Knutsen Harp Guitar
This is a curious instrument that definitely requires further
inspection!
Readers should first be aware of the story of Otto Anderson - as this instrument
is owned by a relative of Otto.
The assumption is that this would be one of the personal guitars that Otto built
for his family. And in fact, it does have a custom feature - the unusual
"one-off" bass headstock. This headstock doesn't remotely match any of
Knutsen's others, nor does it quite fit the very linear "Darwinian"
evolutionary progression of Knutsen's bass headstock designs.
Yet in all other aspects, it appears to be a typical early-mid Seattle-era
Knutsen - including the straight fingerboard end, rather than Anderson's
double-scalloped design. One photo even shows what is clearly a label. While we await more
information and evidence of this label, I can only speculate that Otto would not
have put a Knutsen label in a guitar intended for one of his children.
Then there is the time frame. The characteristics place this instrument around 1907-1909 - long after we believe Otto was working for
Knutsen. It is certainly possible that the two kept in contact (Anderson
displayed furniture at the 1909 AYP Expo in Seattle, which
Knutsen certainly attended) - or even that Anderson's involvement lasted for
many years. A whole host of new questions arise when confronted with this
instrument! I hope we are able to gain access to the guitar for further study.
The label and the presence or lack of a heel would probably clear up some
questions.
Click on a picture to
enlarge
(image copyright anonymous owner)
Knutsen Archives Inventory Number |
HGS58 |
|
Category |
Seattle Harp Guitars |
|
Body Style |
"Lower Bass Point" |
|
Current or last known owner |
unknown player |
|
Year (approx) |
1907-1909 |
|
Label |
unknown |
|
Courses / Strings |
11 course: 6 strings on neck, 5 bass | |
Frets |
straight |
|
Scale length | unknown | |
Neck Joint | unknown | |
Woods |
Top |
unknown |
Back & Sides |
unknown | |
Neck |
unknown | |
Fingerboard |
unknown |
|
Bridge |
unknown | |
Headstock veneer | unknown | |
Binding, trim |
Top |
fancy wood purfling & ivoroid? |
Back |
ivoroid? | |
Fingerboard |
ivoroid? | |
Headstock(s) |
none | |
Soundhole | 3 rings (2 multi-colored purfling) | |
Inlay |
fancy fret markers and crescent moon &star in headstock | |
Pickguard |
black plastic? with fancy inlay |
|
Comments |
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