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 15, 2012

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
Autoharps
Banjos
Banjo-Ukuleles
Band Instruments
Bass
Chinese Instruments
Guitars
Hammered Dulcimers
Harps
Indian Instruments
Lap Dulcimers
Mandolins
Miscellaneous Instruments
Ukuleles
Violins
eBay auctions

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

Tenor Banjo by Slingerland -- $425.00
17 fret, ca. 1930 (unmarked). Fully reconditioned and upgraded with new ebony fretboard, frets, binding. Original pearl position markers transferred. Three-part maple neck, birds-eye maple rim. Looks nearly new! Solid construction and high quality hardware typical of Slingerland banjos. Rare arch-top rim and new "Renaissance" synthetic head produce excellent tone. New repro armrest and Presto tailpiece. Original friction tuners with ivoroid buttons are perfectly fitted and effective. Strung for Irish tuning (G-D-A-E). Period hard-shell case in fair condition included. Set up and guaranteed 60 days for structural integrity and playability by luthier-owner. Case included. Resonator, geared tuners, calfskin head, original Presto tailpiece, etc. available—inquire.

1931 Paramount "Junior" tenor banjo -- $950.00
Photos: front | back | side | headstock | tuners
The Junior was the basic model among the famous Paramount line of banjos made by Rettberg and Lange. Although it is unadorned in appearance, it has all the technology of the more expensive instruments in the lineup: the Lange archtop tone ring, the clever adjustable tailpiece, Page tuners, the "hotdog" armrest, and a neck attachment that is - somewhat - adjustable. It has 19 frets. This one is in very good to excellent condition for its age. It is set up with Irish GDAE tuning, and was recently owned by one of Washington DC's working Irish musicians. It is in great playing condition, and was recently refurbished completely. The head is fairly new, although the frosting has been worn away at the spot where the player's fingers rubbed against it. This can easily happen with top-frosted heads, and it does not effect the sound.

Banjo-Ukuleles

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

Guitars

Hammered Dulcimers

Harps

Lap Dulcimers

Mandolins & related (octave mandolins, mandolas, bouzoukis, etc.)

Gibson F4, 1921 -- $5750.00 - See it in our eBay store!
Photos: photo 1 | photo 2 | photo 3 | photo 4 | photo 5 | photo 6 | photo 7 | photo 8 | photo 9 | photo 10 | photo 11 | photo 12 | photo 13 | photo 14 |
Excellent condition, but has been previously refinished (professionally done, but a little heavy on the lacquer). There is a small mark under the pickguard (possibly a burn) that was finished over. Shaded yellow-brown top, oval hole, fully bound white, typical of model.
Figured maple body, spruce top. Original tuners, plain cream knobs.
Script "The Gibson" and flower pot shell inlay in head. Adjustable bridge, no truss rod. Original pickguard, which our luthier re-mounted with a replacement side mount which had corroded, and fabricated a necessary missing half-round block. Our luthier also dressed frets and set up for D'Addario medium strings (J74). Plays wonderfully, great volume. Original hard case included, which is in relatively good shape.

Herb Taylor 10-String Cittern #79 -- $2999.00
Photos: photo 1 | photo 2 | photo 3 | photo 4 | photo 5
Mint condition 10-string cittern made by Herb Taylor (www.herbtaylor.com/instruments). This is a long-scale (660 mm) 10 string cittern with cherry body and Sitka spruce top. The low string can be tuned to low D or down to C, making it like a mandocello with a high string. It has both an arched back and sound board, giving it a deep, rich, powerful tone. Construction features include the user-friendly bolt-on neck and X bracing of the top. The neck has a modern 2-way adjustable truss rod. Appointments include lots of Cocobolo rosewood -- for the fingerboard, head veneer, tailpiece, finger rest, bridge, etc. Decoration includes elliptical paua abalone fingerboard inlays. Gold tuners complete the rich reddish look. The finish is buffed gloss KTM-9 water based lacquer.
This is a great instrument for Celtic accompaniment or for the classical mandocello player and comes complete with a custom-made Blue Heron case.

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

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.