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Eastman MDC805 Mandocello Classic Finish

On March 31, 2020 /

The Eastman MDC805 Mandocello is a wonderful, rich sounding instrument that works well as a solo, ensemble or accompaniment instrument in a wide range of styles and genres, from Celtic to Classical, Latin and back again. The Mandocello had been in existence for some centuries in Europe, beginning with flat back and then bowl back. However, in 1905 Orville Gibson’s company began producing mandolin family instruments, including Mandocello models that drew from his blending of violin and guitar concepts.

New

Price: $2,759.00 CAD

Baroque Guitar and Renaissance Lute

On February 10, 2020 /

Tags: baroque, historic, lute, nylon

Every year at the LA NAMM show I find something unique and wonderful. Mid-East Music specializes in handcrafted historic and ethnic instruments. Unlike other sources I’ve encountered, they understand and service the instruments they sell and control and participate in the manufacture process. Hand made in Pakistan, these instruments are remarkably cleanly built: accurate joinery, clean fit and finish. I was VERY impressed by the overall quality and appearance and the prices are a fraction of what we commonly see in second hand historic Lutes and Baroque guitars.

At last I can offer a completely playable historic Lute and Baroque guitar for a price that “makes sense” to most of my clients who simply want to experiment with this era of music. These instruments are “the real thing” at an affordable price. These instruments even come with lightweight but solidly made hardshell cases !

New

Roosebeck 5 Course Baroque Guitar, Lacewood

On December 10, 2019 /

The Roosebeck 5-course Baroque guitar is based on historic instruments, and is built using materials not covered by CITES export restrictions. The top is Spruce, the body and neck are a combination of light-coloured Lacewood and darker Sheesham. Lacewood is a term used for a variety of woods but often Roupala Brasiliensis, while Sheesham is Dalbergia Sissoo, also known as North Indian Rosewood. On some versions of this instrument, Mid-East has used Walnut in place of Sheesham.

New

Price: $1,289.00 CAD

Roosebeck Renaissance Lute Six Course

On December 10, 2019 /

This Roosebeck Renaissance lute is a 6 course model, featuring a bowl constructed of 25 fluted Sheesham staves, and with a 600mm scale length. The top is Spruce, while the neck, bowl, nut, bridge, and end pin are built of Sheesham, The peg box is Sheesham and Lacewood. The frets are formed in the traditional manner – tied on – but are nylon line (guitar string) rather than gut.

New

Price: $1,089.00 CAD

Frank Gay 8 Course Renaissance Style Lute, 1971

On November 5, 2019 /

This Frank Gay 8-Course Renaissance Style lute was built at the Gay Guitars shop in Edmonton, Alberta during 1971. Frank Gay was a prominent player and teacher in Edmonton, and clearly also a highly skilled luthier. His guitars were used by many top level Country artists, including Johnny Cash, Webb Pierce, Faron Young and Hank Snow.

Vintage

Price: $1,750.00 CAD

Jack Spira Cittern Australian Blackwood, 2005

On September 26, 2019 /

This is unusual for us to see – a Jack Spira Cittern of Australian Blackwood, built during 2005 at Spira’s shop in Boolarra, east of Melbourne. Jack Spira has been building for over 30 years, focusing on steel string guitars in regular, tenor and baritone forms, plus Irish Bouzoukis, Citterns, and Octave Mandolins. He also does repair and custom work, in particular engraved inlays. His work is highly regarded, and popular enough that few make it to the used market in Canada.

Used

Price: $2,999.00 CAD

Gibson GB-3 Mastertone Guitar Banjo, 1926

On May 8, 2019 /

The first of the Gibson GB series of 6-string Mastertone Guitar Banjos appeared in 1918, as the GB-3 and GB-4. The GB-1 and GB-6 appeared in 1922, and by 1940, production had completely ended. The GB-5 was built only during 1925. These models were influenced by the popular Paramount banjo designs.These instruments are perhaps comparable in intent to the Resophonic guitars that were introduced by National just a few years later – meant to be used in fairly loud ensembles, often with horns, playing the Dixieland jazz that was all the rage.

Vintage

Price: $4,999.99 CAD

Darryl Williams 8-Course Renaissance Lute, 1976

On November 28, 2018 /

The Darryl Williams 8-Course Renaissance Lute was based on a bowl-back design, using a set of bent ribs that are arched to provide stiffness. The ribs start with a ‘teardrop’ shape and are then bent, and the edges are bevelled according to the number of ribs. They are glued together with hide glue in the joins, and parchment strips soaked in hide glue are applied to the inside of the seams.

Vintage

Price: $2,550.00 CAD

Danelectro Baby Sitar

On May 29, 2015 /

Tags: danelectro, lipstick pickups, sitar

The Danelectro Electic Sitar and Danelectro Baby SItar were in some ways the most successful of their design – they was the sound of the sitar on many hit records during the 1960’s to the 80’s. They were also two of the very few of that design.

New

Price: $739.00 CAD

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Eastman MDC805 Mandocello Classic Finish

Baroque Guitar and Renaissance Lute

Roosebeck 5 Course Baroque Guitar, Lacewood

Roosebeck Renaissance Lute Six Course

Frank Gay 8 Course Renaissance Style Lute, 1971

Jack Spira Cittern Australian Blackwood, 2005

Gibson GB-3 Mastertone Guitar Banjo, 1926

Darryl Williams 8-Course Renaissance Lute, 1976

Danelectro Baby Sitar

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