Mandolin Brothers Ltd. - Featured Instruments

Somogyi (new) Modified Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

The builder, Ervin Somogyi of Berkeley, California, has written the following: Good morning, Stan: I just sent you my guitar No. 411. I hope that you will like it and find a happy home for it. Here’s some information about it. First, some context: I make eight sizes, models, and shapes of guitars, both steel string and nylon string. My most popular models are my “modified dreadnought” and my version of the OM.

Stelling (used, 1982) Tony Trischka's own Sunflower

Tony Trischka told us that this banjo is the only banjo he used on the A Robot Plane Flies Over Arkansas album, and the main banjo he used from that, his first album, to the Hill Country album. He told us that “from 1981 to 1991 this was my primary instrument.” This banjo is listed on the Stelling Banjo Works’ Chronology of Important Instruments and Significant Dates, which says: in January of 1982 Stelling finished banjo #2174 - a Sunflower - for Tony Trishka. The first banjo made in 1982 was #2172, so this would have been the third banjo Geoff made that year.

Gibson (used, 1969) Les Paul Custom (Black Beauty)

One of the most striking and memorable designs in the history of the electric guitar, the Black Beauty is undeniably one of the most important electric guitars of the past 58 years. Made from mahogany, this model and era guitar is famous for being the “Return of the Single Cutaway” Les Paul after a hiatus of 7 years during which time none were made. Its frets were decidedly low profile which is why it retained its moniker of “Fretless Wonder.” WAS $14,950 BUT NOW ON SALE FOR:

D'Angelico (used, 1947) New Yorker Special

And now for something entirely different: We have never seen one of these before. John D’Angelico, considered the finest independent guitar builder of the 20th Century, or at least for the first two-thirds of that century, made a keystone model that he called “New Yorker.” This was an elaborately decorated instrument, made of the most select woods and built on a large platform (possibly because John was vertically challenged) measuring approximately 18” in body width. $30,985 at our Discount Price, or $29,995 at our Cash Discount Price.

D'Angelico (used, 1959) Electric Archtop guitar built on a United body

John D’Angelico (1905-1964) was, of course, the premier independent guitar builder of the first three quarters of the 20th century. He began his career at the age of 9 by working as an apprentice in the roundbelly mandolin, guitar and violin factory of his uncle Cianni, on Kenmare Street in Manhattan, and was eventually promoted to shop foreman. NOW ON SALE! WAS $12,366 BUT NOW ON SALE FOR:

Walker (used, 1998) Style OM

One person who visited and played this instrument said (he said it out loud) “I have seen some of the ifnest guitars in the world, and this one is as ifnest as a guitar gets.” We had no idea what he was talking about but he left quietly. It is said that Kim Walker of North Stonington is felt by many to be the ultimate builder of Acoustic acoustic (we mean really acoustic) guitars extant. WAS $22,500 BUT NOW ON SALE FOR:

Fender ® (used, 1955) Stratocaster

This remarkably collectible electric guitar, whose neck dates to November 1955, body to October of the same year, shows normal signs of use and wear overall plus normal finish wear through the finish on the maple neck from finger contact, and, well, belt buckle wear on much of the back. In other words, it looks exactly as an old Stratocaster should look.

NOW ON SALE! WAS $41,235 BUT NOW:

Gibson (used, 1922) F-4 Mandolin, made during Lloyd Loar's tenure

Although not signed by the great visionary, this is a fine example of a Loar-period, truss-rodded 1922 F-4. The adjustable rod allowed for a somewhat slimmer neck, but it’s still “V-shape.” The F-4 model was fancy, ornate and made of the finest materials, and the ones that were made between 1922 and 1924 are, by anybody's measure, considered to be the most exceptional sounding and the most beautiful, as this is.

THIS WAS $9795 BUT IS NOW ON SALE FOR (hold onto your hat):

Gibson (used, 1925) Master Model "Fern" F-5 Mandolin

This is, by anybody’s standards, one of the finest Gibson mandolins produced in the post-Lloyd Loar era. Even though its original owner possessed what is arguably the finest mandolin one could purchase in 1925, said individual never learned to play and so the instrument remains in solidly excellent condition. The mandolin has never been out of the care and protection of the family to which it has belonged, and, has, ever since the late 1920s, seldom been taken out of its original compartmentalized case – the semi-rectangular hard shell with the red velour lining. WAS $102,585 BUT NOW ON SALE FOR:

Martin (used, 1957) D-21

The D-21 has sometimes been called “a Martin D-18 with Brazilian rosewood back and sides” since its appointments are plainer than the stately D-28. It has tortoise shell celluloid side bindings, a thin four-ply white-black purfling around the top, and, perhaps more like a D-28, the repeating geometric rectangles in black and crème parquetry as the backstripe.

Gibson (used, 1924) Lloyd Loar signed F-5 Master Model

We present to you an example of the finest mandolin known to mankind. “What might that be?” I thought I heard someone ask. It is [a flourish of trumpets is heard offstage] a Gibson March 31, 1924 (signed and dated) Lloyd Loar F-5 model mandolin, #75846, bearing Virzi Number (one of the lowest numbers seen although they seem to have been applied in no particular order) of #10002.