Browsing Mandolin Family

 
Page 1 of 612345...Last »

Pre-Owned: 1966 Gibson A5 Mandolin

Scale: 14" | Nut Width: 1 3/16" | Top: Carved Spruce | Back: Maple
1966 Gibson A5 Mandolin

There are very many styles and varieties of mandolins made by very many manufacturers and independent luthiers. However, Mandolin referred to in the USA are more than likely those manufactured by the Gibson Co. (or patterned after the Gibsons).

Orville Gibson (born 1856, Chateaugay, New York) started making mandolins in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The mandolins were distinctive in that they featured a carved, arched solid wood top and back and bent wood sides. Prior to this, mandolins had a flat solid wood top and a bowl-like back similar to a lute. These bowl-back mandolins were very fragile and unstable. Disdainful of the shape, Orville Gibson characterized them as "potato bugs". Gibson's innovation made a distinctive, darker-sounding mandolin that was easier to manufacture in large numbers.

In 1922 Gibson introduced a level of master-grade instruments under the watchful eye of its top engineer, Mr. Lloyd Loar. These instruments designated as the F5 mandolin, L5 guitar, H5 mandola, K5 mandocello, no mandobass and exactly one A5 mandolin; were characterized by very high quality workmanship, materials, ornamentation AND f-shaped soundholes. The F5 mandolin also has a longer neck than the previous mandolins allowing easier access to the higher frets. These instruments signed by Mr. Loar have become highly prized collector items.

This 1966 Gibson A style mandolin features a rounded teardrop shaped body. It may have two points projecting from the body, one on each side of the neck - but the term "A", is then further qualified as a "double cutaway A" or "Jethro style A" or "Florentine A" in this case. In the absence of further designation, vintage "A"s are understood to be of the oval hole variety, modern "A"s of the f-hole variety. In the early 1960's the A-5 mandolin incorporated the Cherry sunburst finish.  It plays wonderfully, has a great loud "chop", and a beautiful warm sound.

This is a nice clean A style with F-shaped sound holes with a carved spruce top and flame maple back and sides. Fretboard is flush with the top. Classic "Gibson" decal logo above the truss rod cover on the peghead. Fully bound top, back and fingerboard. All hardware and finish is original. Some scratches, dents and wear as seen in the detailed photos below.  Comes with original Gibson Hardshell Case.

Read More »

$2,450.00Price:
Loading Updating cart...
LoadingUpdating...
Tags: , , , , ,

Collings MF Sunburst Ivoroid Binding

Scale: 13 7/8" | Nut Width: 1 1/8" | Top: Adirondack Spruce | Back: Flamed Maple
Hear This Instrument: Collings MF Sunburst Ivoroid Binding
Recorded In-House on a Sony PCM-D50 handheld recorder with no compression or eq.
Collings MF Sunburst Ivoroid Binding

The MF is a world class mandolin with simplified appointments featuring a gloss top as well as a satin finish on the back and sides and, on this particular instrument, custom ivoroid binding . With a fully carved Adirondack spruce top and maple back and sides, the MF is built with the same quality construction as Collings fully-appointed models.

The custom gloss top on this custom Collings MF produces a tone we've come to expect out of Collings Mandolins... it is rich, thick and meaty with lots of punch and a great chop. The satin finish on the back and sides not only looks incredible but produces a tone that is wide open, and woody that really compliments the tone that the gloss top produces. Playability on Collings' mandolins are hard to beat, and this one plays like a dream with low action and surprising responsiveness.

The custom Ivoroid binding on the body and bound ebony pickguard make for a very classy look, complimenting the custom gloss sunburst top perfectly. The Adirondack Spruce top is especially nice on this instrument, with large grain and a wide open sound.

Browse our fine selection of Collings Mandolins.

Learn more about the history of Collings Guitars.

Read More »

Price: $5,150.00
$4,635.00Price:
Loading Updating cart...
LoadingUpdating...
Tags: , , , , , ,

Collings MF5 Mandolin F-Style with Ivoroid Binding

Scale: 13 7/8" | Nut Width: 1 1/8" | Top: Adirondack Spruce | Back: Premium Flamed Maple
Hear This Instrument: Collings MF5 Mandolin F-Style with Ivoroid Binding
Recorded In-House on a Sony PCM-D50 handheld recorder with no compression or eq.
Collings MF5 Mandolin F-Style with Ivoroid Binding

Hand-crafted in Austin, TX, Collings mandolins are built with finest seasoned spruce and eastern maple. With equal emphasis placed on tone, fit and finish, and playability, they strive to create a new benchmark of quality in mandolins.

The MF5 is Collings’ fully appointed F-model with a carved, seasoned Adirondack Spruce top and premium maple back and sides.  The tone is thick and rich, with clear resonant highs that never sound thin. The Ebony fretboard plays extremely fast, making those bluegrass classics a breeze at any tempo, although the tone of this instrument is versatile enough to fit well into any genre from Irish to Classical. Not only does this mandolin have tremendous playability the tone of this mandolin is very distinct, with clear high end with plenty of headroom to make sure the mandolin is heard over a group jam session.

To complete the package, this MF5 is finished with a gorgeous sunburst that allows the Adirondack Spruce top to show off it's grain as well as an equally beautiful flamed maple back and sides. The sunburst is elegantly complimented by an Ivoroid bound body as well as a bound Ebony fretboard and headstock.

Read More »

Price: $8,000.00
$7,200.00Price:
Loading Updating cart...
LoadingUpdating...
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Collings MT Mandolin Engelmann Spruce and Maple A-Style

Scale: 13 7/8" | Nut Width: 1 3/16" | Top: Engelmann Spruce | Back: Maple
Hear This Instrument: Collings MT Mandolin Engelmann Spruce and Maple A-Style
Recorded In-House on a Sony PCM-D50 handheld recorder with no compression or eq.
Collings MT Mandolin Engelmann Spruce and Maple A-Style

Hand-crafted in Austin, TX, Collings mandolins are built with finest seasoned spruce and eastern maple. With equal emphasis placed on tone, "fit and finish" and playability, they achieve a new benchmark of quality in mandolins.

The Collings MT Mandolin is a standard A-model with simplified appointments. The top is a wonderful fully carved Engelmann spruce with flamed maple back and sides as well as a Satin Finish. Engelmann is highly responsive without requiring a heavy pick attack. This tonewood is known for warm, lush, thick sounds with a smooth high end and punchy midrange. It doesn't need to be played hard to sound great, although it handles heavy playing quite well too.

To complete the package, this custom MT also features Tortoise bindings with Black/White Purfling and Nickel tuners with black buttons. The Tortoise bindings and bound ebony pickguard make for a very classy look, complimenting the satin finish perfectly. These additional features really make the MT stand out, with a very classy and traditional appearance.

Browse our fine selection of Collings Mandolins.

Learn more about the history of Collings Guitars.

Read More »

Price: $2,900.00
$2,610.00Price:
Loading Updating cart...
LoadingUpdating...
Tags: , , ,

Pre-Owned: 1993 Gibson F5 Monroe Limited Edition 83 out of 200

Scale: 13 29/32" | Nut Width: 1 1/8" | Top: Spruce | Back: Flamed Maple
1993 Gibson F5 Monroe Limited Edition 83 out of 200

Bill Monroe is often referred to as the "Father of bluegrass", with an ever evolving and inspiring career spanning over 60 years, he has had a tremendous impact on bluegrass and most country music we know today. A consummate performer, he was never seen with out his Gibson F5 on stage or off!

In 1938 Bill Monroe formed his famed bluegrass group named the Blue Grass Boys. Around this same time Bill acquired a 1923 Gibson F5 model "Lloyd Loar" mandolin. The Gibson "Lloyd Loar" would become his trademark instrument for the remainder of his career, as well as the inspiration for this Limited Edition F5 Monroe many years later. His original mandolin can be viewed not far from our shop at the Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville.

Lloyd Loar was a Gibson sound engineer and master luthier in the early 20th century. Mr. Loar worked for Gibson from early 1919 to 1924, and in that short amount of time he contributed many significant innovations to the world of stringed instruments. One of the many innovations was the introduction of the F shaped holes in the Mandolin, borrowed from the violin family. His instruments were known for their incredible volume, clarity, and master craftsmanship. These instruments from this period are now recognized as some of the most valuable, significant instruments ever made.

This particular limited edition Gibson F5 Monroe was built in 1993, the same year Bill Monroe received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. There were only 200 Gibson F5 Monroes ever made, and you are looking at #83. Each Gibson F5 Monroe Label is hand signed by Bill Monroe as well as Steve Carlson, Founder of the Flatiron Mandolin Company and Head of Gibson's production after they purchased Flatiron and redesigned it as the Gibson Mandolin Company.

Featuring a tight grained Spruce top with gorgeous Flamed maple back and sides, this mandolin is based on Mr. Monroe's mandolin. Why no pickguard?Well Bill Monroe didn't use one! This Gibson Monroe has an incredible tone, as you would expect from such a limited production, hand crafted mandolin. With a warm, woody tone the F5 Monroe  has plenty of bite and chop, however don't let the varnish fool you, this one can cut through!

The F5 Monroe also has a beautiful varnish finish and is in excellent condition, with only minor scratches to the finish and headstock that may even be factory made. Varnish finishes are hand applied, and thus, are much more difficult to polish to the level of perfection or shine that a lacquer finish will. Thinner than nitrocellulose lacquer, the varnish finish is more flexible and allows the wood to resonate more. This makes the mandolin sound more "broken in" from the start. The Varnish finish also creates a very warm tone that sounds deep with a lot of definition. As an 18 year old instrument, this looks to be brand new! Original Hardshell Case Included.

Read More »

$9,499.00Price:
Loading Updating cart...
LoadingUpdating...
Tags: , , , , , ,

Pre-Owned: 2003 Collings MF5 Flamed Maple and Adirondack Spruce with Blonde Finish

Scale: 13 7/8" | Nut Width: 1 1/8" | Top: Adirondack Spruce | Back: Flamed Maple
2003 Collings MF5 Flamed Maple and Adirondack Spruce with Blonde Finish

Hand-crafted in Austin, TX, Collings mandolins are built with finest seasoned spruce and eastern maple.
With equal emphasis placed on tone, fit and finish, and playability, they strive to create a new benchmark of quality in mandolins.

This 2003 Collings MF5 is their fully appointed F-model with a carved seasoned Red spruce top and premium Flamed Maple back and sides. This particular mandolin has a beautiful Blonde Finish on top with grained ivoroid bindings on the neck and body.

The tone of this instrument is exactly what we've come to expect out of Collings... it is rich, thick and meaty with lots of punch and a great chop. Playability on Collings' mandolins are hard to beat, and this one plays like a dream with low action and surprising responsiveness.

This MF5 is hard to distinguish old from new, with just a few minor scratches to the headstock and small finish checking to the binding this Collings Mandolin looks great. Original Hardshell Case Included.

Read More »

$5,749.95Price:
Loading Updating cart...
LoadingUpdating...
Tags: , , ,

Collings MT2 Mandola with Tortoise Bindings and Bound Pickguard

 | Top: Adirondack Spruce | Back: Maple
Collings MT2 Mandola with Tortoise Bindings and Bound Pickguard

We are very pleased to offer another Collings MT2 Mandola featuring a gloss sunburst top and gloss flamed maple back and sides, finished off by a tortoise bound ebony pickguard.  This instrument can be smooth and sweet or powerful and dominant, depending on how it's played.  Everything we love about Collings masterbuilt mandolins is present in this Mandola,  magnified by the much larger body and lower tuning, offering smooth response and playability with rich low end and clear, pleasing trebles.

Adirondack Spruce is the featured topwood on this mandola, offering virtually unlimited power and crystal clear treble.  Flamed maple back and sides is a classic wood for the back and sides of mandolin family instruments, offering a bright, punchy, immediate tone.  The 2 piece flamed back of this instrument is gorgeous, especially when set off by the tortoise bindings and ebony pickgaurd.  Come and play this instrument today... you won't regret it!

Read More »

Price: $4,250.00
$3,825.00Price:
Loading Updating cart...
LoadingUpdating...
Tags: , ,

Tone-Gard for Mandolin – Standard F5/A5 Sunrise

Tone-Gard for Mandolin - Standard F5/A5 Sunrise

The Tone-Gard is designed to isolate the back of a mandolin, or similar instrument, from your body, producing more volume and deepening the tone.

You can test the concept right now without a Tone-Gard. Play your instrument normally, while facing a wall about a foot or two away, allowing the sound to bounce back directly. After you are used to the sound, hold the mandolin by the neck so that the back of the instrument is a couple of inches away from your body. Now try playing a couple of chops. Go back and forth, against and away from your body, and you will notice a difference. You will hear a difference just hitting one chop and letting it ring while holding against you, then away.

An additional benefit is protecting the back of the instrument from wear, dings, and scratches. You can and should leave the Gard on the instrument all the time, not take it on and off. It fits in almost all cases, including Calton.

Many prominent mandolinists — including David Grisman, Ricky Skaggs, John Reischman, Chris Hillman, Roland White, Radim Zenkl, Andy Statman, Mike Marshall, Dana Rath, Tom Rozum, Eric Thompson, Emory Lester, and many others — use and recommend the Tone-Gard™ to get the best sound.

Standard Tone-Gards™ are now made of laser-cut steel with a ceramic powder-coat. They have more pads, which are directly glued on to prevent loss. Vintage, Rigel, and custom Gards are hand-made from mild steel, sprayed with a durable high-gloss paint, and have older-style pads. All surfaces that come in contact with the instrument have rubber and leather pads where needed to protect the instrument’s finish. The only maintenance is occasionally to apply a little instrument wax or Pledge™ or similar product on the rubber-pads to prevent deterioration. The rubber pads can also be easily replaced if necessary.

Quote from David Grisman:
“I’ve been using Tony Pires’ ToneGard for well over a year now and I think it’s a wonderful thing…. My impression is that by keeping the back of the mandolin from touching one’s chest, the instrument is free to resonate more. I notice more highs, more lows, and more volume, which is always nice to have in a live situation. I also use it in recording and find positive results there as well. In fact the only time I don’t use it is when I forget to put it on…. Thanks to Tony Pires for a true mando-improvement.”

Read More »

$75.00Price:
Loading Updating cart...
LoadingUpdating...
Tags: , , ,

SOLD: National RM-1 Mandolin Maple Top with Walnut Back and Sides

Scale: 14" | Nut Width: 1.25" | Top: Maple | Back: Walnut
National RM-1 Mandolin Maple Top with Walnut Back and Sides

Inspired by a rare pre-war wood bodied National mandolin, National's resonator mandolin has traditional features like the biscuit bridge combined with modern touches such as an intonated saddle and a comfortably radiused, extended fingerboard. The art deco cast tailpiece is a National exclusive. The sides and back are solid walnut and the top is figured maple as is the neck. The tuners are vintage-style open gear.

The resonator and hardware feature an Aged Brass finish and looks perfect next to the figured sunburst maple top.

This mandolin has an instantly unique sound.  The resonator adds a level of volume previously impossible with traditional mandolins.  While the make/model is different, Sam Bush is often heard playing slide on a resonator mandolin and this RM-1 from National instantly conjures that bluesy mandolin sound.  Celtic and Irish melodies sound especially unique on this mandolin and we have customers who play them in bluegrass circles as well... dominating fiddles, banjos, and guitars like nothing you've ever heard!

Read More »


This instrument has been spoken for. Please call 866-265-5993 or email info@artisanguitars.com to inquire about a similar instrument. Tags: , , ,

ON LAYAWAY: National RM-1 V Resonator Mandolin Figured Maple Body

Scale: 14" | Nut Width: 1.25" | Top: Maple | Back: Maple
Hear This Instrument: National RM-1 V Resonator Mandolin Figured Maple Body
Recorded In-House on a Sony PCM-D50 handheld recorder with no compression or eq.
National RM-1 V Resonator Mandolin Figured Maple Body

National RM-1 V Resonator Mandolin

Inspired by a rare pre-war wood bodied National mandolin, National's resonator mandolin has traditional features like the biscuit bridge combined with modern touches such as an intonated saddle and a comfortably radiused, extended fingerboard. The art deco cast tailpiece is a National exclusive. Different from the standard National RM-1 Maple top with Walnut back and sides the National RM-1 V features a figured Maple body with a Maple neck. Also different from the standard RM-1 mandolin the RM-1 V has a brushed steel sieve coverplate.

This mandolin has an instantly unique sound.  The resonator adds a level of volume previously impossible with traditional mandolins.  While the make/model is different, Sam Bush is often heard playing slide on a resonator mandolin and this RM-1 V from National instantly conjures that bluesy mandolin sound.  Celtic and Irish melodies sound especially unique on this mandolin and we have customers who play them in bluegrass circles as well... dominating fiddles, banjos, and guitars like nothing you've ever heard!

The RM-1 V features high quality Appointments such as Gotoh open gear tuners, Bone Nut, Ebony fretboard, and Mother of Pearl fretboard inlays.

Read More »


This instrument has been spoken for. Please call 866-265-5993 or email info@artisanguitars.com to inquire about a similar instrument. Tags: , , , , , ,

SOLD: Arriving Soon: Collings MT2 O Mandolin

Scale: 13 7/8" | Nut Width: 1 3/16" | Top: Adirondack Spruce | Back: Maple

Expected Arrival: 2012-7
Collings MT2 O Mandolin

Specifications:

  • Top: Adirondack Spruce
  • Back and Sides: Maple
  • Scale: 13 7/8"
  • Nut Width: 1 3/16"
  • Bracing: X-Bracing
  • Headstock Overlay: Ebony
  • Headstock Inlay: Flourish Inlay
  • Tuners: Gold Gotoh
  • Inlays: Dots
  • Rosette: Grained Ivoroid and bound Sound-Hole
  • Purfling: Black/White
  • Body Binding: Ivoroid
  • Fretboard Binding: Ivoroid
  • Headstock Binding: Ivoroid
  • Nut Material: Bone
  • Blonde
  • List Price: $3900

This item has been spoken for. Please call 866-265-5993 or email info@artisanguitars.com to inquire about a similar item.

ITEM IS SOLD
 Tags: , , , , , ,

SOLD: Pre-Owned: 2006 Weber Beartooth A-Style Mandolin

Scale: 14" | Nut Width: 1 1/8" | Top: Hand Graduated and Tuned Solid Spruce | Back: Maple
2006 Weber Beartooth A-Style Mandolin

Originally located in Bozeman Montana, now Logan, Bruce Weber and his crew of skilled craftspeople have been building phenomenal modern versions of the traditional F- and A style mandolins since 1997, and can trace the origins of the company to the original Flatiron Mandolin company.

The Weber Beartooth was named for the rugged Beartooth mountain range in South Central Montana. This range contains Montana's highest peak, Granite Peak, at 12,799 feet. It is also part of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area which encompasses the lower 48's largest single expanse of land above 10,000 feet.

The Beartooth features a gloss finished top, which sweetens the tone a bit compared to a satin top.  The top is hand carved Spruce with beatiful Maple back and sides.  This top of this Weber Mandolin is very responsive without requiring a heavy pick attack.  Combined with maple the tone is incredibly warm with a smooth high end and punchy midrange.  When "chopping" chords for rhythm, this mandolin has that desirable "crack" that drives every Bluegrass jam and could cut through any mix.

To complete the package, this Weber Beartooth also features grained ivoroid bindings and gold tuners with pearloid buttons.  These additional features really make this 2006 Weber Beartooth stand out, with a very classy and traditional appearance.

This 2006 Weber Beartooth is in excellent condition and hard to distinguish from new. There are a few light scratches to the top and back that we did our best to capture in the detailed photographs below. Original Hardshell Case included.

Read More »


This instrument has been spoken for. Please call 866-265-5993 or email info@artisanguitars.com to inquire about a similar instrument. Tags: , , , ,
 
Page 1 of 612345...Last »