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Larson Brothers Guitar, Brazilian Rosewood
Robert Carl Hartman, grandson of Carl Larson, the author of the book “The Larsons’ Creations”, and the country’s top authority on Larson brothers guitar, confirmed that this guitar is a Larson brothers. But then, the minute you pick it up and play it, there is no doubt. This guitar has more volume, sustain, and just wonderful Larson tone, than larger-bodied Larson guitars we’ve owned.
According to Hartman, who vetted this instrument, the neck and fingerboard are similar to the L. H. Leland and H. F. Meyers guitars that were made by the Larsons. The guitar, is, according to Hartman, a special order made by the Larsons for one of those brands.
This circa 1920’s guitar has just had new, period-correct Bar frets installed (using the best Bar Fret material available today, sourced from TJ Thompson).
These are the specs:
- All original finish, everywhere– no touchup, overspray, etc.
- Adirondack spruce top
- Brazilian Rosewood back and sides
- Brazilian Rosewood peghead overlay
- Larson Brothers Marquetry purfling pattern, Top
- Unbound back
- Ladder braced
- Larson bridge: Ebony: 6 3/8 inch X 1 inch
- Lower bout: 12 5/8 inches
- Depth, taken at end block: 3 5/8
- Scale length: 24 7/8
- Nut: 1 7/8 inch
The action is set up at: 4/32 bass; 3/32 treble… just right for this wonderful 12-fret Brazilian rosewood Larson. The condition is very good. The Adirondack top is gorgeous. There are several cracks on the Brazilian back, repaired. No cracks on sides. One tiny, one inch long crack on top by soundhole near the bass side of the fretboard, repaired and cleated– other than that, the top is crack-free. The bridge, which had been off and then reattached at some point in the guitar’s life, was just a bit loose, so we reglued it with hide glue. We fashioned and installed a special, compensated bone saddle in the original bridge.
And the tone… you just have to play it. If you’ve never played a Larson brothers guitar, be prepared to be shocked by the brilliant, shimmering tone, the sustain that goes on and on, and the harmonic overtones, that nothing but a Larson achieves. And this particular Larson has a deep bass that we have not heard on larger sized Larsons. And with its new, tall, rounded Bar frets, its plays like a dream.
With a modern hard shell case. No longer available.
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