Antique

Gibson F2 Oval Hole Mandolin Sunburst, 1915

On December 4, 2020 /

Built from 1904 to 1934, the Gibson F2 Oval Hole mandolin featured the stylized ‘F’ body with scrollwork, but also an oval sound hole rather than F-holes. Oval sound holes seem to provide a bit more sound to the player, while F-hole models tend to project their sound outwards, further. It’s always fascinating to see an instrument like this Gibson F2 Oval Hole mandolin that dates to 1915, now over a century old and still in good playing condition. It is in largely original condition, though the original faux-tortoise pickguard is missing. The case is a newer lightweight model by Gator.

Vintage

Price: $3,750.00 CAD

❌SOLD❌ Gibson TB4 Snakehead Trap Door Tenor Banjo, 1924

On May 17, 2020 /

Here’s a lovely older instrument, built around 1924 – The Gibson TB4 Snakehead, trap door tenor banjo, with Maple for the neck, rim and folding ‘trap door’ resonator. This fine instrument has its original parts, though the case is long gone, and was built at the end of the Lloyd Loar era (1911 to end of 1924), which produced many historic innovations. The Gibson TB4 was part of the TB or Tenor Banjo series introduced in 1921 as Gibson attempted to stabilize its place in the banjo market.

Vintage

Price: $1,499.99 CAD

This instrument has sold

❌SOLD❌ Lyon & Healy Washburn Oak Parlor Guitar, 1920s

On April 7, 2020 /

Around the start of the twentieth century, Lyon & Healy were one of the larger musical instrument builders in the USA, with Washburn being one of their brands. This Lyon & Healy Washburn Oak parlor guitar, built in Chicago in the 1920s, is an example of the instruments available at that time. It features a ladder-braced Spruce top and Oak for the sides and back. The heavily V shaped neck with slotted peghead is likely Poplar, while the fingerboard is a dyed, hard and tight grained wood like Maple.

Vintage

Price: $999.99 CAD

This instrument has sold

Oahu Style 71K Hawaiian Squareneck Guitar, 1935

On April 6, 2020 /

Built during the mid 1930s, the Oahu Style 71K Hawaiian square neck guitar expressed the popularity of Hawaiian music and steel guitar. Oahu was perfectly placed as they were also a major music publisher. This Oahu Style 71K Hawaiian square neck was likely built by Kay around 1935, and features a solid Spruce top, X-braced, with laminate Maple for the sides and back. The neck is Mahogany, with Rosewood used for the bridge and the bound fingerboard. The finish is Sunburst, executed in nitrocellulose lacquer, and sports an elaborate gold-coloured, stencil design on the top.

Vintage

Price: $1,599.99 CAD

Francois Tachet Mirecourt School Guitar, 1830s

On March 5, 2020 /

Here’s something special, a lovely Romantic Era guitar built by Francois Tachet in Mirecourt, northeastern France, during the 1830s or early 1840s. Mirecourt has long been known for making musical instruments and lace; instruments from the area are often referred to as from the Mirecourt School. Louis Panormo was a contemporary, working in London. This Francois Tachet romantic guitar – at approximately 185 years old – is in good working order, and has had some expected service over the decades.

Vintage

Price: $6,250.00 CAD

❌SOLD❌ Maurer 551 by Larson Brothers. Steel String Guitar, late 1920s

On February 19, 2020 /

This Larson Brothers Maurer 551 dates to the late 1920s and uses an Auditorium sized body, 15 inches wide. As was often the case in the period, there is no serial number and records are scarce, so it is difficult to date exactly. The top is Spruce, the back and sides are Brazilian Rosewood, with a number of old repairs to both. The neck is mahogany, with Ebony used for the fingerboard and bridge. The scale length is a modern 25.6 inches, and the nut width a fairly wide 1.9 inches. The finish base is original but there are a number of touchups and some overspray.

Vintage

Price: $6,500.00 CAD

This instrument has sold