1930's euphonon square shoulder profile
guitarbench
Klassen's rare 1930's Euphonon Square Shoulder as part of our new
guitar database.
This is the Square Shoulder Euphonon he speaks of in the fretboard
Journal write up on the Larson Brothers.
As always, improvements, corrections and additional information/ your
own experiences are much appreciated- I'll update the profile citing
you
and linking back to you! This is by no means complete a profile, so
feel free to add to what I already have.
I can't link pics directly to here so do pop by to:
http://guitarbench.com/index.php/2009/11/24/1930s-euphonon-square-shoulder-sn-none-guitar-database-2/
for the full presentation. As always, I present the text portion of
the profile for your consideration- although I do highly recommend
popping by to see the pics!
Warmest regards,
Terence
www.guitarbench.com
Euphonon | Square Shoulder | 1930’s | SN:none
Guitar Database
Luthier Facts :
Name: Larson
Location: Milwaukie, Wis.
Wait list: No longer in production
RIYL: Larson Brothers are considered to have built excellent guitars
during the prewar Golden peroid of Martin and Gibson guitars.
Note: (RIYL) Recommended If You Like
Vintage 1930's Euphonon Square Shoulder guitar. SN none. Guitar
Database.
# Model: Square Shoulder
# Serial no: N/A
# Year: 1930’s
# Top: Spruce
# Back and sides: Brazilian Rosewood
# Top Bracing: Laminated X brace and 1 upper bout. Solid Second upper
bout and tonebars.
# Back Bracing: 6, solid
# Headstock: solid
# Headstock inlay: flower pattern of pearl and abalone
# Neck: Laminated Mahogany/ rosewood
# Binding: Ivoroid
# Fingerboard: Ebony
# Fingerboard inlay: dot and engraved inlay
# Bridge: flat pyramid bridge
# Bridgeplate: small maple
# Nut and saddle: bone
# Nut Width: 1 11/16″
# Scale length: 25.5″
# Lower bout width: 16″
# Depth: 4 5/8″
# Notes: square , slightly asymmetrical body. “Shoulders canted
forward from back to front: back of guitar is 19 1/4″ long, top is
less than 19-18 3/8″ to left of fingerboard and 18 15/16″ to the
right. Waist of the guitar narrower across the top by 1/8″.” George
Gruhn says of the tone “bluesy, twangy tone with lots of sustain”…
Rare Bird. Maurer, Praisie State & Larson Bros. G Gruhn. Guitar player/
november 1984.
Tony Klassen of New Era guitars is the owner of this unusual and
beautiful guitar. He credits it as being the impetus to collect and
reproduce Larson Brothers guitars. Here’s what he says: “Prior to the
summer of 1985 I had only been collecting for a bout 5 years, and most
of those, if not all, were Martins and Gibson’s. Pretty plentiful
then. My dream guitar was a pearly Martin. 12 fret or 14 fret, it
really didn’t matter. By that summer, I’d finally saved up enough
dough. With cash in hand and my 1929 000-28 in trade, I headed off to
Gruhn Guitars in Nashville. George had a pearly 00-45 for sale, and I
decided that was the one I would get. I was really excited. My first
time in Nashville, and a chance to hang in one of the worlds premier
vintage shops. That trip changed me forever…
I got to George’s shop shortly before closing, and his hospitality was
amazing. He locked the doors. He called his wife (“I’ll be home
later”), and he let me spend the next two hours playing guitar after
guitar. I played Martins, Gibsons, and Washburns, and I admired them
all. What stuck in my mind was something called a Euphonon. What is
this!? Who made it? I wasn’t quite sure…
My immediate impression was the look. It hung among many guitars, but
stood out and seemed to call to me. Very different then anything I was
use to at that time. The pearl stars in the bridge, the wide band of
abalone around the top, and the vine headstock inlay were stunning.
The craftsmanship was equal to the best. The Brazilian was figured,
and even had tiny knots in it. Something I think most builders at that
time would pass on. One of the most visible characteristics was the
guitars back was larger then the top! What was their intention! Nobody
knew, but I couldn’t help but think these guys where not afraid to
experiment, and push the limits.
George placed a mirror in side to show me the laminated braces. WOW! I
just grew more and more intrigued. The fact that this came from a 2
man shop, and not a factory was very impressing to me. It truly felt
like a hand made instrument. Something up until then I had never
encountered. George was totally excited about it. I wasn’t quite
sure… odd shape….. George had to leave and we would hook up the next
morning, so I had some thinking to do.
That next day I spent 4 or more hours playing that Martin 00-45 I
wanted, and the Euphonon that was getting more and more enchanting
every time I picked it up. I was hidden away in a quite little
listening room playing both for sound comparisons. Every time I picked
up the Euphonon George would knock on the door, poke his head in and
say “ I can here when your playing that one, right through the walls!”
He was referring to of course, the Euphonon. So we talked more about
the guitar, and it’s makers. George gave me the book Bob Hartman put
together.
The book was full of interesting instruments. The Brothers made
everything from mandolins to mandocellos, and guitars up to 21” wide!
This Euphonon just had a vibe I didn’t feel in the others. As for the
sound, it too was very different, and ultimately what helped make the
sale. Bright, lively, loud and very well balanced. It was much more
suited to my style of playing compared to the more delicate Martin.
This was a true steel string guitar! The deal got better. George
offered me more for the 000-28 then he originally quoted, so now had a
pretty easy decision. I left the shop with the Euphonon, George said
spread the word!
That was by far my best and most memorable guitar buying experience
ever. It set in motion a quest to learn more about, and collect as
many Larson made instruments I could find”
Vintage 1930's Euphonon Square Shoulder guitar. SN none. Guitar
Database.
©2009 Terence Tan & Tony Klassen