Brand: Gibson
Instrument Categories: Acoustic Steel String, Antique and Romantic, Archtop, Guitars, Other, SOLD
At the turn of the 20th century, the Harp Guitar appeared and the Gibson Style U stayed in production longest – from 1902 to 1939. Gibson offered four models, the R, R-1, U and U-1, with the -1 models being more elaborately decorated. All models featured arched, carved Spruce tops with Mahogany for the neck and harp support, while the sides and back varied between Mahogany, Maple, Birch and Walnut. The scale length reached as much as 27.5 inches.
At this point, the Harp Guitar was an expression the view of the guitar as a support for other instruments, in particular the then-popular Mandolin orchestras. Gibson considered the Harp Guitar as the real future for guitarists, and produced an amount of literature promoting its virtues.
For the 1908 model year, the line changed and only the Stye U was kept. Production methods also changed to reduce complexity. In particular, the original ‘S’ shaped combination bridge/tailpiece was dropped in favour of a double-trapeze model and separate Maple bridge capped with an Ebony saddle. The scale length was set to 25.5 inches, with 10 sub-bass strings.
This Gibson Style U Harp Guitar, dating to 1914 and built at the Gibson plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan is not entirely original. The bridge and tailpiece have been replaced though with original style parts. The binding on the fingerboard has been replaced.
This fine instrument is fully playable and in overall good condition, with an small amount of finish scuffing considering that it is over a century old. A gig bag is included.
- Model: Style U Harp Guitar
- Year: 1914
- Finish Black
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: 16134
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 07/01/2019
- This instrument has been sold
- Not Consignment
- Including Gig Bag case
- Instrument Weight: 10.76lbs 4.9kg
- Scale Length: 25.5in 648mm
- Nut Width: 1.73in 44mm
