Knutsen Harp Guitar
Other than replaced tuners and a couple of minor repairs,
this slightly later-built "1898 Patent-style" harp guitar is in great
original condition. It is also a very nice, fancier model. It has unique binding
both around the soundhole, and around the top. The owner (a luthier)
states that the back and sides are "a South American rosewood of some
sort; my best guess would be Guatemalan Rosewood (Dalbergia -cubilquitensis) or
Granadillo. It has very attractive back and sides; sides are very well quartered
and the back amazingly is all one piece - no center joint. It is quartered at
the edges and very flat sawn in the center indicating a slab cut from the edge
of a large tree." He adds that the "top is "X"
braced, original, very resonant., and structurally sound."
Knutsen harp guitars with rosewood back and sides are extremely rare.
Note the strange, cone-shaped heel "nub."
Click on a picture to
enlarge
(images copyright Peter Allan Sawchyn)
Knutsen Archives Inventory Number |
HGP27 |
|
Category |
Port Townsend Harp Guitars |
|
Body Style |
"1898 patent" |
|
Current or last known owner |
Peter Allan Sawchyn |
|
Year (approx) |
1898-1900 |
|
Label |
PT5 |
|
Courses / Strings |
9 course: 6 strings on neck, 3 bass |
|
Frets |
straight |
|
Scale length | 24-3/8" | |
Neck Joint | slight nub of a heel | |
Woods |
Top |
spruce |
Back & Sides |
rosewood (Granadillo?) | |
Neck |
walnut |
|
Fingerboard |
rosewood (Granadillo?) |
|
Bridge |
rosewood (Granadillo?) |
|
Headstock veneer | none | |
Binding, trim |
Top |
ivoroid, red, white & black marquetry in a small block pattern (not herringbone, doesn't match rosette) |
Back |
none |
|
Fingerboard |
none |
|
Headstock(s) |
none |
|
Soundhole | 3 rings, center ring of Herringbone, Matching endpiece of Herringbone | |
Inlay |
fancy pearl inlays |
|
Pickguard |
none |
|
Comments |
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