - 00017 1922 Vega Tubaphone Style X Mandolin Banjo     EXC-   This may have been a custom order because it contains some of the features of the Style 9 series like the fancy marquetry on the bottom of the rim and engraved fingerboard inlays. Yet it clearly states Style X on the dowel stick. Nice engraved inlays on the headstock and original enclosed tuning pegs. Flamey maple neck and lovely carving on the heel cap. There is a solid expertly repaired crack on the heel. Bell Brand tailpiece. Seems to be a skin head that has been 'rubbed down'. Original hard shell case has seen better days. Good setup with nice comfy action and a fairly mellow (for a mandolin banjo) sound.
Price:   $1695.00

MB - 00032 1927 B & D Silver Bell #1 Montana Special Mandolin Banjo     EXF   This is an astounding instrument. Check out all the pictures of it on it's page in the Museum.
Price:   $3250.00

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