Wappen 15 Course Contra Bass Harp Guitar (unlabelled) , c. 1900s
Wappen 15 Course Contra Bass Model Harp Guitar (unlabelled), c. 1900s, made in Austria, cherry sunburst re- finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; maple necks with rosewood fingerboard.
This rather unusual looking (by American standards at least) guitar is a Wappen Harp guitar likely made in Austria sometime around the early 20th Century. "Wappen" is a German term referring to a shield bearing a coat of arms used to identify soldiers attached to a particular "clan." The shape was developed in the 19th century primarily by luthiers in Vienna and Munich. The twin bound soundholes on opposing sides of the fingerboard is anther unusual facet of this design. This is a traditional Germanic form of guitar but rarely seen this large of with this extensive a sub-bass string array. The neck is attached with the traditional Stauffer Viennese clock-key device and is adjustable for angle. This guitar has been heavily rebuilt and refinished but remains structurally largely original, a fretted conversation piece for sure.
Overall length is 47 in. (119.4 cm.), 17 1/4 in. (43.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 3/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/8 in. (619 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This guitar has been completely refinished with a heavier coat than the original style and a cherry sunburst top, not typical of the traditional look of these guitars. It is certainly a visual standout! There are numerous old repaired cracks under the finish and some dings, scratches and dents above. The harp tuners appear original to the late 19th/early 20th century but the 6-string tuners date to the 1950s or '60s. This is a quite playable instrument, decent sounding but perhaps has its greatest appeal as a display piece. Unfortunately there is no case available. Overall Very Good Condition.
This rather unusual looking (by American standards at least) guitar is a Wappen Harp guitar likely made in Austria sometime around the early 20th Century. "Wappen" is a German term referring to a shield bearing a coat of arms used to identify soldiers attached to a particular "clan." The shape was developed in the 19th century primarily by luthiers in Vienna and Munich. The twin bound soundholes on opposing sides of the fingerboard is anther unusual facet of this design. This is a traditional Germanic form of guitar but rarely seen this large of with this extensive a sub-bass string array. The neck is attached with the traditional Stauffer Viennese clock-key device and is adjustable for angle. This guitar has been heavily rebuilt and refinished but remains structurally largely original, a fretted conversation piece for sure.
Overall length is 47 in. (119.4 cm.), 17 1/4 in. (43.8 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 3/4 in. (7 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 3/8 in. (619 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This guitar has been completely refinished with a heavier coat than the original style and a cherry sunburst top, not typical of the traditional look of these guitars. It is certainly a visual standout! There are numerous old repaired cracks under the finish and some dings, scratches and dents above. The harp tuners appear original to the late 19th/early 20th century but the 6-string tuners date to the 1950s or '60s. This is a quite playable instrument, decent sounding but perhaps has its greatest appeal as a display piece. Unfortunately there is no case available. Overall Very Good Condition.