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Knutsen Harp Guitar
This much-discussed, mysterious and interesting discovery is a left-handed instrument
seemingly identical to Chris' own.
Close examination and comparison with HGT10 seems to show the exact same
fingerboard inlay (which would be nearly a first for Knutsen!).
Other features, like bass headstock inlay and binding, are washed out in the
1900 photo and all-but-impossible to tell.
The tuners could be explained by the probability of the end of the headstock
having cracked
off, necessitating new strangely-positioned friction tuners.
What's more, when the 1900 photo is computer enhanced, one can just make out the
same label - which features an earlier photograph of the family very similar to the famous JCHS family photograph.
BUT - Tom Noe and I agree that the binding on the body just doesn't match. No
matter how we enhance and study the 1900 photograph, we just can't see the same
pattern of light and dark marquetry.
If not for this slight difference in trim, one would think this was the
same guitar.
Any thoughts?
This important and fascinating instrument was purchased by an anonymous Knutsen relative.
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Click on a picture to
enlarge
(images
copyright Chris Wilhelm & Gregg Miner)
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Knutsen Archives Inventory Number |
HGT17 |
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Category |
Tacoma Harp Guitars (Port Townsend built) |
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Body Style |
"Symphony" |
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Current or last known owner |
anonymous |
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Year (approx) |
1898-1900 |
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Label |
"Family portrait"
& "THE ONE-ARM HARP GUITAR. |
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| Label Code | PT5 & PT7 | |
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Courses / Strings |
18 course: 6 strings on neck, 5 bass, 7 treble |
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Frets |
? |
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| Scale length | unknown | |
| Neck Joint | unknown | |
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Woods |
Top |
spruce? |
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Back & Sides |
unknown | |
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Neck |
unknown |
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Fingerboard |
unknown | |
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Bridge |
unknown | |
| Headstock veneer | unknown | |
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Binding, trim |
Top |
multi-colored wood, ivoroid |
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Back |
ivoroid | |
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Fingerboard |
ivoroid | |
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Headstock(s) |
bass: ivoroid | |
| Soundhole | 3 rings of multi-colored wood purfling | |
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Inlay |
fancy pearl fret markers. Extra inlay on bass headstock. Inlaid wood stripe on back of neck. | |
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Pickguard |
none |
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Comments |
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