Knutsen Harp Guitar
Here's an intriguing instrument played at the 1909
Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle.
Judging by the guitar's proportions and the heights of the performers, this
seems to be a 3/4 size harp guitar (scale length 19-20").
The bass
headstock is the only one like it (type 1b), helping to clarify and verify
headstock evolution and dating.
It's a fancy model, with fancy fret markers, and a crescent moon and star in the
peghead. The back is bound also.
Thanks to the image I obtained from a high quality negative, we're able to see
incredible detail in a period Knutsen guitar photograph - including a fancy
pickguard. This is one of only three verifiable original pickguards on a Knutsen harp
guitar!
See
Knutsen Harp Guitar Evolution and Historical
Photos.
Click on a picture to
enlarge
(MSCUA, Univ. of Wash. Libraries, X1854)
Knutsen Archives Inventory Number |
HGS38 |
|
Category |
Seattle Harp Guitars |
|
Body Style |
"Lower Bass Point" |
|
Current or last known owner |
unknown player |
|
Year (approx) |
1907-1909 |
|
Label |
unknown |
|
Courses / Strings |
11 course: 6 strings on neck, 5 bass | |
Frets |
straight |
|
Scale length | unknown | |
Neck Joint | unknown | |
Woods |
Top |
unknown |
Back & Sides |
unknown | |
Neck |
unknown | |
Fingerboard |
unknown |
|
Bridge |
unknown | |
Headstock veneer | unknown | |
Binding, trim |
Top |
fancy wood purfling & ivoroid? |
Back |
ivoroid? | |
Fingerboard |
ivoroid? | |
Headstock(s) |
none | |
Soundhole | 3 rings (2 multi-colored purfling) | |
Inlay |
fancy fret markers and crescent moon &star in headstock | |
Pickguard |
black plastic? with fancy inlay |
|
Comments |
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