Welcome to

McPeake's Unique Instruments

August 23, 2008

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Phone 615-758-9673

Please scroll down to last page for McPeake Banjo bridges, McPeake tonerings , records, CD,s, parts and accessories, etc.

Latest recordings.. .

NEW CD, Titled "Vintage 76" by Curtis McPeake and featuring the late Benny Martin on fiddle and Josh Graves on Dobro. All instrumentals and I believe you will like it. Please include $12.00 per copy, postage paid in the US. Outside the US, please send $14.00 postage paid..

" A View from McPeake". CD, All instrumental Bluegrass banjo recording with Nashville's Super Pickers lending a hand. Currently instock . The price per each is $12.00 postage paid USA . Outside the US, $14.00 postage paid Air mail.

Martin Guitars & Family

13648 D-28, 2007, Exc.+++, Indian rosewood back and sides, spruce top, bound top and back, adjustable trussrod neck, 100% original condition, this guitar is only slightly used and looks almost new, very comfortable string action and has fine and well balanced sound, all papers in the case pocket. Or. H/case $1650.00

13650 HD-28V, 2003, Mint (unplayed), Indian rosewood back and sides, spruce top, tortoise style pickguard, modified "V" neck, scalloped bracing, forward "X" bracing, herringbone trim, neck width at nut 1&11/16", diamonds and squares inlay pattern, a super fine guitar with all papers and open warranty in the case. $2600.00

13651 D-18, 1999, Exc + condition, mahogany back and sides, spruce top, all original condition, this guitar has been well cared for and is a very fine sounding example with easy string action. Original H/case $1400.00

14168 OM-28V, 2005, Absolute mint, unplayed condition, indian rosewood back and sides, sitka spruce top, herringbone trim, modified "V" neck, 14 frets to body, 25.4" scale, tortoise guard, scalloped forward X bracing, ebony board and bridge with long slot saddle, zig zag back stripe, neck with at nut 1&3/4", diamonds and squares pearl inlay, ope gear tuners with butter bean buttons. Dlx. Geib style Vintage hard case with green lining and Martin padded case cover. $ 2650.00

15034 Martin Uke, Style 1, Cr 1940's, Exc. condition, mahogany body, dark celluloid binding top and back, rosewood board and bridge, Champion tuners with white buttons, small impact near invisibly repaired in bottom side bout, otherwise nice and all original with original or period bag case $950.00

Gibson & Misc. Acoustics

16525 Gibson J-200, 1999, Mint condition, Vintage Sunburst, high flame maple, spruce top, rosewood board with crown inlays, open moustache bridge with pearl inlaid bars, multi-layered w-b-w binding, gold hardware, a gorgeous example with big sound, as nice as they come, Original H/case $3250.00

16526 Gibson LG-2, 1955-56, (no ser. no), Very good + condition, sunburst, mahogany back and sides, spruce top, X braced and has what appears to be factory scalloped braces, top is bound with wbw and single bound back edges, early style narrow bridge, rosewood board with dot inlays, frets and board are in fine condition, short inside pickguard crack sealed, long style pickguard, original tuner buttons replaced due to shrinkage of the originals,nice original finish but has a few pickmarks, nicks and dings mainly to top, The guitar plays and sounds great. Recent moulded black H/case $1850.00

Five String Banjo's

New McPeake Pancake banjo tuners in stock.. See description and prices below.

Pot Metal tension hoops in stock. We are selling many of these. They are fine quality and will replace the 1930's hoops that are warped or broken. They fit most standard 11" banjos. Nickel plated. $49.00 plus $8.00 to $10.00 shipping to most areas. Currently in stock. .

Mc Peake pancake tuners) (http://www.cbguitars.com/images/Tuners/McPeakeTuners01.jpg

http://www.cbguitars.com/images/Tuners/McPeakeTuners02.jpg

These tuners are designed in the style of the traditional pre-war Grover (Pancake tuners) of the late 1920's to late 1930's, that are so highly sought after and selling for a premium. The old pancakes have 2 to 1 turning ratio. My tuners are 3.5 ratio and fine tunes much easier. They have my McPeake logo on the back of the gearbox. These are exceptionally high quality tuners made in Czech Republic by Pavel Kristufek, standard 3/8" shaft. They are available in nickel and gold plating.

Set of (4) nickel = $90.00, Set of (4) gold = $110.00 Please add $4.60 postage for priority mail continental US. delivery. Outside the US, postage will vary.

201093 Gibson Earl Scruggs Std. 2002, Exc. condition, sunburst, curly maple, one piece flange, 3 ply rim, original 20 hole flathead tonering, hearts and flowers inlay, bound resonator and board, nice original nickel hardware, fine original wood finish except for a small area of wear to back of neck at 3rd. fret position, set up with new Remo head, McPeake bridge and strings, it is a nice example that plays and sounds fine, Or, H/case $3200.00

201095 Gibson RB, 2004, burgandy finish maple, nickel hardware, one piece flange, 3 ply rim, round brass hoop tonering, can be converted to a standard flathead by cutting rim and installing ring, matte finish, black binding on resonator top and back, ebony board with snowflake inlay, planet tuners, plays and sounds fine. Soft case $1250.00

201106 Gibson TB-100 conversion, mid 1960's, sunburst, one piece flange, three ply shell, 20 hole flathead tonering, the tonering appears to be Gibson from the period, nickel hardware, like new straight grain maple neck with bound rosewood board, double cut peghead, late 20's style 3 inlay pattern (diamonds and snowflake), Elton pan cake tuners, Nice banjo, H/case $2000.00

201107 Gibson TB-11 conversion, mid 30's, or later. No (serial number), exc. condition, dark blue finish maple, one piece flange, 3 ply shell, McPeake 20 hole flathead tonering, nice hardware, flange has only slight curling, less than most, later replacement tension hoop, double bound resonator with floral design painted on back, a fine custom maple five string neck using the original tenor peghead overlay and Grover screw tab tuners, modern Presto tailpiece, ebony board with original inlay pattern in pearl, the original armrest was replated at some point, this is a very nice and fine sounding banjo. Nice Hard case $5,000.00

201108 Gibson TB-11 conversion, mid 1930's, Exc. condition except for some finish wear to resonator sidewall, dark blue finish, one piece flange, three ply rim, McPeake 20 hole flathead tonering, nickel hardware, tension hoop was replaced at some point in time but is in great shape, nice custom dark blue custom neck with original peghead overlay, rosewood board with fancy Bella Voce inlay, nice floral design on back of resonator, modern planet tuners and Presto tailpiece, a nice fine sounding banjo. H/case $5,000.00

201116 Gibson RB-3 Wreath, 07, mint (unplayed), mahogany, one piece flange, 3 ply shell, 20 hole flathead tonering, nickel plated hardware, double cut peghead, rosewood board, fancy wreath inlay, Waverly Deluxe 2 band tuners, double bound resonator with concentric rings on back, this banjo has been setup and adjusted by me and will play and sound great. MSLP. $4443.00 my price with original H/case $3450.00

21075 Vega Wonder, 1960's, near mint, sunburst, maple, 4 piece flange, Little Wonder tonering with outer skirt, resonator bound both edges, bound ebony board with dot inlays, factory equipped with cam "D" tuners, Elton pancake regular tuners, this banjo will play fine for Ole timey or three finger style, this banjo is in almost unplayed condition, original plastic Vegalon head and original bridge, with fine, like new original H/case $1,000.00

27541 Alvarez Minstrel, 1981, Exc.- condition, two piece flange, thich rim, 20 hole flathead tonering, chrome plated hardware, mahogany neck, bound rosewood board, wreath inlay, bound rosewood resonator with small fancy inlaid design on back, Kluson style stairstep tuners, this is an early Japanese model that plays and sounds fine. well used Gibson H/case $600.00

27563 Tennessee Vintage Custom, 2006, mint condition, gorgeous burled walnut, fancy inlaid wood purfling and white binding on top and back edges of resonator, fancy inlaid and bound,double cut peghead, ebony board with same binding as on the resonator, elaborate and artistic fretboard pearl inlay, nickel plated hardware, one piece flange, three ply shell with Tn.20 flathead tonering, the neck is custom profiled slightly narrower than the standard models. Plays very comfortably. This banjo lists at $5250.00 but my price with hard case is only $3,250.00

27566 Orpheum Style "D", 1970's Early Japanese production, VG+ condition, One piece flange, 5/8" rim, 20 hole flathead tonering, gold plated hardware, engraved armrest, mahogany neck with rosewood board and checkered binding, bowtie inlay, Kluson style stairstep tuners, fancy inlaid peghead, double co-ordinator rods, rosewood resonator with fancy pearl inlay designs on back and sidewalls, Setup with Price nickel plated tailpiece. the neck profile is a bit hefty but plays and sounds fine. Newer H/case $850.00

Tenor & Plectrum Banjos

Fairbanks/Vega Tubaphone Style "M" tenor neck only, Ser # 50464, 1922, nice original condition, blond curly maple, Ebony board, 17 fret, complete with original dowel stick and champion non geared tuners, fits 10&15/16" standard pots. original frets show average wear but very playable. Ready for usage. $350.00

32097 Paramount Style "A" Tenor, c1928, very good condition, natural finish maple, nickel hardware, standard archtop tonering assembly, fancy pearl inlaid peghead, staggered diamonds inlaid in board, Page tuners, shows normal finish wear and usage, replacement Gibson style armrest, this is a good working banjo with new mylar head and ready to go. Orig. H/case $950.00

32102 Paramount Style "C" Tenor, ca.1925, VG+ condition, mahogany, nickel hardware, standard archtop pot assembly, fany purfling and trim, carved heel and back of peghead, 19 fret neck, kissing birds inlay design, Deluxe Paige tuners with brass housings, hairline heel crack repaired very professionally at some point in time, This banjo has been played by a pro but has less than normal expected wear. the original hard case is well used but still functional. $1400.00

33032 Weymann Style "6" tenor, c1925, next to the top of the line, Very good condition, rosewood model, gold plated and engraved, megaphonic tone chamber, fancy trim and marquetry, ornate pearl inlay, carved heel, 19 fret neck with 3 frets extended, making a total of 22 frets, a few pits in board at first position but very playable, real gold side dots, original recessed tuner holes plugged and back of peghead refinished ( the decal is intact) and new gold planet tuners installed, this is a very rare model by Weymann and has the standard ornate flange. Nice orig. H/case $3,000.00

Resonator Guitars

40120 Dobro, DW OS Ltd, 1995, Bro. Oswald Signature model, made in California, Mint condition, #207, dark maple body with sunburst top, Vee shaped round neck with metal adapter nut, slotted peghead with Pete Kirby "Oswald" signature, white top binding, diamond cut sound well, standard coverplate. Open warranty document in the case, Or.H/case $2450.00

40122 Dobro, DM Model, 2001, Exc. + condition, brass body with dark gray powder coat finish, round maple 14 fret neck, solid peghead, "F" holes, rosewood board, large spun cone with domed top ala National,.all original, large frets, sounds and plays great. Or.H/case $1250.00

40123 Dobro, DW-90 Cutaway, 2001, Exc.+ condition, cherry finish, curly maple body, round neck with solid peghead, rosewood board, one "F" hole, body bound top and back edges, standard spun cone with poinsettia coverplate, equipped with a Fishman pickup this is an excellent sounding guitar and plays super nice. Original Hard Case $1450.00.

Mandolins & Related Inst.

45514 Gibson A-50, 1953, VG+ condition, sunburst, curly maple sides and bubble maple back, mahogany neck, carved spruce top with "F" holes ,bound top, back and board, no cracks or repairs, new ebony adjustable bridge, original strap tuners with black buttons. this is a fine playing and sounding mandolin with less than average wear for the period, well used but functional pre-war hard case $1100.00

45528 Gibson F-5 Fern, 2002, Exc. condition, sunburst, highly flamed maple, carved and graduated spruce top, "F" holes, fern peghead inlay, dot inlaid board, gold plated hardware, pearl tuner buttons, label signed by Danny Roberts, this is a very clean example with fine bluegrass chop. Rect. hard case $5250.00

45529 Tennessee Prodigal A-5, 2003, Label signed Sep.10, 03, #9 of a total of 22 produced, near mint, sunburst, spruce top, carved and graduated to the exacting specs and dimensions of the famous one and only (Griffith) A-5 signed by Lloyd Loar on Sep.11,1923 The mandolin was made for William B. Griffith of the "Griffith School of Music", Atlanta, Ga. The mandolin was purchased in the early 1960's by Tut Taylor from the sister of the Griffith family. The full story is at www.Crafterstn.com/crafters/news.htm, the Prodigal instrument has highly striped curly maple back, sides and neck, sitka spruce top, silver plated hardware, dovetail neck joint, nitrocellous lacquer finish, ivoroid w-b binding, ebony board and bridge, Deluxe Prodigal 5 peghead and inlay, pearl nut and dot inlays, this is a super fine faithful reproduction of the only Loar A-5 in existance. Superb workmanship and attention to detail. This instrument is basically new with minimal playing time on it, it sounds super fine and feels great in your hands. Brown alligator grained 7 ply rectangular hard case with green velour interior as per the original Loar version. $7,000.00

45530 Gibson F-4, 1917, Exc.- condition, reddish brown sunburst, curly maple, one piece back, oval sound hole, double flower pot peghead inlay, bound board and peghead, inlaid tuner buttons, no visible cracks or repairs, all original except for a pro-refret. this is a fine sounding example with deep rich tone. Form fit original H/case $5,400.00 (Sold)

Misc. Parts & Accessories

McPeake Pre-War style high profile, 20 hole, flathead tonerings, made from pre-war formula and designed from one of my personal (Ole Betsy) RB-75 flathead five string banjo's. You may pay more but will not get a better ring. Due to a sharp rise in copper and other metals, along with production and plating costs, I feel compelled to raise the prices to offset these costs. $350.00 nickel or chrome and $400.00 for bright or antique gold.. All are copper flashed. In my honest opinion, there is no tonering on today's market that will top this one in pre-war sound quality. Shipping by UPS $10.00 East of the Rockies. $12.00 to the West.

Hopkins-McPeake Conversion flathead tonering, 20 holes, converts archtop to flat head with no alterations to the banjo, this is a very high quality, fine sounding tonering, average weight about 47.5 ounces. $350.00 for nickel, or chrome, and $400.00 for bright or antique gold. All are copper flashed. .

Pot Metal tension hoops We are selling many of these. They are fine quality and will replace the 1930's hoops that are warped or broken. They fit most standard 11" banjos. Nickel plated only. $49.00 plus $8.00 to $10.00 shipping to most areas. In stock

New McPeake Pancake banjo tuners

These tuners are designed much the same as the traditional (Pancake tuners) that are so sought after and selling for a premium. The old pancakes have 2 to 1 turning ratio. My tuners are 3.5 ratio and fine tunes much easier. They have my McPeake logo on the back of the gearbox. These are exceptionally high quality tuners made in Czech Republic by Pavel Kristufek, standard 3/8" shaft. They are available in nickel and gold plating. Supply is limited.

Set of (4) nickel = $90.00 Please add $4.60 postage for priority mail continental US. delivery. Outside the US, postage will vary.

Set of (4) gold = $110.00

I have a few fairly nice Gibson pre-war tenor banjo cases in stock at various prices. Please inquire.

McPeake five string banjo bridges, fine century old maple, carefully hand crafted after the traditional manner of standard 3 legged bridges. Ebony tops, standard spacing of 1&11/16" or (Crowe) 1&3/4". Available in 5/8", .656 and 11/16". This bridge is made to my ridgid specifications from the finest woods available by Bryan Hooper of Blue Ridge, Ga. This is a no gimmick bridge that will make your banjo sound and perform with power and tone that you would expect from it. $25.00 postage paid USA. Foreign customers please add $2.00 for extra postage.

Lone Wolf Mandolin Straps, fine supple leather with easy mounting for Scroll style mandolins, one inch wide. $20.00

Latest recording.

CD, Titled "Vintage 76" by Curtis McPeake and featuring the late Benny Martin on fiddle and Josh Graves on Dobro. All instrumentals and I believe you will like it. Please include $12.00 per copy, postage paid in the US. Outside the US, please send $16.00 postage paid..

CD, Titled "A View from McPeake" all Bluegrass instrumental. I think you will like it. I am ably assisted by Aubrey Haynie (fiddle), Charles Cushman (guitar), Dave Harvey (Mandolin) and Dennis Crouch (Bass). $12.00 each , postage paid USA. Outside the US $16.00 postage paid.

Curtis McPeake, "Dueling Banjos" cassettes $7.00, CD's $10.00 add $2.00 postage USA

Curtis McPeake, and "The Natchez Express", "Headin' South" cassettes $7.00

Curtis McPeake and "The Natchez Express" "Back to Dixie" cassettes $7.00

Curtis McPeake, and "The Natchez Express" "I Have Found The Way" gospel, cassettes $7.00

Order all 4 cassettes for a bargain price of $20.00 plus $4.60 priority mail. Supply is limited.

Shipping Address:
604 Guill Rd.
Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
E-MAIL ADDRESS "curtis@cmcpeake.com"

Phone 615-758-9673