Knutsen Harp Guitar
This is a wonderful find, and is unique in so many ways!
First, and most obvious, it's a left-handed guitar (and lefty harp guitars look
so much stranger because of the arm switching sides!).
Next, is the rare, unusual "Double Point" body - one of only four known.
Then the size, and scale length (probably 19", the standard 3/4 size), which puts the bridge all the way up to
the soundhole(?!) on this parlor-sized instrument.
And once again Knutsen's strange stringing arrangement - seven strings on the neck, with the
"g" string doubled.
And finally, as ungainly and strange as it first appears, it's a gorgeous, very
fancy instrument - wonderful inlay and trim throughout. Note the herringbone
strip on the back of the neck, with an extra inlay accent at the end!
11/2002: Tragically, this instrument was recently destroyed in a fire at the shop where it was on display.
Click on a picture to
enlarge
(images copyright Tom Noe)
Knutsen Archives Inventory Number |
HGS25 |
|
Category |
Seattle Harp Guitars |
|
Body Style |
"Double Point" |
|
Current or last known owner |
Bischofberger Violin Shop |
|
Year (approx) |
1906-1908 | |
Label |
C. Knutsen Sole Patentee of the Harp guitar with 11 strings. The five extra bass strings are tuned to D, C, B, A and G one octave lower than regular pitch. | |
Label Code | SE1 | |
Courses / Strings |
18 course: 7 strings on neck (G doubled), 5 bass, 7 treble | |
Frets |
straight | |
Scale length | ~19" | |
Neck Joint | no heel | |
Woods |
Top |
spruce? |
Back & Sides |
unknown | |
Neck |
unknown | |
Fingerboard |
unknown | |
Bridge |
unknown | |
Headstock veneer | unknown | |
Binding, trim |
Top |
fancy wood purfling, ivoroid? |
Back |
fancy wood purfling, ivoroid? | |
Fingerboard |
ivoroid? | |
Headstock(s) |
ivoroid? | |
Soundhole | 3 multi-colored rings | |
Inlay |
very fancy pearl fret markers and headstock inlay, wood and pearl inlay in back of neck | |
Pickguard |
none |
|
Comments |
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All Site Contents Copyright © Gregg Miner, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,2006. All Rights Reserved.
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