Now at 80 King Street · Littleton MA 01460 · (978) 486-0112 · Interstate 495 Exit 30
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What's In Zach's Attic Today?

As of October 17th we have the following used and vintage instruments in Zach's Attic:

Click on one of these instruments or just scroll down for photos and more information.

Zach's Archives

Want to peek at the extraordinary range of cool and interesting instruments that have passed through Zach's Attic? Just click HERE!

Contributing to Zach's Attic

We're always looking for interesting used and vintage guitars, basses and other fretted instruments that need new homes. (Sorry, we don't accept used band instruments.)

If you have a used or vintage instrument that you think Zach might be interested in, bring it in and show it to him. (Call ahead to make sure he'll be in the store when you come.) If he likes your instrument we can work out a trade or buy it outright.

You can contact Zach by phone at the number above or via our Ask Us! page.

Our Guarantee

Buying a used or vintage instrument can be a scary process. If you don't know what you're looking for, you can easily overpay or end up with an inferior (or even unplayable) instrument.

When you buy a used or vintage instrument from The Minor Chord we guarantee it to be as described. If there are flaws in the instrument that we know about, we'll tell you. If there are significant flaws we didn't notice and disclose, tell us within 30 days and we'll cheerfully give you your money back.

The Minor Chord is a music store you can trust!

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Our Used and Vintage Instruments

Zach is our store manager and head instrument buyer. He hunts down the top quality used and vintage instruments that we feature here in "Zach's Attic".


Martin OM-21

Just in on trade, we are pleased to offer a long-time best-seller here at the store, the Martin OM-21. Classic wood combination of Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce. Excellent for fingerstyle with a great balance from lows to highs. The longer 25.4 inch scale allows the guitar to be driven a bit harder as well, holding up to heavy strum attacks. We always say the good stuff goes quick, if you're in the market for a barely used Martin, check this one out! $1,999.00 in Martin hardshell case.

The specs:

  • Made in Nazareth, PA in 2016
  • 000-14 fret body
  • Solid Sitka spruce top with aging toner
  • Solid Indian rosewood back and sides
  • Full gloss body
  • Scalloped X-bracing
  • Tortoise binding
  • Tortoise pickguard
  • Modified low oval neck shape with high-performance taper
  • Satin neck finish
  • Ebony bridge and fingerboard
  • M.O.P dot inlays
  • Bone nut and compensated bone saddle
  • 25.4 inch scale
  • 1-3/4 inch nut width
  • Butterbean nickel open gear tuners
  • Excellent condition
  • Martin hardcase included

Vintage 1979 Tokai Les Paul Reborn

One look at this beauty and you can see why these vintage Tokai Les Paul Reborns are well-regarded in the world. If you don't look closely at the headstock it's easy to be fooled that it's a Gibson. The cherry sunburst finish looks great on the maple top. Classic look of the pearl trapezoid inlays on the rosewood fretboard. The dual humbuckers have a nice broken in tone after all these years.

There's been some finish touch up on the back of the neck, already smoothed out and ready to rock! A great value for a vintage Les Paul style guitar from a heyday in Japanese building. Offered at $1,199.00 in hardcase.

The specs:

  • Made in Japan
  • LP-50 Model
  • Well-regarded copy of a Les Paul
  • Solid maple top in cherry sunburst
  • Solid mahogany body
  • Cream binding
  • Cream pickguard
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Pearl trapezoid inlays
  • 24.75 inch scale
  • 1-11/16 inch nut width
  • Two PAF-style humbuckers with chrome covers
  • Gold bell knobs
  • Two volume, two tone controls
  • 3-way selector switch
  • Stop tailpiece
  • ABR-1 style bridge
  • Vintage Kluson-style tuners
  • Very good condition
  • Hardcase included

Taylor GC3

Just in we have an easy playing and super comfortable Taylor GC3. The shorter scale is ideal for playing on either knee, and the 1-3/4 inch nut width is great for fingerstyle. Sapele and Sitka spruce are a solid combination that yields very nice tones. Taylor is known for their easy playability and with a fresh setup, this one is no exception. At some point there was a pickup that's been removed, only the end pin was replaced, no changes to the wood. Overall in excellent condition. Asking $849.00 in Taylor hardshell case.

The specs:

  • Made in El Cajon, CA
  • Grand Concert body style
  • Solid Sitka spruce gloss top
  • Solid sapele back and sides
  • Cream binding
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony bridge and fretboard
  • 24-7/8 inch scale
  • 1-3/4 inch nut width
  • Tusq nut and saddle
  • Chrome tuning machines
  • Excellent condition
  • Taylor hardcase included

Michael Kelly ST-AB4 'NA'

We've had a few Michael Kelly used instruments come through the Attic, here we have an excellent condition steel string acoustic bass. It's nice to have the option to be heard unplugged if you're just sitting around jamming or songwriting. The Fishman Classic 4 pickup system is now out of production but it does the job well with plenty of E.Q. tweaking if need be. With the cost and size of an upright bass, give this affordable more manageable ST-AB4 some thought. Offered at $399.00 in a hardshell case.

The specs:

  • Made in Korea
  • Acoustic steel string bass
  • Solid spruce top
  • Mahogany back and sides
  • Cream binding
  • Abalone rosette
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood bridge and fingerboard
  • Abalone dot inlays
  • Chrome tuning machines
  • Fishman Classic 4 system
  • Volume, bass, mid, treble, brilliance controls
  • Excellent condition
  • Hardshell case included

Fender Standard Stratocaster

Always pleased to get into the Attic another solid value Fender Std. Strat. This one dates to 1993 and has some years on it. There seems to be a bit of paint touchup possibly on the bottom of the guitar but overall it's in very good condition. Fresh setup for .010-.046 strings it certainly plays and sounds like a Strat should. Although this is not the famous Eric Clapton "Blackie" reissue by any means, it still conveys the look of his legendary Strat. With the price of new Fender guitars ever going up, these Std. series Fender instruments continue to be a great buy. Asking $449.00 including gig bag.

The specs:

  • Made in Mexico, 1993
  • Alder body in Black finish
  • 3-ply white pickguard
  • Maple neck and fretboard
  • Black dot inlays
  • 21 frets
  • 25.5 inch scale
  • C neck profile
  • 3 single coil pickups
  • 5-way selector switch
  • 1 volume, 2 tone controls
  • Chrome tuners
  • Whammy bar included
  • Very good condition
  • Gig bag included

Yamaha CSF1M 'VN'

Comfort, tone, price, and a sweet sounding passive pickup to plug in...You get all of that with this near mint condition Yamaha CSF1M in Vintage Natural. The parlor size body is ideal for light strumming and fingerstyle playing. This guitar has a nice solid feel and certainly sounds bigger than it looks. The shorter scale and slimmer nut width shouldn't be cumbersome to most players. With passive pickups, sure there's not as much E.Q. control, but there's a warm simplicity and balance to the sound plugged in that many folks seem to like. One local owner, originally sold here, asking $349.00 in a dedicated Yamaha hardbag.

The specs:

  • Parlor size body shape
  • Solid Sitka spruce top in vintage natural finish
  • Mahogany back and sides
  • Rosewood bridge and fingerboard
  • Dot inlays
  • Abalone rosette
  • 23-5/8 inch scale
  • 1-11/16 inch nut width
  • SRT Zero Impact passive pickup
  • Chrome tuning machines
  • 1 local owner, sold here originally
  • Near mint condition
  • Dedicated Yamaha hardbag included

Vintage 1980 Guild G-312 'NT' 12-String

We are very pleased to announce the arrival of another fantastic vintage made in R.I. Guild. This model dates to 1980 and is the 12-string version of the well-known D-50. There's a reason these don't come through too often...they sound great! The bright jangly sound is there but it also has a deep richness that Guild 12's are known for.

This guitar has had the same owner since 1982 and was maintained and cared for well. Couple very minor scuffs and finish checking but overall for 40 years old it looks and plays awesome. Asking $1,449.00 in hardshell case.

The specs:

  • Made in Westerly, R.I.
  • 12-String version of the D-50
  • Dreadnaught body shape
  • Rosewood back and sides
  • Sitka spruce top
  • Cream binding
  • Ebony bridge and fretboard
  • Mahogany neck
  • Pearl dot inlays
  • Black pickguard
  • 1-13/16 inch nut width
  • Schaller Guild chrome tuners
  • Chesterfield headstock logo
  • Excellent condition
  • Hardshell case included

Alvarez AJ-60 SC/12 'Nat' 12-String

Along with the Guild, we had another 12-string come through recently. This Alvarez AJ-60SC is a nice mid-level solid top 12 with plenty of volume. Lots of E.Q. options with the pickup system including phase and feedback control. The built in tuner is certainly a handy feature to have on a 12 string.

Looking to layer your acoustic sound or stand out from the 6-string crowd? Give this one some thought. $399.00 in Access hardbag.

The specs:

  • Made in Korea
  • Jumbo body shape with cutaway
  • Solid Engelmann spruce top
  • Laminate maple back and sides
  • Cream binding
  • Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard and bridge
  • 1-7/8 inch nut width
  • Abalone rosette
  • Black pickguard
  • Chrome tuners
  • System 600T MKII pickup with lots of E.Q. controls and built in tuner
  • Excellent condition
  • Access hardbag included

Samick 'Greg Bennett Design' LaSalle JZ4 Hollowbody

Grab your copy of the Real Book and jazz it up with this fantastic value Samick Lasalle JZ 4 in the classic amber finish. Set up with flatwound strings, it plays beautifully and is ready for it's next journey. The 17 inch lower bout gives it a nice unplugged acoustic sound with plenty of volume.

Plugged in, the Duncan Designed simple neck humbucker delivers the warm articulate sound one would expect. The volume and tone controls are always nearby being mounted on the pickguard.

Excellent condition, offered at $699 with hardshell case included.

The specs:

  • Full hollowbody in Amber finish
  • 17 inch lower bout
  • Arched quilted maple back and sides
  • Spruce top with two f-holes
  • Cream binding
  • Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Pearl block inlays
  • Jazz tailpiece
  • Rosewood adjustable bridge
  • 25-1/2 inch scale
  • 1-5/8 inch nut width
  • Single Duncan-designed neck humbucker
  • Tortoise pickguard with mounted controls
  • Single volume and tone controls, pickguard mounted
  • Grover tuning machines
  • Gold hardware
  • Excellent condition
  • Hardshell case included

Larrivee P-09 Custom

It's always nice to have a sweet pre-owned Larrivee come through the Attic, and this P-09 Custom is a fantastic little guitar. (A Larrivee P-09 famously went to space a while back...how cool!)

This is a fancier, limited-production P-09 with a gorgeous book-matched Adirondack spruce top and Indian rosewood back and sides. The maple body and neck binding contrasts nicely for the overall look. Super comfortable with its petite shape, and the 24-inch scale and 1-3/4 inch nut width should feel familiar to most.

Even though it's a parlour-sized guitar, it has a much warmer, bigger sound than you would expect.

This P-09 originally sold for over $3,000 new, and it's in near mint condition. We're asking $2,699, including the original deluxe hardshell case.

The specs:

  • Made in U.S.A.
  • Parlor body size
  • Solid Adirondack spruce top w/matching bracing
  • Sunburst finish
  • Solid Indian rosewood back and sides
  • Maple body and neck binding
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony bridge and fretboard
  • Abalone rosette
  • Tortoise pickguard
  • Bone nut and saddle
  • 1-3/4 inch nut width
  • 24 inch scale
  • 4 inch body depth
  • Larrivee 18:1 chrome tuners
  • Deluxe hardshell case included
  • Near mint condition

PRS S2 Mira

Lightweight, smooth, and it growls! Just in we have this PRS S2 Mira in the gloss black finish. The asymmetric shape sits comfortably against the body and under the right arm. The dual humbuckers are not super hi-gain rather have a nice warmth to them. Rock n' roll and bluesy tones are easy to dial in.

The controls are simple with the single volume and tone. The tone knob is a push/pull coil tap as well to thin out the pickup sounds. A couple minor scuffs but overall in excellent condition. $799.00 in PRS gig bag.

    PRICE DROP- Now $699.99!

The specs:

  • Made in U.S.A. in 2014
  • Dual cutaway, asymmetric body
  • Mahogany body in gloss black finish
  • 3-ply black pickguard
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fingerboard
  • White dot inlays
  • 25 inch scale
  • PRS locking tuners
  • PRS adjustable wraparound stoptail bridge with brass studs
  • Two PRS humbuckers
  • Volume and tone control
  • Coil tap push/pull on tone control
  • 3-way selector switch
  • PRS gig bag included

Common problems with used instruments

We see a lot of used instruments at The Minor Chord and a few common issues seem to show up in many of them. If you are thinking of buying an instrument on the private market, make sure you can spot these common flaws.

Lifting bridges

Most bridges on acoustic guitars are simply glued to the guitar top. If the glue joint starts to separate you are looking at a dangerous guitar. Six steel strings exert a huge tension on the bridge, and if it suddenly comes loose it can seriously injure anyone nearby. The staff at The Minor Chord has seen this happen - so we always inspect the bridge of an acoustic guitar before restringing it.

Piece of paper under a lifting bridge

Piece of paper under a lifting bridge

If you can slip a sheet of paper under the bridge of your guitar (see picture) you should relax the string tension immediately and bring the instrument to us for inspection.

An experienced luthier can remove a bridge and reglue it, but the time and labor involved makes the process too expensive for beginner and intermediate guitars.

High action

The distance between the strings and the fingerboard is called the action height. If the action is too high the guitar becomes hard (or even impossible) to play because it takes too much effort to press a string against the fingerboard. In addition, the guitar will probably not play in tune because each string has to be stretched so much (which raises its pitch) as it is pressed down.

Proper action height depends on two factors: The alignment of the neck and the height of the saddle (the point at which the strings rest on the bridge).

Electric and steel-string acoustic guitars usually have a truss rod running down the neck that can be used to adjust neck alignment. Classical-style guitars with nylon strings typically do not have a truss rod, and the only way to realign the neck is for a luthier to remove, shim and reinstall the neck - a major operation. The same operation is required on electrics or steel-string acoustics if the truss rod doesn't have enough available play to achieve the needed adjustment.

Saddle height is easily adjusted on electric guitars using a very small allen-head wrench. The saddles on acoustics and classical nylon strings may simply lift out of the bridge and can be shaved or shimmed to achieve the correct height. If these adjustments cannot bring the action height to a playable level, an expensive neck reset is required.

A low action height is desirable for easy playing but the action cannot be lowered so much that the strings start buzzing against the frets. Inexpensive guitars tend to have uneven frets, which means that the action height cannot be brought very low at all. Resetting or dressing the frets can even them up but it is a time consuming and expensive process, worthwhile only for valuable guitars.

All of these adjustments related to action height are fussy and interrelated. It's best to leave them to an experienced luthier, which means it is usually not economical to rescue an inexpensive guitar having these problems.