Stan Gee

Pick n Strum

Evelyn May & Stan Gee,   Cutty Wren Club,4th.July ´04. Instrument trivia: The banjo is a 1976 U.S.A. made Harmony ´76 Bicentennial model, with   the ´Three Minute-Men´on the Resonator. I also have a Blue one with an ´American Eagle´ on the resonator, and a matching Red; White & Blue Regal ´Bicentennial´ model Guitar.    As you may have guessed,We bought these especially for our ´4th. of July Independence Day Celebration´ shows, so when we recently got the chance of a couple of new ´Stars & Stripes´ soprano ukuleles, we naturally added them to the kit. Being new & relatively cheap, they don´t sound great, but the do add to the overall ambience!
Due to the current interest in the GoldTone ´Cello Banjos, a friend suggested I post some info about a couple of items in my own collection that obviously provided the inspiration for the GoldTone banjos. They are two of the first banjos produced by the Gibson company in 1918-19.
The 4-string is Gibsons take on the Tenor and simply designated T-B, later TB-4 and has a 12" hollow rim. I have it tuned a 4th.lower (Irish pitch) with nylon strings for a meatier sound. The 5-string with its 14" hollow rim is quite unique. You may have seen the occasional 6-string Guitar-Banjo, and maybe even the rarer 4-string ´Cello-banjo, with the same specs. but this 5-string version is so rare, I have not only never seen another one like it, I have only ever seen one other photograph of one like it !!!
I used to have it at concert pitch, but due to the interest in early banjos at low pitch, I now have this a 5th. lower, which also puts it in a more practical range for Eve & myself singing together. It must be obvious now where Goldtone got their inspiration from, so if this has sparked any interest do please get in touch to swap info. & pix?
I neglected to mention just in case it is not self evident, that this banjo is not only an aesthetic vision to behold, but a joy to play, even with thick plunky strings! You can hear a snippet of what it sounds like on Andy Dalton´s blogspot:
http://northernbanjoboy.blogspot.com
/2009/07/gospel-ship-stan-gee.html
Chordially Stan Gee               & The Gibson
Banjos; Dulcimers; Amplifiers & sundry items for sale currently in stock (not counting instruments undergoing renovation)
Maya Bluegrass style 5-st.
Styled after Ode (Flange) & Vega resonator models. Has a few chips from the headstock but is in otherwise good condition, with excellent original hard shell case O.C. £260
Countryman Bluegrass 5-string:
With it´s Hearts & Flowers inlays; double bound flange resonator, the condition of this Gibson inspired Asian made instrument is virtually new & unused, with a loud & bright tone! Now with new Gigbag£215
Boston Banjo: SOLD!

Harmony ´Deluxe 30´Tenor:
   50-60´s U.S.A. made; Walnut coloured Bakelite Rim & resonator; 23" scale, 19 fret neck; guitar style tuners good condition; original rough soft shell case; loud & bright! £195
Slingerland ´May Bell´ Tenor:
U.S.A. 1920-30´s Vintage; 19 fret 23" scale length; 10 & 5/8" Maple rim with new Remo head; round hole flange resonator with attractive transfer decoration. Original H/S/Case; heavyweight, Loud & Bright! One for the Collector &/or pro player! £330
May Bell ´Queen´Tenor Banjo;
Made by Slingerland, U.S.A. 1920-30´s Vintage; 19 fret 23" scale length; 10 & 5/8" Maple rim; fancy ´Diamond Hole´flange resonator with attractive transfer decoration. Original H/S/Case; heavyweight, Loud & Bright! One for the Collector &/or pro player! £350
VEGA Style ´N´ Tenor-Banjo:
Made in the U.S.A. circa 1920´s, this 17 fret open-back tenor is in pretty good nick! Very little wear to the ebonised Pearwood fret-board on a straight solid Mahogany neck; 1/2" thick x 3 & 3/8" deep x 10 & 15/16" rim is laminated Maple, stained dark to match neck, with attractive faux Tortoiseshell binding on outer edge. Nickel plating is good on the tension ring & ´Little Wonder´ Tone-Ring; 26 original shoes & adjusting nuts, and approximately 75% of the tension hooks. Original dodgy pegs have been replaced with modern Planetary geared tuners for fine, positive tuning. New plastic head & bridge. Currently strung in Jazz tuning, but would make a cracking Irish session banjo. Now with a rough but repairable similar period hardshell case but still the same price. Now REDUCED £395.
Boston Basic Tenor Banjo in good Hardshell case. As New £150. Photos to Follow a.s.a.p.
Gibson UB-2 Ukulele-Banjo in original period case. Fair. £650. Photos to follow a.s.a.p.
Undergoing Renovation:
Gibson UB-2: Sunburst, undergoing renovation P.O.A.

Gibson UB-2: Sheraton Brown, undergoing renovation P.O.A.

´MerryBright´basic U-B. undergoing renovation. P.O.A.
Windsor ´Premier´ 8-string Mandolin-Banjo. English made; 30´s Vintage; full 10 & 5/8" size metal clad rim, with full depth ´Monarch´ resonator; ´Pyxie´ fixed tailpiece.Original Lined & padded fully shaped hard shell case, but needs new hinges.Undergoing minor renov-ation.Killer Session Banjo! £330
Lyon & Healey ´Old-Time´ open-back 5-String Banjo, MINT plating!.

3 x ´John Doe´ ´Old-Time´ ´Fretless´ 5-string banjos.
Here is a nice unprovoked testimonial from Douglas Rogers, a gentleman who is a professional musician,and who purchased several student guitars: "Pick ´n´ Strum provides a very friendly, helpful and obliging service. The instruments I bought were carefully, knowledgeably and accurately described. They were despatched at once in sturdy packaging with exceptionally clear labelling. Thank you, Stan!" And thank you Douglas Rogers!

Our Sale Ethos: Locating,renovating & providing an appropriate well set-up instrument, within a student´s budget, has always been the prime motive for me becoming a small scale dealer.I am also not averse to accepting a student´s 1st.(possibly innapropriate) instrument in part exchange. Also a good quality used instrument will always maintain it´s value against future trade-ins! We are negotiable!
The instruments listed carry minimal descriptions and few close-up photos, so please phone or email if you would like more specific details on any aspect.I will add more comprehensive details as future time allows.
New Guitars & Ukuleles in stock: Mahalo Beginners Soprano Ukuleles.

Nicely finished beginners soprano sized ukulele, currently in a choice of 8 colours, with matching carrying bag!
Not a good photo but we now have purple & orange, and hoping to get Black in the future, However, supplies of Pink & Pale Blue are Limited!

Attractive Dolphin shaped machines ensure positive tuning! Good value at only £17
Mahalo ´Les Paul´ Soprano:
Approximating the Gibson L.P. guitar, this Soprano size ukulele has some very stylish features, including a bound 14 fret to body neck; Cutaway bound body with beautiful Vintage Sunburst finish; ´Minto´ style tuners; inc. fleece lined leatherlook Gigbag. Acoustic model only £40, but also available with built-in transducer pick-up for £55.

Also available in Black;
& Cherry Sunburst finishes. I can personally recommend this Electro-Acoustic range, I own two of these babies, have used them at gigs and they really do the business! Check out the sound on You-Tube, through my portable Fender practice amp, taken at a meeting of the Darlington Ukulele Express club, I am accompanying Eve singing ´St. Louis Blues´, Click on ´Stan and Eve´ to take your pick of around seven ´livemusic´clips!
Richwood Baritone; Tenor & Concert model ukuleles:
This photo does not do justice to these economy priced but great sounding range of larger ukuleles. All models feature a laminated Mahogany Top & Back; Rosewood Fretboard & Bridge; natural eggshell finish & smooth tuning machines. The Baritone is tuned D G b e & priced @ £45. the Tenor is tuned F Bb d g and priced at £40. The Concert is tuned to g C e a and is priced at £35. This Concert is as good as others I have tried at more than twice the price! I may just keep it!
Richwood Pineapple SOLD OUT!

The New KORALA Ukulele range comes in both all Solid Mahogany and Spruce top & Mahogany and includes Sopranos; 14 fret Concerts; Tenors; Baritones and the fabulous Cutaway Electro-Acoustic models pictured £165. More prices & Photos to follow shortly.
Mahalo Travel Guitar & Bag:
Mahalo call them ´Ukulele´ guitars but these are really modified steel string guitars, ideal for travel or rehearsal. Robustly made, nicely finished, and not bad sounding for their reduced size, they come in self coloured carrying bags, available in Yellow or black, at only £30
Used Instruments For Sale: Guitars & Ukuleles Currently in Stock (not counting instruments undergoing renovation)
Fender Squire Strat. SOLD!

LINE 6 FX combo SOLD!
B&M Concert Grande full size Classic in Hardshell Case £125 Photos to Follow shortly.
Encore Martin Dreadnought style Electro-Acoustic:
Not a bad acoustic sound for a budget guitar, with built-in transducer pick-up, tone & volume controls. Fair condition; Gig-Bag. Only £85. Save £10 if purchased with an Amp!
Martin Simpson Acoustic Dreadnought with Gigbag.
Stunning Red to Black sunburst finish; Pearl Logo; excellent condition; bright tone. £65
Jim Deacon Ac. SOLD!

´Concerter´ Dreadnought Ac.
Early copy of a Martin D-18 made down to a price, but some nice touches like an adjustable bridge, and not a bad tone for a budget guitar. Soft cover. £40
Legacy as-new Dreadnought £75
Chantry attractive acoustic, £35
StarFire Sunburst budget ac £30 Photos to Follow shortly!
Mahalo Travel Guitar with P-U!
Nicely appointed budget travel guitar, now fitted with end-pin jack socket & transducer pick-up! Comes with soft cover. £45
Budget guitars always in stock! for beginners &/or tinkerers; all sizes from tiny to 4/4; from £5 to £20 dependent on condition!
Harmony ´Roy Smeck´ model Soprano: SOLD!
Harmony Baritone Ukulele in original soft shell case £175. Photos to follow shortly.
Undergoing Renovation:   Harmony stencilled soprano ukulele.
Redwing Strings: Made in the U.S.A. Phosphor Bronze steel strings; loop or ball-end; available as sets or singles; in any Guage,to suit any instrument! I guarantee to be able to find the appropriate guage string for any tuning, over any scale length on any fretted string instrument! Average string prices are £.65p each for plain steel; £1.30 each for Wound. Less 10% for sets. Please enquire for a quote specific to your instrument?
Terms & Conditions of Sale: Following some foreign enquiries, I feel the need to establish some sale conditions. Firstly my prices are in Pounds! (G.B.P. or Pounds Sterling) not Dollars ( although I would be happy to give a dollar quote); and definately not euros because I personally have no intention of joining the common market! I will accept cash; Postal Orders & English Bank Cheques. Foreign buyers must transfer pounds through their bank because International money orders are a rip-off! American buyers please note that I will accept U.S.dollars. That is cash (dollars bills) not checks or money orders! I will hold an instrument for up to seven days whilst establishing shipping (postal) costs & method of payment. That is as clear as I can make it but please contact me for further clarification, preferably by telephone, U.K. 01642 478859, typing email is far too time consuming for me!
Here is a nice unprovoked testimonial from Douglas Rogers, a gentleman who is a professional musician, and who purchased several student guitars: "Pick ´n´ Strum provides a very friendly, helpful and obliging service. The instruments I bought were carefully, knowledgeably and accurately described. They were despatched at once in sturdy packaging with exceptionally clear labelling. Thank you, Stan!" And thank you Douglas Rogers!

Contact: americanmusic@stangee.co.uk ´phone Stan on 01642 478859 or Eve on 01642 490517

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