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Archive of Recently Sold Older and Vintage Instruments

Guitars | Banjos | Ukuleles | Mandolins | Dulcimers | Odds & Ends

Our archive list includes a selection of vintage and previously owned instruments that we have sold. Please note that the price shown for each instrument is the list price; this might not be the exact selling price.

Banjos

Make/Model
Year
Condition
Description
Case
Price
Banjos
A. E. Smith openback banjo "Signet" model
c. 1976
Exc.
A very nicely made "simple" banjo from a small maker. Birdseye maple rim and maple neck with cherry overlay.
HSC
$750
SOLD
Alvarez Tenor Banjo - Minstrel model
c. late 1970s
     
SOLD
Aristocrat Special by Paramount
?
Exc.
Tenor banjo with wood veneer marquetry, ceramic overlay
OHSC
$2,750
SOLD
Avalon Banjo-Ukulele
1920s
VG
A very nice playing and sounding banjo uke. It has all the original brackets, a nice heavy tone ring and a calf skin head. A small plaque on the dowel stick says "Henry Stadimair Co. Inc."
OHSC
$295
SOLD
Bacon FF Professional banjo
c. 1910
Serial #134
Exc.
(w. new neck)
With reproduction neck (nicely done) - also comes with the original neck, which has a slight twist. We think it would work fine for a clawhammer player.
newer HSC
$1,995
SOLD

Deering B-6 Six-String Banjo

c.1997
Exc.
This is a six-string version of the Deering Boston model. The action is great and it is in excellent condition. To say this instrument is loud would not do it justice! It sounds great when finger picked.
OHSC
$995
SOLD
Deering "Deluxe" Resonator banjo
c. 1980
Exc.
A very good sounding bluegrass banjo. It has one very clean repair by the headstock on the back of the neck.
Newer Deering HSC
$1,395
SOLD
Fairbanks Whyte Laydie 5-String Banjo, #7 c.1902
Exc.
"Pre-fire" banjo, original with several exceptions.
Plays great, sounds "sparkling." Call for further information.
HSC
$10,000
SOLD
Gibson banjo-mandolin MB-3
c. 1922
Exc.
This is a real beauty! All original including tailpiece, pickguard, trap door, and arm rest. For a short period, Gibson made a "moccasin" headstock, and this baby's got it! Plays great, sounds unreal!
OHSC
$1,695
SOLD
Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard banjo
c.2000
   
OHSC
$3,150
SOLD
Gold Tone OB-250 Banjo
c. 2006
Exc.
This banjo is in like-new condition except for some pick marks on the head. The current list price for a new one of these with the case is $1,460, so this is a good deal on a good banjo.
OHSC
$795
SOLD
John Hartford Openback Banjo by Deering
c. 1996
Exc.
This is a great-sounding old time banjo in great shape. It has a grenadillo tone ring which gives it a nice clean bright tone. A new fifth string nut has been added to raise the level of that string to the same level as the others. The name "Antoinette" has been tastefully inlaid at the 21st fret. The name of the banjo or the name of the owner?
OHSC
$2,495
SOLD
Ode Long-Neck banjo with Washburn pot
c.1962 or 1963
VG
A very interesting long-neck from the heyday of folk banjos. This was made from a long-neck built by the folks at Ome banjo (in those days it was Ode banjo). This neck was wedded to a very nice Washburn pot. It has a Bacon-like tone ring and this thing sounds very good - a cleaner tone than many long-neck banjos that we've seen.
No case
$1,650
SOLD
Ome Custom Sweetgrass Openback banjo
New
New
Has a 12" pot that is capped on the back with ebony and tortoise. The neck is inlaid with the "sweetgrass" motif and is scooped and already has spikes on the 7th and 9th frets. This is a wonderful old time banjo.
HSC
SOLD
Ome Jubilee Deluxe
New
New
12" maple rim
Minstrel headstock
Great sound.
HSC
$2,150
SOLD
Ome Jubilee Resonator banjo
c.2007
Exc.
A great resonator banjo from our good friends just up the road in Boulder, Ome Banjo Company. This instrument is like new and has a nice bright tone.
OHSC
$1,995
SOLD
Ome Juniper banjo
c. 1994
Exc.
Comes with original hard shell case
OHSC
$995
SOLD

Ome Juniper banjo
New
New
Rolled brass tone ring
HSC
$1,795
SOLD
Ome "Old Time Juniper" banjo
Like new
Like new
Almost an exact copy of the new Juniper we are selling. This one was purchased last September and is in new condition.
HSC
$1,295
SOLD
Ome Old Time Juniper
New
New
12" maple pot, mahogany and ebony scooped neck, tortoise binding, fifth string spikes.
HSC
List $2,150
SOLD
Ome Phoenix banjo
New
New
Curly maple neck, bright sound, and a great case
HSC
$3,150
SOLD
Ome Resonator banjo, Model XX ("Double X")
c. 1979
VG+
This is a very good sounding bluegrass banjo built by our good friend Chuck Ogsbury back in the late seventies. It has very little wear on it and is in great playing shape. It has a mahogany neck and resonator and a rosewood fingerboard. A homegrown Colorado classic.
OHSC
$1,100
SOLD

Orpheum Style #1 Tenor Resonator Banjo

c.1920s
Exc.
A 17-fret tenor from the HeyDay of banjodom. It has recently been refurbished with new geared tuners (the original pegs are in the case), a new head, a new bridge, and a set up. The resonator appears to be an after market add-on made by Lyon and Healy, but it fits very nicely.
OSSC
$750
SOLD
Otis Taylor model banjo by Ome
New
New
Otis Taylor is a well-known composer and blues musician, best known for his style of music called "trance blues". He has been coming into the Denver Folklore Center since he was a young teenager and is good friends with our proprietor, Harry Tuft. A recent project of Otis's is "Recapturing the Banjo", a CD he did with Corey Harris, Keb' Mo', Guy Davis, and Alvin Youngblood Hart. This special model banjo was made by Ome to help commemorate that project. It is a great sounding banjo with a 12" head and special inlays on the neck and headstock. It has a deep wine-colored finish and is made of highly-figured maple. It has Ome's "old time" tone ring and has a renaissance head for a dynamite sound.  
HSC
$1,895
SOLD
S.S. Stewart "Special Banjo"
c. 1893
VG+
Here's an oldie and a goodie. This banjo goes all the way back to 1893.
It has a 10-1/2 inch head and a
25- 1/2 inch scale length. It has very good action and is real fun to play. It even has a real nifty leg rest (no, it's not an arm rest). This is the cutest banjo we've seen in quite a while.
almost new HSC
$1,295
SOLD
"The Tradesman" by Kevin Enoch
c.2008
Exc.
This is the 12-inch fretted version of "The Tradesman" from the shop of Kevin Enoch. Two cool things about it: it has a calfskin head (that sounds great) and it comes with a nice hard-shell case (they usually come with a gig bag).
HSC
$795
SOLD
Whyte Laydie handcrafted openback banjo
Exc.

Stew-Mac Whyte Laydie pot
Handmade neck of padauk
Orpheum style headstock
Nice sounding, nice playing

No case
$895
SOLD
1920s Whyte Laydie banjo with repro. neck
1920s
Exc.

A Whyte Laydie pot from the 1920s (SN 72831) with a wonderful reproduction neck by Wyatt Fawley of Pennsylvania.
This is a Style 2 neck with a lovely engraved Gryphon headstock.
Has a nice bright tone.
10 15/16" renaissance head.

HSC
$1,995
SOLD
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Abbreviations:  HSC = hard shell case   OHSC = original hard shell case   SSC = soft shell case

Ukuleles

Make/Model
Year
Condition
Description
Case
Price
Ukuleles
Aloha Royal soprano uke
c.1960s
Exc.
An all-solid mahogany uke with a pretty voice. It has a rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Plays great - sweet sound.
Gig bag
$225
SOLD
Favilla baritone uke
c. 1950s
Exc.
A sweet looking and sounding baritone from the last heyday of ukes. This baby is all original, has no cracks and shows very little playing wear. There are a few small dings including one ear the endblock. The action is great and the tone is deep and woody.
newer SSC
$600
SOLD
Frisco Uke
New
New
This uke is made by the Marc Silber Guitar Co. of Berkeley.
It has a solid spruce top and solid Spanish cedar back and sides.
Used HSC
$750
SOLD
Frisco concert uke
New
A great sounding uke designed by Marc Silber of California
Spruce top, Aja back and sides
HSC
$750
SOLD
Gibson TU-1 tenor ukulele
late 1950s
Exc.
This tenor is in great shape: no cracks, minimal scratches, plays nicely. Its only flaw is that someone replaced the original friction pegs with geared tuners; of course, this certaily makes it easier to keep in tune.
Original SS case
$795
SOLD
"Islander" uke by Maccaferri
1960s
Exc.

A plastic classic that's a blast from the past
Original color-coded strings

None
$95
SOLD
Kamaka Uke
1970s
Exc.
Beautiful Koa ukulele, punchy tone
$395
SOLD
Kamaka Soprano Uke
c. 1960s
VG
One of your all-time classics in the uke world... a Kamaka soprano. No cracks but some scratches on the neck. Nice, clear tone.
No case
$295
SOLD
Kamaka soprano uke
c.1972
Exc.
This little cutie is in amazing condition. It is hard to believe when you look at it that it is almost 40 years old. We think that it must have spent most of its life in a climate controlled closet. No cracks, no nicks, no scratches.... WOW! It even comes with the original case and the original Kamaka booklet.
OSSC & booklet
$595
SOLD
KoAloha concert uke
Model KCM-OO
New
New
All-solid koa wood with a Baggs pick up installed at the factory.
No case
$675
SOLD
Kumalae "Gold Medal" Soprano Uke
Early 1900s!
G
Highly figured koa uke from one of the original builders in Hawaii
Some repaired cracks, new tuners, new bridge
Big sound in a small package!
No case
$350
SOLD
Kumalae soprano uke
c. early 1900s
VG
Another highly figured koa uke from one of the original builders in Hawaii. This one has been completely refurbished by a very reliable ukulele doctor that we know. One repaired crack on the back, and it sports a new set of tuners. Big sound in a small package!
No case
$375
SOLD
Kumalae Soprano Uke
c. 1920s
Good
One of the 3 early makers of ukes in Hawaii was Jonah Kumalae. This is one of his all-Koa sopranos. This uke has had several cracks that have all been competently repaired. It is in great playing condition and sounds bright!  
$395
SOLD
Kumalae soprano uke
c. 1930s
VG
This little beauty has had some nice repairs done to it. One crack in the top and one in the back have been nicely filled. It also has had the tuners replaced. It has an amazingly loud and lively voice for such a little instrument.
no case
$495
SOLD
Lehua Tenor Ukulele 
c. 2003
A very nice all solid wood tenor made in Portugal. This uke is made from black Acacia, which is an Australian variety of Koa. Looks and sounds very much like its Hawaiian cousins!
No case
$240
SOLD
Martin S-0 ukulele
c. 1950s
Exc.
A good example of Martin's basic soprano uke. It shows very little wear and has some very nice finish craze-ing. There is one crack in the back that appears to have been there for quite some time.
No case
$595
SOLD
Martin S-0 ukulele
2003?
Exc.
A good example of Martin's newer soprano ukes
All solid mahogany
Gig bag
$199.95 SOLD
Martin Style 0 Soprano Ukulele
c.1950s
G
We call this uke "a player." It has a couple of cracks that have been repaired, but it plays great. The tuners are original, and everything else looks original, too. Very loud and punchy sound.
Canvas
gig bag
$595
SOLD
Martin Style 5K ukulele
early 1930s
Exc.

Koa body and top
Abalone pearl trim
Ebony fingerboard

HSC
$18,000
SOLD
Martin tenor ukulele
c. 1960s
Exc.
Model 1-T
OSSC
$795
SOLD
Martin Tiple T-15
c. 1952
Good
Several repaired cracks
Pick-up installed!
Played a lot so it sounds great
OSSC
$495
SOLD
Martin T-28 Tiple

c.1974
Exc.
This baby is in great shape! Hardly any playing wear, the action is excellent and the sound is jingle, jangle, jingle. It has one fingerboard crack (near the body) that we repaired and also a bridge crack that we also repaired. Both are quite hard to see.
OHSC
$1,495
SOLD

Pono PKC 2 Concert Uke


New
New
We're happy to be doing business with the fine folks at Ko'olau Guitar & Ukulele Company. The Pono is their more affordable line of ukes built on the island of Java. This model is all solid koa with a mother of pearl rosette and nice rope binding on the top
HSC
$645.95
SOLD

Pono PKT-8 Ukulele

c.2008
Exc.
This is an 8-string ukulele made from nicely figured all solid koa. It is in great shape with no scratches or cracks. Great big uke sound. Pono has discontinued this model, so you better snatch this one up! OHSC $895
SOLD
Super Highly Flamed "No Name" Ukulele

c.1920s?
Exc.
We can't believe the beautiful wood on this all-koa soprano uke. It has been completely refurbished and has new tuners so it plays great - big sound, too.
$350
SOLD
Vega Baritone Uke
c. 1950s
VG
This baritone is all solid mahogany construction. It has one repaired crack in the top. It appears to have had a neck set and, as a result, is in great playing condition.
Used SSC
Please call for price.
SOLD
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Abbreviations:  HSC = hard shell case   OHSC = original hard shell case   SSC = soft shell case

Mandolins, Dulcimers, Odds & Ends

Make/Model
Year
Condition
Description
Case
Price
Mandolins
Breedlove "Olympic" mandolin
c. late 90s
Exc.
A very nice oval hole "A" model - nicely flamed maple.
OHSC
$1,395
SOLD
Breedlove "Oregon" mandolin
Exc.+
This is a great looking and sounding mando from the Breedlove folks. It has had an upgraded Monteleone style tailpiece added.
It is in near mint condition.
OHSC
$1,395
SOLD
Breedlove Quartz OF mandolin
c. 2005
Exc.
A nice all solid wood (maple & spruce) mandolin in great condition.
HSC
$895
SOLD
Breedlove Quartz OF Mandolin  
Near Mint
This A-style mando from Breedlove is in brand new condition, even though it is a used instrument. It has an upgraded tailpiece and upgraded Schaller tuners.
HSC
$995
SOLD
Flatiron 'Bouzouki' Model 3K Octave Mandolin
c. 1983
Exc.
Flatiron called this a "Bouzouki" when they made it in 1983, but these days most people would call it an "octave mandolin." Each string is doubled (not octave-ized). Beautiful figured koa on the back and sides. It plays great and has a nice deep voice.
OHSC
$995
SOLD
Flatiron model 1N mandolin
c. 1981
Exc.
Spruce top, maple back and sides
HSC
$550
SOLD
Flatiron Mandola Performer Series model 3MC
c. 1997?
Exc.
We believe this mandola was built in the late 1990s because it has a Flatiron label with the Gibson name also on it. It has very nice maple on the back and sides with an ebony fingerboard and bridge. There is hardly any playing wear at all. The only flaw is that there are some marks in the finish where the bridge was incorrectly positioned. It plays great and sounds great.
OHSC
$895
SOLD
Gibson A-00 mandolin
c. 1937-ish
Exc.
With Fishman pickup
Newer tuners
OHSC
$1,750
SOLD
Gibson A model 'Pumpkin Top'
c. 1913
VG+
All original
newer HSC
$1,295
SOLD
Gibson A-4 Mandolin
c. 1927
VG+
This is a real beauty. We keep this one behind the counter just so we can play when we get a spare moment. It's got that "Old Gibson" tone and is set up great. It is all original except for the bridge, which appears to be from the 60s.
OHSC
$2,975 SOLD
Gibson F-4 Mandolin
c. 1936
Exc.
This is a real beauty! A wonderful example of Gibson's building prowess during the Depression Era. Everything on this mando is original equipment. As if that isn't enough, it also comes with a Fishman pickup that can be substituted for the original bridge. It has been pre-fitted for this instrument. The instrument has no cracks, has some light scratches here and there. The back has some marks (belt buckle, vest button,...?) that are not through the finish so they aren't easily noticed. It is in great playing shape and has a very mature, deep rich tone. Even the case is a classic!
Original pinstripe case
$6,500
SOLD
Mando-Cello        
SOLD
Martin Model A Mandolin
c. 1949
VG
This little cutie is a very nice woody sounding mandolin. It plays great with excellent action. It has a repaired crack on the bass bout and a more severe boo-boo on the treble bout. All these things happened some time well in the past, and the repairs done at that time seem very competent to us, with no discernible effect to the sound or integrity of the instrument. This mando has a great Celtic-y, Old-Time-y tone.
OHSC
$750
SOLD
Martin Model A mandolin
c. 1974
Exc.+
Nice woody tone
OHSC
$895
SOLD
Martin Model AK mandolin
c.1926
  Solid koa.
OHSC
$1,295
SOLD

Martin Style C Mandolin


c. 1929
Exc.
A gorgeous example of Martin's take on an A style mandolin. Brazilian rosewood on the back and sides. It has one flaw on the back: a ring in the finish that looks like someone set a cup of coffee down on the back. Would anyone really do that?
OHSC
$2,750
SOLD

Michael Kelly Mandola

c. 2008
like new
This is a very good sounding (and affordable) F style mandola. Michael Kelly no longer makes these so any F style mandola under $2500 is getting very hard to find. This instrument has hardly been played and, as a result, it is in great shape.
OHSC
$995
SOLD
Mid-Missouri Model M-4 Mandolin  
Exc.
This Mid-Mo has had a couple of cracks filled and repaired in the back, but otherwise looks fine.
Used
gig bag
$475
SOLD
Old Wave Octave Mandolin (Bouzouki)
c. 1995
Made by Bill Bussman
Spruce top, maple back and sides
Serial number 88
Gig bag
$1,495
SOLD
Turkey Creek Mandolin
New
New
This F style mandolin is hand built here in Morrison, Colorado. It has an Englemann spruce top, curly maple back and sides, and a very nice butterscotch sunburst. This is #48 from the maker and the third one we've been able to get our hands on.
HSC
$3,200
SOLD
Weber Absaroka mandolin
c. 1999
Exc.

Great sounding A-style mando
Owned & played by a great old-time player, so it's really opened up nicely.
Some mild scratching but overall in great shape

OHSC w/ Small Dog Case Cover
$1,295
SOLD

Weber Y2K-1 mandolin

Back to top

c. 2001
Near Mint
One of Weber's most affordable models. This one looks like it has never been played.
A very good value for an all solid wood, American-made mandolin.
Gig bag
$595
SOLD
Dulcimers
Blue Lion Mountain Dulcimer - Model II RS
c. 1993
Like New
This dulcimer is over 15 years old and it looks brand new. It has a clear top with Indian Rosewood back, sides, and fingerboard. A lovely inlaid rose adorns the finger board. It also has rose rosettes (if that isn't being redundant), which are no longer offered by Blue Lion. It has a nice decorative backstripe. It comes with original rectangular case that fits it like a glove.
very nice OHSC
$800
SOLD
Bonnie Carol Mountain Dulcimer
1975
VG
Birdseye maple
Gig bag & HSC
$400
SOLD
Bonnie Carol Mountain Dulcimer
New
New
A teardrop shaped dulcimer made from spruce and solid Brazilian Rosewood! The fingerboard and headstock are also Brazilian rosewood. The craftsmanship and attention to detail on this dulcimer are remarkable.
Nice padded gig bag
$1,100
SOLD
Bonnie Carol Mountain Dulcimer
Nov. 2005
New
Spruce and Zebra wood
Gig Bag $100
$950
SOLD
Bonnie Carol Mountain Dulcimer

Back to top
New
New
An elegant handmade instrument from our friend and well-known builder, Bonnie Carol. This dulcimer has a spruce top and walnut back and sides.
Padded bag
$700
SOLD
Odds & Ends
Calton Case "D"
Used
VG
Dreadnaught size from our favorite maker of heavy-duty flight cases.  
$495
SOLD
Calton Deluxe Mandolin Case
New
New
This is the Deluxe model of Calton's mandolin case. It can accommodate either an F or A style mandolin. It has a charcoal grey exterior and a light green interior.  

$735
SOLD
Chinese Urhu
unk.
  Traditional 2-string violin, with python skin head
Case
$350
SOLD
Gibson hard shell case
c. 1960s
VG
Classic pink interior - if you have a 1960s J-45, this is the case for you!  
$100
SOLD
Gourd Banjo      
Nice
custom
gig bag
$595
SOLD
Norwegian Hardanger
c. 1988
  Made by Peter Kleine
Case
$350
SOLD
Peruvian Charango
?
Armadillo shell back
no case
$125
SOLD

3/4 Upright Bass

    Stradivarius Model 1732 with pick-up
bag
$3,500
SOLD
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Abbreviations:  HSC = hard shell case   OHSC = original hard shell case   SSC = soft shell case

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