Some of Norman Blake's Instruments up for sale at Carter Vintage

[Mandolin Cafe]

Carter Vintage has been asked to sell some of Norman Blake's instruments and you're seeing them here first--they're not even on their web site yet, but will be soon. We probably won't list them all but certainly some of main interest to this community.

First up, Norman's Gilchrist F-4.

[Mandolin Cafe]

Norman's 1941 000 Martin Guitar

[Mandolin Cafe]

1915 Vega Cylinderback.

[Mandolin Cafe]

1921 0-21 Martin

[Jim Garber]

Holy smokes, Scott. Those are lovely instruments. That Gilchrist is gorgeous. Of course, Norman always had exquisite taste in his instruments. And I am sure has plenty of wonderful ones left to play.

[Mandolin Cafe]

Another 1915 Vega Cylinderback.

[Mandolin Cafe]

We'd love to own that Gilchrist F-4 and it will sell fast. Not in the cards for us, unfortunately. There are a few other instruments but that's all of the mandolins and the guitars that interest us most for the moment. May post more later. We'll see.

[Kirk Albrecht]

I think what you have labeled as a 1921 -000 Martin Guitar is actually a 1931.

[TheMandoKit]

Well, it looks like a 000-21, but not a 1921 000. Not sure if it's 1931, but certainly 1930's.

[Glassweb]

the Gil F4 is IT!

[BrianWilliam]

Dang!

Wonder why he's selling them....

[Jim Garber]

That rosewood Vega cylinder back is beautiful too. I agree that Gilchrist is tempting but certainly not in my cards, either.

[MikeEdgerton]

Wonder why he's selling them....

Nancy finally figured out how many he had.

[Mandolin Cafe]

I think what you have labeled as a 1921 -000 Martin Guitar is actually a 1931.

We just went by what the images were labelled in Dropbox. We'll defer to your assessment, or wait until CVG actually posts.

[sgarrity]

How much is the Gil?

[Mandolin Cafe]

Christie gave me a price a few days ago but she's pulling together a list and it's best I wait before quoting. Possible it could have changed since then so best we wait. Actually surprised it wasn't a lot higher but maybe that's the lifelong Norman Blake fan in me thinking.

Mike Comptons Gilchrist F-4 is one of the finest instruments I've heard. I thought it was just his hands which are the best, but the instrument itself is a cannon. This one is said to be remarkable as well from Mike, and he has played it.

[sgarrity]

Understood. That could cause me to do something stupid. I wonder if he's recorded with it?

[Mandolin Cafe]

Christie confirms the guitars were mislabeled in Dropbox which we used to post here. I'll correct above shortly.

[LillianBelle]

How much is the Gil?

Strike that - the $19,500 is an octave up on their site.

[Don Grieser]

Mike Comptons Gilchrist F-4 is one of the finest instruments I've heard. I thought it was just his hands which are the best, but the instrument itself is a cannon. This one is said to be remarkable as well from Mike, and he has played it.

That's what I've heard MC say too.

Trying to help you out, Shaun.

[mandopaul]

Wow, just a dream to own any of them...now back to reality, but fun to look at 'em.

[wildpikr]

That F4...oh man...drool...

[Northwest Steve]

There is also an A4 at Bernunzio Music

https://bernunzio.com/product/gibson-4-22279/

[Jeff Mando]

Dang!

Wonder why he's selling them....

Retirement? Who knows.......wonder if he owns a signed Loar?

[mandopops]

I agree with Jim and the others about the Gilchrist F4. It is spectacular.
Joe B