Illinois

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

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

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

This instrument has sold

Sold! Dobro Model 27 Sunburst, 1934

On December 28, 2020 /

The Dobro Model 27 and 25 were for a time one of Dobro’s most popular models, though it’s hard to tell which model is which – the designation was based on that year’s price!
Here we’re looking at a what’s likely a Dobro Model 27, though possibly a 25, built during 1934 for Dobro by the Regal company of Chicago, Illinois. The body construction is largely of Birch ply, bound top and back,with likely Poplar for the neck and Walnut for the fingerboard.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Lyon & Healy 5 String Banjo, c. 1895

On December 22, 2020 /

Here is a lovely example of a turn of the century Lyon & Healy 5 String banjo, built circa 1895. Though there is no stamping on the dowel stick or label, it has the signature L&H shaped peghead and the lovely L&H Patent tailpiece which confirms the origin. The Lyon & Healy firm grew out of an effort by Oliver Ditson – beginning in 1864 – to expand his wholesale musical instrument business into the US Midwest, with a facility in Chicago run by George Washburn Lyon and Patrick J. Healy.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Matthew Woodall Archtop Guitar, 1999

On August 6, 2020 /

This Matthew Woodall Archtop uses a fairly traditional cutaway design, with a 17 inch wide body. The top is solid carved Spruce with bound F-holes, and the back is carved, bookmatched Spalted Maple. The sides and neck are also Maple and the body is bound with a faux-tortoise layer. The fingerboard, bridge and tailpiece are Ebony.

Used

This instrument has sold

Illinois

Larson Bros Prairie State Steel String Brazilian Natural, 1930s

Kay K5920 Single Pickup Thinline Bass Sunburst, 1962

Gretsch Model 35 Archtop Guitar Sunburst, 1933

Sold! Dobro Model 27 Sunburst, 1934

Lyon & Healy 5 String Banjo, c. 1895

Matthew Woodall Archtop Guitar, 1999

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