Chicago

Airline H78 Thinline (Harmony) Cherry, 1965

On January 19, 2023 /

The Airline H78 Thinline was built for the Montgomery-Ward company by Harmony from 1965 to 1972, as a re-branded version of the Harmony H78. Indeed, it seems that the only difference is the head plate and logo!
Harmony, purchased by Sears-Roebuck in 1916 and owned by them until 1940, was at one point by volume the largest guitar maker in the USA, which also meant in the world.

Vintage

Price: $1,999.99 CAD

This instrument has sold

Larson Bros Prairie State Steel String Brazilian Natural, 1930s

On January 12, 2023 /

Here’s a real beauty! This is a Larson Bros Prairie State steel string guitar, likely a Model 425 with a OOO sized body, Adirondack Spruce top paired with Brazilian Rosewood for the sides and back. It is likely that the bridge is a replacement – the original would have had engraved, inlaid stars on each of the bridge ‘wings’. The Larson Brothers, Carl and August, began working for the Robert Maurer guitar company in 1893. In 1900, Maurer decided to retire, and the Larsons and investors purchased the company. Over the years, Carl bought out the investors giving the brothers full control.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Orpheum Imperator Style C Archtop Sunburst, 1934

On January 10, 2023 /

The Orpheum Imperator Style C archtop was the top of the line for the brand when introduced by Lange, a prominent instrument builder, in 1933. Featuring a carved, X-braced Adirondack Spruce top, Flame Maple for the sides, back and neck, Brazilian Rosewood for the multi-bound fingerboard and headplate, Ebony for the bridge and Mother of Pearl for the logo, this was an impressive instrument.

Vintage

Price: $2,799.99 CAD

This instrument has sold

Kay K5920 Single Pickup Thinline Bass Sunburst, 1962

On September 15, 2022 /

The Kay K5920 Speed Demon hollowbody electric bass was one of the Kay company’s many instruments aimed at beginner to semi-pro players. In the late 1950’s when these basses appeared, advertising campaigns were still focused on convincing upright bass players to switch to electric. Kay guitars and basses were frequently found in the hands of Blues artists.

Vintage

Price: $1,850.00 CAD

This instrument has sold

SS Stewart Model 44 Solidbody Gold Finish, 1955

On May 20, 2022 /

Here’s a fun bit of history – an SS Stewart Model 44 solidbody electric guitar in metallic Gold finish, from 1955! SS Stewart was founded in 1878 in Pittsburgh, and became a prominent banjo builder. Stewart died in 1898, and in 1904 his sons sold the company to B&J (Bugellsein & Jacobson).

Vintage

Price: $1,499.99 CAD

This instrument has sold

Gretsch Model 35 Archtop Guitar Sunburst, 1933

On October 21, 2021 /

The Gretsch Model 35 American Orchestra archtop guitar appeared in 1933 and was built until 1940, when it was replaced by the Synchromatic line and the model 30. The Model 35 features a solid carved Spruce top with small-size F holes. Maple is used for the sides and back, Flamed Maple for the neck and Ebony for the fingerboard and bridge. The Gretsch logo is a Banner style using an engraved pearlescent plastic – rather like a drum covering.

Vintage

Price: $2,250.00 CAD

This instrument has sold

Chicago

Airline H78 Thinline (Harmony) Cherry, 1965

Larson Bros Prairie State Steel String Brazilian Natural, 1930s

Orpheum Imperator Style C Archtop Sunburst, 1934

Kay K5920 Single Pickup Thinline Bass Sunburst, 1962

SS Stewart Model 44 Solidbody Gold Finish, 1955

Gretsch Model 35 Archtop Guitar Sunburst, 1933

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