Knutsen Harp Guitar    

This instrument appears to be similar to the previous HGT15 - with unusual Brazilian rosewood back and sides.  Note the similar headstock shape with offset tuners.  With the same general look, woods, unusual "heel bulge" neck joint and label, it was undoubtedly done shortly after the other.  However, the old bass arm "kink" has been smoothed out already to that of the next generation of Symphony instruments.  It is somewhat less fancy, though it has a wonderful "3-ply" herringbone / multi-colored purfling / herringbone binding.

Click on a picture to enlarge
(images copyright and courtesy Groth Music)

Knutsen Archives Inventory Number

HGT57

                 Category

Tacoma Harp Guitars (Port Townsend built)

                 Body Style

"Symphony"

                 Current or last known owner

anonymous

              Year (approx)

1898-1899

                 Label

"The One-Arm Harp Guitar. Patented United States, England and Canada. Infringements will be prosecuted to the fullest extant."

                 Label Code PT5

                 Courses / Strings

11 course: 6 strings on neck, 5 bass

                 Frets

straight

                 Scale length unknown
                 Neck Joint heel bulge

Woods

Top

spruce

Back & Sides

Brazilian rosewood

Neck

mahogany?

Fingerboard

Brazilian rosewood?

Bridge

unknown
Headstock veneer mahogany? (bass)

Binding, trim

Top

multi-colored herringbone

Back

none

Fingerboard

none

Headstock(s)

none
Soundhole 3 wood rings (1 multi-colored)

                 Inlay

dot fret markers

                 Pickguard

none

                 Comments

 

 

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