HMT Catalog: Used Instruments

House of Musical Traditions
7010 Westmoreland Ave.
Takoma Park, MD 20912
TEL: 301-270-9090
FAX: 301-270-3010
email
HOURS: 11 am - 7 pm
Tuesday through Saturday
11 am - 5 pm Sunday & Monday

Catalog > Used Instruments

updated May 13, 2013

We are proud to offer a large selection of high-quality used instruments. We take great care inspecting used instruments before they get put out for sale. In almost every case, a used instrument will have been examined by one of our luthiers/repair people to check for any issues with playability. If repairs were done, we will state that in the description. Wherever possible we also try to include photos of the instrument, especially detailing any repair work.

Occasionally, we will come across an unusual and/or vintage piece that may have some playability or cosmetic issues that aren't financially feasible to address, but the item still has some collector's value and/or can be played despite the issues. In these cases, we will disclose any potential issues in the item's description, and the item will be offered "as is." However, our general policy is to only offer instruments for sale (new or used) that meet with our high playability standards. The few exceptions to this will be notated specifically.

Return Policy: We now offer a 7-day return option on nearly all instruments (including consignments). We realize that buying used instruments sight unseen is a tricky endeavor -- so especially if you are a mail order customer, you can rest assured that if you don't fall in love with an instrument, you may return it for a refund (less shipping costs). Read more about our return policy here. We do our best to describe used instruments in detail so you can make an informed purchase. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions about any items listed on this page. Certain "as is" items may not be returnable; this will be stated in the description.

Availability: We try to keep this page updated as frequently as possible, but there can occasionally be a lag in removing a sold instrument from this page (sometimes, instruments on this page are also listed in our eBay store). We do encourage you to contact us in advance to check availability about items on this page. If you are a mail order customer, we can also provide a shipping quote when you contact us.

Have a used instrument you need to sell? Click here!

Accordions
Amplifiers & Electronics
Autoharps
Band Instruments
Banjos

4-string

5-string

6-string / other

Banjo-Mandolins
Banjo-Ukuleles
Bass
Chinese Instruments
Drums & Percussion
Guitars

Classical / Nylon String

Steel String

Other

Hammered Dulcimers
Harps
Indian Instruments
Lap Dulcimers
Mandolins
Miscellaneous Instruments
Ukuleles
Violins, Violas & Cellos
eBay auctions

Amplifiers & Electronics

Autoharps

Band Instruments

We also have a wide selection of consigned violins ranging in price from $500.00 to $1500.00. Our violin repair person Tad Marks is an expert in refurbishing used violins. Come in and try them out! Violins page

Banjos 4-string | 5-string | 6-string / other | Banjo-ukuleles | Banjo-mandolins

4-string banjos

5-string banjos

6-string / other banjos

"Celebrated Benary" Six-string Banjo, ca 1890-1898 -- $650.00
Photos: photo 1 | photo 2 | photo 3
Not a guitar-banjo! Produced by Robert H. Benary & Son, New York, a full-range instrument importer/wholesaler; made for him by the Buckbee company, New York. Banjos at the time came as 5, 6 or 7-string before 5-string became the norm. This one has been restored to its original 6-string configuration.
Second layer of wood inside frame beneath the head is a precursor to the modern tone ring. 48 hooks and nuts! —mostly original, some closely-matching replacements. Original frets, tailpiece. New original type taper friction pegs, ebony with abalone inlay. Light-plus steel strings with classical guitar A for sixth string.
One-piece neck, veneer fretboard, in perfect playing condition. Re-aligned strut. Well preserved metal "spun-over " wood rim with good plating and sturdy tension hoop. Reconditioned, set-up and guaranteed 60 days for structural integrity by luthier-owner. Cosmetically as is. Plays beautifully. Rare!

Banjo-Ukuleles

May Bell Banjo-Ukulele by Slingerland ca. 1925 -- $595.00

Exceptional banjo-uke bearing the May Bell decal on the headstock and stamped SLINGERLAND on strut inside rim. Very rare model, 6-7/8" rim with 16 flat hooks and hex shoes, and enclosed back. Typical Slingerland quality construction throughout, with full thickness 17-fret, soprano scale, rosewood fretboard and pearl dot position markers. Original friction tuners are top quality. Excellent original Slingerland skin head with new old- fashioned bridge. In excellent shape—no structural repairs or issues; few nicks or scratches; original finish has been reconditioned. Has been disassembled, every part cleaned and polished, professionally set-up with Black Diamond strings. Big sound from a little instrument around 90 years old. Guaranteed 60 days by luthier-owner. no case

Banjo-Ukulele by Slingerland - Ditson label. ca. 1925 -- $595.00

Bears tag "MADE EXPRESSLY FOR / OLIVER DITSON CO./ BOSTON - NEW YORK".
Made by Slingerland Co. and identical to their 8" rim model, with mahogany neck and rim veneer. Heavy rim and tension hoop, 16 flat hooks, L-shoes, high quality friction tuners—all top quality nickel-plated hardware. Hooks are new old stock original parts. Fully reconditioned and upgraded with new : rosewood fretboard and peghead overlay, original diamond inlays transferred over; beautiful high quality vellum head; bone nut; new old stock old-fashioned bridge; Aquila Nylgut strings. Professional set-up. No structural issues, period. Wonderful tone. A highly sought after, quality instrument with strong projection, in superb condition. Guaranteed 60 days by luthier-owner. no case

We also now carry a number of NEW banjo-ukuleles by makers such as Flea, Goldtone and Luna!

Banjo-Mandolins

Bass

Drums & Percussion

Guitars Classical / Nylon String | Steel String | Other (for banjitars and six-string banjos, click here!)

Classical / Nylon String Guitars

Steel String Guitars

National Resophonic "El Trovador" -- $2,300.00
Photos: photo 1 | photo 2 | photo 3 | photo 4 | photo 5 | photo 6
The El Trovador is based upon an early 30's National that was actually made for them at that time by the Kay Instrument Co. This model has a completely different body style from National's other models, having a much tighter waist and a 4" depth. The body is all mahogany, laminate top & back and solid sides, with f-holes and scuffed nickel plated ribbed sieve coverplate & tailpiece. The mahogany neck has 1-3/4" width at nut, 25-21/32" scale, dot inlaid ebony fingerboard, slotted headstock, 2-way adjustable truss rod and National shield logo decal. The body and neck are bound. This one was built in 2008 and is in near-mint condition, just some smudging/oxidation on the resonator. Hard case included.

Early 1950's Kay model K 24(?) -- $695.00
Photos: photo 1 | photo 2 | photo 3 | photo 4 | photo 5 | photo 6 | photo 7 | photo 8
This guitar is a bit of a curiosity. It is probably a model K 24, but it doesn't entirely conform with the known specs for this model. Maybe it was a dealer demo? Of particular interest is the rarely seen art deco torch overlay on the headstock. It has a 17" lower bout, maple back and sides, solid spruce top with ladder bracing, block inlays on the rosewood fretboard, straight rosewood bridge , original Kluson tuning machines stamped "Kluson Deluxe, Pat. Appd.", black and white binding on the body and a white glued-on pickguard. It is stamped "8100" on the inside. Kay catalogs from this era that we have looked at do not include a model with these particular features. The overall condition is good. The nut and saddle are not original. A seam on the back of the peghead has been reglued and the neck appears to have been re-set at some point in time. There are pick scratches to the top and normal wear to the rest of the body but no cracks. There is little or no fretwear. No case.

Other Guitars

Hammered Dulcimers

Harps

Lap Dulcimers

Mandolins & related (octave mandolins, mandolas, bouzoukis, etc.) Click here for "Banjo-mandolins".

"Supertone" Bowl-Back Mandolin by Washburn, ca. 1910-- $1250.00
This beautiful instrument carries a Supertone label, a Sears brand. Sears contracted with various manufacturers to supply instruments. The design elements clearly reveal that is is made by Washburn, one of the pre-eminent American firms of the period. And it is from near the very top of their product line. Exceptional back of 44 extraordinarily narrow rosewood ribs; mahogany neck, fine spruce top and skirt all fully bound in white; extravagantly pearl-inlaid tortoise pickguard, fingerboard, top purfling and rosette; engraved tailpiece and tuner cover plate - all in superb condition - make for a stunning appearance as well as a wonderful tone. 12-7/8" scale, 1 3/32" nut width. One fine crack in bowl and small section of body binding and shell purfling repaired - good luck finding them! All original, perfect action, beautifully preserved in near-mint condition at around 100 years old! Guaranteed 60 days from luthier-owner. Includes rare original hard case, refurbished.

Ukuleles (for "Banjo-ukuleles" check out the click HERE!)

Gretsch Soprano Ukulele ca. 1920 -- $675.00
Photos: photo 1
Early and rare! Very high quality, solid mahogany uke with rosewood fingerboard, pearl position markers. Block Gretsch logo on back of headstock may pre-date the "Gretsch American" logo embossed on ukes of the late 20s & 30s, let alone the gold circle decal of the 50s. Superior to their later ukes, with kerf linings (later omitted), better bracing & fine bindings. Comparable to Martin ukes of the era, with the same rare tuning pegs Martin used. All original, excellent condition and fine, clear tone. Older repairs to back and lower bass side rib with filler are proper, strong and stable. Professionally reconditioned and set-up.
60-day guarantee on structural integrity from luthier-owner. New hardshell case included.

Violins

We have a wide selection of consigned violins ranging in price from $500.00 to $1500.00. Our violin repair person Tad Marks is an expert in refurbishing used violins. Come in and try them out! Violins page

Chinese Instruments -- From the collection of an esteemed Chinese ethnomusicologist

4-string Pipa with case (photo) -- $400.00
Sold As-Is -- No Returns

4-string Amoy Pipa with case (photo) -- $300.00
Sold As-Is -- No Returns

18-string (metal string) Zheng with case -- $1000.00
Photos: photo 1 | photo 2 | photo 3
Sold As-Is -- No Returns

21-string Zheng with case -- $2000.00
Photos: photo 1 | photo 2
Sold As-Is -- No Returns

16-string Chinese zither with case -- $300.00
Photos: photo 1 | photo 2 | photo 3
Sold As-Is -- No Returns

Call or e-mail us for more information on these consignment sales!

Miscellaneous Instruments

Indian Instruments

Call or e-mail us for more information on these consignment sales!

Still looking? Try our eBay auctions.