Folkway Music -- Instrument Sales - Mandolins and Banjos

Last updated: July 22, 2010 Questions? Please email info@folkwaymusic.com.

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1950 Gibson F-12
Serial # A 4717. FON 9841. An exquisitely well preserved F-12. This mandolin is completely original and unmodified, 100% intact, and in excellent playing condition. Rare to find one of these instrument in such fine shape that’s not been converted to an F-5! Carved figured maple and Sitka Spruce, longneck design, adjustable ebony bridge, rosewood dot-neck fingerboard, gold hardware. Finish is in excellent condition, as is the body but for 1” of back seam separation by the tailpiece. Warm and chunky tone, perfect setup. A remarkable instrument.
With original hardshell case in similar condition, with original key.
On consignment
US $4899

More photos:

> Front Detail
> Full Front Detail
> Case Open
> Case Closed
> Case Detail

> Back Detail
> Full Back Detail
> Bridge Detail
> Headstock Detail
> Tuners Detail

> Detail 1
> Detail 2
> Detail 3
> Detail 4

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c. 1888 S.S. Stewart Banjo
Serial # 4733. Built about 10 years after Samuel S. Stewart begun building banjos, this simply appointed 5 string is an interesting piece. The instrument features a 11” nickel silver over wood rim with 20 brackets; cherry (or birch) 19” neck, 27” scale ebony fingerboard with Style 1 trim, Maltese Cross ivory tuning pegs and original “Common Sense” tailpiece with ivory rosette ornament. Originally a fretless but since converted, the original ivory fret markers still accompany the banjo. Currently strung with very light steel strings, this banjo was originally designed for gut strings but seems to handle steels just fine. The neck angle could use adjustment as the action is fairly high, and some set-up work would be recommended; the instrument is otherwise in very fine and useable shape. Offered AS-IS.
On consignment
US $749

More photos:

> Front Detail
> Full Front Detail
> Neck Back Detail
> 5th String Detail

> Back Detail
> Full Back Detail
> Dowel Stick Detail
> Tailpiece Detail

> Headstock Detail
> Tuners Detail 1
> Tuners Detail 2

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1920's Weymann No. 30 Mandolute
Serial # 23862. Pennsylvania-based Weymann & Son were a smaller-scale manufacturer of fretted instruments operative between 1864 and WWI. We infrequently stumble upon their guitars, banjos, and mandolin family instruments of many varieties. The Mandolutes were popular in their day, and are the most oft-encountered Weymann-branded instruments today. Apart from the very plain Model 20, all Mandolutes feature steam-bent tops and backs, fiddle-edge sides, and ornate hand-engraved front-side tuning machines. These instruments are larger bodied than a Gibson, L&H, or Martin mandolin, and as such have more bass response than you’d generally expect. Not a bluegrass instrument, the Mandolute is well suited for Celtic or Classic music, or solo work. This example is in excellent shape and completely original. It has the crack that all Waymann ML’s get on the bass side of the upper bout, but is otherwise without issue. The crack is glued, and the instrument is set up. Slightly excessive bow in the neck results in slightly high action, bit the instrument is quite playable regardless. Spruce top, figured maple back and sides; deep wine-red finish accented by finely patterned purflings, ivoroid binding, and inlaid pickguard. A refined and attractive mandolin with classy touches such as the hand-engraved tailpiece and tuner plates, gold-leaf headstock decal, and delicately carved bridge.
With original hard shell case, and some great "case-candy"
US $795

More photos:

> Front Detail
> Full Front Detail
> Label Detail
> Case Open

> Back Detail
> Full Back Detail
> Side Detail
> Case Closed

> Headstock Detail
> Headstock Rear Detail
> Tuners Detail

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2000 Deering Golden Era
Serial # 12713009086. The Golden Era was designed to replicate the tone and feel of a pre-war flat-head. The instrument features - among other things - a thicker neck and a deeper resonator, which add both sustain and warmth to the tone. Eastern rock maple, stained a rich Cremona brown, are used for the neck and resonator; and the three-ply maple rim is fitted with a 20 hole sandcast bell bronze tone ring. Cast Zinc one piece flange, presto tailpiece, Ebony fingerboard and headstock overlay with traditional "Hearts and Flowers" inlays. 1-3/16" wide nut, nickel plated parts, deep and lustrous high-gloss finish. This instrument is in near-new condition; there is no fretwear or finishwear, and only a little bit of playwear on the head. A static-cling plastic shield has been fit to the armrest to protect it from tarnishing; it is easily removable, but is noticeable in these photos.
With original deluxe hard shell case
On Consignment
US $2319

More photos:

> Front detail
> Back detail

> Full Back detail
> Headstock detail

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Calton Cases
There is no commercially available case that will protect your instrument better than a Calton. They cost an awful lot, and they're worth every penny. They also can now be ordered directly through Folkway Music. We usually have standard model cases in stock (Martin D or OM, for example), but are happy to help ease the process of ordering a custom-fitted Calton for your instrument. Many color choices and combinations are available, and any instrument - no matter how bizarre - can be successfully fitted. Please call for a quote.

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1901 A.C Fairbanks Whyte Laydie No. 2
Serial # 20936. A.C. Fairbank’s Whyte Laydie models were introduced in 1901 – the same year this particular example was built. The Whyte Laydie No. 2 has become the most revered and oft copied frailing banjo ever, so we’re naturally quite pleased to offer this fine first-year issue to you. A wonderful sounding banjo, we have it set up with Nylgut strings and are quite smitten. This early version features the smaller 10-3/4” head diameter and shorter scale (26”) than the later examples, original ivory 5th string tuner, thicker neck carve, long dowelstick flange, “Patent Allowed” No Knot tailpiece, and gorgeous original Consalvi inlays. The headstock overlay has been restored, as most have been, but the inlay is original and intact. Neck and rim finish are original, minor headstock seam repair, replaced rim binding (with original Vega binding transplanted from another instrument – it fooled us), 3 hooks replaced with original Vega parts. Original ebony fingerboard, inlays, and frets are in very fine condition; the banjo plays very well and without buzz. Pre-fire Whyte Laydie models are highly sought after instruments, and this banjo is quick to exhibit why.
With new deluxe hard shell case
On consignment
SOLD

More photos:

> Front Detail
> Full Front Detail
> Neck Front Detail
> Neck Back Detail

> Back Detail
> Full Back Detail
> Headstock Detail 1
> Headstock Detail 2

> Fifth Detail
> Tailpiece Detail
> Badge Detail
> Dowel Stick Detail

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1920 Gibson F-4
Serial # 55737. What’s better than a near-mint condition F-4? If you’re into oval-hole mandolins, not a heck of a lot! This under-the-bed special is 89 years old this year, and that’s hard to believe. With almost no playwear, no cracks, repairs or issues, and only a few very minor dings to show, this instrument is about as clean as they come. The finest mandolin offered by Gibson at the time, the F-4 was built with gorgeous tonewoods and finished to the ‘n’th degree. Richly hued sunburst finish, intricate pearl and abalone flowerpot headstock inlay, pearl nut, ivoroid bindings, fretboard extension, and perfectly-fitted tortoiseshell celluloid pickguard each add to beauty of the instrument. Original frets are almost free of wear, set-up and action are lovely thanks to an in-shop setup and bridge fit, its top arch is perfect, and the original tuners work smoothly to boot. It’s a looker, sure, but it plays real nice too! Warm, rich, and balanced, the treble notes ring fat and full right up to the soundhole. About the only thing we can find wrong with this F-4 is the footprint of where the bridge sat, in the wrong place, for the better part of a century.
With its original hard shell case (and original key!)
SOLD

More photos:

> Front detail
> Case Open
> Case Closed

> Back detail
> Full Back detail

> Headstock detail
> Tuners detail

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Contact Folkway Music --
Mail: 163 Suffolk Street West, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1H 2J7 Directions to Guelph/Folkway Music
Telephone: (877)763-5524 toll-free or (519) 763-5524
e-mail: info@folkwaymusic.com
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