Knutsen Harp Taropatch
This is the first of only two known surviving
specimens of Knutsen's harp taropatch (a
double-course uke).
When this one sold on ebay in 2000 or 2001, I saw that it
was the same instrument that was pictured almost twenty years ago in Robert
Hartman's first book on the Larson
Brothers' instruments (pictured at right)!
Interesting that the binding on the top seems to match exactly the binding on
the two 1913-1914 Seattle "Harp Guitar Factory" guitars (HGS1 &
34). Similar multi-colored rope on the soundhole also!
So I'm going to guess that the date on this is likely the same.
It's the only uke with this trim seen so far (other than the second taropatch
found)
It also has an arched back, which few of the ukuleles are
known to have.
I never got the scale length yet on it, but I assume it is similar, if not
identical, to the HT3 (actually, a tenor scale). In fact, the instruments
were probably built concurrently - the wood grain on the backs match exactly!
Click on a picture to
enlarge
(4 left images copyright David Kalish,
right image Robert
C. Hartman)
Knutsen Archives Inventory Number |
HT1 |
|
Category |
Harp Taropatches |
|
Body Style |
"Standard" |
|
Current or last known owner |
Jimmy Kojiro > anonymous |
|
Year (approx) |
1913-1914 |
|
Label |
none |
|
Courses / Strings |
4 course: 8 strings |
|
Scale length |
unknown (presumed 16-1/2") |
|
Woods |
Top |
koa |
Back & Sides |
koa |
|
Neck |
unknown |
|
Fingerboard |
unknown |
|
Bridge |
unknown |
|
Headstock veneer |
unknown |
|
Binding, trim |
Top |
maple/red-dyed wood/maple? |
Back |
none |
|
Fingerboard |
none |
|
Headstock(s) |
none |
|
Soundhole |
multi-colored rope and 2 pearl dots |
|
Inlay |
no fret markers |
|
Pickguard |
none |
|
Comments |
Pictured in "Guitars and Mandolins in America" by R.C. Hartman, p.110. Thanks to Andy Roth for sending in the new images. |
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