Knutsen Hawaiian Guitar
This one finally came to ground again - thanks to alert Knutsen Archives reader Roma Baran for spotting it. My guess is that the back and sides are mahogany.
Here is what looks like a very nice Hawaiian with rope-bound top and back and a 16-1/2" wide body (as big as Knutsen was known to make them). Unfortunately, it has defied all attempts to be cataloged. It was sold in auction on Aug 8, 2005 for $1891. Though I put in repeated bids myself, the seller (who advertised this as a "5-string guitar"(?!) steadfastly refused to provide better images (either for the Archives or to a prospective buyer). To add insult to injury, the buyer informed the seller that they did not wish this instrument to be documented. It is a sad, but not uncommon fact, that many instruments seem to have value to their owners only if they are secreted away. As my readers know, plenty of Knutsen owners choose (and are given) anonymity on this site. I'm grateful to all of them that they realize the historical importance of each and every specimen.
(first 3 images copyright Lark Street Music, remainder from Goodwill Auctions)
.Knutsen Archives Inventory Number |
HW30 |
|
Category |
Hollow Neck Hawaiian Guitars |
|
Body Style |
"Weissenborn-shaped" |
|
Current or last known owner |
Goodwill Auctions > unknown > Lark Street Music |
|
Year (approx) |
1920-1927 or 1928. |
|
Label |
C. KNUTSEN Manufacturer of ALL KINDS OF STRINGED INSTRUMENTS |
|
Label Code | LA8 or LA9 | |
Courses / Strings |
6 strings |
|
Frets |
inlaid wood |
|
Scale length | unknown | |
Neck Joint | hollow, square, taper begins at about the first fret | |
Woods |
Top |
spruce? |
Back & Sides |
mahogany? |
|
Neck |
unknown |
|
Fingerboard |
unknown |
|
Bridge |
mahogany? |
|
Headstock veneer |
unknown |
|
Binding, trim |
Top |
rope |
Back |
rope | |
Fingerboard |
2 inlaid rope strips | |
Headstock(s) |
none |
|
Soundhole |
rope | |
Inlay |
dot fret markers | |
Pickguard |
black ? |
|
Dimensions | Upper Bout | |
Lower Bout | ~16-1/2" | |
Body at endpin | ~3"? | |
Comments |
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