Instrument List
Updated August 25, 2010

• Gibson F-5 mandolin # 73731 signed by Lloyd Loar July 9, 1923.  Amazing sounding example of the fabled July 9, 1923 batch that produced the legendary F-5 # 73987 bought by Bill Monroe in that barber shop in Florida.  Of course, the rest is history and the Gibson F-5 signed by Lloyd Loar became the essential ingredient for the serious Bluegrass mandolinist.  Of course the American classical soloist from Dave Apollon to William Place had already discovered the tonal uniqueness of these fine instruments and today these mandolins are sought after by collectors and musicians alike.  In recent years prices have soared, but you might surprised by the remarkable investment opportunities now available at Mandolin Central.  F-5 #73731 is in excellent condition, set up for ease of play and power of performance.  In fact Tony Williamson played this very mandolin in concert with Aubrey Haynie and Jeff Autry on July 9 2010 at Randy Wood's Pickin Parlor in Savannah.  Williamson reports: "I have never been on stage with a more satisfying mandolin.  All in all, a terrific experience in tone, volume and power.  Incredible sustain on the poignant melodies and power to spare on the Monroe classics!" 
  Features and appointments on Gibson F-5 # 73731 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; top bound; pearl button tuners with notched endplate; hand-engraved tailpiece; pick guard following body points; all hardware silver plated; and Cremona shaded-sunburst varnish finish. Call or email for price and appointment to see and play this extraordinary instrument.  (Includes original green lined case)
  
• Gibson F-5 #72060  signed by Lloyd Loar February 8, 1923. Virzi # 10479. Perfect, all original and in extraordinary condition, this is a fine sounding example of the early style F-5 with the lighter Cremona finish.  This unique mandolin is the only F-5  example we have seen with the side binding of green hue, that is sometimes seen on F-4 models of the late teens and early 20s.  Plenty of volume and a woody commanding tone with power and depth to spare. This is a magnificent instrument, wonderful in every regard!
• Gibson F-5 # 75702  signed by Lloyd Loar February 18, 1924.  Virzi # 10167.  here is a fine, well played example of the February 18, 1924 sound that is so relished by so many great players including Frank Wakefield, Mike Marshall, Chris Thile, John Reishman and many others.  The sound is highly refined, with a warm effect that is simply delightful.  Also, thanks to world class work by mandolin builder Lynn Dudenbostl, the frets, set up and playability are as good as any mandolin we have ever had in our hands.  Gibson F-5 #75702 conforms to standard factory specifications for the era and includes triple-bound body and tortoise plastic pickguard, triple side-bound headstock with pearl flowerpot and "The Gibson" inlays, pearl button tuners, "The Gibson" tailpiece cover (Loar-style K5 tailpiece engraving), adjustable ebony bridge (stamped "PAT'D JAN. 18 - 21"), sunburst finish flamed maple neck and body, carved spruce top, Virzi Tone Producer (serial number 10167), very rare, fully original, from the second owner who bought it in 1973, with oblong original hard shell case has a rare blue interior.
  
• Gibson F-5 76779 signed by Lloyd Loar March 31, 1924, fern inlay and virzi number 10099. this is a wonderful mandolin that has played many shows and has a great legacy in American music.  The tone is silky smooth, full, rich and mellow, combining both power and finesse.  Originally acquired by Lloyd Loar's bandmate and associate, Walter K. Bauer and presented to Walter's talented teaching assistant, Ada Merrifield. Ada is shown holding the instrument proudly in many of the Gibson catalogs, beginning in 1928. After Ms. Merrifield's passing, Walter helped in transfering the stewardship of this instrument to Bennie Cain, a legendary perfomer in the 1950s and 60s in the Washington DC area. All provenance is documented with original letters, photos and other artifacts. Bennie Cain was one of the early mandolin experts who appreciated great instruments and at one time he owned half a dozen signed Loar F-5s. During one of his trips to DC, Bill Monroe visited Bennie and played them all, after which he pointed to the Merrifield mandolin and said, "You better keep that one!" Bennie did, and this is the one he always played on stage and in the recording studio.  This mandolin is one of a small special batch made on March 31st of 1924 that featured the fern inlay, white bindings and platinum plating. This instrument is in fine, excellent original condition except Benny Cain made modifications to the fingerboard.  The mandolin comes with restored reproduction fingerboard installed and Benny's original modified fingerboard included in the case. An extraordinary instrument.
  
•  Gibson F-5 87367  Made in 1929, factory order number 9681.  This is a wonderful instrument, bright, yet full sound with stunning volume.  Excellent professional job of refinish to original specifications and installation of dot fingerboard by Mike Spicer of Ontario.  Action, playability are optimal, a fine professional grade instrument. 
  

• 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.
• Paul Duff A-5.  Same state of the art construction and attention to detail, not to mention great sound, like Paul's F-5; $5000.
  
• 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

• 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, made in Calgary,  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 16 inch archtop guitar