Welcome to

McPeake's Unique Instruments

February 4, 2012

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 $14.00 per copy, postage paid in the US. Outside the US, please send $15.00 postage paid..

" A View from McPeake". CD, All instrumental Bluegrass banjo recording with Nashville's Super Pickers lending a hand. Currently in stock . The price per each is $14.00 postage paid USA . Outside the US, $15.00 postage paid Air mail.

Martin Guitars & Family

13654 Martin D-18, 1964, Sn# 193722, Exc.+ condition, mahogany back and sides, spruce top, original long saddle bridge, all original condition, no cracks, no blemishes, never had a strap pin installed, it has led a pampered life, It was purchased when new for recording artist and musician Glen Duncan when he was 9 years old. It is a one owner guitar in nearly new condition. It is in a later hardshell case that replaces the original soft case. $4250.00

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 Flattop Guitar

16527 Gibson J-50 ADJ. 1968 Excellent condition, tobacco finish mahogany back and sides, natural blond finish spruce top, rosewood board with dot inlays, Original slimmer neck in this period with 1&9/16" width at nut. Nice, all original finsih with light to moderate finish checking. very small spot of wear to treble side bout from contact with case at some point. No cracks or alterations, slight area of strap burn on back but not offensive at all. Basically no wear to board or frets. The guitar plays and sounds very fine. later Epi hard shell case $2450.00

BANJO BRIDGES

McPeake "Lightning Bolt" 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. 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.

We are offering arched banjo bridges. We are now offering a true radiused bridge, not just an arched ebony strip but the frame is arched as well, we are offering them on a custom order basis, we are getting rave reports and many requests for them.. They are available in 5/8", .656, 11/16". and 3/4" Made from the same fine tonewood as our basic bridges. The price per each. $40.00

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. . $350.00 nickel or chrome. Please call or email for price 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 USPS $12.00 East of the Rockies. $14.00 to the West. (A very limited number in stock) In stock)

Pot Metal tension hoops , This is a very popular item and sell quickly. 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 $10.00 shipping to most areas. ( on back order)

McPeake Unique Banjo strings are in stock again. . One gauge available. 10-11-13-20-10 Dozen sets $30.00 plus postage. (Sorry we are currently out of stock) More on order.

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, grained ivoroid buttons, standard 3/8" shaft. They are available in nickel and gold plating. (In stock)

Set of (4) nickel = $95.00, Set of (4) gold = $115.00 Please add $5.00 postage for priority mail continental US. delivery. Outside the US, postage will vary.

Please note: I have a few sets of Banjo "D" tuners (Twisters) from the 1960's (bowtie banjo period). These are new old stock. Never installed on any banjo. Very limited supply.with Metal buttons, $125.00 per set of (2). Please add $5.20 shipping.

Five String Banjo's

I have in my possession A Gibson RB-3 Wreath, original five string, very good plus condition, Original flathead. Ser # 9602-11 If you have a serious interest in this banjo, please contact me for more details.

201128 Gibson TB-3 conversion, 1935, VG+ condition, mahogany, one piece flange, 5/8"X three ply rim, the rim ahs been turned and fitted with a Huber 20 hole flathead tonering. original hardware is in nice condition, the flange is relatively flat and nice but has one short outer link broken directly under the tailpiece. Good older custom mahogany five string neck with double cut peghead, ebony board and flying eagle inlay, the neck is said to have been made by the late Rual Yarbrough. The neck is slender and plays great. The back of the resonator has been lightly oversprayed at some point in time.The banjo was previously owned by Little Roy Lewis and has "Roy" inlaid in the heel cap. This banjo has been used professionally but still looks good and has fine sound.quality, Tweed Hard case $13,500.00

201126 McPeake "Ole Betsy Model" by Sullivan Banjo Co. New, just in. This is the third one made thus far. I have No.1 in my personal collection that was presented to me by Bill and Eric Sullivan. This banjo is all hand selected and is very high quality. Mahogany wood, selected "Old Floor" three ply rim, McPeake high profile 20 hole flathead tonering, one piece flange, nickel plated hardware.double cut peghead with Style 3 inlay, McPeake logo, Brazilian rosewood board with style "75" pearl inlay. The first inlay is vertical as a few Gibson models were. Bound fretboard with white binding and a tiny black pin stripe. The heel cap is white with black pin stripe to match, the resonator is bound top and back with the same pin stripe binding. Two concentric rings inlaid on back of the resonator same as a style 3 and 75. McPeake pan cake tuners and bridge. This is a very fine quality instrument that sounds and plays super well. It is first class all the way. TKL deluxe hard case $4250.00

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

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 $2950.00

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. $300.00

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

Resonator Guitars

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

Mandolins & Related Inst.

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. $4950.00

45531 Gibson A-5L Master Model, 1999, Exc. condition, sunburst finish, high flame maple back and sides, spruce top, gold plated and engraved hardware, pearl tuner buttons, bound back, sides, board and peghead. fine sound with nice throaty bark, label signed by the late Charlie Derrington. non original protec style lightweight hard case with shoulder strap. $2650.00

Misc. Parts & Accessories

Please note: I have a few sets of Banjo "D" tuners (Cam tuners) from the 1960's (bowtie banjo period). These are new old stock. Never installed on any banjo. Very limited supply.with Metal buttons, $125.00 per set of (2). Please add $5.20 shipping.

We stock Fults banjo tailpieces. These are very fine tailpieces and precsision crafted. Several models in stock. Prices start from $80.00

Vega Resonator, 1950's/60's vintage, Exc. condition, maple, amber sunburst, bound top and back edge, outer sidewall depth 1&3/4" side to side shoulder diameter that flange rests on is apprx. 13&1/8". All original and very nice. Should fit most Vega post war models. $100.00

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 $10.00 shipping to most areas. ( back ordered)

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. ( In Stock)

Set of (4) nickel = $95.00 Please add $5.00 postage for priority mail continental US. delivery. Outside the US, postage will vary.

Set of (4) gold = $115.00

McPeake Unique Banjo Strings . One gauge available. 10-11-13-20-10 Dozen sets $30.00 plus postage.(on order)

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 $15.00 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 $15.00 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 $5.00 priority mail. Supply is limited.

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

Phone 615-758-9673