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Knutsen Harp Guitar
This was the first Knutsen instrument I ever saw for sale -
and it's still my favorite.
Ironically, I never really appreciated until just lately exactly how nice it
is.
It's one of only about five that have a bound bass headstock like the Dyers, and
one of only six Knutsen Symphony guitars featuring the special shape of the bass
arm/headstock division inlay. This was seen later (upside down) on the Dyer instruments.
The glowing back and sides have stymied every luthier and expert out there.
We started with a vote of padouk, then Sapele mahogany. The latest vote (by
guitar and furniture builder Jack Sanders, 2006) is satinwood.
Best of all are the inlaid double stripes of yellow and green wood which border
the entire length of the sides - a feature borrowed from his carpenter uncles,
perhaps?
Of course, he then crudely cuts those slanted tuner slots - what is with
that?
I never minded the look of the added tailpiece, which may have even helped
stabilize the top for all these years.
This guitar plays and sounds wonderful. And like a vintage guitar - loud,
rich, balanced, and more open than my incredible old Martin 0-21.
And I am not just being prejudiced! Every guitarist who comes to
the Museum picks this as their favorite, well above the Dyer.
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Click on a picture to
enlarge
(images copyright Gregg Miner)
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Knutsen Archives Inventory Number |
HGT1 |
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Category |
Tacoma Harp Guitars (Port Townsend built) |
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Body Style |
"Symphony" |
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Current or last known owner |
Gregg Miner |
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Year (approx) |
1898-1900 |
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Label |
(very faded) CHRIS
KNUTSEN |
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| Label Code | PT8 | |
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Courses / Strings |
11 course: 6 strings on neck, 5 bass |
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Frets |
straight |
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| Scale length | 25-1/2" | |
| Neck Joint | no heel, but slight bulge | |
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Woods |
Top |
spruce |
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Back & Sides |
satinwood |
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Neck |
walnut |
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Fingerboard |
ebony |
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Bridge |
black painted? |
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| Headstock veneer | walnut? | |
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Binding, trim |
Top |
ivoroid / multi-colored wood purfling / red or green wood |
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Back |
white / black / white celluloid |
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Fingerboard |
ivoroid |
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Headstock(s) |
bass: ivoroid |
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| Soundhole | 3 rings of multi-colored wood purfling | |
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Inlay |
fancy pearl fret markers |
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Pickguard |
none |
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Comments |
Body width: 15-1/2". Metal tailpiece brace not original | |
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