| Sales: other instruments |
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On this page, I'll post good quality, interesting or unusual banjos, mandolins and other fretted instruments for sale. Although I occasionally buy and sell (apparently I'm better at buying than selling!) I'm also happy to post commission sales. The contact link will put you in direct contact with the owner.
Please feel free to contact me if you're looking for something special! |
German mandolin
1981 Fylde Octavius bouzouki Mid-1990s Fylde Octavius bouzouki August Pollmann Mandoline Banjo Gibson A40 mandolin |
| German mandolin **SOLD**
This is a German-made mandolin. ("Made in Germany" is stamped into the rear of the headstock.) Spruce top, maple back and sides, rosewood fingerboard. The mandolin is in good condition with some marks to the varnish. It has three professionally repaired cracks on the front and a small plugged screwhole on the side near the tailpiece, but these are not very noticeable and do not compromise playability. It plays well. The machine heads are original and work well. Straight neck and low playing action. Bridge is original and in good condition. Good tone and volume, as can be expected from an instrument of some age. This mandolin does not come in a case but will be packaged securely for transport. £110. For more information, email here. Return to top of page |
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| 1981 Fylde Octavius bouzouki ***SOLD***
The Octavius has been a regular in the Fylde catalogue since the 1970s. Roger Bucknall has confirmed that this one dates from 1981. It has a solid cedar top, which has aged very attractively over the years, and solid Honduras mahogany back and sides. Indian rosewood fingerboard, bridge and binding. Schaller mini tuners. The fingerboard width is 1 ½" at the nut, and the scale length is 24.75" or 630mm (same as many Gibson and smaller-body Martin acoustic guitars). This scale length is less of a handful than some of the longer-scale folk bouzoukis, and the fixed bridge gives it a warm, mellow sound. As well as being suitable for single note playing, it is described on Fylde's website as being "ideal for song accompaniment." It suits the GDAE or GDAD tuning particularly well, but a variety of tunings and string gauges can be used. It has been played infrequently and is in excellent condition for its age. A few small dings on the soundboard - cedar is a soft wood and rather prone to marks - and a couple of superficial marks on the back, and that's about it. No capo dents or other marks to the back of the neck. Good playing action, and the frets only show very light wear. They have been repolished recently. There is a bridgeplate transducer and endpin jack. It's one of the early Barcus Berry transducers - looks like a block of rosewood. In its day it was quite a high-end option, but things have moved on and there are better pickups around these days. £650 or near offer. For more information, email here. Return to top of page |
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| Mid-1990s Fylde Octavius bouzouki **SOLD**
The Octavius has been a regular in the Fylde catalogue since the 1970s. Its fixed bridge gives it a warm, mellow sound, and it is described on Fylde's website as being 'ideal for song acompaniment.' Its guitar string length (630mm) suits the GDAE tuning particularly well, but a variety of tunings and string gauges can be used. Close-grained cedar top, rosewood bridge. Back is attractively figured mahogany; straight-grained mahogany is used for the sides. the neck is mahogany, with an Indian rosewood fingerboard. Gotoh machines. Fitted with strap buttons to end block and heel. According to the Fylde website, the current list price is £929. This instrument was probably made in the mid-1990s (serial no 374x, in case that means anything to anyone), has been played infrequently and is in excellent condition. A few pick marks and one small ding near the treble side of the soundhole, and a couple of superficial marks on the back, and that's about it. No playing issues at all - the neck is straight, the frets only show very light wear, and the action is low and easy - around 1.5mm at the octave. Complete with high quality fitted case, in good condition. £725 or near offer. For more information, email here. Return to top of page |
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| August Pollmann Mandoline Banjo **SOLD**
Rare mandolin banjo built under patent by August Pollman of New York. Banjo mandolins with a mandolin neck and a banjo body are common, but this is very unusual (I've only seen a couple in the last 30 years). The headstock roundel reads August Pollmann's Royal Mandoline Banjo, and various patent dates on tuners, headstock and body suggest a date in the later 1880s or possibly 1890s. The top is of fine-grained spruce, with violin-style purfling. This insturment is probably from the middle of the original range, as the back and sides are of maple, combed with a grained finish to resemble Brazilian rosewood. (The other one I've seen was fancier, and was definitely real Braz.) The bridge is non-original, but the tailpiece is marked Wm. Gerke, Providence, RI, and is correct for these instruments. The neck is (probably) Spanish cedar, as used by Martin on some of its plainer instruments, with a 'double cut' style headstock, an ebony nut and a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. This instrument is in excellent condition for its age, apart from a scrape across the back, and there is no sign of any repairs having been carried out. It is all original except for the bridge and the (modern) geared fifth peg. Straight neck, low action, no playing issues. Plays like a banjo, but with a subtle, dulcimer-like, sound. Now, when did you last hear the words 'subtle' and 'banjo' used in the same sentence? The case is c1920s, English. £350. For more information, email here. Return to top of page |
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| Gibson A40 mandolin **SOLD**
Early 1950s. With case. In fine playing condition, but far from mint! There are no cracks on the body, and it plays and records well. The scratchplate's missing, as is a piece of the white neck binding, but this can be sorted, of course. The machine heads have been replaced (with a suitable replica set) since these photos were taken. It comes with a hard case that seems to be original. Offers around £750. To contact the owner, email here. Return to top of page |
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