Knutsen Harp Guitar
This guitar is nearly identical to both HGP1 and HGP10 - both of which may be
Anderson-built instruments. Only the slightest difference in fret marker
placement and the scalloped fingerboard end appear to be different (the
surviving Anderson guitar has the same scalloped fingerboard end).
I asked the owner, Luca Lund, to describe the makeup of the various
"striped" inlay areas, as they looked incomplete.
He writes, "The bridge appears to be 5 pieces of wood that have been glued
together. My guess is rosewood and maple. This makes the two stripes that run
perpendicular to the strings. The cross stripes (parallel to the strings) are
channeled down around 1/8" or so with the maple stripes inlayed into the
channels" (Note: this appears identical to HGP1 [top bridge in this
photo] - GM). "The stripes on the fingerboard are inlayed. It looks
like the same type of setup as the bridge. Five pieces of wood laminated
together forming the two light stripes. In my photos, the areas that look
"worn off" actually are just areas where the wood is aged or dirty. On
close examination of the neck, it too appears to be three pieces, with a maple
stripe down the middle. The top surface of the headstock is a veneer so the
maple stripe can't be seen on the front."
Luca also explains that there is no back center seam, but a "striped"
area that looks more like a glue or putty-like filler.
As for provenance, "It was my great grandmother's guitar. She gave
it to my dad thinking he was the only one who'd play it (he
played the piano and the uke), but he never did. I know he's spoken of listening to his grandma playing
old Norwegian folks songs on it. Dad gave it to me when I was a teenager and I've had it ever
since.
The guitar hasn't gone very far from where it was manufactured. I live in Everett, Washington as did my great
grandma. Port Townsend isn't too far from here."
Color photos coming soon.
Click on a picture to
enlarge
(images copyright Luca Lund)
Knutsen Archives Inventory Number |
HGP19 |
|
Category |
Port Townsend Harp Guitars |
|
Body Style |
"1896 patent" |
|
Current or last known owner |
Luca Lund |
|
Year (approx) |
1896-1897 | |
Label |
MANUFACTURED BY |
|
Label Code | PT2 | |
Courses / Strings |
6 course: 6 strings on neck |
|
Frets |
straight | |
Scale length | 25-1/4" | |
Neck Joint | heel | |
Woods |
Top |
spruce? |
Back & Sides |
mahogany | |
Neck |
unknown |
|
Fingerboard |
unknown | |
Bridge |
rosewood with maple strips and inlay | |
Headstock veneer | unknown | |
Binding, trim |
Top |
none |
Back |
none | |
Fingerboard |
2 inlaid maple stripes | |
Headstock(s) |
none | |
Soundhole | 3 rings (1 herringbone) | |
Inlay |
dot fret markers | |
Pickguard |
none |
|
Comments |
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