Knutsen Harp Guitar
In the Noe/Most book (left image), the tuners have been
removed. In the right two pictures we see the original tuners - as Dan Most
said, 7 on the neck. As in the other 7-string variations, the "g"
string is doubled. Dan also stated that there are six bass strings. There
are some marks on the front and back of the headstock that suggest a 6th
tuner of some type may have been present at one time - but I suspect it was
originally just the five strings, like all the harp guitars of this style. So,
with one less bass string, and a doubled "g" string, this is really a
standard 18-course instrument (rather than the 20 which the book leads one to
believe).
Additional photos and information can be found in From
Harp Guitars to the New Hawaiian Family by Noe & Most.
(left image copyright Tom Noe, right 2 images copyright Kerry Char)
Knutsen Archives Inventory Number |
HGS8 |
|
Category |
Seattle Harp Guitars |
|
Body Style |
"Lower Bass Point" |
|
Current or last known owner |
Dan Most Estate |
|
Year (approx) |
1912 |
|
Label |
"C. Knutsen, Sole Patentee of the 11-string harp guitar" in red letters |
|
Label Code | SE2 | |
Courses / Strings |
18 course: 7 strings on neck (G doubled), 5 bass, 7 treble |
|
Frets |
straight |
|
Scale length | unknown | |
Neck Joint | unknown | |
Woods |
Top |
black-painted spruce |
Back & Sides |
mahogany |
|
Neck |
unknown |
|
Fingerboard |
walnut |
|
Bridge |
walnut |
|
Headstock veneer | unknown | |
Binding, trim |
Top |
multi-colored wood |
Back |
ivoroid | |
Fingerboard |
rope, ivoroid |
|
Headstock(s) |
none |
|
Soundhole | rope | |
Inlay |
fancy pearl fret markers, diamond in headstock |
|
Pickguard |
none |
|
Comments |
(Noe/Most, p.73) |
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