Folkway Music -- Instrument Gallery

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1997 Grit Laskin Classical
The attention to detail evident in the build of this guitar is inspiring. Grit Laskin's reputation as one of the most meticulous craftsmen in the field of luthiery is well deserved, and one look at this beautiful guitar would convince even the most skeptical. This is a stunning instrument in every way, with a wonderful voice, and well designed ergonomic touches. Master-grade Indian Rosewood and Sitka Spruce tonewoods with ebony bindings that blend seamlessly into the guitar's ebony arm and ribrests. Mosaic rosette, Sloan tuners, bone nut (53mm) and saddle. The guitar is in perfect condition with no scratches or dents, and no cracks or repairs. Very fine tone, quite expressive and alive. A wonderful classical guitar.
With Calton Hardshell case
SOLD

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1977 Larrivée Classical
Serial #310012. Larrivée moved family and company to Victoria, B.C., from Toronto in 1977. This instrument in one of the first to be completed in the new shop, and has a label dated 1977. The guitar is exquisitely constructed and lacquer-finished, as is very much on par with Larrivée’s best Toronto-built instruments. Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce, with one-piece mahogany neck and ebony fingerboard. Hand engraved tuning machines, bone nut and saddle, 52mm nut, 650mm scale. In near-perfect condition, with no cracks, repairs, or playwear.
With original hardshell case
SOLD

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1959 Martin 00-28G
Serial # 165780. Although not known for concert volume or power, Martin classical guitars are prized for their soft and intimate tone, easy playability, and – particularly in the case of this guitar – their stunning tonewoods and fit and finish. Spectacular Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, Sitka Spruce top, built and appointed in typical 28 style. 25.4” scale neck, 1-31/32” wide ivory nut, original Waverly tuners. No cracks, no repairs. The finish shows typical 50 year old guitar sort of wear, but there’s nothing terribly extensive save for some case-rash on the upper bass side. Lovingly set up in our shop, the guitar plays nicely with low action. Calm, smooth and mellow; this is a perfect late-evening guitar for any Martin enthusiast.
With original hardshell case
On Consignment
SOLD

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1958 Martin 00-18G
Serial # 164834. Bought new in 1958 by a family member of mine, this guitar was recently unearthed during a clean out of their basement storage bin where it has lived for some 30 plus years. Just prior to tossing it in the garbage they had the good sense to call and ask if there was any point to fixing it. The bridge was off and the guitar was filthy, but the awful chipboard case managed to keep it all safe and sound. With a simple bridge glue, a little virtuoso cleaner, and some minor set up the Martin was up and running once again. The guitar is in nearly-new condition, with only crazed finish to show for its years. It’s a lovely sounding guitar, very warm and intimate – Martin classicals tend towards the quiet and mellow – and it’s perfectly set up.
With original chipboard case
On consignment
SOLD

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1972 Ramirez 1a
Serial # 6175. The consummate concert classical guitar, the Ramirez 1a has been the instrument of choice for many of the world's most respected performers. The example pictured here dates from 1972. It is in excellent original condition and is free of cracks (a rare occurrence). Brazilian Rosewood back and typical laminated sides, Red Cedar top, original Fustero tuning machines. Recent refret and concert set up by Serge deJonge. 664 mm scale, 54 mm nut. Exceptional tone and projection. A fine instrument, with original case
On consignment
SOLD

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2003 Sergei de Jonge 7 string Cut-Away Concert Classical
Sergei de Jonge has long been known as one of Canada's finest classical guitar builders. Since his first guitars built in Jean Larrivee's original Toronto shop at the start of the 1970's Sergei has built more than a thousand instruments, most of them concert quality classical guitars. Presented here is a very gently used Concert 7 string classical. This fine guitar features a French-polished lattice-braced German spruce top, and an exquisite quarter-sawn Brazilian rosewood side and back set. A one-piece mahogany neck is set to the body with a tasteful and remarkably comfortable flush Venetian cut-away. The fingerboard is ebony, and the de Jonge trademark carved bridge is of matching lacquered Brazilian rosewood. The instrument is attractively bound in Bolivian Rosewood and purfled with matching Padauk between alternating maple and ebony strips. The Rosette is of spalted boxwood and is similarly purfled. 57mm nut width, and a scale length of 650 mm. Fine sound and playablity. Sold with deluxe hard shell case.
On Consignment
SOLD

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1955 Gibson GS-2
FON V6230-9. A guitar every Gibson collector needs to really round out their collection! This is a rare guitar - shipping totals for the GS-2 indicate only 177 were ever built, 32 of these in 1955. It's a bit of an odd bird, sure, but it certainly is a cool one! LG-sized body of solid flamed maple and spruce, fan braced, with a 25.5" scale neck, slotted headstock, flat fingerboard, and a 2" wide nut. The guitar is in gorgeous original condition, with no cracks or playwear. We've replaced the tuner buttons, but the guitar is otherwise as straight-up as they come.
With period case
SOLD

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> Case Ephemera

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1978 Larrivee Classical
Built soon after Jean Larrivee moved his growing company to Victoria, British Columbia, this beautifully made instrument features the high-quality and attention to detail that made Larrivee's guitars world renowned. Indian rosewood and Western Red cedar of the finest grade, meticulously carved braces, intricate soundhole rosette, ivory nut, saddle and tie-block, high-quality tuning machines, beautifully hand carved mahogany neck and stately headstock. The instrument was originally used as payment to one of Larrivee's suppliers who, in turn, never learned to play guitar; it remained untouched in its case for some 25 years until its most recent owner purchased it. Its condition can be described as near-mint, and it has just recently been set up in our shop. The nut width is 53mm, and the scale length is 650mm.
SOLD

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1969 Jean Larrivee Classical
Jean Larrivee began building classical guitars in the late 1960's under apprenticeship with Luthier Edgar Monch. His first guitars built on his own were completed in late 1968, making this instrument, dated 1969, among his earliest guitars. Built much more like a Monch than a later Larrivee, this instrument features a Spanish foot neck attachment, fan bracing, a lacquered interior, bent willow back linings and kerfed top linings. Indian Rosewood and German Spruce (likely), Mahogany neck with Spanish style ebony reinforcement and rear peaghead veneer. Ebony fingerboard, rosewood bridge, ivory nut and saddle. The signed label reads "JOHN LARRIVEE" Toronto - note the anglicized spelling of the name Jean. 51mm nut width, scale length of 650mm. There is a long poorly repaired side crack, and a couple of tight but unrepaired back cracks; no top cracks. Although this instrument is not in the best of condition, it is nevertheless, a historically important and valuable guitar. Jean Larrivee's company today produces thousands of guitars each year, yet the instrument pictured here represents an era during which Larrivee earned his reputation as one of North America's foremost luthiers.
On Consignment with hard shell case
SOLD

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1938 Gibson GS-35 Near-mint
FON # 41D-4. Gibson has never been well known for their classical guitars, and with the exception of the folk boom of the 1960's never built a significant number of them. However, from 1938 on, classical or Gut-String (GS) guitars have occupied a small corner of Gibson's catalogues. From 1938 to 1942 the GS-85 (Rosewood) and the GS-35 (Mahogany) were built in very limited quantity; 27 rosewood instruments, and 39 Mahogany. They are rare guitars. These early Gut Strings marked the emergence of the LG-body shape, one that would become a staple of the post-war steel-string lineup. This example dates from early 1938, and is possibly the earliest known of its kind. It is a one owner instrument that was bought new a year before its owner was sent off to fight in World War Two, sadly not to return. With the exception of some slight pickwear this guitar is in vintage-mint condition, having spent the last 50 years in its case in the closet of the family home.

White-bound Solid Mahogany back and sides and Red spruce top. Brazilian rosewood bridge with pearl inlays and bone saddle. Ebony fingerboard, carved polished bone nut. Gibson pearl inlaid logo, Kluson tuners with original buttons. Interesting 7-7-5 white and black rosette around a bound soundhole.

This instrument is very much a classical guitar; the top is fan braced with 7 fans, and it is very lightweight and resonant with fine tone. The nut measures a shade less than 2" and the scale is 25.4".

With the original 'Red Stripe' Geib case, this is very collectable and rare instrument - a true museum piece.
On consignment
SOLD

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1969 Ramirez 1a
This was a knockout 1a. Not only did it sound incredible, it looked it too! Ramirez was never known for using nice looking Brazilian, but they must of bought this set from Martin... It was here for a crack repair, set up, and fret dressing.
NOT FOR SALE

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1965 Ramirez Flamenco
An incredibly light and responsive Flamenco built in 1965 by Pedro Contreras Valbuena (P.C.) Cedar top, Cypress back and sides, friction pegs. Lighter in weight than your average Ukulele! It was in our shop for some crack repairs, and set-up work.
NOT FOR SALE

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