Knutsen Harp Taropatch 

Wow! A third surviving harp taropatch, and this one is completely different from the two previous larger instruments.
This one is closer to what would become the "traditional" size of American taropatch: 25" long, with upper bout of 6-7/8", lower bout at 8" wide, and the body 2-1/4" deep. The scale length is 14-3/8", much closer to the standard ukulele scale (between 13-1/2"-14"), and a lot shorter than the 16-1/2" scale of the others. This is the first harp taropatch found with a label - the "Patent Applied For" label I date anywhere from 1909 to 1914. The trim (rope top and soundhole) is like the harp ukes, rather than the other two uniquely-appointed taro's. The far right image shows size comparison with the previous specimen #HT3, my harp uke (#HU16), and this instrument (#HT4)

ht4.jpg (45522 bytes) ht4label.jpg (74940 bytes) ht4side.jpg (32148 bytes) ht4back.jpg (58901 bytes) ht4sizecompare.jpg (56121 bytes)

Click on a picture to enlarge
(images copyright anonymous owner)

Knutsen Archives Inventory Number

HT4

                 Category

Harp Taropatches

                 Body Style

"Standard"

                 Current or last known owner

anonymous

                 Year (approx)

1909-1914

                 Label

Patent Applied For

                 Label Code SE3

                 Courses / Strings

4 course: 8 strings

                 Scale length

14-3/8"

Woods

Top

koa

Back & Sides

koa

Neck

koa?

Fingerboard

none (one-piece neck/fingerboard)

Bridge

unknown

Headstock veneer

none

Binding, trim

Top

rope

Back

none

Fingerboard

none

Headstock(s)

none

Soundhole

rope

                 Inlay

2 dot fret markers. 

                 Pickguard

none

                 Comments

 

 

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