Folkway Music -- Instrument Gallery




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Main Photo	1938 Martin 000-28 We sold this instrument this past summer, and were excited to have it back in the shop for a neck reset and refret. Here are some fresh photos of the guitar after the work was completed. Our original description of the guitar was as follows: Serial number 69735. Straight-grained quarter-sawn Brazilian Rosewood back and sides, Adirondack Red Spruce top, herringbone top purfling, zigzag back strip, slotted diamond fingerboard inlays. 1 3/4" nut width, 24.9" scale. Scalloped top bracing. The bridge on this instrument is a non-original 60's footprint reproduction built and installed in our shop. We replaced a 60's martin replacement with as accurate a repro as was possible, given the slightly incorrect foot-print. Note that this bridge is not oversized, but simply differs in its footprint. The ivory saddle was reused from a 30's Martin 0-17. The instrument is otherwise original, and in crack-free condition. The action is on the high side, and we recommend a neck re-set to achieve optimal playability. We suspect that the guitar had had a refret in the 60's when the bridge was replaced, but it is possible that these are original frets - there is little evidence of any repair, and no thinning of the fingerboard. The tone is breathtakingly indescribable, as you would hope and expect, and this 000 will deeply inspire anyone who plays it. With original hard shell case (in similar condition) and 1960's fitted case cover. On Consignment SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Bridge detail Neck Reset detail

Main Photo	1938 Martin 00-18 About 3 months ago an older gentleman, in his eighties and aided by his daughter, visited our shop with his old guitar. The guitar was getting hard to play he said... no kidding! This one needed a neck reset since at least 1952! The Gentleman bought this instrument new in '39 and it was going to be the oldest warranty neck-reset we've yet had. But Martin, of course, didn't have his name associated with this guitar's serial number in their files. A signed affitdavit was all that would have been needed to do the restoration of this guitar at Martin's expense, but our original owner was not able to recall the name of the store where the instrument was purchased, and was very uncomfortable about having Martin pay for the work without having absolute certainty that he was infact the original owner. Call it old-world morality - a rare, rare thing these days. So we gave this 00-18 a neck reset, a new exact replica ebony bridge (the original was glued down perfectly, but was shaved quite thin), a new bone compensated saddle, a refret, and a set-up. It now plays flawlessly, and as you'd expect, sounds incredible. There are no cracks, no excessive wear, no abuse, nothing bad to report at all. Pefect Adirondack Red spruce top, scalloped bracing, ebony fingerboard and bridge, 1 3/4" original ivory nut, original Grover tuners, and original bridge pins and end pin. It's all there, and then some. New deluxe TKL case included SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Neck Set detail Bridge detail

Main Photo	1968 Martin 0-16NY Serial # 239672. The New Yorker Martins were built in response to the folk revival of the late 1950's and 1960's. People were looking for old 12 fret "New York" made Martins on which to play the roots and traditional tunes that were popular in the day. Designed for nylon (classical) strings or light gauge steel strings, these instruments sound remarkably better with steels strings, and were built much more lightly than most other Martins of the era. The result is an instrument with a wide open voice, lots of built in "reverb" and good volume. 1 7/8" nut width, slotted headstock and rectangular bridge add to the vintage vibe of this instrument, and thanks to a neck reset and new frets done in our shop, it plays perfectly. Crack-free original condition. Period soft shell case included SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Neck Set detail

Main Photo	1954 Martin 00-18 Sorry, this one's not for sale. It was brought in by a very lucky person (lucky because he went home with a '57 D-21 that day...) for a neck reset, refret, bridge reglue, new saddle and some setting up. It is such a beautiful guitar that we had to show it to you! And, yes, it sounds as good as it looks! NOT FOR SALE More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail Neck Set detail

Main Photo	1918 Martin 0-18 Serial #13393. Seldom do we see an instrument of this age in this fine a condition. This is a ONE OWNER 85 year old Martin 0-18. It was bought in a small town called Fergus, about 15 minutes north of Folkway Music, where it remained until recently. Carefully stored away in its original case, this instrument has no cracks at all and shows little sign of its age. We have just completed a neck reset and bar-fret re-seating (and leveling) and have since fallen in love with this guitar. It is incredibly light in weight, and just so responsive - truly a joy to play and hear. It is currently set up with silk and steel strings, but can accommodate extra-light steel strings, if desired. Red spruce top, Mahogany back and sides. Rosewood-bound top and back, Ebony Pyramid bridge. Shellac finish, Martin stamp on rear face of peg head. This instrument is 100% original: Nut, ivory saddle, bridge and pins, tuners and end pin. Sold with its original soft shell case. On Consignment. SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Tuners detail Neck Set detail

Main Photo	1922 Gibson Style "0" It's not often that we get to have our hands on the coolest of cool old Gibsons! This Style O dates from Gibson's exahaulted Loar Era; but it bears little, if no, resemblance to the L-5 that debued that same year. What it lacks in tone it makes up in looks, and this guitar is one of the most downright attractive vintage instruments we've seen all year. It was through our repairshop for a seam separation and some set up work, and we tried our hardest to make the repair take as long as it could so we got to look at it longer! NOT FOR SALE More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1934 L-00 You have to trust us on this one, because the pictures don't do it justice. This is our favourite guitar to come through the shop in a long time. I've played guitars that sounded like this before, but I always wake up a few minutes later to realize it was only dream. We were struck by the vibe of this guitar as soon as we opened the case. It has had one owner, and still has the original strap and cool cardboard case it came with in 1934. We have just done an impeccably clean neck reset and refret, our best work on our favourite guitar. This guitar is extremely subtle, responding to the softest touch, and pulling out a surprising left punch for bluesy moments. What can I say? This one's got IT. The Adirondack spruce top is absolutely crack free, as are the mahogany back and sides. Few guitars have ever been quite as pretty as these early target-burst L-00's, with their firestripe pickguards and delicate-looking straight bridges of Brazilian rosewood. The original tuners still work well. This guitar is ready for another lifetime of music, and ready to look great doing it, too. SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock Detail Tuners detail Full Front detail Full Back detail Neck set detail

Main Photo	1939 Gibson L-0, L-00 This is the guitar you've all been asking for! Two incredibly-well repaired top cracks and some honest play wear make this an affordable Oh-So-Cool '30's Gibson, a trustworthy vintage guitar you don't have to be afraid to really play. All original black finish on Adirondack spruce and Honduran mahogany; firestripe guard, with no curling or cracking; original amber-buttoned Kluson tuners. The original owner had worn the silkscreen logo right off the headstock through polishing and loving his guitar - yes it is a Gibson. I almost forgot that we have replaced the bridge with an exact replica in Brazilian rosewood, so "right" that most eyes would never know. Cowboy refret on the first three frets, done here. Best of all, this guitar has THAT sound: warm, intimate and crisp. I only hope I can sing the blues like this one when I'm sixty-four! With a new deluxe hard case. SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1942 Gibson "Banner" LG-2 F.O.N. 2164-44. First year of this model, Banner, excellent condition, 100% original, with a fire-stripe pickguard. This guitar is the pinnacle of all things LG-2. This is truly a remarkable instrument. Mahogany top, back, and sides; one piece Mahogany neck with V-shaped maple neck reinforcement. It is bound similar to the Southern Jumbo model with 5-ply top binding, 3-ply back binding, and a 7-ply sound hole rosette. Original Brazilian rosewood bridge with original plastic dot inlays, and original bridge pins and saddle. Original frets, bone nut and tuners. Scalloped braced, and perfectly intact. We have just completed a neck reset and set up and it plays wonderfully. The finish has crazed beautifully, and has no pickwear or belt buckle rash. We have played many, many LG-2's, as any frequent visitor to our site will know - and this one is tops on our list for tone. Loud, dry, punchy, resonant, woody... it's got it all. This is a rare instrument with a high intrinsic value, thanks to the condition it is in, its first model year status, and its incredible tone; and is a secure investment by anyone's standards. Sold with its original soft shell case. SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail

Main Photo	1943 Martin 0-17 SN# 85660. An exceptionally fine sounding, light weight, scallop-braced War-time Mahogany Martin. During the War Martin commonly used an ebony neck reinforcement rather than the normal steel "T" bar. These ebony-rod instruments were some of the most light weight steel-string guitars that Martin ever built, and as a result, fantastically responsive. And, coupled with the all-Mahogany body and scalloped bracing, this guitar has all the ingredients of incredible tone. It has just had its neck reset and a refret in our shop, as well as a new full height Brazilian rosewood bridge, and bone saddle. The original tuners have been removed but are included in the case, and new proper footprint Kluson replacements with aged buttons do a great job of keeping it in tune. It has one small, very well repaired top crack, and a nearly insignificant small crunch on the lower treble side; but is in over-all excellent condition throughout. A new bone nut is the finishing touch, and this 0-17's set up is wonderfully low and easy to play. Original soft-shell case is included SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail Full Front detail Full Back detail

Main Photo	1942 Gibson SJ This First-Year banner SJ belongs to one of North-America's pre-eminent Gibson collectors, and has just emerged from our shop after a neck reset, refret, reglue of the pickguard, and some setting up. Some older poorly repaired back cracks downgrade this one to player status - which is good, because it is one of the best sounding Gibsons I've heard - ever! I've tried to get this guitar's owner to donate this one to Folkway Music's permanent collection (A.K.A.: Me) with no success... Oh well, enjoy the photos as much as I've enjoyed working on it, and playing it. NOT FOR SALE More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock Detail Tuners detail Full Front detail Full Back detail

Main Photo	1947 Gibson J-45 Another instrument belonging to the owner of the '42 SJ (above), this one is a post-war script-logo J-45. With the exception of the later tuners, this one is completely original. It was in the shop for a neck reset, new frets, a bridge reglue, and some setting up. It's another incredible instrument, with a neck that could double as a telephone pole, and some of the best looking crazed and weathered finish. NOT FOR SALE More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock Detail Tuners detail Full Front detail Full Back detail

Main Photo	1929 Martin 00-21 This one just came out of our repair shop and we thought that you'd love to see it as much as we loved working on it! It's a 1929 steel-string 00-21. We gave it a neck reset (probably its second or third one!) and replaced its shaved-down and cracked bridge with a hand-carved new "Pyramid" bridge made of our best ebony. Some fretwork ensued, and a new saddle and some setting up. It's a bummer about all the pick-wear because it is in such fine condition otherwise, and sounds simply breathless. SOLD More photos: Neck Set detail Bridge detail Front detail Back detail Full Front detail Full Back detail

Main Photo	1952 Martin D-28 Here is a guitar for everyone on earth to drool over. This guitar is a Martin D-28 #133503, built in 1952, in almost-new condition. It was brought here by its original owner for a neck-reset, a bridge-reglue, a bridge-plate replacement, and a set-up - all covered by Martin's Lifetime Warranty! This instrument had not been out of its case in some 40 years, and with the exception of a pickguard crack the guitar was impeccable! The top is of Adirondack (red) spruce, the back and sides are of perfectly quartered Brazilian rosewood. The nut and saddle are Ivory, and the original ridge-back tuners were in perfect working order. Our jaws dropped when we opened the case! The best part was playing this guitar after we completed the work - it sounded better that it looked! We thought that it wouldn't sound great after having not been played for four decades, but were we ever wrong! It was, without any exaggeration, 100% unbelievable. Anyway, I figured that all you guitar-o-philes would really like to have a look at this D-28. The photos were taken after the repairs were completed, on the morning that it was taken back home by a very happy older Martin guitar owner. Oh, one more thing - don't get too excited, because it's not for sale! Enjoy! SOLD More photos: Neck Set detail Bridge detail Back detail

Main Photo	1912 Gibson L-1 A small arch-top with lots of punch, volume, and vibe. We love these old small Gibson arch tops - they have a tone unlike any other guitar out there, and they match our Pumpkin-top A mandolins so nicely!. Carved spruce top, carved Birch back. The Tailpiece is celluloid on metal, and the bridge pins are ebony. And it has its original case too! It was in our shop for a new bridge, and some set up. NOT FOR SALE More photos: Front detail Headstock detail Full Front detail

Main Photo	1964 Martin D-18 Serial #199178. This one has just had its neck reset by us. It now plays easily with low action. A very woody sounding D-18, with a open voice. This guitar was built in 1964, and has all the classic features of a vintage D-18: Tortoise-shell binding and pickguard, Brazilian rosewood bridge with through-saddle, small maple bridge plate, "T-bar" neck reinforcement, Original Kluson Deluxe tuners, and Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. With the exception of its repaired pickguard crack this guitar's top is crack free. One very small well-repaired back crack. and a few repaired side cracks, all structurally sound. Endpin drilled out for an out-put jack. All in all a great sounding and playing D-18 with a few dings and scratches. Non-original hard shell case included SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail

Main Photo	1942 Martin 00-17 Serial #80594. A particularly fine sounding example. Scalloped braced, short scale, all mahogany construction, and in great shape overall; this is a great instrument. We've made a new Brazilian rosewood bridge for it and given it a refret. It has recently has a neck reset as well, Making the action and playability better than new. Original Ivory nut and Grover Sta-tite tuners. There is evidence that Kluson tuners were once on it, but there were no modifications made to the instrument. Newer hard shell case included SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail

Main Photo	1964 Gibson J-50 Serial #188724. In near-perfect condition, this J-50 is 100% original. Action and tone are great, frets are in fine condition, fresh in-shop set up and adjustable bridge. No cracks at all, and no issues. Minor finish chipping at lower treble bout on the top (see detail shot), and a small 1/8" output jack hole in the side lower bout; otherwise perfect. It has been beautifully maintained, and looks way younger than almost 40 years! Original chipboard case included On Consignment SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Headstock detail

Main Photo	1940's S.S. Stewart Flat-Top EXC- Totally cool pre-war S.S. Stewart flat-top. If your into great looking funky vintage guitars (like we are) you'll likely just love this one! It has a one-owner vibe to it, with a great looking wear pattern on the top and back of the neck. Solid spruce and birch with ladder bracing, this instrument has a cool-but-unsophisticated tone. Playability is great thanks to a neck reset done by us, and a new bridge and bone saddle (done by us as well). This guitar was just to fantastic NOT to fix! Its fire-stripe pickguard, checker binding, sunburst on all sides, and cowboy-on-a-budget vibe were just to irresistible for us to pass up! Original case and tuners, too! SOLD More Photos: Detail Photo

Main Photo	1960 Gibson Hummingbird Serial #A-35160, FON R6298-33. One of 156 'Birds made in its first year. It has some features which distinguish is from other early Hummingbirds, most notably: 2 tone Tobacco sunburst top finish, long (25.25" scale), and a small, solid maple (not 3-ply) bridge plate. We also found a later 1960's yellow Label loose inside the instrument, but the serial number does not match the one on the original orange label firmly glued to the back. The yellow label would mean that this instrument went back to Gibson in the late 60's for some kind of repair work - but we are unable to figure out what that repair was. This guitar looks 100% original, the tobacco sunburst finish is factory perfect, and all the parts of this guitar are very much to 1960 specifications. The big mystery is the tobacco sunburst on a model of guitar which was always cherry. If this finish is original, then this is a RARE BIRD! However, because of Gibson's poor records, we were unable to figure out if any non-cherry sunburst hummingbirds were ever shipped. If, on the other hand, it is a factory refinish done in the later 1960's it has aged beautifully. Regardless, this is a Hummingbird with a top-finish unlike any other I have ever encountered. Other features of note: Original Gold Kluson tuners (with intact buttons) - in the case, new Gotoh-Klusons on the guitar 17 degree headstock pitch, with an older well repaired hairline fracture (see photo) No cracks or bruises. Just a spot of case wear in the finish on the upper bass bout side. Non-original (but 100% exact) replacement bridge - done by us. Brazilian and the same footprint as the original. A highly collectable guitar. New Hard-shell case included SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail Tuners detail

Main Photo	1951 Martin D-18 A great sounding a playing 50 year old Martin D-18. Guitars from the 1950's are probably the most consistently good sounding Martins ever made. This example has great volume, and that crisp, dry tone characteristic of older mahogany guitars. It is a great rhythm guitar, but is equally well suited for punchy bluegrass leads. The finish on the top appears to be original, but the back, sides, and neck were over sprayed - or possibly refinished - a long long time ago. The headstock was refinished as well, and the Martin decal is a new one that we have applied in shop. We have just finished a full restoration of this instrument that included a neck reset, a correct replacement Brazilian rosewood bridge, crack repairs, new frets, and two new tuning machines (the other 4 are original). The instrument now plays perfectly, and is in great condition overall. SOLD More photos: Front detail Back detail

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