Knutsen Harp Guitar    

This is an incredible find!
Pictured in the recently discovered photograph from the collection of the Jefferson County Historical Society, it is the only instrument known with the exact appearance of the 1896 patent - complete with the "moon and heart" soundholes!
Unknown is whether another soundhole like either of the two patent drawings is hidden by the players hand.
For years, many of us have wondered why both patents showed these unique soundholes, if none were ever made.
Now to only find an intact specimen!
Dec, 2002: Note the double-scallop at the end of the fingerboard. No other Knutsen was known with this feature - until the Anderson built HGP15 was discovered.

hgp11.jpg (22500 bytes)

Click on left picture to enlarge
(image copyright Jefferson County Historical Society. Used by special license)

Knutsen Archives Inventory Number

HGP11

                 Category

Port Townsend Harp Guitars

                 Body Style

"1896 patent"

                 Current or last known owner

unknown gentleman

                 Year (approx)

1895-1896

                 Label

unknown

                 Courses / Strings

6 strings

                 Frets

straight

                 Scale length unknown
                 Neck Joint unknown

Woods

Top

unknown

Back & Sides

unknown

Neck

unknown

Fingerboard

unknown

Bridge

unknown

Headstock veneer none

Binding, trim

Top

none

Back

unknown

Fingerboard

2 wood stripes

Headstock(s)

none

Soundhole none?

                 Inlay

wood stripes on bridge also?

                 Pickguard

none

                 Comments

Moon and heart-shaped soundholes like the patent! Pictured on cover of the JCHS pamphlet.

 

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