Knutsen Hawaiian Guitar HW30

This one finally came to ground again - thanks to alert Knutsen Archives reader Roma Baran for spotting it. My guess is that the back and sides are mahogany.

Here is what looks like a very nice Hawaiian with rope-bound top and back and a 16-1/2" wide body (as big as Knutsen was known to make them). Unfortunately, it has defied all attempts to be cataloged. It was sold in auction on Aug 8, 2005 for $1891. Though I put in repeated bids myself, the seller (who advertised this as a "5-string guitar"(?!) steadfastly refused to provide better images (either for the Archives or to a prospective buyer). To add insult to injury, the buyer informed the seller that they did not wish this instrument to be documented. It is a sad, but not uncommon fact, that many instruments seem to have value to their owners only if they are secreted away. As my readers know, plenty of Knutsen owners choose (and are given) anonymity on this site. I'm grateful to all of them that they realize the historical importance of each and every specimen.

.Knutsen Archives Inventory Number		HW30
Category		Hollow Neck Hawaiian Guitars
Body Style		"Weissenborn-shaped"
Current or last known owner		Goodwill Auctions > unknown > Lark Street Music
Year (approx)		1920-1927 or 1928.
Label		C. KNUTSEN Manufacturer of ALL KINDS OF STRINGED INSTRUMENTS
Label Code		LA8 or LA9
Courses / Strings		6 strings
Frets		inlaid wood
Scale length		unknown
Neck Joint		hollow, square, taper begins at about the first fret
Woods	Top	spruce?
	Back & Sides	mahogany?
	Neck	unknown
	Fingerboard	unknown
	Bridge	mahogany?
	Headstock veneer	unknown
Binding, trim	Top	rope
	Back	rope
	Fingerboard	2 inlaid rope strips
	Headstock(s)	none
	Soundhole	rope
Inlay		dot fret markers
Pickguard		black ?
Dimensions	Upper Bout
	Lower Bout	~16-1/2"
	Body at endpin	~3"?
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