Maurer / Larson Brothers Picasso Harp Guitar

Larson Brothers Maurer and Stahl 1912 Patent Harp Guitars

by Gregg Miner

Updated September 2025

This page includes all the specimens and images I have found of the distinctive "Picasso" harp guitars. It is now clear that there were two distinct body shapes. Type 1 is similar to the patent drawing (with the necks slightly diverged) and is seen in double-neck versions and hollow bass neck versions. Type 2 is very similar, but does away with the larger bass body protrusion. Some have the Maurer label (or were presented with that assumption) and at least two have a Stahl label or stamp.

Strangely, not all of these actually have the internal "parlor guitar" inside (I know - why build such a thing without the patent inner body?!). My recent conclusion is that the internal body specimens were made specifically for William Stahl, and the non-internal body instruments were labeled "Maurer." In other words, the Larsons made both shapes for themselves under their Maurer brand, but were prevented from including the internal body by an agreement or contract with Stahl who wanted an exclusive. I realized this while writing my article Walter A. Boehm, the Gibson Harp Guitar and Their Influence on America's BMG Community.

Here are the two different body shapes of thec.1909-c.1912 Larson brothers harp guitars marked "Maurer." I’ve added the hypothetical hidden 6-string body as an overlay.

The one on the left matches the patent illustration exactly, yet has no internal body; it merely has the shape.

The one on the right is no less odd and unattractive, and this particular specimen was once rumored to have had the internal body (since found to be a mistake).

Not only does its lower bout curve not aesthetically lend itself to it, but the inner sidewall would appear through the bass soundhole if it was present (and it does not.)

These two specimens were acquired by a friend of mine in 2010, which I blogged about here.

Maurer branded instruments (or suspected)

None have the internal body.

Note that this entire row has 6 sub-bass strings.

The Patent was filed on June 2, 1909 but not granted until April 2, 1912. Unmarked instruments might thus have been built anytime within this general timeframe. The blacktop Stahl below has the Patent Date stamp, so was built after this date.

This specimen appears to be most consistent with the patent design (though no internal body) with slightly diverged necks.

The bass side of the body is increased. The arms arm slightly diverged.

The lower body differentiation is eliminated. The bass side is again large. A fancier bridge is used. The body proportions may be partially due to camera angle.

The necks are parallel or inclined towards each other.

The necks are slightly diverged.

The necks are quite diverged.

Larson-built 1912-patent-style harp guitars that we find marked “WM. C. STAHL” are a different beast altogether.

At right are the two known extant specimens and a historical "attributed" specimen.

The left instrument (let's call it Stahl #1) is totally unique with its fully custom sub-bass head and a hollow arm.

Stahl #2, the middle black-top instrument that I own is one I believe was specifically meant to offer a customer a Larson-built version of the popular Gibson (note its ten sub-basses. I provide more detail in my Boehm article).

Suspected Stahl #3, known only from a single historical image, is one I presume to be a Stahl also, as it has a long hollow bass “neck” like the unique extant Stahl next to it.

So far, no Stahl has six sub-basses. Instead, these specimens have 8, 12, and 10. Thus, I also suspect that the 12-bass specimen had the internal body.

Stahl branded instruments (or suspected)
Stahl branded instruments (or suspected)	Are all Stahl patent harp guitars custom?! 8 sub-bass strings with very custom tuners on a marvelous headstock. The "necks" are diverged. Internal sound chamber, Stahl label.	A custom Stahl with 10 sub-basses, obviously inspired by the Gibson. It has the internal body. This one has the Apr 2 1912 stamp, so was built after that date. See: The One That Almost Got Away	The lower body again follows the "guitar-within-a-guitar" outline. The bass side body profile is close to the original patent, but extends in a hollow arm, as in Dyers and Knutsens. 12 sub-bass strings - though I don't know where they hid the tuners! The "necks" are parallel.

Stahl #1: The Stahl label appears in the hollow arm. No patent stamp appears, which is why Bob Hartman has dated this "circa 1909" (when the patent was filed).

Stahl #2: The Gibson-style instrument has the "WM. C. STAHL" hot stamp and patent stamp on the inside of the 6-string body's back, thus was built after the patent was granted.