Gryphon Strings

Gryphon Strings Gryphon offers a wide variety of new and used acoustic and electric guitars, banjos, mandolins and ukuleles.

Sales, rentals & repair of new, used & vintage instruments, from acoustic and electric guitars to mandolins, ukuleles, and banjos. Plus in-store events, music classes and special workshops.

In the last several decades we've been privileged to see more than our share of incredibly clean and original vintage gu...
09/28/2026

In the last several decades we've been privileged to see more than our share of incredibly clean and original vintage guitars, but when it comes to Gibson electrics, this 1956 ES-140 3/4 sets a new and higher bar. From the headstock to the tailpiece, and including the frets and the P-90 pole pieces between those points at the opposite end of each string, this little Gibson looks and feels like a condition-fanatic's dream. Comes with its brown Lifton case, which is as exceptional as the guitar, and the guitar's original hang tag is in the pocket.

More info here: https://www.gryphonstrings.com/products/1956-gibson-es-140-3-4-size-electric-archtop-used-26540

Thanks to a recent refret this 1955 Gibson L-7C plays like a new guitar, and delivers plenty of volume with excellent st...
09/22/2026

Thanks to a recent refret this 1955 Gibson L-7C plays like a new guitar, and delivers plenty of volume with excellent string balance and clarity. The finish is original throughout, and we can't find any cracks anywhere. This guitar has the mid-'50s "C/D shape" neck profile that gives Gibson fanatics the shivers, and after playing it for just a few minutes you'll see why.

More info here: https://www.gryphonstrings.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/1955-gibson-l-7c-natural-acoustic-archtop-guitar-used-26552

It's Mandolin Monday! This 1923 Gibson A2-Z mandolin has a long list of desirable features earlier A models lack: a more...
09/14/2026

It's Mandolin Monday! This 1923 Gibson A2-Z mandolin has a long list of desirable features earlier A models lack: a more narrow fingerboard, snakehead headstock, maple back and sides, and an adjustable truss rod.

This example is all original, except for new frets and a replacement tailpiece in the proper style. If you like oval-soundhole tone but find Gibson's earlier A models a bit lacking, this A2-Z will bring a smile.

More info here: https://www.gryphonstrings.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/1923-gibson-a-2z-mandolin-used-26407

Mandolin Cafe

In over 55 years of dealing with vintage fretted instruments, we've never had a Gibson ukulele in this pristine level of...
09/11/2026

In over 55 years of dealing with vintage fretted instruments, we've never had a Gibson ukulele in this pristine level of condition. Original throughout (except for strings), this Style 3 has only the lightest signs of being strummed, and it has also been stored without exposure to UV, so the colors are vivid and rich throughout (note the colors of the marquetry soundhole rosette).

Update: SOLD! 🔥

We're always excited when we get an instrument from the 19th century like this Martin 1-26, which was built in Nazareth ...
09/09/2026

We're always excited when we get an instrument from the 19th century like this Martin 1-26, which was built in Nazareth around 1870. In Martin's first price list, consolidated in the 1860s, this guitar was listed as a "1-26", the model code deriving from the size followed by its earlier wholesale price. (The style 26 is basically a style 28 but with "half-herringbone" purfling around the top.)

Today, guitars like this are often used by songwriters who tend to keep them handy, hanging on a wall or stashed safely in a corner, ready to be tucked under the player's arm when inspiration strikes. They're extremely lightweight and are easy to play (imagine a rosewood guitar weighing a mere 2 3/4 lbs!). An added benefit with a guitar this old is that it makes you feel much younger!

Update: SOLD! 🔥

Gryphon would like to thank our friend Alex Mayers for his work in our repair department for the better part of the last...
09/08/2026

Gryphon would like to thank our friend Alex Mayers for his work in our repair department for the better part of the last 13 years. We wish him well on his next chapter, which we're told will include playing more music and spending time outdoors. We will miss his reliability, dedication, and most of all his (terrible) jokes!!

Thanks for everything, Mayers!

This Collings SJ was originally ordered by us in 2003, and is still in excellent condition. The SJ model is Collings’ ve...
09/08/2026

This Collings SJ was originally ordered by us in 2003, and is still in excellent condition. The SJ model is Collings’ version of the Small Jumbo, similar to the models that the Everly Brothers played. Unlike their more typical maple back and sides, this one was ordered with Indian Rosewood back and sides, which gives it a lot of low-end and lush overtones. This guitar has tons of clarity, and the broken-in woodiness you’d expect out of a 23-year-old guitar.

More info here: https://www.gryphonstrings.com/collections/instruments/products/2003-collings-sj-rosewood-steel-string-acoustic-guitar-used-25447

Our next batch of eBay auctions ends this Sunday and the coolest item is a rare Nightingale double-top "patent guitar" m...
08/28/2026

Our next batch of eBay auctions ends this Sunday and the coolest item is a rare Nightingale double-top "patent guitar" made in the 1890s. The Nightingale patent, issued in 1893, was for a guitar with a second spruce soundboard suspended between the standard guitar top and back. This second soundboard has a soundhole with a tube that points up to the main soundhole. We've only seen a couple of these over the decades so who knows when we'll see another one.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/820028411294

Sometimes called the "Baby D-45", this is a fine example of one of the most rare Style 45 Martin models. Special models ...
08/21/2026

Sometimes called the "Baby D-45", this is a fine example of one of the most rare Style 45 Martin models. Special models made for the Ditson stores in NYC and Boston dominated Martin's guitar production in 1918 & '19, but only a batch of four 1-45 models in the unique Ditson shape like this one were made and all were shipped in late July, 1919.

Despite the appearance of being a fragile antique, this is a very playable vintage Martin guitar with remarkable tone for its size. One of its 3 litter-mates is in the Martin Museum, and was mentioned in Mike Longworth's early edition of "Martin Guitars, A History".

More info here: https://www.gryphonstrings.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/1919-ditson-martin-1-45-baby-45-acoustic-guitar-used-26355

Address

211 Lambert Avenue
Palo Alto, CA
94306

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10:30am - 6pm
Wednesday 10:30am - 6pm
Thursday 10:30am - 6pm
Friday 10:30am - 6pm

Telephone

(650) 493-2131

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