Folkway Music -- Instrument Galley




Last updated: July 4, 2008 Questions? Please email info@folkwaymusic.com. Please note: These are some of the more notable instruments that have recently been sold by Folkway Music. None of these instruments are for sale. Gallery Sections: Martin Gibson Other Acoustic Guitars Resonators Mandolins & Banjos Archtop Guitars Classical Guitars Electric Guitars Amplifiers Miscellaneous Lefty Instruments Repaired Instruments
Main Photo	1917 Gibson A-1 Serial #35106. A wonderful sounding, well set up, and beautifully well kept pumpkin-top A-1 from the glory days of the mandolin era. This under-the-bed special is in remarkable condition, especially when you consider that it was built 91 years ago! No cracks, no top sinkage, no excessive finish wear, and no fret wear on this instrument. It's completely original except for an identical replacement bridge made in our shop (have a look at the detail photo). Very nicely set up with action set at 3-4 64ths and excellent neck and frets. Carved spruce top and birch back, bound top and ebony fingerboard, The Gibson logo inlaid in pearl, ivoroid button Waverly tuning machines, tortoiseshell celluloid pickguard with intact mounting bracket; The Gibson engraved nickel-silver tailpiece. No repairs and no issues. Loud and warm, if you're into mandolins at all you'll love the sound of this A-1 - it definitely holds company with the best A style mandolins that have passed through Folkway over the years. With original hard shell case On Consignment SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Bridge detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1955 Gibson LG-2 FON # W3197-14. A good sounding small 'guard LG-2 with nice punchy mids, even balance, and woody overtones. In '55 Gibson changed a handful of design elements on all their flat-tops, but this guitar has all the pre-'55 features: Scalloped braces, small pickguard, and tapered headstock. Couple all that with a deliciously comfortable mid 50's neck and nice action and you'll have a guitar that's hard to put down. Sitka top, straight-grained mahogany back and sides; Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and original bridge. Original frets, nut and saddle; newer Kluson tuners with aged buttons. Professionally installed LR Baggs I-Beam bridgeplate pickup and endpin jack. The guitar sort of has a top crack between the bridge and bottom - but we can't move it at all, and there is no sign of repair. This one might actually be just in the finish. There is the usual pickguard crack, and a very minor tight crack in the heel of the neck. 1-11/16" nut, 24.75" scale; action measures a standard 5 to 7 64ths. A great sounding and looking 50+ year old vintage Gibson. With hard shell case SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Heel detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1957 Gibson ES-140T FON U938-31. The ES-140 was Gibson's first 3/4 sized electric upon its introduction in 1950. For the first six years of production the model featured a full-depth body, but by 1956, its depth was thinned to 1-3/4", and the model renamed the ES-140T. With its 22-3/4" scale length, 1-9/16" nut width, and small 12-3/4" wide cut-away body, the 140T was designed to be a kid's guitar; but today the model has found favor with those players looking for the tone that the combination of P-90 and short scale offers. This one is in excellent condition, very well set up, and completely original. There is really no playwear on it, and the finish looks fantastic. Its P-90 reads 7.6kOhms, and sounds big. Play it yourself, or take it home for your son or daughter - they'll surely be the coolest kid on the block! With chipboard case On Consignment SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1951 Gibson J-50 FON 7854-3 Talk about vibe! This J-50 is a mostly one owner guitar that has been played hard its whole life - and has the wear to prove it. Pickwear on the top, and lots of neck and fingerboard wear. The thing feels great! Despite the worn look of this instrument it's in excellent condition, with no top cracks, side cracks, and only a pair of small back cracks. The frets were replaced by us a couple of years ago, and it has since had a professional neck reset saddle - the set up is just right. It sounds as good as it looks - as long as you like the looks of well-played guitars as much as we do! Early fifties Gibsons are great sounding instruments in any condition, but crack-free original guitars with lots of playing in them are the best ones, and this guitar is no exception to the rule. Lots of thumpy bass and breathy trebles. It's completely original, with the exception of the frets, saddle, and tuner buttons, and in perfect working order, including its early Pat. Appld. Kluson tuning machines. Sexy firestripe pickguard, too, huh? Check out the original hard shell case it comes with, and God Bless! SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Neck detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1930 Gibson L-1 FON 9569. Introduced in '26, the original L-1 (with its small 13-1/2" body, wide V-neck, and H-bracing) has become famous due to its association with mythically legendary bluesman Robert Johnson. By 1929, the L-1's body size was increased to the L-2's 14-3/4" width, and X-bracing replaced the tubby-sounding H bracing. These new L-1's were built exceptionally lightly, with ultra-thin top, backs, and sides, thin braces and tiny maple bridge plates. They sounded great thanks to this light construction; but, unfortunately few have survived in playable condition to this day. The heavy steel strings of the era took their toll on the lightly built tops, and most of the early 1930's L series guitars (0's, 1's and 2's) we come across today have been heavily (and often badly) repaired as a result. We offer here a guitar that has survived the years wonderfully, without warpage, damage, cracks or playwear. It's a guitar that is truly in "Collector Condition", and one that plays as effortlessly as it is beautiful. Red spruce top, mahogany back and sides, bound in a single layer of white celluloid, with a rich tobacco sunburst finished top and Sheraton brown back and sides. Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge, "The Gibson" headstock logo, three-on-a-plate tuners with white buttons, C shaped 12 fret neck with a 1-3/4" ebony nut and 24.75"scale length. Straight tapered braces, mahogany neck block and poplar tail block, maple bridge plate, mahogany kerfed linings, and gauze side reinforcements. Original frets, bridge pins, endpin, tuning machines, and thin lacquer finish. We have recently completed a neck reset and set-up on this instrument; its action measures 5 to 6 64ths at the 12th fret. Tonally, this guitar is among the best of them. Its light weight, age, and flawless condition work together to offer up a vintage Gibson voice that is rich in harmonic overtone, open and woody, with well developed tonal response across the musical spectrum. It is less boxy and mid-range heavy than later L-00's and LG-2's, but fatter and more punchy than a similarly aged Martin 00-18, and strikes a nice balance between the three aforementioned instruments. While this L-1 is best suited for fingerstyle playing, few of you won't find any reason to not love this guitar. Sold with its original semi-hardshell case SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Case Open Case Closed Neck Set detail

Main Photo	1942 Gibson J-45 No FON. Banner J-45's don't come in much finer shape or more attractive than this one, folks. With its gorgeous two-tone sunburst finish, banner headstock logo, small rectangle bridge, and open-geared Klusons this guitar perfectly epitomizes the War-time J-45. This is an early Banner model, but without factory order number, we can't get too specific about the year it was built; however, analyzing its features leads us to believe it was finished up in very late 1942. The first Banner models featured multi-layer top bindings and soundhole rosettes, while later models have simple single-ply bindings and rosettes. This guitar's top has the multi-ply rosette of the first Banners, but has the single-ply binding of the later models. It has a four-piece top of Red Spruce, one-piece mahogany back and matching sides, mahogany neck (with truss-rod), and mahogany head and tail blocks. It was completely original when we acquired it, but has since had a neck reset, a refret and set up. The tuners, nut, finish, bridge and end pins are original. This guitar is in truly excellent condition; it has had no internal repairs, and shows no top deflection. We repaired a short 2" back crack, a pickguard crack, and glued a suspect top-seam; this guitar arrived with no loose braces - very unusual! Typical of war-time Gibsons the neck on this J-45 is quite large and round; measuring 1-25/32" wide at the nut. Thanks to the new frets and nice action, this guitar is very comfortable to play despite its girthy neck. Its got that typical Banner J-45 voice - big, loud, and warm, with a very quick attack, and robust mids and trebles... there's nothing out there that sounds anything like it. I'll be sad to see this guitar leave the shop - Banner J-45's are getting harder and harder to come by, and examples this nice are as rare as palm trees in Michigan. With its original case SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1966 Gibson ES-335TD Serial # 855140. This one is a knock-out, folks. Vibrant and un-faded cherry finish, near-mint condition, and completely original but for perfect new frets and a bone nut; this 335 is both a player's and collector's dream axe. Pots and serial number date 1966; patent # pickups (neck is missing decal), with DC resistances of 7.3 (neck) and 7.9 (bridge). Very resonant and light weight, this guitar is a great sounding 8.2 pound machine. Original double-line double-ring Kluson tuners work well, as do pots and switch. Fast neck, with nut-width of 1-9/16". If you're in the market for a collector-grade instrument, this might just be the one. With original hard shell case On Consignment SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1961 Gibson Les Paul Jr. Serial # 188; pot codes 1346041 and 1346043. Lightweight and resonant, at 6.7 pounds. One piece mahogany body and set-in one piece neck, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Fantastic sounding and super-hot P-90 with a DC resistance of 10kOhms! Original lightweight aluminum wrap around tailpiece. Original pots, knobs and capacitor. A few re-soldered joints, but mostly original, including output jack. Finish and plastic parts are completely original. Original vintage Kluson single line tuners, but there were Grover Roto's on it in the past. Neck and body are in great shape and crack-free; finish is also in good shape - with normal crazing in the lacquer and a slightly faded top. No belt rash, but the finish is worn through to the wood where your arm would rest on the bass-side edge. A small amount of material was removed under the pickup at some point in the past - we suppose to make room for the pickup to fit properly (see photo). . Professionally refretted with jumbo wire, and a new bone nut. The instrument plays very nicely and is well set up with 11's. Fat and bright P-90 tone will make you not want to put this one down! The '61 neck profile is very comfortable and more manageable than the earlier larger necks, but still has a 1-11/16" wide nut. It's a great sounding guitar, and a good investment. With 70's Les Paul Case On Consignment NOT FOR SALE More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Pots detail Pickup Pocket detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1954 Gibson SJN FON X8618-9. The first natural finished Gibson Southern Jumbos were offered in 1954, the year this instrument was built. The SJN was renamed "Country Western" in '56, but aside from the standard changes which occurred to all Gibson acoustics in 1955, there was no real difference between these two models. First year production of the SJN totaled only 15 instruments, making this a guitar of some historical significance - and one fiftieth less common than it's fraternal twin, the sunburst-finish Southern Jumbo. Scallop-braced spruce top, mahogany back and sides, bound Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard with double parallelogram pearloid markers. Small tortoise-celluloid pickguard, multi-ply body bindings, Brazilian rosewood bridge, and three per side Kluson tuning gears. Completely original and unmodified, this instrument is complete with its shrunken tuner buttons and factory bridge-pins. The guitar is in fine condition, with no repairs other than a reglued center-seam on the top. Some light playwear is evident on the side of the neck in the first position, and along the soundhole's bottom edge. Action currently measures 7 to 9 64th's at the 12th fret with room on the saddle to lower it to about 5 to 7 64ths if you'd like to. Typical 50's round neck carve with 1-11/16" nut and 24.75" scale. Great lo-fi jumbo tone with thumpy lows and fat trebles, perfect for singing country tunes. With period Gibson case NOT FOR SALE More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1928-9 Gibson L-1 FON 9511. Gibson's first flat-top guitars arrived on the scene in 1926 with the L-0 and L-1 models. These first variants had massive necks, H-bracing, small and round 13.5" wide bodies, 12 fret necks, and an appearance much akin to the "Pumpkin-top" mandolins the company had been building for twenty or so years. By 1929, the L series had acquired the larger, more squared-off body that we commonly associate with the L-00, X bracing, and modern neck dimensions. Somewhere in between, the L series' evolution paused for a short while - and the guitar pictured here was completed. Another one, similar to it, would end up in the hands of Robert Johnson, circa 1935, in a photo studio in Memphis and forever be associated with the legendary bluesman. Of note is the X-bracing employed on this guitar; it is the earliest X-braced Gibson flat-top we've yet encountered, and surely among the first such guitars the company built. Its bridge is a simple rectangle, and its truss-rod equipped neck is modern in feel. A great deal of restoration went into this guitar over the course of a year, including replacement of all four back braces and the top's X brace and bridge plate. Holes in the top were patched, the bridge is new, the neck has been reset, and the frets are replacements. This guitar is a family heirloom of one of our regular local customers; it has been with the family since new, and features the "Made in the USA" stamp on the heastock's rear face typical of export guitars from that era. NOT FOR SALE More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Back Off detail 1 Back Off detail 2 Back Brace detail Top Patch detail 1 Top Patch detail 2

Main Photo	1934 Gibson TG-50E FON 798. For a short period in 1934 and early 1935 the TG-50 and related L-50 models featured a 14-3/4" wide L-00 sized body with a braced flat back, and a carved top with a round sound hole. By late 1935, the Gibson catalog pictures these instruments with the larger and more common 16" body. Also in 1935 Gibson introduced its first production electrics - the Electric Hawaiian - a lap slide guitar fitted with the earliest version of what we today commonly call the Charlie Christian pickup. A year later, this pickup was fitted in a pair of newly introduced slide models, and by late 1936 the first Gibson Electric Spanish, the ES-150, was offered, complete with a variant of the same pickup. Gibson employed this pickup on its EH and ES series electrics until 1940, when it was retired in favor of the metal-covered, smaller magnet units which would forbear the venerable P-90. The pickup fitted into the TG-50 pictured here was known as the ES-96. This unit, and a simpler version of it (the ES-75) were listed in the 1936 Gibson Catalog on the same page as the new ES-150. It sold for a whopping $35, while the TG-50 sold at $50 (imagine buying a pickup worth 70% of your guitar's value today!). It is identical in construction and dimensions to the earliest EH-100 pickups, with large and heavy bar magnets, slip-over bobbin, and lowish DC resistance; but is fitted in a circular nickel-plated disk which also features a smartly configured volume control. When we acquired this instrument, the pickup wire dangled loosely from the tail-piece; we removed the 15 feet of original cord and hard-wired an output jack in the tail-piece (no modification to the tailpiece, but we did widen the hole in the endblock to accommodate the 1/4" jack). We also mounted an 1/8" quick-connect jack to the pickup for easier removal. This pickup can be removed for shipping, or for installation in another instrument; it can be used in a 6 string acoustic as well. The TG-50 is a beautiful guitar, with carved Red spruce top, braced flat maple back and sides, cream bindings. Ebony fingerboard and adjustable bridge. It is fitted with Grover # 79 geared pegs, pearl Gibson headstock logo, bone nut, truss-rod and nickel-silver tailpiece. It originally was fitted with an elevated pickguard, but its removal would have been necessary for the use of the soundhole pickup. The guitar is crack free and in excellent condition but for some pick wear near the sound hole and the usual assortment of dings and scratches. It is well set-up and very playable. This Gibson, complete with its period pickup and original red-line hard shell case is beautiful - and very useable vintage package. With original hard shell case SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Pickup Front detail Pickup Back detail Pickup Jack detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1946 Gibson LG-2 No FON. An LG-2 from the early post-war period. One-piece mahogany back, tight-grained spruce top. Truss-rodded one-piece mahogany neck with Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bone 1-3/4" nut. Script Gibson logo, original Kluson open geared tuners, small tortoise pickguard and rectangular Brazilian rosewood bridge. Changed tuner buttons and bridge pins, but otherwise original. This guitar sounds great; it's loud and articulate, with an even string to string response. It was in our repairshop for a while where it had various top cracks and braces reglued (the back and sides are crack-free) and is now in very fine structural shape. It has a good neck angle, low and comfortable action, and is very nice to play. Its original finish is thin and finely crackled all over - and looks beautiful. Set up with light-gauge strings, this guitar is great at both fingerstyle and flatpicking. Its original frets are level have good life left in them, and its set-up is spot-on with action measuring 5 to 7 64ths with plenty of saddle room to make further adjustments. It's a guitar with a lot of vibe and tone; Vintage - with a capital V. With original chipboard case SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Crack detail Crack detail 2

Main Photo	1951 Gibson LG-2 FON 6962-29. With its original Fire-stripe pickguard, dark sunburst finished top contrasting against aged white purflings, and small Brazilian rosewood bridge, this '51 Gibson easily ranks among the most attractive LG-2's we've yet come across. It is in excellent condition, with no top cracks, one repaired side crack, and a well-repaired back seam separation. Very clean original finish, original nut, frets, and tuners (replaced buttons). Perfect neck angle and set up, the guitar plays like a dream with action at the 12th fret measuring 5 to 7 64ths. Scallop-braced spruce top, mahogany back and sides, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge. New bone saddle and bridge pins installed in our shop. We removed a pickup form the guitar, as such the end-pin hole has been widened to 1/2" and a new endpin has been installed. Exceptional tone, with very woody mids and vintage warmth. Exceptionally balanced, this guitar would find favor with any flat-picker or fingerstylist; and, thanks to its knock-out looks you collectors are going to love it too. With deluxe TKL hard shell case On Consignment SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Side detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1937 Kalamazoo KTG-11 FON 223. The KG-11 and KTG-11 were the base-model Kalamazoo offerings during the late 1930's. Both the 6 string KG-11 and and 4 string KTG-11 featured the slightly squashed looking 17.5" body, and basic trim. Like all of Gibson's Kalamazoo branded guitars the KTG-11 is ladder-braced and without truss-rod, but nicely built. This tenor features a mahogany and spruce body with bound and sunburst-finished top, unbound back and bound soundhole. It is 100% original including bridge and end pins, ebony nut and bone saddle, firestripe pickguard, Brazilian rosewood lacquered bridge, and friction banjo tuners. Not much for ornamentation, the Kalamazoo has a silk-screened logo and firestripe pickguard, but not much else to fancy it up. All that being said, I'd rather have tone than looks, and this guitar has lots of it. Big and open, with a very surprising bass response and trebles in balance, we have set the guitar up in a low E-B-F#-C# tuning with heavier strings, and it sings. Great action and frets, this guitar is ready to play and need no further restoration. No cracks or issues other than one minor brace repair. Set-up in shop. With original (beat) chip-board case SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1920 Gibson H-1 Mandola Serial # 60117. A fine example of the classic Gibsons that were made just before Lloyd Loar's tenancy. This one is warm, with plenty of bite and cut, and will suit ensemble players well. It is all original, including the "JAN, 18-21" adjustable ebony bridge. The nut is 1 5/16" with a nice V-neck. Ivoroid-bound top and fingerboard, which has the 21st-fret extension for the A string. The finish on the back and sides is in exceptional condition, some areas on the top have flaked off of the grain, but there is no damage and there no cracks on this beautiful instrument; however the top's center-seam has been reglued between the bridge and tailpiece. The frets are original with little wear, and the instrument plays nicely. The original case is in great condition. On consignment SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1964 Gibson Super 400C Serial # 177960. Priced at $775 in the early 1960's, the Super 400C was the flagship (and most expensive) instrument of the Gibson acoustic lineup. In today's dollars, that would equate to roughly $5500 - so needless to say, anyone who's shelling out that kind of cash for an instrument will likely take good care of it! Such is the case with the 1964 Super 400C offered here. The instrument looks fabulous, with 18 inches of Cremona sunburst warming up whatever room it's in, and accents-a-plenty of gold and pearl. Carved, solid figured maple back and Sitka spruce top; matching figured maple sides and neck, 7-layer top bindings and multi-layer-bound f-holes, sides, back, headstock, and fingerboard. White pearl inlaid fingerboard and headstock front and rear; gold-plated tuners, engraved tailpiece, and hardware. Yes, it is a fancy guitar. It is crack-free, and has its original tuners, nut, bridge, and tailpiece. The frets are non-original, and the pickguard is a well made recent replacement; there are DeArmond mounting holes on the edge of the fingerboard extension. An inch-wide band of light overspray covers the back binding edge from the waist to the neck heel. Finally, we can't say for certain that the body hasn't been very lightly and very professionally oversprayed. If it was, it was done long, long ago and is today virtually indistinguishable. The finish might be 100% original, but if we have the slightest doubt it's our job to tell you about it and let you decide for yourself. Ultimately, it is a beautiful instrument and a fine sounding and playing one, too. It has a fast and slim 60's neck carve with a nut width of 1-5/8", and a 25.4" scale length. With 1970's Gibson Hard shell case On Consignment NOT FOR SALE More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1961 Gibson ES-355TD Serial # A 35848, FON R5464-17, pot codes date 27th week of 1960. Likely completed in the first weeks of 1961, this Mono 355 was bought new by the same gentleman who walked into our shop with it earlier this week. They're still out there folks... This one is complete with its original hard case, original bill of sale (he bought a Fender Super at the same time - but it was sold long ago), tunematic instructions, and "Humbucking Pickup Adjustments" sheet (with the asterix in front of the word 'humbucking' footnoted at the bottom of the page with the words "Patent applied for"). It is completely original and completely unmodified - right down to the switch tip. PAF's with DC resistances of 7.95 (neck, zebra) and 8.15 (bridge, double white). 8.5 pounds light, vibrant un-faded cherry finish, gold hardware and factory Bigsby tailpiece. Most 355's of this era were equipped with the Stereo Varitone circuit which killed tone, and a Gibson sideways Vibrola tailpiece which simply didn't work very well. Luckily for all of us this one is gig-worthy thanks to its great sounding standard mono wiring and very functional Bigsby; it's a 335 all dressed up! There is some playwear on the back of the neck and a small chip on the back treble corner of the headstock (see photos). The body finish is very clean and rash-free. The gold plating is worn away from the Bigsby arm, parts of the pickup covers, and tuning machine knobs. The nut has never been removed, and the original frets are worn up to about the 9th fret, but still in fine working order. The instrument is well set-up (done here), and plays smoothly with no buzzing out. This is a very well cared for instrument, who's owner showed it a lot of TLC -and it sounds simply amazing. Original hard shell case (very nicely covered with Naugahyde) included On Consignment SOLD More photos:* Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Label detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail PAF detail Case Open Case Closed Case Ephemera

Main Photo	1962 Gibson GA-18T With foot-switch able tremolo, a pair of EL84 power tubes, a 12" Ceramic Canadian Jensen, and about 14 watts the GA-18T is highly prized for its small-amp breakup and big-amp tone. A very fine sounding lower wattage tube combo, and a killer blues amp. It can't be much longer until the amps built by Gibson start realizing the vintage dollars and cache of some of those other companies amps! Original tolex and grill cloth in excellent shape, and no real wear to the chassis, knobs, or handle. It is missing it's back panel though, but those are easy to make... On Consignment SOLD More photos: Full Back detail

Main Photo	1935 Gibson L-00 FON 920. Built sometime around 1935, this L-00 has survived the years very well. We've dated this early model guitar by the small sunburst top finish and lack of back binding typical of guitars built between '34 and '36. It's a great ragtime and blues fingerstyle guitar, as most L-00's are, thanks to its punchy, open, balanced, and raw voice. We've got the action set very low (4 to 5 64ths) on this guitar, so with its current set up it's strictly a fingerstyle instrument. If you've got a heavy hand, or plan to flat-pick on this one you'll want to get a new taller saddle made, or possibly refret the guitar to add some forward bow to the neck (the truss rod is backed off completely). This one has had a neckset in the not-to-distant past it seems, and the frets were replaced at the same time. Its tuners, nut, bridge, and all bracing are original and intact, and its bridge-plate is in excellent condition. The low E string runs close to the edge of the fingerboard, a replacement nut with better string spacing would correct this if it is an issue for you. One 3" repaired top crack at the bridge, and another of about the same size at the lower treble bout; no back or side cracks. There have been some drop-fills of lacquer around these cracks and adjacent to the fingerboard's extension on the top, and in the vicinity of the heel of the neck (where there is also a filled strap-button hole). Given how shiny the guitar is, we suspect that the entire instrument (except for the headstock) was buffed as well. The bridge and pickguard are originals and have never been removed, and black lighting confirms the finish to be original. It has a superbly comfortable V-neck, with a 1-3/4" nut and 24.75" scale; the guitar plays itself. Replacement truss rod cover, bone saddle, and high-quality bridge pins. With hard shell case SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1913 Gibson K-2 Mandocello Serial # 15759. In years leading up to the First World War, about two decades before the guitar's rise to popularity and the first Singin' Cowboys, the most common family of instruments in America was that of the Mandolin. Mandolin Orchestras could be found in just about any urban center in the country, and mandolin-family instruments were being produced in just about every imaginable fashion. The Gibson Mandolin -Guitar Company was one of the predominant producers of high-end instruments, and naturally took an interest in expanding the popularity of their products; they became the nation's largest promoter of Mandolin Orchestras, and outfitted thousands of musicians with their instruments. Among the mandolin varieties the Gibson company produced was the Mandocello, a guitar-sized instrument with a 24.75" scale length and four courses of strings, with unison pairs tuned C-G-D-A. The instrument pictured here was built in 1913, near the height of the Mandolin craze. It has an ivoriod bound spruce and birch carved body, with a black top and reddish-brown back and sides. Its appointments and construction are consistent with the Style 4 Mandolins (with which you may be more familiar). It has a three-piece neck, pearl "The Gibson" headstock logo and Fleur-de-Lys ornament, bound ebony fingerboard with pearl dot markers, bound oval soundhole with a double rope pattern rosette; non-adjustable compensated ebony bridge, elevated tortoise-celluloid pickguard, and clamshell tailpiece. There are no cracks on this 'cello, and it is completely original save for the pickguard mounting bracket, and the binding on the treble side of the fingerboard up to the 16th fret (the work was very nicely done, a long time ago). The top shows no sinkage, and the neck and frets are true. Its original nut has additional string-grooves from being guitar-strung at some point in the instrument's long history, and a strap button has been added to the heel of the neck. We have just finished a thorough set up of this instrument as well. The mandocello's original shellac finish is intact and in fine condition with minor scratches here and there, and shows no areas of excessive wear. This is a very fine sounding instrument; it has great volume and sustain, and a presence befitting of any contemporary mandolin orchestra. Two cases accompany this instrument: its original tooled leather Maulbetsch & Whittemore, and a more recent Harptone custom-made hard shell. SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1956 Gibson ES-225T FON: V5873-14. The ES-225T was introduced in 1955 only to be phased out four years later, despite strong sales. The model was Gibson's first thinline electric, and the company's first electric to feature a single pickup located halfway between the bridge and finger board. Essentially a thin body ES-175, the 225T was designed to offer the electric guitarist a more feedback resistant instrument. It was ultimately replaced by the double cut away ES-330, whose modern styling found more appeal among the guitarists of the era. The guitar features a 16 inch wide laminate maple body with a depth of 1-3/4", a pointed Florentine cut-away, 5-ply bevel-edge pickguard, single P-90 pickup with volume and tone controls, Les Paul style trapeze bridge/tailpiece, individual nickel Kluson Deluxe tuners, and a pearl inlaid Gibson headstock logo. This example is in very excellent condition. From finish to frets, there is nothing to fault about this guitar. It is completely original, save for replacement tuner buttons. Its original frets show only very minor playwear, the set up and playability are excellent, and the instrument sounds exceptional thanks in part to a particularly strong P-90 (8.1kOhm). The guitar's mid-50's neck profile is about as comfortable as it gets, and coupled with this instrument's light weight make it a joy to play. 24.75" scale, 1-11/16" nut. With its original brown/pink hard shell case On consignment SOLD More photos: Full Front Detail Headstock Detail Case Open Full Back Detail Tuners Detail Case Closed

Main Photo	1965 Gibson Skylark EH-500 Steel Gibson introduced the EH-500 in 1956, and the model remained largely unchanged until its discontinuation in '68. This 1965 model features a single piece Korina body, with a slant-mounted single coil pickup. It is completely original and in perfect condition. Its chrome parts are still mirror-shiny and its finish pretty much blemish free. Silver logo, black amp knobs and matching black buttons on the Kluson tuners. Original hard shell case. SOLD More photos: Full Front detail Headstock detail Case Open Full Back detail Tuners detail Case Closed

Main Photo	1960-1 Gibson Les Paul / SG Special Serial # 2246. In my mind, electric guitars don't come much better than a slab-bodied double-cut Les Paul or SG Special. Produced for only 3 years between '59 and '61, the model was named the Les Paul Special for most of '59, but by November of that year it was re-designated the SG Special - although with the exception of the headstock markings and the position of the neck pickup the guitar was unchanged. In early '61 the Special took on the new skinny SG body, but production of Les Paul bodied Specials trickled on throughout the year until supplies were used up. This instrument has an early 1961 four digit serial number, and pot codes dated the 27th week of 1960. Its neck is typical of the '60-'61 transition, having a fast carve and a standard width 1-11/16" nut. It has maintained a good neck angle, and its playability is flawless. There are no neck joint issues, and the original frets have good life left in them. The electronics are original and untouched, with P-90 DC values of 8.3K and 7.9K, and a vintage replica switch tip. The guitar sounds fantastic. The cherry finish has strong color, and there are no areas of extensive rash on the body and neck. There are the usual number of dings and some minor belt wear on the back; on the headstock there is a bit of lacquer-melt caused by an old sticker. The tuners are original, but there are nicely filled screw-holes from a set of Schallers; the original headstock bushings fit tightly in their original holes. Overall, this Les Paul Special scores highly - it's gorgeous to look at, weighs in at a feathery 6.75 pounds, and sounds spectacular. And it comes with its original hard shell case, too. SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1925 Gibson MB-4 FON 11832-10. The Trap-door banjos built by Gibson in the early 1920's are some of the most attractive instruments the company every made. At the high end of the model line up was the Style 4, which featured a gorgeous Cremona sunburst finish, expertly bound "Moccasin" style headstock with pearl logo and Fleur-de-Lys inlay, bound ebony fingerboard, resonator, rim, and heel, three-piece curly maple neck, and pearl nut. The MB-4 is Mandolin version of the style, with 13-7/8" scale, 1-3/16" nut, and 10-1/2" head. The MB-4 pictured here is a local one-family instrument, and in very fine condition. It is missing its tailpiece cover, and five brackets are replacements, but it is otherwise original, intact, and in good working order with a fresh set up. With original hard shell case SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Headstock Binding detail Open Back detail Tone Ring detail Tone Ring detail 2 Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1935 Gibson A-50 FON 169A-9. Priced at $50 at the height of The Great Depression the A-50 was Gibson's fanciest A style instrument, and 15$ more expensive than the J-35 guitar introduced a year later! The A-50 featured a body of carved spruce and maple, a one-piece mahogany neck, brazilian Rosewood fingerboard and adjustable ebony bridge. The pickguard and tailpiece were the standard issue of the day, and the Gibson logo was inlaid in pearl on the headstock. The body was bound in white and featured a sunburst top finish matched with Cremona back and sides. The neck was equipped with a truss rod and had a nut width of 1-3/16". This particular instrument is in near-mint condition, it is completely original and in perfect working order. Although the mandolins Gibson was building 10 years after the departure of Loyd Loar are not renowned for their tone, this A-50 is highly collectible thanks to the pristine condition that it is in, and doesn't sound half bad! They don't come much nicer than this. With original "Red Line" hard shell case On Consignment SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1937 Gibson L-00 Lefty FON 50C-36. Ok, so here's something your don't see every day. Actually, scratch that. Here's something that you never, ever, in a million years, even think you'll come across! Vintage lefties are just about as rare as, well... vintage lefties; and finding a pre-WWII left handed guitar is a once in a lifetime occurrence. Well here you go. It's an original 1937 lefty Gibson L-00. Complete with a gorgeous fire-stripe pickguard and all the vintage tone you'd hope to hear. The instrument is in excellent condition, but has had some modifications over the years. The top and sides were oversprayed a very long time ago, and the back and neck were refinished at that time. The finish-work is of the highest quality; and may even be Gibson factory work from the 1950's. There is much crazing in the lacquer, and it looks quite respectably old. The headstock face has not been oversprayed, and its logo and finish are original. The bridge is a slightly oversized replacement, and the bone nut and saddle were cut and installed in our repair shop. There is a very (I mean VERY) slight shadow of a right-handed pickguard that you may or may not notice, and I suspect that prior to the overspraying of the top the guitar was fashioned with a second pickguard. Frets and tuners are original. As with all pre 1969 left handed Gibsons, the guitar is braced right-handed, and has dots on both sides of its fingerboard. The frets and fingerboard show lefty playwear, as does the top adjacent to the pickguard. The top wear is actually under the overspray, suggesting that this instrument was used by a left handed player throughout its life. The instrument checks out well, structurally. There are no top or side cracks, and only one well-repaired back crack. The original bridge-plate and bracing are all intact. The neck angle is fine, and the action measures a standard 5 to 7 64ths at the 12th fret. It has an added strap button on the heel of the neck, and the end-pin has been drilled for a pickup output jack. It has that perfect V-profile neck that most lefties have never had a chance to feel, and a roomy 1-3/4" nut width. A great sounding guitar, it's woody and balanced, loud and bright. Tonally, it's unlike any guitar most lefties have ever had a chance to play. With newer hard shell case SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1935 Gibson TB-3 conversion FON 42-2 By late 1929 Gibson's banjo designs had pretty much reached modern standards. Mastertone pot assemblies had cast one-piece flanges and tone rings, double coordinator rods, 24 hooks and a standard 11" head. But the banjo was, at that time, beginning its decline in popularity and on its way out as America's instrument. The guitar would soon become the instrument of choice for the nation's most famous cowboys, engineers and hobos. But those Mastertones built between '29 and the Second World War would soon find favor with a different musician than the Jazz players they were designed for. Bluegrass was taking root, and the Gibson Mastertone was the banjo of choice. Today original five string Mastertones from that era have become amongst the most sought after acoustic instruments on the vintage market. The TB-3 pictured here was built in 1935. It features a Mastertone pot assembly with a cast one-piece flange and 40 hole arch-top tone ring. All of its metal parts are original and intact, and its flange is not cracked. It has a very nice replacement 5 string neck built by Frank Neat, and comes with its original tenor neck and hard shell case. Its four original Grover tuners are in service on the new neck, and its original Presto 4-string tailpiece was not replaced in the conversion. One resonator screw is a replacement, and the original mahogany resonator (and original 4 string neck) have been over-brushed with lacquer. The finish on the rim is original. This is a very fine and collectable arch-top Mastertone. With hard shell case On Consignment SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Tailpiece detail Flange detail Label detail Back Off detail Original Neck detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1946 Gibson J-45 No FON. If tone is what you're all about and Gibsons are your kind of guitars, then I can't think of an instrument that would be better suited for you than this script-logo J-45. It's a huge sounding guitar, with classic Banner-era J-45 tone: big bass and punchy trebles, with endless headroom and volume. 40's J-45's are very different animals than their 1950's offspring, and if you've not played one from the 1940's you're in for a big treat. This guitar has a lightning-fast attack, and a sparkle that you wouldn't necessary associate with a '50's era instrument. It looks and feels quite different, too. The neck is 1-3/4" wide at the nut, and has a pretty large C profile. It's not as girthy as wartime necks, but it still feels big. The sunburst top finish has a smokier vibe, with a more gradual shift from vintage amber to dark reddish brown; and at the center of the burst is a small rectangular bridge of lacquered Brazilian rosewood. A small tear-shaped tortoiseshell celluloid pickguard finishes of the top just right. It's an attractive package. This guitar is in excellent condition overall, although the tuning machines have been changed a couple of times. There are two small and tightly repaired top cracks, and few on the back as well. Internally, the guitar has had some brace-gluing done, and is healthy. The top is perfectly arched, which is likely why this one sounds so good. Its small maple bridge plate is in good shape, too. Original lacquered bridge, original frets and bone nut (the nut has never been removed), newer bone saddle and aged plastic bridge pins. There are three-on-a strip Kluson tuners on the guitar now, but the headstock was drilled for Grovers in the past; the Klusons do a good job of hiding the old Grover footprints. The guitar's action is set at 5 to 7 64ths, and there is a hair of adjustment room left on the saddle. There is not much playwear on this guitar, and the frets are in much the same condition; there are only some minor divots on the first few frets, and the guitar plays very well up the neck. Guitars this nice don't come around to often these days... With newer hard shell case On Consignment SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1925 Gibson A-Jr Serial #81896. The A-Jr was Gibson's most basic and inexpensive mandolin during its tenure from 1919 to 1927. It was constructed identically to all the higher-end A models, but its trim and adornment was significantly scaled down. The only binding on this mandolin is around the sound hole; the finish is a uniform dark brown, and there is no logo on the headstock. Additionally, to keep the price low on this model, Gibson omitted a truss-rod (which was by that time a standard feature on all mandolins), and fitted the instrument with a clamshell tailpiece and an ebony nut. Its body is carved of spruce and maple, its neck is mahogany. Ebony fingerboard with pearl dot position markers, Loar-era "Snakehead" headstock, adjustable bridge and pickguard, and Waverly tuning machines. This A-Jr. is in excellent condition overall. It is without cracks or structural issues, and is original with the exception of two tuner buttons and its adjustable bridge (which is a slightly later Gibson part). There is some finish wear around the body edges, adjacent to the fingerboard, and on the neck; and the frets show normal wear under the A and E strings. The instrument is well set up and plays nicely. Typical of Snakehead A models, it is a fine sounding instrument, with surprising volume. With non-original hard case SOLD More photos: Front detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1960 Gibson ES-330TN No serial # or FON (we dated this one by the neck profile). Is there anyone out there who doesn't think this guitar is at (or very near to) the pinnacle vintage Gibson coolness? We all certainly think it is! The single pickup ES-330T was built between '59 and '63, the natural finish version (ES-330TN) only being offered in '59 and '60. A total of 165 were built, compared to 1121 sunburst ES-330T's during those same two years. Any blond Gibson is rare, and the blond 330's are no exception to that rule. This one is a two owner guitar, and it's had nearly 50 years of steady use. We opted out of cleaning the finish on this baby; it looked too good to mess with. But we did set it up and carved a new old-looking bone nut for it; it plays beautifully. Original frets are evenly worn and not pitted (he played the whole neck of the guitar), original P-90 pickup with 8.4 kOhm resistance; original pickguard and mount, knobs, ABR-1 no-wire bridge, and tailpiece. Original tuning machines (although one might not be original, but is the same style and age as the others); newer pots and capacitor. The finish is completely original, and is fairly worn is a few areas; the back of the neck, inside the horns, and under your arm in particular. In our books the finish wear on this guitar is a value-added feature... it looks that good! 1-11/16" nut, 5.3 pounds light. And yes, it sounds as good as it looks... With 70's Gibson hard case On Consignment SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1937 Gibson Cromwell G-4 FON 261. This 16" archtop, similar to the Kalamazoo KG-31 and the Gibson L-50, the Cromwell G-4 features a solid spruce arched top and a braced arched Mahogany back. The Cromwell brand was distributed by a few mail-order stores from 1935 until 1939, and are now famous for their flashy Art Deco fingerboard ornamentation. This instrument features a sunburst top, elevated firestripe pickguard, single-bound body and fingerboard, and nickel tailpiece. It has a comfortable V neck with a 1-3/4" nut width and Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Original everything, and in excellent condtion. The guitar plays very well thanks to a fine setup and good original frets. I like the way it sounds, too - it's loud and punchy, but also has a warmth not usually found in less-pricey archtops. This guitar's fingerboard sports double stripes, as opposed to the single stripe found on most Cromwell fingerboards. Only a few Cromwells with this fingerboard were built, making this a rare instrument. According to Gibson records this guitar was shipped on August 13th, 1937. With original chipboard case SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1967 Gibson ES-355TD Serial # 872797. This Mono 355 is just about as close to mint condition as you could hope to find. We're talking un-faded cherry red finish, full height unworn frets, original solder joints, gorgeous original pickguard, and original hard case. The finish is pretty close to scratch free; but the lacquer is crazed, as you'd expect. The gold plating on the pick-up covers, bridge, and top corner of the tailpiece is a bit worn, and the nut is a bone replacement; but that's pretty much it. This guitar is otherwise spot-on perfect. Two Patent Number pickups, wired in Mono, with DC resistances of 7.7 (neck) and 7.6 (bridge) kOhms. Original Grover Pat. Pend. Rotomatics, Deluxe Vibrola tailpiece. Five-layer bindings on headstock, pickguard, and back; seven-layer bindings on top, bound ebony fingerboard with pearl block inlays, pearl headstock inlays and logo. 24-3/4" scale, 1-9/16" nut width. Tips the scales at 8.98 pounds. If you're looking for a super clean, collector-condition ES from the same year the Beatles released Sgt. Peppers, and Hendrix rocked Monterey, you've found it. With original hard shell case On Consignment SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Pickup detail Neck Pickup detail Bridge Pickup detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1963 Gibson Country Western Serial #118390. Unfortunately, too few people know what the Country Western Model is. These were originally designated Southern Jumbo Natural Finish, or SJN, selling for just a few dollars more than the more familiar sunburst SJ. The difference is only in the finish color, same as the J-45 and J-50. You could think of it as a spiffy J-50 or a blonde SJ. In 1962 the model was renamed Country Western, given square shoulders and the three-point pickguard. This particular guitar has had the original plastic bridge replaced with a rosewood facsimile with bone saddle, and a bone nut installed. It's had a couple of strap button changes over the years with a small mahogany fill in a screw-hole beside the tail-pin, and there is a minor finish touch up on the top near the bridge. Mahogany body, spruce top, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. Very little wear on the original jumbo frets, and only a few dings with generally very little playwear on the rest of the guitar. No pencil neck here, this one's got a 1 11/16" nut and a nice fast D profile. Nice fat well-developed sound, with plenty of warmth and punch. Ready to rock with a nice professional setup. On consignment with a non-original good period hard case. SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1938 Gibson HG-00 FON Mostly illegible, but is a 3 digit number beginning with 6. Introduced in '37, and priced the same as its counterpart, the L-00, the Hawaiian HG-00 is almost identical to the L-00, but with a 12 fret neck, slightly heavier bracing, high bone nut, and straight saddle. These guitars are very simple to convert back to Spanish-style - a new nut and compensated saddle are all that it takes - and they generally sound incredible as standard acoustics. This one is no exception; with a strong and punchy voice, it is a great blues and ragtime companion. But you've got to like big-necked guitars to take this one home - the neck profile is a typical 30's Gibson V, but that larger 1-7/8" nut make it feel quite substantial in your hand. Mahogany back and sides, Red Spruce top, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard and bridge. L-00 body with a 12 fret neck, 24.75" scale and 1-7/8" wide nut. Original bridge and small maple bridge plate, one repaired top crack and a small filled screw hole in top from an old pickup. Top lightly over-sprayed (original finish on back, sides, and neck); new pickguard (original will be furnished with the guitar); tuners replaced sometime in the 1950's or 60's, original bushings; new bone nut, original frets and saddle. Action currently set at a comfortable 5 to 8 6/4ths. It's not at all a museum-grade specimen, but it plays and sounds great and is priced to sell. No case SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Soundhole detail

Main Photo	1947 Gibson LG-2 Anyone who has followed the Gibson chapter of this website over the years has heard me wax poetic about LG-2's. It's no secret that they are among my favorite guitars, and we've done our best to offer many of them to you. We've had some great LG-2's pass through the shop - from first-year mahogany topped Banner models and the prototype that's currently for sale, to late 40's instruments (including the '49 I kept for myself), punchy 50's models, and even a few from the early 1960's with those horrible plastic bridges. Among these, certain guitars really stand out from the crowd; and the '47 pictured here is the newest member of this top-tiered group. No FON. With the combination of Script logo and 1-11/16" nut, this guitar can only be from early 1947. Script logos are commonly associated with necks that have a wider 1-3/4" nut width, but were replaced by the modern block logo sometime in early '47. It's a very nice combination of features, really - the guitar is pretty much a Banner model in construction and tone, but has the slightly smaller and easier feeling neck of the late 1940's. All that being said the real selling feature of this instrument is its ultra-fine condition. This is the cleanest 40's Gibson we have ever offered for sale. With the exception of an inch wide spot of play wear by the sound hole and a few isolated nicks and small scratches this instrument is in mint condition. There are no cracks or separations and no loose braces or parts. There have been no repairs, and there are none needed. The inside of this guitar is spotless and dust-free, the outside is shiny-new, but with some fine lacquer crazing. The nut has never been removed, the tuners work smoothly and flawlessly, the frets and fingerboard show no wear, the bridge is full height, and the original bridge pins are in almost-new condition - meaning the strings haven't been changed more than a few times. You simply will not find a better preserved example of an early LG-2 than this guitar. We have set up the instrument in shop, and it plays very nicely with an action of 5 to 7 64ths at the 12th fret. Spruce top, mahogany back and sides, scalloped braces, Brazilian rosewood bridge and board. The guitar has an open and strong voice, with big round trebles and mids and woody low notes. Play this guitar, you'll love it - but play it carefully. LG-2's are still relatively under priced in the vintage market, we expect instruments such as this one to appreciate significantly over the coming years. With original chipboard case in similarly fine condition. SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Condition detail Logo detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1915 Gibson H-1 Mandola Serial # 23584. A super-fine pumpkin-top Mandola from the golden era of the mid-teens. This particular instrument is exquisite condition overall, and shows only minor wear to the frets and finish. It is completely original and intact, and having been set-up in our shop it plays as nicely as it looks. It is an under-the-bed special, the strings that we removed seemed to have been on this mandola for a long long time. The neck and fretwork are excellent, and the top's arch is the same as it was when it left Kalamazoo some 92 years ago... Ninety two years ago?! Yes, really. The finish is gorgeous, the nickel plating on the tailpiece and tuning machines is un-tarnished, there are no cracks anywhere on the instrument, and the tortoise-shell celluloid pickguard is intact and not showing any signs of the decomposition that oft plagues them. Have a look at the felt lining inside the original case - the color is unfaded... Best yet, this instrument sounds wonderful. It is loud when you want it to be, and subtle when you softly ask it. The high A string has life all the way up the neck, and there is a warmth that washed over you when you strum a big C chord in the first position. Do you think we like this one?? Is it that obvious? With original hard shell case On consignment SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Case Open Case Closed

Main Photo	1957 Gibson J-45 FON U-9012-12. Hands down the best sounding adjustable bridge Gibson I've ever heard. The guitar is in excellent and original condition - it's only flaw is some case-wear on the upper treble side. No cracks (no pickguard crack either), and only mild pickwear around the sound hole. Original tuners with new buttons (check out those repro buttons - we custom ordered them from Germany; they're pretty cool). Original nut, frets, saddle, bridge and end pins, too. It's nicely set up and perfectly playable but with some light fret and fingerboard wear. The neck shape is super-comfortable, making the guitar as nice to play as it is to look at. Tonally, this guitar sounds as good as any drop-in saddle late 50's Gibson out there. It's a rare one, this guitar. With 70's hard shell case SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1957 Gibson LG-2 FON U-2613-27. Gibson was building some good guitars in 1957. Kalamazoo must have had some good weather or something. The LG-2 pictured here is a loud and punchy little guitar, with a feisty edge, and a strong cut. LG-2's are great jam guitars - you're often the loudest instrument in the group; but they love being played softly too, and are responsive to a light touch. My own LG-2 is my go-to guitar -and my desert-island instrument - so I'm a bit biased, but if you're looking for a great sounding LG, this is the one. In excellent condition, with a very well repaired pickguard crack and no other issues. Completely original, and well set up. The action measures 5 to 8 64ths at the 12th fret with ample saddle room to come down further. Full height Brazilian Rosewood bridge, original tuners, nut and frets, clean original finish with some minor dings here and there and not much lacquer craze. A very fine instrument. With original soft shell case SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1936 Gibson EH-100 & EH-150 Set Historially important, if not completely cool. This is a first year example of Gibson's EH-100 Steel and EH-150 amp combo. Both from 1936, the steel and amp both have features indicative of the first year issues. The EH-100 steel is a hollow maple guitar-shaped body, with an early blade pickup doing the dirty work. One Bakelite knob on the treble side, black finish with a white-bound top. The EH-150 amp is the first production amplifier bearing the Gibson script logo. It features the same tweed-with-stripes covering that was found on many Gibson cases of the era, a 10" speaker, 4 tubes, and a removable back cover. Shockingly, it works well and sounds cool. It's only a few watts, so don't expect tons of volume though. With the package comes the steel's original "red-line" hard case, the amp's original slip cover, and the slide-bar, picks, and extra fuses that we found in the case. A wonderful piece of Gibson history. SOLD More photos: Steel Full Front detail Steel Full Back detail Amp Front detail Amp - Back on detail Amp - Back off detail Accessories detail Amp & Steel - Case Closed Amp & Steel - Case open

Main Photo	1959 Gibson Melody Maker Serial # 933344. The Melody Maker was introduced in 1959 and stayed in production until 1971. The guitar was offered as Gibson's new budget model, replacing the Les Paul Jr. which was abandoned at the end of 1960. The original MM featured the same single-cut body as the Jr., but was about 3/8" thinner; in 1961, it was redesigned with a double cut-away body. The first Melody Makers featured a slightly larger single-coil pickup than the later model, an aluminum wrap-around tailpiece, and Kluson Deluxe tuners. The neck profile was standard '59 Gibson... just about 1-11/16" at the nut, and big and round - making this guitar awesome to play. One-piece mahogany body with set-in neck, Brazilian fingerboard, and pickguard mounted electronics. With the exception of the knobs, the guitar is completely stock and original; although there are some repaired solder joints. The neck, frets, and finish are in great shape, and the guitar is set up nicely. There is a possible crack at the neck-joint (pictured), but we feel that it's not a significant crack. There is no movement in it, and it does not appear to have ever been fixed. We don't like saying that It's just in the finish (because usually, it's not just in the finish), but in this case we kind of feel that it is. They say a picture tells a thousand words, so you can decide for yourselves. The guitar is accompanied by its original alligator chipboard case, which is in rough shape. On Consignment SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Neck Joint detail Case Open Case Closed