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.

Please give us the reference number at the beginning of a listing when you contact us regarding an instrument. Feel free to call us for an in-hand description and to confirm availability. All instruments are subject to prior sale.

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

YS170 Weymann Model 85 Tenor Banjo 1920s Attractive but cheaper Weymann model with composition rim attached to resonator, head adjusts through holes in back of resonator. Walnut neck and resonator are in excellent condition, rim is unglued from resonator and a sloppy repair was attempted. Includes neck, rim, resonator, tone ring similar to Vega Little Wonder, tension hoop and original hard shell case. Needs hooks, nuts, tuners and head. $150

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

YS222 Orpheum No. 1 Mandolin Banjo c.1920 Maple neck and rim, fancy pearl inlays. All original and in very good cosmetic condition, but needs neck dowel reset to correct action. With original hard shell case. $400

YS225 Guild Starfire IV, 1967
Thin double cutaway semi-hollow body, all maple, sunburst finish, two Guild humbucking pickups, Guild Bigsby tailpiece and master volume like Starfire V, but dot inlaid freboard. Complete and original including pickguard, but peghead has old repaired crack and action is slightly higher than ideal. Sold as is for this reason. $900

YS226 Guild Starfire IV project, 1969
Thin double cutaway semi-hollow body, all mahogany, cherry red finish, two Guild humbucking pickups, Guild harp tailpiece, dot inlaid freboard. This guitar is not strung or set up but the electronics work. Considerable finish wear on back and finish has been sanded roughly in many places, several holes in side where the pickguard bracket mounts. Missing pickguard, but bracket is in case as is the bridge. Original hard shell case, original hang tag and warranty card in case. $800

YS227 4 Violins
Four violins suitable for art projects, bizarre experiments or other arcane uses. $25

YS228 Shim? 3/4 Size Violin
Made in Korea. Complete but would benefit from better set up. With case and Glasser bow (bow needs rehaired). $30

YS229 Guitar-Lute, Unknown Make
The remains of an old guitar lute, probably late 19th cetury. 11 maple ribs, spruce top. Top is off the bowl, purfling is mostly missing, neck and fretboard intact but top of pegbox missing. Interesting tuning machines, treble side plate stamped Oest. Pat. 44588 D.R.G.M. 381000 Arsto, bass side plate has floral pattern, but this is a complete matching set. $50

No photos are available for these instruments, and all Yard Sale instruments are sold "as is." You are welcome to call for a details "in-hand" description.