Knutsen Harp Hawaiian Convertible Guitar    

Here's more evidence that these particular style guitars were geared toward the Hawaiian players: this one has only inlaid flush frets - so the convertible neck really has no useful function.
This one has a slightly different variation on the point - a slight carved bevel on the back.
The two rows of photos illustrate the problem of trying to determine (and present) the true color of these instruments. Most likely, the color lies somewhere in between.

hcp12b.jpg (14272 bytes) hcp12point.jpg (15201 bytes) hcp12pointback.jpg (13793 bytes) hcp12back.jpg (12148 bytes)
hcp12c.jpg (27020 bytes) hcp12bridge2.jpg (27686 bytes) hcp12head.jpg (19320 bytes) hcp12headback2.jpg (16950 bytes) hcp12back2.jpg (19334 bytes)

Click on a picture to enlarge
(
top row images copyright Gruhn Guitars, bottom row images copyright Ben Elder)

Knutsen Archives Inventory Number

HCP12

                 Category

Convertible Guitars

                 Body Style

"'Upper Treble Point' Harp Hawaiian"

                 Current or last known owner

Larry Carlson > Gruhn Guitars > Ben Harper

                 Year (approx)

1920-1927 or 1928. Possibly earlier (back to 1914?)

                 Label

large Temple St. label with top portion missing

                 Label Code LA8

                 Courses / Strings

13 course: 6 strings on neck, 3 bass, 4 treble

                 Frets

inlaid wood

                 Scale length unknown
                 Neck Joint convertible brackets

Woods

Top

koa or mahogany?

Back & Sides

koa or mahogany?

Neck

mahogany?

Fingerboard

unknown

Bridge

mahogany

Headstock veneer

none

Binding, trim

Top

maple?

Back

none

Fingerboard

single light wood stripes

Headstock(s)

none

Soundhole

rope

                 Inlay

dot fret markers

                 Pickguard

none

Dimensions Upper Bout  
Lower Bout  
Body at endpin  

                 Comments

Original high dark wood nut

 

To Hawaiian Guitars

Home

To Next Instrument

[Biographical] [Instruments] [Historical Photos]
[
Credits] [FAQ] [Bibliography] [Updates] [Links] [Contact]
[
Home (Knutsen Archives)] [Home (Harpguitars.net)

All Site Contents Copyright © Gregg Miner, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,2006. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright and Fair Use of material and use of images: See Copyright and Fair Use policy.