Vintage & Used Instruments

The John and Rudy Dopyera Collection We are very proud to offer for sale the combined collection of John and Rudy Dopyera. Few instrument makers represent the American Dream quite as completely as these two inventors, innovators, marketers, and all-around creative force behind both the National and Dobro companies.

The BEST of the BEST Visit the Elderly Web-Vault, where you'll find the finest in highly collectible, exceedingly rare instruments.

Check out our latest price reductions .

See the list of abbreviations we use in our descriptions.

Featured Items: GIBSON MASTERTONE - FLATHEAD 5-STRING BANJOS OF THE 1930's AND 1940's by Jim Mills New! Features 19 of the 130 or so Original Flathead Five-String Mastertones known to exist. The Scruggs, Reno, Jenkins, Crowe, Osborne, Huber and Mills banjos are shown in all their glory, with details of their known histories and provenances, as well as never-before-seen photos, more. MARTIN 000-42EC ERIC CLAPTON SIGNATURE EDITION (1995) Here's a fine example of the original edition Eric Clapton Martin guitar - and 000-42, as described. MARTIN STYLE 5-K SOPRANO UKULELE (1920's) The Martin 5-K is the D-45 of the ukulele world, and this is a very fine example of this top-of-the-line model. NATIONAL STYLE 1 CONCERT UKULELE (1928) A very cool early National uke with brass body, it's clean, sounds great and super rare too. MARTIN STYLE 3-M SOPRANO UKULELE (1930's) The Martin Style 3-M is considered by many to be the ultimate player's uke - near the top of the line with fine-looking appointments, and great sound. Here's a nice '30's version of this classic uke! KO'OLAU MODEL 500 CONCERT UKULELE (recent) A gorgeous high end Ko'olau concert uke from the workshop of luthier John Kitakis. GIBSON MULTIHARP STEEL GUITAR (c.1957) Here's a very rare early 3-neck steel guitar with 6 pedals, and the first PAF humbuckers! GIBSON SUPER JUMBO 200 (1942-3) It's rare as can be, and the top-of-the-line prewar Gibson flattop, the King of the Flattops - a 1940 Brazilian rosewood Super Jumbo 200, in very excellent condition! GUILD® F-30NT SPECIAL "JOSH WHITE" (1965) Owned and played by blues/folk singer Josh White, this guitar has even more of a story and significance, as outlined on PBS' History Detectives in early 2009. GIBSON REPLACEMENT PARTS CATALOG (1977) Here's a rare 1977 Gibson parts catalog, in it's original binder. BACON PROFESSIONAL BANJO CATALOG (REPRINT) Rare catalog showing c.1913 Bacon 5-string and other banjos of the time. GIBSON LES PAUL CUSTOM (1960) Here's a really nice 1960 Black Beauty -- looks cool, sounds great. PRS PRIVATE STOCK #1534 SINGLECUT (2007) Check out this stunning Singlecut with fancy koa wood top and much more... GUITARS: THE TSUMURA COLLECTION by Akira Tsumura, foreword by James L. D'Aquisto First published in 1987, this long out-of-print book has been sold for quite a bit more than this for several years now. We have a limited quantity of brand new copies that have recently surfaced. GIBSON L-5 (1925) From the family of the original owner, this just-post-Loar L-5 is a wonder to behold, and play! GIBSON MASTERTONE - FLATHEAD 5-STRING BANJOS OF THE 1930's AND 1940's by Jim Mills Here's the long-awaited book from musician and dealer Jim Mills, on original prewar 5-string Gibson Mastertone banjos. GRUHN'S GUIDE TO VINTAGE GUITARS - UPDATED AND EXPANDED THIRD EDITION by George Gruhn and Walter Carter 2010 Edition is here now. Features expanded coverage of Martin, Guild, Mosrite and Dobro, plus updates on latest models of Rickenbacker, Epiphone, National, Gretsch, Fender, Gibson and more. FENDER® PRECISION (1960) Ooh, a really nice example of the classic sunburst P-Bass with slab fretboard and just the sound you want! GIBSON NICK LUCAS SPECIAL TENOR GUITAR (1937) This is a super rare, great-sounding Nick Lucas flamed maple guitar, in very nice condition. What more can you ask for? PARAMOUNT PLECTRUM HARP (1920's) A super rarity for the plectrum banjo player, this plectrum harp is in really nice condition and provides either a different sound and/or a muted alternative to the volume of a standard plectrum banjo. GIBSON F-5 (1924) Here is a stunning "new" Gibson F-5 mando with Lloyd Loar signature and dated Dec. 1, 1924. It has been in the same family since at least the 1930's and has not been offered for sale in all that time. GIBSON F-5 FERN (1927) A rare bird, this fine 1927 F-5 comes to us from the family of the original owner. BIG sound - this will hold its own against any mando on the planet. Motivated seller - price has been reduced! GIBSON F-5 (1923) Looking for the Holy Grail of mandolin holy grails? Look no further. Here's a great July 9 F-5 signed by Lloyd Loar - the same day and specs as Bill Monroe's mandolin and only 3 serial numbers off from it. ANTIQUE ACOUSTICS REPLICA MARTIN GUITAR PIN SETS "Pre-war" Martin acoustic guitars are amongst the most ..more... ANTIQUE ACOUSTICS REPLICA TUNERS - SLOT-HEAD 6-STRING The world of vintage guitars is always in need of expert ..more... GIACOMEL J5 MANDOLIN & CASE From the workshop of Corrado Giacomel, endorsed by David Grisman, this high grade, beautifully made and totally unique mandolin is a treat for the eyes and ears! THE VINTAGE JACK GUITAR - BRASS - Allows you to plug-in without altering ..more... - on order, expected arrival date 09/10/10 THE VINTAGE JACK GUITAR - STAINLESS STEEL - Allows you to plug-in without ..more... THE VINTAGE JACK MANDOLIN - EBONY - Allows you to plug-in without altering ..more... PEGHED OLD TIME BANJO PEGS SET OF 4 - Capture the classic look of ebony friction pegs ..more... PEGHED GUITAR PEGS SET OF 6 - Capture the classic look of ebony friction pegs ..more...

Our Vintage and Used Instrument List describes all the Vintage and Used instruments in our store. The printed version is published every six weeks and features a full-color cover and 24 jam-packed pages for the fretted instrument enthusiast. It is available by subscription for $15/12 issues ($30 overseas), sent first-class mail. The online version available here is free.