Gibson K4 Mandocello - SOLD~This has been my holy grail for years. It came to me via one of the US's most reputable and knowledgable collectors, original except new tuners and pickguard, it has a few professionaly repaired cracks in the top and back. The back is unusually highly flamed maple for the period. The sound is the most mellow you could imagine. It comes with a modern guitar case.~This has been my holy grail for years. It came to me via one of the US's most reputable and knowledgable collectors, original except new tuners and pickguard, it has a few professionaly repaired cracks in the top and back. The back is unusually highly flamed maple for the period. The sound is the most mellow you could imagine. It comes with a modern guitar case.~MV Gibson K4 mandolcello|107|~4160~3583~~
Open~
Gibson K4 Mandocello - Back~~~~4160~3581~~
Gibson K4 Mandocello - Close up~~~~4160~3580~~
Close~~~~4160~3579~~
Gibson Mandobass Style J 1921- Not For Sale~Wow we got one! (see mandolin family page). Its huge and its beautiful in an ugly kind of way. These are rare beasts indeed. They were created by Gibson to complete their mandolin orchestras. Gibson claimed at the time that they produced 'deep and profound pulsations'. The truth is not so exciting. Contrary to previous advice the scale length is 'only' 42" and 65" tall, 25" wide. It is designed to be played either guitar style or upright and has an extending foot for each position. Tuned an octave below the bottom four strings of a guitar the sound is not all you might hope, (though I'm told a contact mike and good bass amp solve the problem), I've heard of a band that uses two. It has an original and very rare canvas case.~Wow we got one! (see mandolin family page). Its huge and its beautiful in an ugly kind of way. These are rare beasts indeed. They were created by Gibson to complete their mandolin orchestras. Gibson claimed at the time that they produced 'deep and profound pulsations'. The truth is not so exciting. Contrary to previous advice the scale length is 'only' 42" and 65" tall, 25" wide. It is designed to be played either guitar style or upright and has an extending foot for each position. Tuned an octave below the bottom four strings of a guitar the sound is not all you might hope, (though I'm told a contact mike and good bass amp solve the problem), I've heard of a band that uses two. It has an original and very rare canvas case.~Gibson Mandobass Style J 1921|107|~4160~3567~~
Close~~~~4160~11333~~
Applause~Applause~~~4160~13324~~
Applause MAE 148~As new condition Applause MAE 148, no case.~All solid woods Ashbury F5, in excellent condition.~Applause MAE 148|59|~4160~13323~unknown_mandolin~
Close~~~~4160~13015~~
Ashbury~Ashbury~~~4160~13014~~
Ashbury AM675~All solid woods Ashbury F5, in excellent condition.~All solid woods Ashbury F5, in excellent condition.~Ashbury AM675|59|~4160~13013~unknown_mandolin~
Close~~~~4160~12426~~
Close~~~~4160~13080~~
Bown~Bown~~~4160~13079~~
Bown Tiple~All Koa Tiple from Ralph Bown with undersaddle pickup. Ralph is one of the UK's top solo guitar builders... he knows how to make a tiple too. Tuned like a Uke (GCEA or ADF#B) but sounding a million miles away this beautiful piece of work produces a rich tapestry of complex tones. The strings are grouped 2, 3, 3, 2, with the middle string in each set of three an octave below and the lower course also an octave apart.~All Koa Tiple from Ralph Bown with undersaddle pickup. Ralph is one of the UK's top solo guitar builders... he knows how to make a tiple too. Tuned like a Uke (GCEA or ADF#B) but sounding a million miles away this beautiful piece of work produces a rich tapestry of complex tones. The strings are grouped 2, 3, 3, 2, with the middle string in each set of three an octave below and the lower course also an octave apart.~Bown Tiple|59|~4160~13078~unknown_mandolin~
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Bown Tiple~~~~4160~13100~~
Close~~~~4160~13077~~
Close~~~~4160~13099~~
Buchanan~Buchanan~~~4160~13098~~
Buchanan folk with fishman pickup~Solid spruce and maple folk mandolin from Thomas Buchanan in excellent condition with Fishman pickup. We would charge £185 for the pickup (pu and fitting)., so it’s a very good bargain.~Solid spruce and maple folk mandolin from Thomas Buchanan in excellent condition with Fishman pickup. We would charge £185 for the pickup (pu and fitting)., so it’s a very good bargain.~Buchanan folk with fishman pickup|59|~4160~13097~unknown_mandolin~
Close~~~~4160~13096~~
Capek~Capek~~~4160~12425~~
Capek F4 professional USED~Fantastic condition F4 from Rosta Capek, well played in so its loud and powerful with incredible bass. See new for description, with original case.~Fantastic condition F4 from Rosta Capek, well played in so its loud and powerful with incredible bass. See new for description, with original case.~Capek F4 professional USED|25|~4160~12648~capek_mandolin~
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Capek F4 professional USED - Back~~~~4160~12646~~
Close~~~~4160~12645~~
Close~~~~4160~12423~~
Close~~~~4160~12337~~
Clifford Essex~Clifford Essex~~~4160~12336~~
Clifford Essex~I don't know much about this one, let me know if you do, it’s a very nice piece of work with a sweet tone. We had a split in the back professionally repaired, all original with original case.~I don't know much about this one, let me know if you do, it’s a very nice piece of work with a sweet tone. We had a split in the back professionally repaired, all original with original case.~Clifford Essex|42|~4160~12335~gibson_mandolin~
Close~~~~4160~12440~~
Open~~~~4160~11966~~
Eastman~Eastman~~~4160~10924~~
Close~~~~4160~12343~~
Eastman 815 Mandola - USED~This one was only out of the shop for a few weeks, an 815 dola for the price of a 615!~This one was only out of the shop for a few weeks, an 815 dola for the price of a 615!~Eastman 815 Mandola - USED|!712|~4160~12342~~
Close~~~~4160~11147~~
Fender~Fender~~~4160~11146~~
Fender Mandocaster 1964 - USED~Mandocaster, all orinial except one new potentiometer (old one in the case). Dated July 1964 its been played well but its got many a decade to go yet, dings 'n scratches all over but bery good conition for its age, plays beautifully, they have been getting harder to come by recently, especially with original case.~Mandocaster, all orinial except one new potentiometer (old one in the case). Dated July 1964 its been played well but its got many a decade to go yet, dings 'n scratches all over but bery good conition for its age, plays beautifully, they have been getting harder to come by recently, especially with original case.~Fender Mandocaster 1964 - USED|!712|~4160~11145~~
Layout Table~
Fender Mandocaster 1964 - Case~~~~4160~11148~~
Close~~~~4160~10907~~
Flatiron~Flatiron~~~4160~11342~~
Flatiron A5 Artist 1988~The Flatiron F5 Artist is one of the legendary mandolins of our time. The A5 artist is possibly even harder to come by. This example is in remarkable condition, it has a small headstock varnish chip but otherwise is impossible to tell from new! I have never seen a mandolin of this age in this condition before! Built in 1988 (just after Gibson took over Flatiron) and signed by Dennis Balian the sound and build quality tells the story of why Gibson bought Flatiron out. It has all the qualities of a great f hole mandolin, remarkable volume and projection (aka chop and bark to bluegrassers) fantastic woof from the mids and deep well defined bass. A beautiful mandolin, great tone and collectability all in one! With hard case.~The Flatiron F5 Artist is one of the legendary mandolins of our time. The A5 artist is possibly even harder to come by. This example is in remarkable condition, it has a small headstock varnish chip but otherwise is impossible to tell from new! I have never seen a mandolin of this age in this condition before! Built in 1988 (just after Gibson took over Flatiron) and signed by Dennis Balian the sound and build quality tells the story of why Gibson bought Flatiron out. It has all the qualities of a great f hole mandolin, remarkable volume and projection (aka chop and bark to bluegrassers) fantastic woof from the mids and deep well defined bass. A beautiful mandolin, great tone and collectability all in one! With hard case.~Flatiron A5 Artist 1988|!712|~4160~13005~~
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Flatiron A5 Artist 1988~~~~4160~13003~~
Close~~~~4160~13002~~
Givens~Givens~~~4160~10906~~
Givens A5 1972~Bob's #18 from 1972. It is reputed that Bob made a few mandolins before he started numbering them, whether or not this is the case this is a fine example of his work with the characteristic Givens sound. Warm and deep bass with phenomenal mids giving that rare chop that is both powerful and musical! Trebles are strong and clear, a great bluegrasser but with enough depth and character to be good for all styles. Its in great condition with some play-wear around the treble f hole, Bob's initials inlaid on the headstock and date and number on the label. With a case thought to be made by Bob himself.~Bob's #18 from 1972. It is reputed that Bob made a few mandolins before he started numbering them, whether or not this is the case this is a fine example of his work with the characteristic Givens sound. Warm and deep bass with phenomenal mids giving that rare chop that is both powerful and musical! Trebles are strong and clear, a great bluegrasser but with enough depth and character to be good for all styles. Its in great condition with some play-wear around the treble f hole, Bob's initials inlaid on the headstock and date and number on the label. With a case thought to be made by Bob himself.~Givens A5 1972|59|~4160~13344~unknown_mandolin~
Close~~~~4160~13343~~
Layout Table~
Givens A5 1972 - Back~~~~4160~13341~~
Close~~~~4160~13339~~
Givens A5 1985~Signed by Bob under the top, March 1985, I have put a dental mirror in the case for the viewing thereof. In very good condition - small dings on the top - othewise excellent condition. Wider at the nut than the A3 (30mm/28mm), its even louder!!! I have had to change my playing style a bit to avoid the Black Sabbath problem, yes I lost some of my hearing to them in 1972, also the year I saw Mr Monroe... (these days I definately prefer one to the other). Its not quite as warm as the A3 but has more 'punch' with fantastic balance, seperation and projection, deep bass, rich mids and very clear trebles. If you can't be heard playing this one its your fault! With period F5 oblong, hard case.~Signed by Bob under the top, March 1985, I have put a dental mirror in the case for the viewing thereof. In very good condition - small dings on the top - othewise excellent condition. Wider at the nut than the A3 (30mm/28mm), its even louder!!! I have had to change my playing style a bit to avoid the Black Sabbath problem, yes I lost some of my hearing to them in 1972, also the year I saw Mr Monroe... (these days I definately prefer one to the other). Its not quite as warm as the A3 but has more 'punch' with fantastic balance, seperation and projection, deep bass, rich mids and very clear trebles. If you can't be heard playing this one its your fault! With period F5 oblong, hard case.~Givens A5 1985|59|~4160~10999~unknown_mandolin~
Close~~~~4160~11002~~
Layout Table~
Givens A5 1985 - Back~~~~4160~10998~~
Givens A5 1985 - Front~~~~4160~11000~~
Close~~~~4160~10997~~
Givens F5 1980~Bob strikes again an excellent condition F5 'Fern' #195 form 1980, this is more proof that reality surpasses legend. With beautiful flamed maple back and sides and a spruce top, its another ban*o killer with amazing volume and projection, chop chords produce a wave a air that can be felt, but as is the test of a geat mandolin it responds to the player. A gentler approach produces a complex and rich tone, the bass and mids are very deep and warm, the trebles clear and sweet. A great bluegrass cannon but also an all rounder. With original case.~Bob strikes again an excellent condition F5 'Fern' #195 form 1980, this is more proof that reality surpasses legend. With beautiful flamed maple back and sides and a spruce top, its another ban*o killer with amazing volume and projection, chop chords produce a wave a air that can be felt, but as is the test of a geat mandolin it responds to the player. A gentler approach produces a complex and rich tone, the bass and mids are very deep and warm, the trebles clear and sweet. A great bluegrass cannon but also an all rounder. With original case.~Givens F5 1990|59|~4160~11332~unknown_mandolin~
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Givens F5 1980 - Back~~~~4160~11330~~
Close~~~~4160~13321~~
Givens Mandolins Previously Sold~Givens Mandolins Previously Sold~~~4160~13320~~
Givens A3 - SOLD~Bob (R.L.) Givens made mandolins from 1962 to 1992 and sadly died in 1994. This is serial number 501, finished on the 3rd December 1989. Legendary for their tone and playability and made during a time that a well known mandolin maker was making what a better known mandolin commentator than myself described as 'acoustically challenged' mandolins. Givens mandolins are highly collectable, though those that knew him say he would have preferred them to be played than bought as an investment. You can see an appreciation of Bob Givens at
flatpicking.com For once we have a legend that is not a myth, this is one of the best sounding mandolins I have ever heard. Bob hand-made over 600 mandolins, if he had made less the prices of these gems would be through the roof. My own collection is too large but if I can bear to part with any this may not be available for long. It is very loud, a chop chord brings the wall down, but also responds to the lightest touch. Very deep warm bass, rich honey soaked mids and clear cutting trebles, it seems to do what ever you want! This really is a phenomenal mandolin... I'm persuading myself... A few dings and scratches on the top but otherwise excellent condition with original case..~Bob (R.L.) Givens made mandolins from 1962 to 1992 and sadly died in 1994. This is serial number 501, finished on the 3rd December 1989. Legendary for their tone and playability and made during a time that a well known mandolin maker was making what a better known mandolin commentator than myself described as 'acoustically challenged' mandolins. Givens mandolins are highly collectable, though those that knew him say he would have preferred them to be played than bought as an investment. You can see an appreciation of Bob Givens at
flatpicking.com For once we have a legend that is not a myth, this is one of the best sounding mandolins I have ever heard. Bob hand-made over 600 mandolins, if he had made less the prices of these gems would be through the roof. My own collection is too large but if I can bear to part with any this may not be available for long. It is very loud, a chop chord brings the wall down, but also responds to the lightest touch. Very deep warm bass, rich honey soaked mids and clear cutting trebles, it seems to do what ever you want! This really is a phenomenal mandolin... I'm persuading myself... A few dings and scratches on the top but otherwise excellent condition with original case..~Givens A3|59|~4160~10905~unknown_mandolin~
Layout Table~
Givens A3 - Back~~~~4160~10908~~
Close~~~~4160~11299~~
Givens A5 mid 1970s - SOLD~Number 118 from Bob, mid 1970s or thereabouts. This A5 has a bound headstock, pickguard, radiussed fretboard scooped at the 23rd and 24th frets (possoibily not original), Grover tuners with a little slack but 100% functional and its had a McItyre feather pickup added (only alteration to the mandolin is a jack plug/end button). We have added a solid ebony bridge from Cumberland Acoustics. One owner from new its been very well played but has no issues. It sounds like all great mandolins should... Anybody who knows me will know of my love of the oval hole sound but that ocassionally I rave about an F hole that has the best of both sounds, this is such a beastie. Incredible volume, speration and project known to few mandolins but without sacrificing bass and sustain. Deep and rich at the lower end, a sweet, vibrant mid range and clear and bright up in the heavens, and that's where it takes me, great for bluegrass or any other mandolin style. With stickered Golden Gate ABS case.~Number 118 from Bob, mid 1970s or thereabouts. This A5 has a bound headstock, pickguard, radiussed fretboard scooped at the 23rd and 24th frets (possoibily not original), Grover tuners with a little slack but 100% functional and its had a McItyre feather pickup added (only alteration to the mandolin is a jack plug/end button). We have added a solid ebony bridge from Cumberland Acoustics. One owner from new its been very well played but has no issues. It sounds like all great mandolins should... Anybody who knows me will know of my love of the oval hole sound but that ocassionally I rave about an F hole that has the best of both sounds, this is such a beastie. Incredible volume, speration and project known to few mandolins but without sacrificing bass and sustain. Deep and rich at the lower end, a sweet, vibrant mid range and clear and bright up in the heavens, and that's where it takes me, great for bluegrass or any other mandolin style. With stickered Golden Gate ABS case.~Givens A5 mid 1970s|59|~4160~11297~unknown_mandolin~
Layout Table~
Givens A5 mid 1970s - Back~~~~4160~11296~~
Close~~~~4160~12775~~
Givens A3 1987 - SOLD~This is the sixth of Bob Givens' wonderful mandolins we've had in stock, # 399 from 1987, with label inside and original case. Its in amazing condition, a few small patches of wear around the treble soundhole and a few small marks there and between the bass soundhole and side, otherwise almost pristine, the back has barely a mark. Its another tone monster, as loud as the A5 but richer. This is to my ear what a great f hole mandolin should sound like, plenty of warmth, resonance and depth with very clear trebles and fantastic response. Chop chords are brutal while producing fantastic tone if you keep your fingers down. Like all the other Givens we've had it has it all from bluegrass to classical and everything in-between.~This is the sixth of Bob Givens' wonderful mandolins we've had in stock, # 399 from 1987, with label inside and original case. Its in amazing condition, a few small patches of wear around the treble soundhole and a few small marks there and between the bass soundhole and side, otherwise almost pristine, the back has barely a mark. Its another tone monster, as loud as the A5 but richer. This is to my ear what a great f hole mandolin should sound like, plenty of warmth, resonance and depth with very clear trebles and fantastic response. Chop chords are brutal while producing fantastic tone if you keep your fingers down. Like all the other Givens we've had it has it all from bluegrass to classical and everything in-between.e.~Givens A3 1987 - SOLD|59|~4160~12774~unknown_mandolin~
Layout Table~
Givens A3 1987 - Back~~~~4160~12772~~
Givens A3 1987 - Back~~~~4160~12776~~
Close~~~~4160~12771~~
Close~~~~4160~10904~~
Close~~~~4160~11071~~
Givens F5 1979 - SOLD~This immaculate F5 'Fern' is from 1979 (there are details in pencil inside the top, thru bass f hole, I have put a dental mirror in the case for viewing but my eyesight won't let me work it all out), the pickguard is a later edition. It's as loud as the A5 (VERY loud) with even more separation and projection. The clarity of each note is unbelieveable, ban*o killing is like swatting dead flies... With hardshel shaped case.~This immaculate F5 'Fern' is from 1979 (there are details in pencil inside the top, thru bass f hole, I have put a dental mirror in the case for viewing but my eyesight won't let me work it all out), the pickguard is a later edition. It's as loud as the A5 (VERY loud) with even more separation and projection. The clarity of each note is unbelieveable, ban*o killing is like swatting dead flies... With hardshel shaped case.~Givens F5 1979|59|~4160~11070~unknown_mandolin~
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Givens F5 1979 - Back~~~~4160~11068~~
Close~~~~4160~10900~~
Close~~~~4160~10699~~
Hoyer~Hoyer~~~4160~10698~~
Hoyer mandolin - SOLD~Scruffy but solid Hoyer mandolin. The headstock logo dissapeared long ago, the electrics have also sadly demised but the pickguard is still there, it has the usual varnish crazing on the top, and plenty of it. Apart from these merely cosmetic issues its in fine shape, plays well and is avaiable at a great price. No case.~Scruffy but solid Hoyer mandolin. The headstock logo dissapeared long ago, the electrics have also sadly demised but the pickguard is still there, it has the usual varnish crazing on the top, and plenty of it. Apart from these merely cosmetic issues its in fine shape, plays well and is avaiable at a great price. No case.~Hoyer mandolin|59|~4160~10697~unknown_mandolin~
Hoyer mandolin - SOLD~A German blonde in her fifties… well preserved, the usual crazing in the top finish, gorgeous original pickguard, a couple of bent but working well tuner shafts and some very nice flamed maple on the back. Plays very well after a little set-up work after arriving with original (probably) strings! No case.~A German blonde in her fifties… well preserved, the usual crazing in the top finish, gorgeous original pickguard, a couple of bent but working well tuner shafts and some very nice flamed maple on the back. Plays very well after a little set-up work after arriving with original (probably) strings! No case.~Hoyer mandolin|59|~4160~12656~unknown_mandolin~
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Hoyer mandolin - Back~~~~4160~12658~~
Close~~~~4160~12657~~
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