Knutsen "Teardrop" Hawaiian Guitar
This is a fascinating instrument. A rare "teardrop," it has some unusual "crude" features. If the tuners look a bit odd and "cute" from the front it is because Knutsen used mandolin tuners, chopping off the 4th tuner from each side! The back and sides appear to be made of fairly thick mahogany laminate - as if from a piece of veneered furniture (a favorite Knutsen source). This can be seen in the missing chipped section on the back. This is a very deep instrument - just under 4-1/2" - with a hollow neck all the way to the headstock. It is the first seen with a 1600 Temple St. label. While we don't know exactly when the famous 1542 Temple St. address began, we know that Knutsen was listed at this address for only one year - in 1916.
(images copyright Gregg Miner)
Knutsen Archives Inventory Number |
HTD3 |
|
Category |
Hollow Neck Hawaiian Guitars |
|
Body Style |
"Teardrop-shaped" |
|
Current or last known owner |
Josh Weisman > anonymous |
|
Year (approx) |
c.1916 | |
Label |
C. Knutsen, 1600 Temple St. Los Angeles |
|
Label Code | LA5-1/2 | |
Courses / Strings |
6 strings |
|
Frets |
inlaid | |
Scale length | 25-3/8" | |
Neck Joint | taper begins just after nut | |
Woods |
Top |
koa |
Back & Sides |
mahogany veneer? |
|
Neck |
fir |
|
Fingerboard |
dyed ? |
|
Bridge |
mahogany |
|
Headstock veneer | none | |
Binding, trim |
Top |
pearwood? blonde/black/blonde |
Back |
none |
|
Fingerboard |
none |
|
Headstock(s) |
none | |
Soundhole | multi-colored rope | |
Inlay |
celluloid fret markers |
|
Pickguard |
none |
|
Dimensions | Upper Bout | |
Lower Bout | 15-13/16" | |
Body at endpin | 4-7/16", 3-1/4" at nut | |
Comments |
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All Site Contents Copyright © Gregg Miner, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,2006,2007,2008. All Rights Reserved.
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