Knutsen 1898 Patent Harp Guitar HGP27

Other than replaced tuners and a couple of minor repairs, this slightly later-built "1898 Patent-style" harp guitar is in great original condition. It is also a very nice, fancier model. It has unique binding both around the soundhole, and around the top. The owner (a luthier) states that the back and sides are "a South American rosewood of some sort; my best guess would be Guatemalan Rosewood (Dalbergia -cubilquitensis) or Granadillo. It has very attractive back and sides; sides are very well quartered and the back amazingly is all one piece - no center joint. It is quartered at the edges and very flat sawn in the center indicating a slab cut from the edge of a large tree." He adds that the "top is "X" braced, original, very resonant., and structurally sound."
Knutsen harp guitars with rosewood back and sides are extremely rare.
Note the strange, cone-shaped heel "nub."

Knutsen Archives Inventory Number		HGP27
Category		Port Townsend Harp Guitars
Body Style		"1898 patent"
Current or last known owner		Peter Allan Sawchyn
Year (approx)		1898-1900
Label		PT5
Courses / Strings		9 course: 6 strings on neck, 3 bass
Frets		straight
Scale length		24-3/8"
Neck Joint		slight nub of a heel
Woods	Top	spruce
	Back & Sides	rosewood (Granadillo?)
	Neck	walnut
	Fingerboard	rosewood (Granadillo?)
	Bridge	rosewood (Granadillo?)
	Headstock veneer	none
Binding, trim	Top	ivoroid, red, white & black marquetry in a small block pattern (not herringbone, doesn't match rosette)
	Back	none
	Fingerboard	none
	Headstock(s)	none
	Soundhole	3 rings, center ring of Herringbone, Matching endpiece of Herringbone
Inlay		fancy pearl inlays
Pickguard		none
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