Knutsen Harp Guitar    

Here is an unusual newly discovered specimen.  Eight sub-bass strings, for a new record!  It also has an inlaid pickguard - typical Knutsen, but for steel guitars and mandolins, not harp guitars.  Fancy multi-colored rope binding, with a bound back and fingerboard.  Probable original case.

I was able to acquire this remarkable find in 2014 and verify its measurements: 46-1/2" total length, 18-7/8" wide!, 4-5/8" deep.  Despite its appearance, it has a (just over) standard scale at 25-3/4".  The basses sound incredible (the instrument appears on my 2017 CD Norwegian Wood).

Click on a picture to enlarge
(images copyright Rob Meinhardt)

Knutsen Archives Inventory Number

HGS73

                 Category

Seattle Harp Guitars

                 Body Style

"Lower Bass Point"

                 Current or last known owner

Rob Meinhardt > Gregg Miner

              Year (approx)

1911-1913

                 Label

"C. Knutsen, Sole Patentee of the 11-string harp guitar"

                 Label Code SE2

                 Courses / Strings

11 course: 6 strings on neck, 5 bass

               Frets

straight

                 Scale length 25-3/4"
                 Neck Joint bracket, no heel

Woods

Top

spruce

Back & Sides

mahogany

Neck

mahogany

Fingerboard

unknown

Bridge

mahogany
Headstock veneer mahogany

Binding, trim

Top

multi-colored rope

Back

blonde wood

Fingerboard

ivoroid

Headstock(s)

none
Soundhole multi-colored rope

                 Inlay

fancy pearl fret markers

                 Pickguard

inlaid black plastic (?) with inlays

                 Comments

 

 

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