Normally we don’t sell instruments in unrepaired or unplayable condition. However, things can be a bit crowded here so we’ve created the Yard Sale department. These instruments are sold “as is” with no approval privilege. They range from unabashed junk suitable for planters, wall hangings, dart boards or bizarre experiments, to good instruments needing extensive work but suitable for restoration. We will try to describe things as fairly and accurately as possible.
A few more thoughts about these instruments: While these instruments are certainly repairable, we don’t think that there is necessarily much to be gained by buying and then paying someone to do the repairs. If the repair was simple, we’d have already done it. The instruments we offer in the Yard Sale section are intended to provide worthwhile projects for someone doing their own repairs or learning repair. If you want an instrument to play, you are almost always better off buying one that is already playable before you spend the money. If you want a project, that’s another matter.
No photos are available for these instruments, and all Yard Sale instruments are sold “as is.” You are welcome to call for a detailed “in-hand” description. Please give us the reference number at the beginning of a listing when you contact us for more info and to confirm availability.
YARD SALE INSTRUMENTS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
YS111 – John Juzek 3/4 Violin, 1922
Made in Prague, Czechoslovakia, two piece back with narrow curl, shaded red/orange varnish. Two top cracks including one in soundpost area. Not set up. $200
YS267 – Unbranded Banjo Mandolin, c.1920
12-1/8″ rim, 13-3/4″ scale. Heavy maple rim with wood marquetry around lower edge, raised internal ring so vibrating head diameter is 10-1/2″, mahogany neck with maple center lamination, pearl vine inlaid fretboard, good quality hardware. A few missing hooks, back cap on rim is damaged, neck heel broken and roughly repaired. With original hard shell case. $200
YS268 – Bucharest Instruments 1/16 Size Violin, c.1990
Made in Romania. Solid and playable as is but with much edge wear, Needs chinrest and would benefit from some set up and new strings so sold as is for this reason. With Glasser bow and molded case. $75
YS278 – Ibanez Guitar, Model V50MJP-NT
Dreadnought body, all laminate. Cosmetically excellent but action is high with too much neck relief. Good for slide. $40
YS287 – Homemade Appalachian Dulcimer
A somewhat crude but functional instrument, 1/8″ oak plywood top and back, walnut sides, hourglass shape, 25″ scale. $25
YS291 – Unlabelled 1/2 Size Violin, c.1900
Old German 1/2 size violin, decently made but in need of considerable repair. Loose seams, broken corner, edge wear and an old pegbox repair that will need redone. $35
YS292 – Wm. Lewis Ton-Klar Dancla 3/4 Size Violin
Set up and playable as is, would benefit from some clean up and minor adjustment. with plastic case and Glasser bow. $150
YS304 – Crescendo 3/4 Size Violin
Inexpensive violin made in Korea. Strung and somewhat playable but would benefit from better set up. With case and bow. $85
YS316 – Sterling Tenor Banjo – 1920s
Made in Chicago for Tonk Bros. 10-9/16″ rim, metal spun both inside and out, maple neck,dyed pearwood fretboard with varied pattern pearl inlays, 21″ scale. Complete and structurally sound, a little distortion of the metal on the outside of the rim, needs only cleaning and minor set up. $100
YS318 – Unbranded Classical Guitar
Possibly Mexican or Spanish, a traditionally constructed classical guitar, solid cedar top, solid back and sides of a rosewood like wood, 660 mm scale rosewood fretboard. Both sides are cracked for their entire length from the neck block to the bottom block and a couple of top cracks. $10
YS319 – Joh Strauss Jr Label 4/4 Violin – c.1900
German trade violin, moderately flamed ribs and two piece back, no cracks but many loose seams, missing fingerboard and saddle. $50
YS320 – Stradivarius Label 4/4 Violin – c.1900
German trade violin, Conservatory Violin on back of scroll, nicely figured two piece back, matching ribs and neck wood, saddle cracks in the top, one extending into the bass bar area. $50
YS321 – Walden D552E 12-String Guitar – 2014
12 string guitar, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, dreadnought body. Broken peghead, one top crack, missing tuners and pickup. Parts or project. $20