Mandomutt | Gently Used Mandolins, Guitars and Other Acoustic Instruments

2009 Skip Kelley F-5 **SOLD**

Beast!

More Details
.
S/N 24, this was the first new F-5 that we sold for Skip back in early 2010. One owner since then and just traded on a 2013 Skip Kelley. Owner loyalty!

Here's the goodies; Straight grained Adirondack spruce top, flamed Maple back/sides/neck in a antique burgundy sunburst Varnished matte finish. 3-ply bindings throughout, flat Ebony fretboard, Abalone modified Fern headstock inlay and nickle hardware includes engraved traditional tailpiece and Golden Age tuners with black buttons.

Classic bluegrass sound. Warm, dry and woody with excellent depth. Huge voice, very responsive. Powerful chop. Phenomenal sound.

Near Mint condition overall, showing a tiny ping or tow on the top and minor fret wear. Front of headstock has a few string scratches in the finish. Back of headstock has a couple slight indentations, likely from a clip on tuner.

Offered with a shaped Superior hard shell case. Trades gladly considered on this fine made in North Carolina instrument.

Price: $3,999.95

1991 Kentucky KM-1500

Sumi Era!

More Details
.
Strong Sumi Era KM-1500 with a solid Spruce top, curly Maple back/sides/neck, 3-ply (w/b/w) side bound top and back, in a traditional tobacco sunburst finish. 4-ply side bound, Ebony fretboard with scooped extension.

Fretboard was radiused in the recent past with large fret wire. Abalone "Fern" headstock inlay. Gold hardware includes engraved tailpiece cover and Gotoh tuning machines.

The Sumi era Kentucky's are highly sought after mandolins, built in Japan. This one was built toward the end of the Sumi era (verified by Saga Musical Instruments).

Has "Gibson" like appearance and tone. Dry and woody with "pop" and well balanced. Outstanding volume and sustain and a strong bluegrass chop.

Overall, she's in Excellent condition, particularly considering she's twenty-two years old. Does have light play wear, mainly pick marks and a tiny ding here or there. Back has some ultra light "button rash".

Includes rectangular TKL hard case.

Price: $1,749.95

2006 Skip Kelley F-5

Bone Crusher!

More Details
.
This little monster is one of Skip's best F-5's, particularly from a sound perspective. Built in late 2006 (label signed 12/26), s/n 18 was his personal mandolin for over a year. Skip used #18 exclusively on the Skip and Ed recording "Little Green Valley". Mandolin Cafe members can hear Skip playing #18 on an original recording at this link; http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/showthread.php?46966-Original-tune-of-Kelley-mandolin&highlight=skip+kelley .

Specs; a European Spruce top, highly figured Maple back/sides/neck in an ice tea sunburst matte varnish finish. Body is triple bound, single ply bindings on fretboard and headstock. Flat Ebony fretboard with 1-1/16" nut width, Gotoh tuning gears with pearl knobs and Abalone flower pot headstock inlay.

If you were to look up "bluegrass hoss" in the dictionary, a photo of this mandolin would be there. This instrument is the ultimate "jam" mando. You'll have no trouble cutting through the mix and will easily be heard, noticed and even feared by all the big bad Martin rosewoods and obnoxious 5-string banjers. Woody, dry and loud with a beasty bluegrass chop.

Overall condition is excellent plus with a few light surface scratches, a couple string scratches on the headstock. Area of "pinky shine" below strings. New frets and pro setup.

Great choice for stage or parking lot pickin', this mandolin will command attention in any setting.

Includes Travelite case. Trades gladly considered on this fine, made in America instrument.

Price: $3,649.95

2013 Elkhorn F-5

Outstanding!

More Details
.
Vintage Model, s/n 36 and perhaps the best all-around Elkhorn we've had at MandoMutt. This is a very strong instrument featuring superb fit and finish and remarkable tone. And as always the case with Robb's mandolins, this mandolin is fully loaded with all the goodies!

Specs; Adirondack Spruce top, one piece Big Leaf Maple back and Maple sides and neck in a dark sunburst, hand rubbed satin Varnish finish, 3-ply bindings throughout, radiused Ebony fretboard and Cumberland Acoustics adjustable bridge.

Other appointments include; engraved James tailpiece, bone point protectors, nickel Waverly tuning gears with Ebony knobs and an elegant Abalone Fern headstock inlay.

Tone is dark and dry. Evenly balanced and Excellent volume. Killer bluegrass chop. Compares favorably with Ellis mandolins, in fact the woods and sunburst look very Ellis!

This is a brand new instrument, offered with lifetime of the builder warranty and Travelite case. Trades gladly considered on this fine, made in America instrument.

Price: $5,499.95

Special / Sale Price - 2005 Wes Lambe A-5

Amazing A-5

More Details
.
Exceptional A-5 mandolin, handcrafted by Wes Lambe of Chapel Hill, NC. Wes is a Master Luthier and has been doing our set-up and repair work for a bunch of years now and he's built over 100 instruments. This offering was his 26th overall.

Features: German Spruce top, flamed Maple back/sides/neck in a traditional cremona sunburst, gloss lacquer finish. Top has 3-ply (tortoise/w/b) bindings. Radiused Ebony fretboard with large fret wire, abbreviated pickguard, adjustable Ebony bridge and nickle hardware includes a cast Allen style tailpiece and Golden Age tuning gears with Ebony knobs.

Strong mandolin featuring a dry tone and an articulate voice. Brilliant highs and solid mid-range pop. Stout chop and superb volume, typical of German Spruce.

Near mint condition overall. Has a light finish scuff or two and very light pick marks and makers marks, but a very clean mandolin.

This is a fine sounding, well built mandolin with an impeccable fit and finish, however Wes recently replaced the neck due to a defect in the wood. New neck has a smooth satin finish and comfortable `C' shape.

Includes a rectangular TKL case and five year warranty. Trades considered on this fine USA built instrument.

Price: $1,649.95
Price: $1,399.95

2010 Dudenbostel A-5

Exquisite!

More Details
.
Another first for the Mutt, a truly delightful Dude mandolin that features first class appointments, sensational fit and finish and an incredible voice.

MandoMutt and company have recently added this remarkable instrument to our coveted "Beyond Beast" list, only our 11th BB award winner since the awards conception in August of 2008.

Here's the goodies; Carpathian Spruce top, Highly figured Maple back/sides/neck in a blonde, varnished finish. Triple bound (Tortoise/w/b) body and headstock and tortoise bound fretboard. Radiused Ebony fretboard and gold hardware includes engraved james tailpiece and Waverly tuning gears with Ebony buttons. Fleur-di-lis headstock inlay.

Near mint condition with very minimal playwear. Maybe a light pick mark or two. Back has one area that finish looks dull, likely from placing in it's Bobelock case before finish had entirely cured. Only visible if you really look closely at an angle.

If asked to describe this Dude's sound in only two words, I'd say articulate and powerful. A fellow mando nut stopped by the Mutt hut this evening and this is what he had to say, "balanced, woody, dry with strong bass without being muddy". I couldn't have said it better.

Includes Bobelock case (Lynn, it deserves a much finer home!). Trades gladly considered on this fine American made instrument!

Price: $14,500.00

Special / Sale Price - 1990 Flatiron F-5 Master Model

Sensational!

More Details
.
Top of the Flatiron food chain and a rare bird as few of these were built and you seldom see one available for purchase. Those blessed enough to own one seldom turn them loose.

This X-braced gem features; Sitka Spruce top, highly flamed Maple back/sides/neck in an iced tea sunburst, gloss lacquer finish and triple bound top/back/side/fretboard/headstock.

Other goodies; Radiused Ebony fretboard features exquisite Abalone position inlays, gold hardware including engraved traditional style tailpiece and Schaller tuning gears with mother-of-pearl buttons and Abalone Fern headstock inlay.

MandoMutt has always loved Flatiron mandolins, particularly the X-braced models and of course she's always had a soft spot for Master Models as well. This Montana made mandolin is a fine example of the X-braced mandolins that Flatiron excelled at. Clear, crisp and extremely dry tones with excellent volume and a robust bluegrass chop. Delightful!

Excellent-plus condition considering she's a twenty-three year old. Has a few smallish lacquer dings and superficial scratches on the top. Back is very clean. Frets are somewhat worn, but do not need ant work at this time. String scratches on headstock. One finish crack that runs from corner of lower point to the treble f-hole. We've seen this before on Montana built Flatirons. Not visible when underside of top is viewed with mirror. Additionally, crack shows no depth where it ends at `f' hole

Includes a shaped hard shell case. Looks to be same vintage, but I don't think it's the original case. Trades considered on this fine American made instrument.

Price: $3,999.95
Price: $3,749.95

Special / Sale Price - 2005 Bradley Hill F-5

Stanley Tone Model

More Details
.
In the short time that Brad Hill was building mandolins, he cultivated a reputation as an outstanding builder that handcrafted incredible instruments at very reasonable prices. Brad is not building at this time and his stuff is somewhat rare. He built only around 30 mandolins, so you just don't see them available for purchase very often.

This is a Stanley Tone model and is the 9th mandolin built by Bradley Hill of Virginia. Specs include; Sitka Spruce top, flamed Maple back/sides/ neck in an iced tea sunburst gloss lacquer finish. Top is Ivoroid bound. Flat Ebony fretboard with scooped extension. Nickle hardware includes an Allen style cast tailpiece and Schaller tuning gears.

It would prove difficult to find a better sounding F-5 in this price tier. Woody and dry, classic bluegrass tone. Evenly balanced with excellent volume and a powerful chop. A beast that will hold it's own in a jam with boomy Martin's and obnoxious banjos.

Excellent plus to near mint condition showing light playwear. Top has a couple small microphone dings and superficial pick marks. Headstock has a few string scratches and frets show very light wear. Very good fit and finish.

Offered with rectangular TKL hard shell case. Trades gladly considered on this fine American made mandolin.

Price: $2,499.95
Price: $2,149.95

Special / Sale Price - 2010 Skip Kelley A-5

Lightweight Livewire!

More Details
.
Skip has been building some of the strongest bluegrass mandolins available on the planet, for some years now. If you've been craving one of Skip's mandolins, but can't quite swing the $6K price tag for a new Kelley F-5, perhaps you should consider this A-5. Doesn't have the scroll thing, but Skips A-5's sound every bit as spectacular as his F's.

Here's the specs; Adirondack Spruce top, figured Maple back/sides/neck in an antique reddish sunburst hand rubbed varnish finish. Top is Tortoise bound. Flat Ebony fretboard with Mother-of-Pearl position dots and scooped extension. Nickel hardware includes an engraved James tailpiece and Gotoh tuning gears with Mother-of-Pearl knobs.

From a sound standpoint this instrument can Rock the Casbah. Rich, warm and woody with a stout mid-range. She's a light-weight mandolin with a heavy weight voice. Killer chop too!

Near Mint condition overall, showing only light "pinky wear" beneath strings and ultra light fretwear.

Offered with a Superior vintage style hard shell case. Trades encouraged on this fine North Carolina made instrument!

Price: $2,249.95
Price: $1,999.95

2012 Turkey Creek F-5

Killer Sound!

More Details
.
Our third offering from Brad Van Loenen, out of Morrison Colorado. This one, Brad's 79th, is the sister to s/n 80 which we had back in the fall of 2012. As you can see, this instrument features some phenomenal woods (check out the one piece back!), exquisite inlays and traditional sound that belies it's modern stylings.

Specs; Colorado Engelmann Spruce top, highly flamed Maple one piece back, Maple sides/neck in a light iced tea sunburst thin gloss lacquer finish, triple bound top/back/sides, radiused Ebony fretboard with triangular Abalone inlays, silver Waverly tuning gears with Mother-of-Pearl buttons and engraved James tailpiece. Topped off with an elegant Art Deco headstock inlay of Abalone, Walnut and Opal. Eye Candy!

This mandolin is an absolute pleasure to play. Nice neck profile, excellent set up and terrific sound. Easily the best sounding of the three Turkey Creek mandolins we've had. Warm, woody and dry tones. Very strong chop and quite responsive. An instrument that I find difficult to put down.

This is a brand new instrument offered with builders Limited Warranty and a shaped Superior case. Trades considered on this fine, made in America mandolin!

Price: $4,999.95

2013 Girouard A-5 **SOLD**

Firecracker!

More Details
.
MandoMutt loves Girouard mandolins. This is our fifth. We've had three A-5's, one F-5 and a 2-Point and all have had remarkable sound. Each one has been an improvement in fit and finish and this offering, s/n 42 looks as great as it sounds. Nice work Max and Lauri!

Specs; Western Red Cedar top, Big Leaf Maple (incredible flame!) back/sides/neck in a caramel sunburst, varnished finish. 3-ply bindings on top, fretboard and headstock. Radiused Ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl position marks, Rosewood headstock overlay. Nickel hardware includes engraved traditional tailpiece and Grover tuning machines.

Incredibly dry and woody tone with excellent clarity and "pop". Very responsive. Strong chop and perfect set up. A delightful instrument to play and difficult to put down.

Brand new instrument offered with builders Warranty and Travelite case. Trades considered on this fine American made instrument.

Price: $2,299.95

1994 Gilchrist Model 5 **SOLD**

Extraordinary Mandolin!

More Details
.
MandoMutt's first Gil and we're sorely impressed and downright ecstatic. Impeccable fit, finish and most importantly, sound. Blissful!

Features and specs; Adirondack Spruce top, figured Maple back/sides/neck in a traditional sunburst varnish finish. Single ivoroid bound fertboard, 3-ply bindings on body and headstock. Radiused Ebony fretboard, 1-3/32 nut width, traditional pickguard and Abalone Fern headstock inlay.

Nickle hardware includes traditional engraved tailpiece and Gotoh tuning gears. Original buttons replaced with Mother-of-Pearl buttons. Originals are included.

Excellent overall condition. Top shows a few dings and some scratching below treble `f' hole. Frets show medium wear, no fretwork needed at this time. Only two owners in 19 years.

Exquisite X-braced mandolin featuring a warm, rich tone, complex overtones and quite powerful. Every note is clean and pure. Splendid chop.

You know, we've had quite a number of fine instruments at mandomutt.com, but only three come to mind as instruments that I really wanted to keep. One was a 2004 Gibson Master Model signed by Charlie Derrington. Another was a 1939 Martin D-18. Sold that one when my daughters horse injured his leg on Friday the 13th, four years ago. Said horse had an extended stay at the N.C. State Vet Hospital and $13K later, I sold that great old Pre-War Martin. This Gilchrist mandolin is the third. Oh how I wish I could keep her!

This delightful X-braced masterpiece is a MandoMutt Beyond Beast Selection, the 12th instrument in our five year history to win this fine award.

Includes Paganoni Loar style case. Trades gladly considered on this fine Australian built instrument.

Price: $19,999.95

2010 Elkhorn A-5 Blackface

Mighty Fine!

More Details
.
Another delightful gem built by our good friend, Robb Brophy out of Durango Colorado. This mandolin, s/n 25, is the second black top Elkhorn A-5 we've had and, as is always the case with Robb's instruments, it's fully loaded with all the goodies.

Specs; European Spruce black faced top, Eastern Hard Maple back/sides/neck in a hand rubbed Spirit Varnish finish with French Polish top coat and triple bound throughout. Top is gloss, rest of the instrument is a satin finish.

Other goodies include a radiused Ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl position dots, Ebony pickguard and bridge, hand engraved James tailpiece, silver Waverly tuning gears with pearl buttons and a Abalone modified "Fern" headstock inlay.

This instrument provides a rich, articulate tone with mid-range emphasis and brilliant highs. Excellent chop and volume.

Excellent-plus to Near Mint condition, showing a few minor finish blemishes on the top and a slightly tarnished tailpiece, but that's about it. Very clean.

Price: $2,349.95

Product Groups

Mandolins

Acoustic Guitars

Other Stringed Instruments

Clearance Corner

New Arrivials

Recently Sold