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If you are interested in knowing more about any instrument on our list

tony@mandolincentral.com
or call us:
Mandolin Central
919-663-3551

Instrument Purchase Procedure

Mandolin Central
919-663-3551

Instrument List
Updated October 30, 2009

Many great new guitars in stock!

• Gibson F-5 # 73682 signed by Lloyd Loar and dated in Loar's handwriting "June 1923." This one-of-a-kind mandolin is not only one of the most highly figured, best sounding and best condition of all the Loars now extant, it also has the distinction of being the earmark of the redesign that took place in time for the fabled July 9, 1923 batch that produced F-5 #73987 made famous by the legendary Bill Monroe.   F-5 #73682 is the first mandolin that has the side stripe (notice that this prototype has a deeper binding channel than any other Loar), it also sports the 1 3/4 inch body depth and tone bar positions that made the Bill Monroe mandolin so unique.  Of course, the real distinction of Big Mon's big Axe is the BIG Bark, and 73682 has this to spare.  Full deep, woody, totally comanding tone, volume and presence that has to be heard to believe.  Recently this mandolin was played by Tony Williamson at Merlefest and can be heard on the live album with Jack Lawrence (available here: CDs for sale ); Mandolin Symposium in Santa Cruz, CA and also at IBMA in Nashville Tennessee.  Features and appointments are consistent with factory specifications for this model and year and include the classic carved top and parallel tone bar construction with f-holes and long, one-piece curly maple neck  (which places the bridge in the center of the f-holes); headstock inlay consisting of “The Gibson” and abalone flowerpot; pearl button tuners with notched endplate; hand-engraved tailpiece; pick guard following body points; all hardware silver plated; and Cremona shaded-sunburst oil varnish finish.  We invite you to take a moment and view these photographs of this exquisite mandolin:  more photos 1;  more photos 2; more photos 3; more photos 4.  For pricing and to arrange showroom appointment to see and play this fine mandolin email tony@mandolincentral.com or call 919-663-3551.
  

• Paul Duff F-5 mandolins.  World class quality varnish finish mandolins in the great Loar tradition imported from Australia.  Now in stock!!
• Paul Duff F-5.  Flat and radius fingerboard models now In Stock!!  Varnish sunburst, Paul Duff from Western Australia has taken his place as one of the top luthiers working today.  His current works have to be seen and heard to be believed!  (photo of 2006 1 pc back F-5).  Building the F-5  for Rebecca Lovell, the brilliant young mandolinist with the Lovell sisters, is unfolding right before our eyes!  check it out here: building process; and the next steps, building process2.   More progress here:  building process 3.  It gets really exciting when colour is added, and then the French polish!  Current price: $8500, add Waverly tuners, $9000.
• Wade F-5 Post-Loar fern. This mandolin was inspired by Tony Williamson's fabulous 1927 fern F-5 (which can be heard on many of his recordings including "Across the Grain" and the "Sound of the American Mandolin"). Some time back Tony supplied master luthier Yoichi Ueda of Japan the measurements and specs of this classic instrument, and this worthy tribute is the result. Features include F-body style with flamed maple back & sides, Adirondack spruce top, top & back carved, tone bar bracing, flamed maple neck, pearl dot inlaid bound ebony fingerboard, adjustable ebony bridge, pearl nut, bound tortoise pickguard, gold hardware, "The Wade" script logo and classic fern peghead inlays, engraved tailpiece cover, top, back & peghead triple bound, pearlescent tuning machine buttons, gloss nitrocellulose lacquer sunburst finish, includes featherlight hardshell case. And the sound is that tremendous presence associated with some of the best post war ferns. Not only does this mandolin combine exceptional quality unheard of in this price range, but in our opinion this is a builder to watch for those interested in speculating on whose mandolins will rise in price! Retail: $6150.00 Call for discounted price and order your Wade mandolin today!.
• Also highly reccomended:  Wade Master model, based on Lloyd Loar's finest creations, this mandolin has excellent wood and awesome sound, varnish finish with antique sunburst.  Virzi available.  Inquire for price.

Randy Wood Mandolins

• New! Randy Wood limited edition Mandolin Central F-5.  At the request of Tony Williamson, with this limited edition instrument Randy Wood has returned to the classic construction and sound that made him THE legendary figure in the history of 1920s Loar F-5 reproductions.  This instrument combines classic wood selection of red spruce and northern curly maple with the tap tuning skill that Randy has honed since the 1960s.  This amazing mandolin features a classic varnish finish, and most importantly the woody sound that all Bluegrass players are seeking.  Just a few examples are being built (plans are to do only a half dozen instruments) and the LAST mandolin of this LIMITED EDITION is now available for sale at $8500.  Call for more information.
  

• RW A-5 .   Randy's classic 2 point A-5 in stock ready to ship.  The prototype for this model was originally built for Clarence White.  Clean and  clear voice, plenty of volume and plays like a dream.  Cremona sunburst model in stock.  Price $5500.

VIOLIN FAMILY

• Georg Kloz 1791 label.  Possibly made while one of the Mittenwald violin makers was apprenticed in Milan, this beautiful fiddle is complete with lion scroll peghead, tiger maple one piece back and spruce top of close even grain.  Great sounding instument, as you would expect from the description, it roars like a jungle cat!  $2500.
  

• Many fiddles, mostly German, can outfit with case and bow. $500 to $1950. Inquire for additional details.

• Call or email for our discounted pricing on Calton cases for mandolin, and banjo cases IN STOCK!
  

• Calton Deluxe cases IN STOCK at DISCOUNTED PRICING in a variety of colors for:
•  Gibson style F-5 mandolin;
  
• Martin Dreadnaught guitars;
  
• Gibson and most other Resonator banjos;
  
• Gibson K mandocello