All Good Stuff ©

MANDOLIN BROTHERS’ Ebenezer Scrooge “REDUCE THE SURPLUS POPULATION” OLD STOCK SALE!

THE FOLLOWING INVENTORY HAS LIVED AT HOME TOO LONG. THEY’RE OUT OF COLLEGE NOW and staying out carousing in taverns until all hours of the morning with no visible means of support. It’s time to cut the cord and turn these slackers loose. There’s nothing the matter with them, they’re all wonderful pieces, they just haven’t sold (yet) and we can’t afford to keep buying all the candles for their birthday cakes! Our (hair) loss is your Rogaine, so come and get’ em. This is what’s on sale, and what they’re tagged at in the showroom. Just phone and ask us what we’re REALLY (really) willing to sell them for. When a piece is new, and from a manufacturer that only allows us to print List & MAP, we’ve printed List and MAP – but for goodness sake, pick up your Alex Graham Belvedere or the computer key board and contact us! Most of these include hard shell case, just a few include gigbag. You can ask the case question when you phone – say “What’s a Best Case Scenario for this piece?” (Intermediate reductions – called price spasms -- may have occurred).

ACOUSTIC GUITARS
88-1852 Avalon (new) Model AS201CE Rosewood and Cedar Auditorium, #0311306, cutaway and acoustic-electric, with hardshell case.
This is part of the Avalon Silver Series which is imported from the fah east but whose quality is, well, Sterling. $804 or, at our cash discount price, $780.

88-1269 Avalon (new) Model S201CE Concert Acoustic Guitar, cutaway and acoustic-electric, #A00651, with hardshell case.
Behold the made-in-Ireland Avalon rosewood an cedar auditorium with the glossy finish and the rich tonality, the pickup, the preamp and the cutaway. $1979 or, at our cash discount price, $1919.

43-0809 Guild (new) D-40CE Cutaway Dreadnought with cutaway and pickup, #CRM000098, in antique burst with hardshell case.
The List Price is $1999.99 but the Guild MAP is $1499.99.

43-0810 Guild (new) D-40 Six String Flattop non-cutaway, #CVM000758, natural finish with hardshell case.
List is $1699.99 but the Guild MAP is only $1275.

88-1930 Grit Laskin (Used) Mid-Size Cutaway, titled “Reach for the Moon,” #010491, excellent plus condition with hardshell Mark Leaf case.
Made of the highest-quality Sitka spruce and East Indian rosewood, this very guitar is shown on page 75 of the book, A Guitarmaker’s Canvas: The Inlay Art of Grit Laskin. The Olympic-themed inlay features two athletes (drawn from existing sports images) reaching for a crescent moon made from gold mother-of-pearl, symbolizing a gold medal. The red suit on the woman gymnast is bird’s-eye maple stained with red NGR (non-grain- raising), and both of her hands have a different reflective angle. Each arm and hand was cut from a different piece of shell and the reflection angle was reversed. This inlay was a milestone for Laskin – it was the first time he densely engraved hair one strand at a time, and the effect was so realistically evocative, it became his standard approach. It is world famous, one-of-a-kind and you (lucky person) can get to own it the way a billionaire owns a Van Gogh. Only $6,914 or, at our cash discount price, $6,700.

83-3594 C F Martin (new) 000-1R Acoustic Guitar, #895121, with hardshell case.
No longer made, the Martin -1 series was comprised of a solid spruce top with laminated rosewood 3-ply sides and back. It was very good sounding and we are disappointed that the model has been dropped. $891 or, at our cash discount price, $864.

88-1891 C F Martin (new) 000-16SGT, #990603, with hardshell case.
Beloved is the twelve-fret, slot head, pre-1934 style 000, made of all solid woods and having Sitka spruce top and mahogany sides & back. Did we mention the gloss finished top? The List Price is $1469 and the Martin MAP is $1099.95.

88-1001 C F Martin (new) 000-JBP Jimmy Buffett Pollywog, #953478, #253 of 305 made, with special Geib-style case having honey leatherette covering.
When asked to collaborate with C F Martin on the design of a second (or third, depending on how you look at his envisioning two new models at one time) helping of the buffet, Jimmy’s idea was an “offshore” guitar that would stow easily and bear nautical imagery. The guitar features a body of genuine mahogany for durability and because he loves the tone. Did you know that a Pollywog is a sailor who has never crossed the equator? Neither did we. This instrument matches premium Sitka spruce to solid genuine mahogany, in a prearranged marriage. The body design is Martin’s revered 000 12-fret, considered by many to be the most graceful and articulate of all steel-string shapes. The 25.4” scale, “hybrid” scalloped top bracing and bone nut and compensated bone saddle add power and richness to the voice. The polished black ebony headstock overlay showcases a gold foil ship’s porthole framing a sea and island scene, including a windswept palm inlaid in turquoise composite and various shades of pearl; the back of the headstock bears Martin’s historic logo, pressed into the wood. The black African ebony fingerboard sets sail with a ship’s wheel position marker inlaid at the 5th fret in pearl; small abalone dot position markers lead to Mr. Buffett’s signature, inlaid between the 19th and 20th frets. Jimmy Buffett signed the “nautical chart” interior label, and so has Martin Chairman and CEO C.F. Martin IV. This guitar is, like many of our ancestors, numbered in sequence with a notation of its production total. List is $3699; MAP is $2959.

83-3418 C F Martin (new) D-17GT Acoustic Guitar, #870710, all solid mahogany gloss top dreadnought, with hardshell case, since discontinued.
$1082 or, at our cash discount price, $1049.

88-2312 C F Martin (used, 1940) D-18, #76734, in very good condition, with newer SKB molded hardshell case.
Sometimes a guitar steps across your doorstep that has lived long through interesting times, but remains, even though it evidences a life of hard work, ready for another half century of more hard work (due to changes that have been suggested that will affect future Social Security benefits). That guitar would be this 1940 (prewar) D-18. Although it shows considerable finish checking, a long, yet repaired, back crack or two, some wear on the back of the neck notably between frets 5 and 9, and (oh no, not that) a strap pin added to the “proper” place in the neck heel, it is a brawny, energetic note-wanger of the first and highest order. This guitar sonically kicks sand into the eyes of lesser beach warriors. This piece bears the last serial number of any Martin guitar made in 1940! The instrument has been oversprayed and the sides & back were sanded. There are several small filled holes under the soundhole, probably from some primitive pickup that was popular in the ‘50s. We should also mention that the wood at the edge of the soundhole is chipped in three places. The finish shows characteristic “orange peel” effect in several places from overspray, including the headstock. Our workshop has radiused the bridge saddle and made the instrument monumentally playable and even fun to use. The sound quality is beyond words majestic - it thunders with the roll and roar of the surf, the glottal glory of the hungry lion, the unspeakable shrieking of the tempestuous tyrannosaur when its Sunday Times is delivered late. The biggest challenges the future owner of this stupendous six-string may have are control issues. “I can’t make it stop” is the oft-heard complaint. “Nobody can hear their own instrument when I play in the same room,” one visitor who tried this D-18 grumbled. This wonder of wood and wanton fretlust was priced at $17,522, but is Now on sale for $14,429 or, at our cash discount price, $13,995.

88-1270 C F Martin (used, 1980) D-37K2 in excellent cosmetic condition, serial #428984, with original blue thermoplastic hardshell case.
This highly attractive instrument has Hawaiian Koa top, back and sides, black pickguard under the finish, an abalone bordered soundhole (with many rings of purfling) a five-ply bordered top, the old style Maritn decal – burnished gold with black border – triangle-and-etched-diamond inlaid ebony fingerboard, a geometric design backstripe, four-ply bordered ivoroid heel cap, and original Sperzel sealed back tuners. It has multi-ply side binding, Made in the pre-truss rod days it has a low comfortable action and crispy, clear tone. $2159 or, at our cash discount price, $2095.

83-5421 C F Martin (new) DC-1R Cutaway Dreadnought Guitar, serial #725006, with hardshell case.
Rosewood back and sides, sans backstripe. This is a now-discontinued model. Martin List is $1499. Your cost is $1005 or, at our cash discount price, $974.

88-2092 C F Martin (new) DM Dreadnought, serial #1007676, with hardshell case.
Solid Sitka spruce top, laminated mahogany back and sides, dot markers, natural satin. Martin List is $999. The Martin MAP is $749.

83-3590 C F Martin (new) DVM (Veteran’s Model), with hardshell case.
C. F. Martin has designed a special guitar dedicated to all American veterans. The emblems of the various U.S. Armed Forces units appear below the gold foil “C. F. Martin & Co.” logo on the black ebony headplate. The black ebony fingerboard features mother-of pearl inlays of an eagle at the 3rd fret, “V E T E R A N S” from the 5th to 12th frets, small five-pointed stars at the 15th and 17th frets and the National Defense Service ribbon in dyed woods between the 19th and 20th frets. This classic 14-fret Martin dreadnought features a premium quality book matched Sitka spruce top with Martin’s hybrid A-frame scalloped X bracing, and solid East Indian rosewood back and sides. A style-45 mosaic back strip bordered with black fiber joins the two-piece back, while an elegant top inlay consisting of bold pattern herringbone is combined with black and white side and back inlay. The mahogany low-profile neck has a 1-11/16” neck width at the black Corian® nut, which is matched by a black Micarta® saddle and a black ebony belly bridge with abalone-inlaid black bridge and pins. The open gear tuners are gold-plated with butterbean knobs and the soundhole rosette features a brilliant blue Paua shell inlay. The aging toner tinted top is protected by a black polished and beveled pickguard, and the entire body is finished in polished gloss lacquer. Delivered in a hardshell case with black hardware, this special edition bears an interior label signed by C.F. Martin IV and is numbered in sequence. In addition, a set of two genuine steel engraved dog tags, similar to those issued to armed forces personnel, will accompany each guitar. The dog tags read: “C. F. Martin & Co., American Veteran DVM Special Edition Serial.” A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each DVM guitar will be donated to a disabled veterans’ organization. If you are an American veteran, or have memories of a veteran etched deeply into your heart, then this is the guitar for you! Martin list is $3199. Martin MAP is $2399.95.

88-2100 C F Martin (new) OMC-28 Laurence Juber Limited Edition in Indian Rosewood, Individual Number #46 of 133, bearing the Martin serial number #995545, with Geib-style hardshell case.
The OMC-28 Laurence Juber Limited Edition offers fingerstyle magic in an instrument with back and sides crafted from fine solid East Indian rosewood, along with a graceful Venetian cutaway, OM shape, neck width, string scale and unadorned black ebony fingerboard of the OMC-18VLJ. It has the Adirondack red spruce top with scalloped ¼-inch Adirondack spruce top braces, a combination revered for clear, powerful tone. In appointments, this guitar takes its cue from the original Martin OM-28 guitars from the early 1930s: at the soundhole, the Golden Era Style 28 rosette features wood fiber inlay; the top, tinted with aging toner, is bound in grained ivoroid and inlaid with fine herringbone purfling; the back features black/white wood fiber inlays inside ivoroid binding, as well as a zigzag back strip; and Martin’s old-style decal logo graces the headplate in East Indian rosewood. Premium Waverly W-16 open-geared nickel tuners with butterbean knobs add to the vintage appeal. The genuine mahogany neck is carved to a modified-V shape, but with the squared diamond volute and contoured heel of Martin’s 1930s necks. Both the nut and drop-in compensated saddle are genuine bone, and the black ebony bridge is fitted with fossil ivory bridge pins inlaid with black dots, an element matched in the fossil ivory end pin. A polished nitrocellulose gloss lacquer finish protects the body and the neck and – true to Juber’s fingerstyle roots – there is no pickguard. Laurence Juber’s signature graces the interior label, and as well as that of C.F. Martin IV, and each guitar has been numbered in sequence with its specific edition total. At the artist’s request, a portion of the proceeds from sales of these guitars will be donated to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The List is $4999, the Martin MAP is $3999.

88-2175 Santa Cruz (new) Vintage Artist, serial #4464, with hardshell case.
The Vintage Artist model features a powerful bass response combined with the bright tone provided by the guitar’s mahogany body. This model’s prized deep, rolling bass response is achieved by both advancing the scalloped X-brace towards the soundhole and by meticulous attention to top voicing. The separation and clarity of tone produced by the guitar are characteristic of the style of the legendary Doc Watson, who owns the prototype of the Vintage Artist. As Doc says, “This is the Dreadnought I’ve been looking for all my life.” We [Santa Cruz] believe that this guitar is the tonal equal and technical superior of the most respected pre-World War II dreadnoughts. List Price is $3350. $3108 or, at our cash discount price, $3015.

88-1279 Andrew (new) Standard Deluxe Squareneck resonator guitar, serial #182030003, three-tone sunburst with deluxe hardshell case.
It has a veneered Birch top, back and sides; 25” scale; rosewood fretboard with dot inlay; chrome-plated brass parts; Quarterman cone; a genuine bone nut; maple bridge; Fishman resophonic passive pickup; and bound body. Quite a good deal at $1236 or, at our cash discount price, $1199.

88-1925 National (new) Delphi Roundneck resophonic guitar in green, serial #DGN1475, with hardshell case.
A traditionally shaped steel-bodied guitar with a mahogany neck, ivoroid-bound rosewood fretboard and slotted headstock with open-gear, three-on-a-plate tuners. The body and coverplate have a baked “wrinkle” finish in green. $1600 or, at our cash discount price, $1552.

ARCHTOP GUITARS
43-0870 Gretsch (new) 1962 Reissue Country Classic, Model 6122-1962, #JT03064032, hollow body double cutaway, walnut stain with hardshell case.
For many of the players that came out of the great guitar boom of the ‘60s, the classic double cutaway Gretsch 6122 was the end-all electric guitar. So big, so luxurious and yet so ROCKIN’! From driving rhythm to ripping leads, the 6122-1962 has it all. Features include dual High Sensitive Filtertron™ pickups, “tone switch” circuitry, “action-flow” neck and Gretsch by Bigsby® B6G vibrato tailpiece. Laminated maple top, back and sides; three-piece maple neck; 17” wide, 2” deep; ebony fingerboard; ebony-based gold “Rocking” bar bridge; gold-plated hardware; Grover® Imperial™ gold-plated die-cast tuners; Neo Classic “Thumbnail” inlay position markers; zero fret; simulated f-holes; bound fingerboard and headstock; multiple body bindings; gold-plated name plate on headstock; gold Plexi pickguard; knurled strap retainer knobs; and adjustable truss rod. The Gretsch List Price is $3075 with a MAP of $2306.

88-1194 Bill Moll (new) Pizzarelli Model 7-string archtop, blonde, the same issackt guitar that John Pizzarelli himself plays, made of laminated woods, with floating Kent Armstrong humbucking pickup, and a case that is so tough and strong it fears absolutely nothing.
The John Pizzarelli model was designed for reliable performance with an eye toward style. Working together with John, Moll Custom Instruments utilize the stability of laminated plates (we use paper at home) within their own concepts of acoustical design, to produce a guitar that is ruggedly tough, without sounding like plywood. Since its introduction in 1999, it has become one of Moll’s most popular numbers. Except for its laminated top and back plates, the Pizzarelli model is built with the exact same features as the Moll Classic Custom, including that it has multi-ply binding, bound “S” holes, all ebony trim, and five-piece custom neck with signature headstock and split block inlays. $4640 or, at our cash discount price, $4500.

88-2278 Hofner (new) Thin President Hollow Body in sunburst, serial #E07122.
Höfner’s handcrafted excellence and uncompromising flexibility invigorate the familiar platform of the Thin President, although we’re not sure which of our last half dozen Commanders-in-Chief was the thinnest one. Solid hand-carved German AAA spruce top, highly-flamed African maple back and sides, asymmetrically profiled European maple neck hosts a 24-fret ebony fingerboard with genuine mother-of-pearl inlays – all of this combines to produce great sound and feel. A sustain block inside the body made of a solid piece of high quality timber is hand-fitted to both the spruce top and the flamed maple back. The master volume and tone controls for the Höfner standard-size humbucking neck pickup are tastefully covered by solid ebony knobs. The List Price is $3096. Your cost is $2234 or, at our cash discount price, $2167.

ELECTRIC GUITARS
43-0075 Fender (new) Stratocaster Custom Shop NOS 1956 Reissue Black Time Machine Model, #R17681, with hardshell case.
The List is $2779.99. The Fender MAP is $1945.99.

88-1889 Paul Reed Smith (new) Custom 22, serial #86245, violin amber sunburst, with hardshell case.
The Custom 22 has a special 25” scale coupled with a comfortable wide fat carved neck and nickel silver-covered PRS Dragon II pickups. The PRS List Price is $3910. If you seek what we sell it for, you shall find

88-1890 Paul Reed Smith (new) Custom 24, serial #86174, dark cherry sunburst, with hardshell case.
The Custom 24 is the core of the PRS line, the guitar Paul Reed Smith took to his first trade show in 1985. Today, it still comes with the patented PRS Tremolo bridge, locking tuners and the beautifully carved, figured maple top that is a PRS hallmark. The PRS List Price is $3910. Call, email, bark or meow and we will share witchoo information of incomparable happiness

88-1004 Paul Reed Smith (new) McCarty Hollowbody I, #79796, in McCarty Sunburst with a wide fat neck and a hardshell case.
The McCarty Hollowbody I has the same carved solid mahogany back and sides as the Hollowbody Spruce, but features a beautifully carved, figured maple top, which gives it just a bit of extra high-end clarity. The Manufacturer’s MSRP is $3600 and you may phone or e-mail for the actual selling price. Yeah, its nice; really, really nice.

43-0293 Paul Reed Smith (new) McCarty Soapbar in McCarty Sunburst, maple, having 22 frets #74483, with the wide-fat neck and the hardshell case.
PRS feels that this is the best sounding soapbar guitar on the market, period. They tried everything before choosing these pickups, which were specially designed and voiced by Seymour Duncan to the specs of the PRS R&D department. Some soapbars compromise strength to achieve certain goals; these pickups do not. They aren’t humbuckers, but they sure sound good, with definition, robustness and thick punch of the original soapbar single coils that defined the sound of both rock and roll and combo jazz guitar in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Manufacturer’s List Price is $3000 and we don’t charge anything like that. Please do phone for what we charge.

83-8376 Paul Reed Smith (new) Santana III in tobacco sunburst, #58024;
and 83-9193 Paul Reed Smith (new) Santana III dark cherry with 24 fret board, the abalone bird inlays, and the coveted tremolo, #62770, both with hardshell case. The Manufacturer’s List Price is $3700 and, as you know, we can convince you that our actual pricing is worth asking about.

83-3145 Paul Reed Smith (new) Santana III in Santana Yellow, #67681, with hardshell case.
The PRS Santana III delivers all the soulful sustain you would expect from a guitar bearing Carlos’ name but with less ornate decoration than the flagship Santana II. The one-piece South American mahogany body has a two-piece curly maple top and the East Indian rosewood fingerboard features the PRS hallmark abalone bird inlays. The Santana III pickups, personally approved by Carlos, are controlled by a simple 3-way selector, master volume and tone controls. The Manufacturer’s List Price is $4250 and, as you know, we can intone the discount-laden words you want to hear if you would only call or email us.

83-7710 (7436) Paul Reed Smith (new) Standard 22 in transparent vintage cherry, serial #54268, with abalone bird fingerboard inlays, a wide fat neck and hardshell case.
The Standard 22 is an all mahogany version of the Custom 22 for those who want the musical midrange of mahogany. Compared to the Standard 24, the shorter neck of the Standard 22 further contributes to its warmth. Dragon II pickups with nickel silver covers complete this classic guitar package. List is $2680. Please call, fax or e-mail for “your price.”

TWELVE STRING GUITARS
43-0968 Taylor (used, November 1996) 555 12-string Jumbo Guitar, #961108109, with brown original hardshell case.
$1787 or, at our cash discount price, 1695.

FIVE-STRING BANJOS
88-2073 Deering (new) Boston 5-String Banjo, serial #E215, with hardshell case.
For parking lot picking, the Boston rings out loud and clear. The thick steel rim – unique to the Deering line – produces a sound similar to a bronze tone-ring. The Boston has the same adjustable mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard with mother-of-pearl dot inlays and satin finish as the Sierra. The primary difference is in the drum assembly, which is a 3/16” thick steel rim but rings like a tone-ring. Deering uses high quality sealed guitar-style tuners because they provide a 6:1 gear ratio for accuracy in tuning. The fifth peg is geared as well. The 24-piece flange design allows for conversion to open-back by removing the flange pieces and resonator. The Deering List Price is currently $1520 and yet the Deering MAP is a much more comfortable $1199.

88-1176 Deering (new) Crossfire 5-String Electric Banjo, black, #D398 with Delta-style case.
Electrifying!!! The Crossfire has two powerful magnetic pickups under the head -- one in the neck position and the other by the bridge. Metal is attached to the feet of the bridge so that the pickups draw sound from both the strings and the head. Active electronics assure a wide frequency response. By retaining a full and functional banjo head, this new instrument gets more banjo sound than a solid-body electric banjo. A brass tone-ring is under the head, and the hooks for tightening the head pass through the alder body and are adjusted from the back in recessed holes. The neck is blond maple with an ebony fingerboard featuring diamond shaped mother-of-pearl inlays. Guitar-style tuners provide accuracy in tuning and allow the Crossfire to fit in an electric guitar case. Knobs adjust tone and volume, and a switch selects between the pickups or, in the middle position, plays them both. Imagine, adjusting the bass or treble on your banjo at the turn of a knob or just flipping a switch to get a different sound! A keyboard amp or an amplifier with a horn in it is recommended to get the full banjo sound; guitar amps have a limited range of sounds and don’t pick up the banjo highs. You can also practice almost silently by using a pair of amplified headphones that plug directly into the instrument. Just as an electric guitar sounds different from an acoustic, the Crossfire sounds similar but not exactly the same as an acoustic banjo. Many well-known artists perform with Crossfire Electric Banjos, such as Bela Fleck, Jimmy Olander of Diamond Rio, Bernie Leadon, Steve Lutke of the Killbillys, Allison Brown, Tony Trishka, Roy Clark, Kevin Evans, Tony Furtado, Cody Kilby, Jesper Lindberg of Sweden, The Pogues from England, and Mark Collins from Australia. Deering List at the time we purchased this was $2548. (Now the Deering List is $2849 and the Deering MAP is $2195. We can do better than that since we bought it at an old List.

88-1340 Deering (new) Crossfire 5-String Electric Banjo, #D400, with Delta-style case.
Yes, another new Deering Crossfire Electric Banjo in black. Even though they’re higher priced than this now, the Deering List when we bought this was $2750 and the Deering MAP was $1999.

83-8311 Deering (new) Good Time 2, a five-string banjo with a resonator, ISI-1033, w/Gigbag.
The Goodtime 2 is a resonator version of the extremely popular Deering Goodtime banjo. The frets are precision fitted directly into the low profile rock maple neck, which is fast and easy to fret, fitting both large and small hands. The tuning machines, including the fifth peg, are all geared, making tuning accurate and easy. The precision fretwork gives the Goodtime 2 beautiful intonation up and down the neck. The fingering area has dot position markers of black delrin. The finish is satin in the natural rock maple blond color. The Goodtime 2 pot (or main body) assembly has a multi-ply rock maple and birch rim that is laminated in the same style as the classic banjos of the 1920s. The 16 brackets are held by traditional bracket shoes. The nickel-plated two-piece resonator flange is mounted underneath the bracket shoes, adding tone-enhancing weight and a finishing touch to the appearance of the resonator/pot assembly. The maple resonator is attached to the pot by small screws through the resonator flange, making access to head adjustments simple and easy. $419 or, at our cash discount price, $407.

43-0214 Deering (new) Good Time 2, a five-string banjo with a resonator, ISI-1248,
The Goodtime 2 is a resonator version of the extremely popular Deering Goodtime banjo. The frets are precision fitted directly into the low profile rock maple neck, which is fast and easy to fret, fitting both large and small hands. The tuning machines, including the fifth peg, are all geared, making tuning accurate and easy. The precision fretwork gives the Goodtime 2 beautiful intonation up and down the neck. The fingering area has dot position markers of black delrin. The finish is satin in the natural rock maple blond color. The Goodtime 2 pot (or main body) assembly has a multi-ply rock maple and birch rim that is laminated in the same style as the classic banjos of the 1920s. The 16 brackets are held by traditional bracket shoes. The nickel-plated two-piece resonator flange is mounted underneath the bracket shoes, adding tone-enhancing weight and a finishing touch to the appearance of the resonator/pot assembly. The maple resonator is attached to the pot by small screws through the resonator flange, making access to head adjustments simple and easy. The List Price is $589 and the Deering MAP is $439.  Add $48 for zipper gigbag.

83-8623 Deering (new) GoodTime ‘Special’, a resonator five-string banjo with tone ring NSN.
Based on the popular, best selling Goodtime and Goodtime 2 banjos, the Goodtime Special is hand-fitted with the new “Goodtime Special Tone Ring,” creating a responsive, bright and crisp sound. Deering List on the GoodTime 2 Special is $789 and the Deering MAP is $589.

88-2163 Deering (new) Saratoga Star “Tenbrooks” series five-string resonator banjo, serial #0035, with hardshell case.
Featuring a Paramount peghead shape; Tenbrooks tone ring; a one-piece Zinc flange; dark red mahogany stained curly maple neck and deep resonator, which is double bound with tapered sidewalls; ornate, elegant art-nouveau style inlays on ebony fingerboard and peghead; special “V” shaped neck; two-way adjustable truss rod; 3-ply rock maple rim; new Deering tailpiece, tuners & armrest. Comes with a lifetime warranty. List when we bought this was $7299; and that that time MAP was a much better sounding $5795. Now the List is $7569 but we’re into at a lower price.

88-2015 Deering (new) Vega ‘Olde Tyme Wonder,’ serial #E127, with Planetary pegs and gig bag.
Blending the already versatile, warm responsive sound heard on the Vega Little Wonder with the new traditional features favored by clawhammer banjo players, the Olde Tyme Wonder has a three-ply maple rim, rock maple neck, a scooped ebony fingerboard with mother-of-pearl dot inlays, planetary pegs, Vega-style armrest and the headstock is adorned with the Vega name in white. Intended to approximate the tone of calfskin without the mounting and maintenance inconvenience, the traditional-looking fiberskyn head gives the Olde Tyme Wonder the warm, round, more plunky sound eagerly sought after by frailing style banjoists. The traditional No-Knot tailpiece, unlike more modern tailpieces, places no downward pressure on the banjo strings and lends the banjo the mellower, open, full tone favored by traditional clawhammer players. The single coordinator rod in the pot and the neck with a two-way adjustable truss rod allows the player to adjust the banjo’s playability or action to suit his own style and taste. When we bought this the List Price was $1399 and the Deering MAP was $999 Now the Deering List is $1499.

TENOR BANJOS
88-2167 Deering (new) Goodtime 2 Special Tenor Banjo, ISI1343. This one has the tone ring under the head, and the resonator.
The Deering List Price is $789 and the Deering MAP is $599. Please add $48 for Deering tenor banjo gig bag.

83-0950 May Bell (used, circa 1930s) by Slingerland Style B tenor banjo, ISI-1075.
$613 or, at our cash discount price, $595.

MANDOLIN & MANDOLIN FAMILY
88-1294 Apitius (new) Classic F-Style Mandolin, #9403, with hardshell case.
The first Apitius Classic model mandolin. A simply elegant mandolin, the Classic model’s appointments include a hand-cut peghead inlay of abalone and mother-of-pearl, triple-bound top and back, Paua abalone position markers, nickel-plated Schaller® tuning machines with pearloid buttons and an engraved nickel-plated tailpiece cover. $6578 or, at our cash discount price, $6380.

88-1750 Apitius (new) Classic F-Style Mandolin, #9604, with hardshell case. The first Apitius Classic model mandolin. A simply elegant mandolin, the Classic model’s appointments include a hand-cut peghead inlay of abalone and mother-of-pearl, triple-bound top and back, Paua abalone position markers, nickel-plated Schaller® tuning machines with pearloid buttons and an engraved nickel-plated tailpiece cover. WAS $9836, NOW ON SALE for $7423 or, at our cash discount price, $7200.

88-1759 Apitius (new) Grand Classic F-Style Mandolin, #9704, with hardshell case.
Classically Grand. A dressed up version of the Classic, the Grand Classic features upgrades such as an elaborate hand-cut inlay of mother-of-pearl and abalone shell in a vine motif. Further upgrades include gold-plated Schaller® tuning machines with genuine mother-of-pearl buttons, ivoroid bindings with b/w purfling on top and side surfaces and an engraved gold-plated tailpiece. WAS $10,826, NOW ON SALE for $8351 or, at our cash discount price, $8100.

88-1133 Kentucky (new) KM-750 F-Style, #03050041Y, sunburst, with hardshell case.
Introducing the newest edition to the Kentucky f-model mandolin family! This stunning example of a 1930s-inspired f-model mandolin really has it all: hand-carved solid spruce top; traditional nitro-cellulose sunburst finish; multi-ply binding on top, back and headstock; hand-carved solid flamed maple back and sides; maple neck with adjustable truss rod; a radiused, extended 29-fret bound rosewood fretboard with 1930s-style block inlays; newly designed, traditional style mother-of-pearl and abalone peghead inlay; adjustable compensated stained rosewood bridge; and gold-plated hardware. While the list price is $1224, this is available to you at the discount price of $946 or, at our cash discount price, $918.

88-1348 Gibson (used, 1916) F-2 Mandolin, serial #30522, no case came in with it, but we can probably find a newer case for it.
$5155 or, at our cash discount price, $5000.

88-2270 Morgan Monroe (new) MMS-5 Carved Top Mandolin, serial #0404033, with hardshell case.
Solid carved Spruce top, solid tiger maple back & sides, extended ebony fretboard, bone nut, Ashton Bailey ebony bridge, pearloid tuners and fully bound. List Price is $1484.95. $1152 or, at our cash discount price, $1117.

88-1958 Phoenix (new) Bluegrass F-style Mandolin, serial #345, with custom hardshell case.
Designed for the special bluegrass sound with medium-heavy to heavy strings. Professionals describe this model as having a “cutting chop and superb bass,” “great playability,” “doesn’t seem stiff or hard to play,” “perfect balance between strings,” and they remark on the added volume and clarity on the E-string, especially in the studio for recordings. Some players use the increased playability to make chop chords on the 12th-14th frets. Features include: graduation and tone bar size for the best Bluegrass sound; 24-fret fingerboard with abalone dots on front and side; ivoroid binding on body, neck and headstock; nickel hardware with engraved Rigel tailpiece; fossil ivory nut; and traditional sunburst stains under the hybrid varnish finish. List Price is $4000. It can be yaws for $3712 or, at our cash discount price, $3600.

88-1108 Weber (new) Aspen #2 Flat Mandolin, serial #334911, with hardshell case.
Named for the hardy trees that can take the high winds and freezing temperatures of Montana. The slightest breeze causes it’s golden leaves to flutter, and together with their white bark, the Aspen seems to shimmer against the dark pine forest background. Solid spruce top; x-plus bracing; curly maple back and rim; maple neck; ebony peghead veneer with mother-of-pearl inlaid logo and knot; bound ebony fingerboard with mother-of-pearl fret markers; 14” scale length; top, back and soundhole rosette .100 I/B/I binding; matte finish; stainless steel tailpiece; nickel Schaller tuners; adjustable truss rod; and ebony bridge with replaceable saddle. Lifetime warranty. List Price is $1380.

88-1228 Weber (new) Bridger A-Style Mandolin, serial #3143212, with hardshell case.
The Bridger series was named after Jim Bridger, one of the first non-Native Americans to explore Yellowstone Park and the discoverer of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. He was a well-known frontiersman who discovered an alternative route to the well-used (but short lived and very dangerous) Bozeman Trail to the Montana gold fields. This shortcut saved travelers 3 days in getting to the gold camps of Bannack, Virginia City and Last Chance Gulch, and became known as “The Bridger Cutoff.” The area around Bozeman is populated with geographical features such as Bridger Canyon and Bridger Creek. The mountains outside of town are known as “The Bridgers,” and the local ski area there is called Bridger Bowl. This is a great crossover instrument for Bluegrass and Celtic music and has been very well received by the music community. Solid spruce top; modified X bracing; curly maple back, rim and neck; bound ebony peghead veneer with mother-of-pearl inlays; bound ebony 14” scale fingerboard with mother-of-pearl fret markers; top, back & sound hole rosette .100 I/B/I binding; matte finish; nickel hardware; adjustable truss rod; and Brekke adjustable ebony bridge. Lifetime warranty. List Price is $2100

AMPLIFIERS
13-9085 Crate (new) Club 50 (all-tube amp).
WAS $463, NOW ON SALE for $407 or, at our cash discount price, $395.

25-3386 Crate (new) Tube Combo Electric Guitar Amp, #VC21RGN062.
$286 or, at our cash discount price, $280.

83-4108 Crate (used) CA 30R w/Reverb Electric Guitar Amp, #AHYDJ70334.
$407 or, at our cash discount price, $395.

88-1396 Fender (new) ‘64 Vibroverb Custom Electric Guitar Amp, #CR285885.
Original 1964 Vibroverbs are hard-to-find collectables, and are particularly prized by players who enjoy the “Texas Blues” style. The new ‘64 Vibroverb Custom is an all-tube, completely hand-wired combo amp with solid finger-jointed pine cabinet for thick, resonant tone and the unique, throaty sound of a single 15” speaker. From the front, it appears to simply be a faithful reissue of the rare and collectible 1964 Blackface™ Fender Vibroverb amp, with two independent channels, Reverb, Vibrato and crystal-clean tones. It is just that, but around back, a few surprise features are waiting to kick the tone into overdrive-literally! The Vibroverb modifications are easily accessible via the Mod and Rectifier switches on the rear panel, allowing the player to enjoy vintage Blackface™ tones perfect for many styles of music, then easily “modify” the amp for hot-rodded, cranked up “Texas Blues” tones bristling with sustain and harmonics. Other premium features include a 15-inch Special Design Eminence speaker with full rich bass tone and enough top end shimmer to please any guitarist and a pair of powerful all-USA-made 6L6-GE Groove Tubes. These Vibroverb modifications were perfected by César Diaz, world famous “Amp Doctor,” who worked closely with Fender during the inception of this new model. $2010 or, at our cash discount price, $1950.

88-1407 Fender (new) Vibro-King® Custom Electric Guitar Amp, serial #3195, black.
The venerable Vibro-King amp has been seen on countless stages around the world! This all-tube, completely hand-wired combo amp with birch ply cabinet is covered in black with the appealing “1964 Transitional” Blackface™/White knob look. A pair of powerful all-USA-made 6L6-GE Groove Tubes has been added for rich, full tone. The 60-watt Vibro-King Custom has unparalleled sensitivity to pick dynamics and guitar knob settings. Other premium features include: ‘63 Fender Reverb® with Dwell, Mix and Tone controls; Vibrato and three 10” Jensen P10R speakers with Alnico magnets; five 12AX7 preamp tubes; and an FX loop. The Vibro-King is covered in black heavy-duty textured vinyl with silver grille cloth and nickel hardware. A two-button FAT Boost/Vibrato footswitch is included. Dimensions: 22.5”H x 24.75”W x 10.5”D; 72 lbs. List Price is $2999.99. $2010 or, at our cash discount price, $1950.

88-2275 Fishman (new) Loudbox Pro Acoustic amplifier, #LBX2000037.
The tri-amped, 600-watt, two-channel Loudbox Pro features a 12” woofer driven by a 380-watt power amp. The 6” polypropylene mid driver is pushed by 160 watts and the three 1” soft-dome neodymium tweeters also have their own 60-watt amplifier. Each component is housed in its own sealed enclosure and tuned precisely for acoustic stringed instruments. For close onstage monitoring, an integrated kickstand allows you to tilt the amp back as much as 70 degrees. The Loudbox Pro features ultra-high impedance instrument inputs with EQ sections that include bass, midrange, treble and brilliance controls. It has a greater than 122 dB SPL rating, so the big thrills with this amp come when you step on the gas and feel the surge of power. Fighting acoustic feedback is straightforward with the Loudbox Pro’s notch filters and phase switches. A sophisticated digital reverb with five useful settings can be assigned to both channels together or individually. A mute switch, dual effects loops and an XLR output with selectable pre/post EQ round out the features. Dimensions: 19.25”H x 25”W x 11.75”D; 77lbs. WAS $2062, NOW ON SALE for $1800 or, at our cash discount price, $1746.

88-2324 Schertler (new) David 80-watt acoustic amplifier, serial #300342.
The Schertler David is a more compact acoustic instrument combo amplifier than the Unico. Featuring the same high attention to quality and sound, David is perfect for the artist requiring only two input channels. From preamplifiers to loudspeakers, all components were selected for their natural and accurate response. Two power amps with an active crossover supply 50 watts to the 6” woofer and 30 watts to the 1” dome tweeter. The result is velvety, clear harmonics with a controlled, strong low end (down to 40 Hz). Each power amplifier features limiter circuitry to deliver secure speaker protection. The amplifiers are built with bipolar transistors (no MOS-FET) and are powered by a robust, traditional power supply (toroidial transformer). David’s innovative CLASS-A circuitry and built-in analog spring reverberation deliver the warm, smooth and musical sound that acoustic musicians have been seeking. Whether your instrument is guitar or mandolin, violin or cello, listen to your playing through David. You’ll be amazed! Dimensions: 11.81”H x 13.39”W x 9.65”D; 20 lbs. $820 or, at our cash discount price, $795.

88-1534 Schertler (new) UNICO Amp, serial #100682.
Every one of UNICO’s components, from preamplifiers to loudspeakers, has been designed for natural and accurate response and its circuitry is designed to be accurate and precise like in professional-quality recording studio electronics. UNICO has a built-in analog spring reverb designed using an innovative Class A circuit, producing the smooth and musical reverb sound guitarists, violin players and others have been seeking. Four inputs provide the flexibility performers have been asking for: MIC IN – input for dynamic or condenser microphones; DYN IN – an input optimized for microphones or other electrodynamic transducers having low impedance and low level, which allows the connection of electret condenser microphones; STAT IN – a medium impedance input with optimal sensitivity for high-level audio signals, active electric bass and guitars and similar devices; and LINE IN – a high impedance input with optimal sensitivity for high-level audio signals like CD players, karaoke, effects, keyboards and other types of transducers. MIC IN, DYN In and STAT IN include switchable 48v phantom power; DYN IN also includes Resonance control effective at 180Hz. Each UNICO channel includes Equalization, from high to low, allowing a wide range of tonal variations to be explored; Analog spring reverb level, adding warmth and depth to any instrument; and channel volume control. Components: 8” Woofer, 1” Dome Tweeter, 150 watts RMS; switchable 110v/230v voltage supply. Dimensions: 15.35”H x 13.39”W x 10.63”D; 32 lbs. $1129 or, at our cash discount price, $1095.

83-3137 Ultrasound (new) AG30 30-Watt Acoustic Guitar amp, serial #7128. Dimensions: 11”H x 16”L x 10.5”D; 20 lbs. $267 or, at our cash discount price, $259.

CASES, BAGS & MISCELLANEOUS
83-8601 Benedetto (used) Archtop Guitar gig bag, #ISI1084, $309 or at our cash discount price, $300.

83-0833 Mark Leaf (used) 18” Archtop Guitar Cases, ISI1056.
$489 or, at our cash discount price, $475

83-9478 Reunion Blues (used c.2000) 5 string Resonator Banjo bag, maroon, NSN, near mint.
$155 or, at our cash discount price, $150.

MORE GOOD STUFF

Every day, new stuff enters our showroom, usually musical merchandise -while other stuff gets a little bit older and a little less expensive. We'd like to keep you posted on what's hot, what's special, and what's on sale!!! In every instance (this is an important hint) don't be afraid to ask us "Hey, buddy, yeah, you, what's the best you can do on this imbedded visitor?" Yes, peripatetic pilgrim, come in, you're just in time for the semi-annual thinning of the herd. This is some of the stuff we've got that, by way of a simple title transfer, can very easily become yours! If you have questions, we are likely to know the answers. Please call us at 718-981-8585 or email us. And yes, in case you were wondering, we are a Gibson Dealer.

88-1930 Laskin (used 1991) “Reach For The Moon,” a mid-size cutaway acoustic #10491, of Sitka spruce and East Indian rosewood, in near mint condition, with Mark Leaf case. Featured within the beautiful pages of “Guitarmaker's Canvas: The Inlay Art of Grit Laskin,” is this guitar: Reach for the Moon. The headstock and fingerboard depict a ring gymnast, with upswung legs that balance on his toes a crescent moon , while a red-suited female gymnast reaches down along the headstock and across the nut to grasp the glowing orb (the moon, that is). Delicate, detailed art work, a sharp cutaway, grained ivoroid neck binding, side dot markers, no fretboard markers since the gymnasts need the room for tumbling. A strap pin has been added to the ebony capped heel which overlooks the rich, loamy rosewood back. Black wood binding encircles the top and back, while a thin stripe of three-ply purfling delineates both sides of the binding. A clear pickguard disappears on the soundboard, and the soundhole rosette is understated. The bridge is ebony and its pins are crème with black dots. To add to the joy, there’s a piezo under-saddle pickup with endpin jack. With a tone that leaps gracefully for the vault of heaven, then tumbles back down with controlled precision. This is available at $6914 or, at our cash discount price, $6700

83-3302 used Gibson (Used 1995) Semi-Hollow Les Paul Florentine Custom Guitar, #59203, beautiful baby blue, in near mint condition, with hard case. From ye Olde Custom Shoppe in a perfect-sky blue with sun touched gold Grover tuners, white binding (with black-white-black purfling) on the top and back, as well as on the neck and headstock. The f-holes are unbound with their edges finished in black. The neck (the back of which matches the body) has square and rectangle mother of pearl inlays on the fretboard that start at the first fret. Black pickup-surrounds are home to gold covered humbuckers, and the stop-tail piece is gold as well. The black knobs control tone, and even unplugged, tone on this guitar is amazing, from highs that can place a shiver down your spine to lows that can make you shimmy to your toes. Available for $3145 or, at our cash discount price, $3050

83-1151 Vega-Ditson 1930 Style N tenor banjo, 90052, 19 frets, very good plus condition, No case. Most unusual to see this model with 19 frets (full scale). NOW ON SALE!!! $463 or at our cash discount price, $450

83-9693 Vegaphone 1927 “Artist” tenor banjo, 74486, in very good-plus condition, with a worn but serviceable original hard shell case. This fine banjo was played a lot. It was refretted and yet the frets are once again somewhat worn. While it may show dings, scratches, mars and the usual signs of a life well-utilized, it has another century of playing left in it. We admit that we tend to overstate the negatives in our descriptions - some other dealer could possibly call this excellent showing oxidation on the metal parts and normal signs of playing time. There is a slight flattening of the frets in some positions but not much in the way of "divots" in the metal. There is considerable oxidation on the plating of flange and armrest. It does show light normal signs of wear overall, but not more than anybody would expect on an instrument that's 78 years old (!). It's really quite nice, it has all its original flange pieces, and the carving is delicious and deep. It's a very nice example. $1907 or, at our cash discount price, $1850

83-5316 SWR (new) "Strawberry Blonde" amp, SBB00012609. This model is significantly lighter in weight than its sister, the California Blonde, and is 60 watts compared to the CA-BLD's 100. It has only one input and one channel of controls, without an XLR mic input. Nevertheless it's a great sounding inexpensive amplifier for acoustic-electric guitars. The Manufacturer's Own Suggested (List) Price is $699. Call us for our own selling price.

83-9326 C F Martin (new) Cowboy III. The Cowboy Scene, the will of the west. This one is 150 of 750 made. A mustachioed "caballero" (which means "gentleman" as well as "cowboy" in Eh-spa-nee-y'all) soulfully sings for his supper on the bass bout (with a li'l black doggie doin' harmony) , while our girl Jane leans along the fence (this ain't Texas) to listen. The CF Scion makes a cameo as a brave bronkin' buckaroo on the treble while a clear blue sky and a red mountain range overlooks (we would, too) the whole scene. Oh, and you can play this OM-style guitar as a guitar, too. Let your fingers take an easy ride along the frets and hear the rumble of the storm upon the Rockies, feel the warmth of the campfire. Numerically desirable, artistically collectable, and CF Martin playable - or you can just hang it on the wall of your ranch and let your wranglers reap the renefits. Martin list is $1099. Martin MAP is $824.95

83-6099 Tippin (new) OMT, 0300132, Indian rosewood and AAA Alpine spruce top, nickel Waverly tuners, with hard shell case.
Here is your essential Orchestra Model as interpreted by the Master of Marblehead, and not the other way around. It bears the same lovely nestled abalone and pearl fretboard inlays as his gone, but not forgotten, 00012T, the same blood wood rosette, the same 25.4" scale, the same 1 3/4" nut width, but in this hard shell case you get a fourteen fret neck which extends your hand away from your torso in much the same way as the pioneer guides showed the Mississippi River to the earliest settlers. "Behold" they said. We are enthralled by the Alpine top, whose purity is surpassed only by our own, as well as by the light golden to toasted-brown sunbursting of the mahogany neck, and by the preternaturally straight-grained East Indian back and sides offset by white maple purflings and grained ivoroid bindings. A highly polished bone saddle stands straight up and is appropriately compensated on the B string. Tippin says "Our OMT does not lose strength in tone value or volume when used with a capo and captures precise definition in balance from not to note with an impressive sustain." WAS $3730. All Tippin instruments in stock are on sale at greatly reduced prices. THIS ONE IS ON SALE FOR $3093 with a cash discount price of $2995.

83-9331 Tippin (new) OMT-C in Indian rosewood with a Master grade Sitka Spruce top, #1101137, with hard shell case.
Bill Tippin, using nothing more than a standard dove-tail neck joint, fine woods, and his own prodigious talent builds a guitar that redefines the acoustic six-string experience. This guitar is something you rarely see - a fourteen fret Maccaferrian (soft) cutaway, 15 1/4” wide, with a very deep 4 1/2” side measurement and a comfortable 1 3/4” nut width with bridge pins that measure, center to center, 2 5/16”. He makes his ebony belly bridge with thin wings, which accounts for its angelic tone. The neck is modified V, finished in gloss, shaded slightly with a hint of sunbursting on the back. The top on this guitar is exquisitely and continuously cross-grained - a medullary medley. The slightly smaller than normal, 3 7/8” diameter soundhole (measured diagonally) is bordered by concentric circles including a large ring of highly polished rosewood. The pickguard is abbreviated in the style of prewar tortoiseoid. The top is not herringbone trimmed, but instead edged in fine wood binding with grained ivoroid on both of the sides, single bound on the back, and having a alternating natural and black wood marquetry backstripe of Mr. Tippin’s own design. Tuners are Schaller mini sealed backs in chrome. Peghead is black ebony and inlaid with the playful Tippin stylized logo with the T-umbrella top. Scale length is long at 25.4” nut to saddle. The sound is sumptuous with all those harmonics and overtones, richly flavorful and more than a little dazzling. NOW ON SALE!!! WAS $3447, NOW ON SALE for $3067 or at our cash discount price $2975

83-3907 Tut Taylor (new) Virginian, #109102, squareneck, sunburst, with hard shell case.   Tut is considered one of the Pioneers of the Dobrolic Arts, having been a practitioner since the ‘40s. He has here designed a fully functional bluegrass slide instrument of high quality. The top, back and sides are curly maple, both top and back being two piece and book matched. Top, back and fret board are triple bound while the sides are singly bordered. Peghead is unbordered. The black fingerboard is inlaid, starting from the first fret, with old tenor banjo style flourishes of colorful abalone. Tuners are Kluson replicas, and the cover plate contains a cutout design in a tulip pattern. This has the twin screen holes at bottom of fretboard. Tonally, it is quite sweet, clear and contains great string-to-string separation and presence. The Manufacturer’s suggested price is $2499.  This WAS $2010 but it is now ON SALE for $1742 or, at our cash discount price, $1689.

83-6873 Fender circa 1966 Bandmaster blackface amplifier, A-22438, piggy back head and cabinet with 2x12" speakers, black tolex speaker cabinet, in very good condition, and the speakers are Altec Lansing. $1335 or at our cash discount price $1295.

03-6184 Ovation 1968 Deluxe Balladeer 12-string, 2962, exc, N'H. If you have read Walter Carter's book on Ovation history, then you know about the early Ovation Balladeer guitar. We continue the tale with this guitar. This is another early-period Ovation, the second period, still having 3 digit serial numbers in red ink but the location of manufacture moved to New Hartford, CT. For their third label, initiated November 1967 with approximate serial number 1000, you find four digits in black ink on a small rectangular internal label which has the Ovation Lute-O in blue and the rest of the letters in the name on a gray background, still has "Pat. Applied For" in the lower right corner, and still has the hand-typed model "DELUXE BALLADEER" and "12string" (sic). Many changes had occurred -- now we find the inlaid (not in relief above the face as in modern Ovations) black and pearl floral rosette bordered in black-white-black-white, a 7-ply bound top, an unbound rosewood fretboard with four dots and four pearl triangles, a much smaller pointed white-bound truss rod cover, a slotted peghead bearing twin six-on-a-side ivoroid button tuner sets, the paddle shaped peghead with Ovation decal, a modern "wave" shape pinless rosewood bridge with three pearl dots at bottom side. The guitar retains the five-piece mahogany and maple neck, and the shiny black back. We wonder if this guitar may once have had a pickguard since it has what appears to be four filled screw holes in the pickguard position, but no discoloration of the top. Was this top refinished nearly 30 years ago? Perhaps it was. The carrying case is a newer brown Ovation modern standard replacement hard shell. At this time the guitar is strung, as it has been for the nearly 20 years we've owned it, with only six strings, but there is no reason why it couldn't be strung as a 12- string. This, too, is an collectible for which the market for it is in its infancy. Ovation guitar collectors of the world -- where and when do you meet? Available for $1541 or, at our cash discount price, $1495.

83-4542 James D’Aquisto Excel Cutaway, January 6, 1968, vg+, #1025, sunburst, with its worn original hard shell case. This utterly majestic guitar sets new standards (as did every James D'Aquisto guitar) for the sound of an acoustic archtop instrument. This one shows light signs of use, some finish marring on the treble side of the Del Pilar-made ebony pickguard caused by the disintegration gases of the original celluloid pickguard. The flame maple on back, sides and neck is dramatic and the workmanship and materials are, of course, meticulous. It shows lacquer checking, which is normal. The guitars of James D’Aquisto are, every one, a prized collectible, treasured by its owner and considered without peer. WAS $38,147. NOW ON SALE for $33,507 or, at our cash discount price, $32,500.

13-7148 B&D Special #1 tenor banjo, 25976, vg+, with Chipboard case. Not quite as upscale as the famous Silver Bell, but a workmanlike effort for the talented amateur or beginner. WAS $820 NOW ON SALE!!! Available for $717 or, at our cash discount price, $695

83-9679 Washburn 1897 Roundbelly Mandolin, 89110, natural finish with no case. Yes, it came in missing a small pearl section of its rosette, missing some ivory or ivoroid rib segments, having 3 repaired top cracks, missing 2 pearl buttons, having one bent tuning post (but nowadays who doesn’t?). The good news is that the fingerboard is festive with engraved mother ‘o’ pearl the back is mostly all Brazilian rosewood, with a birds eye maple neck, and the price is oh so reasonable at only $1747 or, at our cash discount price, $1695

Other Good Stuff ©

Have you seen the bear? What bear? Why, the pet-like, surprisingly affectionate, C F Martin Bear, of course. He's fuzzy, he's plush, and he wears a woolen sweater with C F Martin emblazoned across his heart. Start 'em appreciating all things Martin young, or for the others to cuddle while they wait for you to put your guitar down. Take him home for $12.95

Don't forget - we have Mandolin Brothers tee-shirts in size that range from small to XXL and colors include: black, heather gray, navy blue, purple, maroon and green. Get one for yourself or for the fan on your list. Basic black and gray for $12, other colors $15.

Remember: Winter is on its way way and with it, indoor heating that can dry out the wood of your valued guitar, banjo, mandolin or uke. Call us to order your Damp-Its, Keyser Lifegards, Abbeon-Cal or Nortec brand hygrometers, wolf bane, saltpeter, and various other methods of getting you and your fine instrument through the season.

And just in case you need it, we also have a fantastic array of strings for your various fretted instruments, as well as pickups for both acoustic as well as electric instruments, and some splendid tube and acoustic amplifiers and DI boxes.

Books! Videos! DVDs! Yup, we got 'em, all sorts of 'em. From Gruhn and Carter's essential "Guide to Vintage Guitars" and equally essential The Official Vintage Guitar Price Guide to Grit Laskin's Guitarmaker's Canvas. From Paul Schmidt's book about Pythagorean Mathematics (Inquired of the Angles) and Arthur J. Arthur's stunning pictorial: Art, of the Inlay, which reveals the underlying story of Larry Robinson's remarkable decorative artistry. And then there's the books that our own Stan Jay had something to do with (Stan wrote the foreword or co-wrote chapters), including Classic Guitars USA by Willie Moseley, Bob Benedetto's How to Build an Archtop Guitar and Miller-Freeman's Classic Guitars of the Fifties. We've all sorts of instructional stuff for banjo, Dobro®, mandolin, bass, uke, and of course, guitar.

Are you gonzo for Gibson, maniacal for Martin, a fan of all things Fender? Still searching for that perfect vehicle of expression with which to heel your sole but haven't found it yet? Get in touch with our Dream Fulfillment Center© trollmeister and find out how we can have the manufacturer of your choosing build the instrument of your dreams, something special made for you and you alone.

WE'VE GOT GIFT CARDS!!! Not sure what to get that friend, family member or fingerstyle fanatic? Consider giving a pre-paid Mandolin Brothers Gift Card. You alone determine the amount and simply give us the money and, in return, you receive a light weight plastic card with the amount encoded. Unlike that expensive tube of designer toothpaste, it's refillable.

11-01-05