Archive of Sold Older and Vintage Instruments at the Denver Folklore Center

Archive of Recently Sold Older and Vintage Instruments

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

1893 South Pearl Street, Denver, CO 80210

303-777-4786


*Serving the greater Denver area's acoustic instrument needs since 1962*