Knutsen Harp Guitar
This incredible instrument from an equally incredible vintage
advertising image is a second Knutsen "harp-12-string!" That is, the
main neck features 6 pairs of strings like a standard twelve-string guitar,
along with 5 extra basses. As one of only four Knutsen "Double
Points," it is such an unusual, distinctive instrument that I was sure we
had found a period photo of HGS26, the existing
12-string (heavily restored, so we had some guesswork involved). After obtaining
a very high resolution scan from the University of Iowa, one could make out the
differences: a longer headstock, different bass tuner configuration, and a
different 3rd fret inlay. It also has a distinctive inlaid pickguard, but as
HGS26 had its top replaced, there is no way to compare that feature (assuming it
had one also).
The guitar player is a member of the Joseph Kekuku Quintet (Kekuku of course
being the legendary inventor of the steel guitar, according to most historians).
See also Historical
Photos.
Click on a picture to
enlarge |
Knutsen Archives Inventory Number |
HGS39 |
|
Category |
Seattle Harp Guitars |
|
Body Style |
"Lower Bass Point" |
|
Current or last known owner |
Joseph Kekuku's guitar player |
|
Year (approx) |
1913-1914 |
|
Label |
unknown |
|
Courses / Strings |
11-course: 12 strings on neck, 5 bass | |
Frets |
straight |
|
Scale length | unknown | |
Neck Joint | unknown | |
Woods |
Top |
black |
Back & Sides |
unknown | |
Neck |
unknown | |
Fingerboard |
unknown |
|
Bridge |
unknown | |
Headstock veneer | unknown | |
Binding, trim |
Top |
difficult to identify |
Back |
ivoroid? | |
Fingerboard |
ivoroid? | |
Headstock(s) |
none | |
Soundhole | rope | |
Inlay |
fancy fret markers and inlay in headstock | |
Pickguard |
black? with fancy inlay |
|
Comments |
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