Normally we don't sell instruments in unrepaired or unplayable condition. However, things have gotten a bit crowded around 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, I 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.

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

YS210 Lowendall Shop 4/4 Violin. Labelled L.L. Berlin, medium grained spruce top, two piece back of strong flame, matching ribs, good quality light brown varnish. Pegbox broken and poorly repaired. $325

YS211 Lowendall 4/4 Violin c.1900. Branded on back of scroll "Lowendall's Imperial Violin, Guarnerius". 1913 repair label fom Gustav Henning, Malden, Mass. Very fine grained spruce top, strongly flamed two piece back, medium brown varnish. Much wear and several cracks on back, top and ribs, including bass bar cracks. $200

YS216 Guarnerius label 4/4 Violin c.1900. Branded on back of scroll "Grand Solo Violin, Guarnerius", fine to medium grained spruce top, two piece back of regular narrow curl, ribs of similar wood, shaded brown varnish. Considerable wear especially at treble f hole, some well done old repairs including small soundpost patch in top and intersting wedge under fingerboard. $250

YS234 Fishman Acoustic Blender package, new in box
Includes Blender outboard preamp/mixer, Crown condenser mic, mic mount, AC adapter, stereo cable. $250

YS235 Unlabelled 4/4 Violin c.1900
Strad model, German c.1900. Nice wood, good dimensions, two major top cracks. Soundpost crack and crack through lower eye of bass f hole. Top is off the instrument with the bass edge separated from the major part of the top, peg holes have been bushed but not redriiled. Good repair project. $100

YS240 E. R. Schmit 4/4 Violin, 1964
Needs set up, bow needs rehaired. W/ case and bow. $125

YS241 Cuetter 4/4 Violin, Early 1900s
Stamped Jul. Cuetter on back under bass f hole. One open top crack from lower eye of treble f hole, several old repairs including doubled button, replaced section of rib on treble shoulder, new bass bar etc. Some repairs will need redone. W/ case. $125

YS255 Nippon 4/4 Violin c.1920
Made in Japan, fine grained spruce top, two piece back with faint flame, orange/brown varnish. Structurally sound, no cracks, set up and playable but neck projection is low and bridge is slightly flatter than standard. Good old time fiddle or repair/ adjustment project. With case. $250

YS26 4/4 Violin, Fed Maxwell Johnson Repair Label, c.1920
A decent German trade violin with attractive wood and varnish. Repair label reads "Repaired and regraduated by Fred Maxwell Johnson, Bangor Maine, Anno 1921. Two top cracks, the button broken out on the back and a large ebony doubling added to neck heel is now loose, fingerboard loose from neck. With case and two bows. $30