Topic: Very clean 1908 Gibson Style U Harp Guitar for sale

[TenBrook]

I don't suspect any of us will be plunking down money for this guitar but it's a beautiful thing to look at. Would have put this under 'Gitfiddles, Harps, Washboards & Kazoos' but I don't know that this guitar was ever used on any country blues records. Anybody know of any early recordings made with this type of guitar? I've seen some old photos of people holding one but that's about it.

https://reverb.com/item/4186779-worlds-cleanest-1908-gibson-style-u-harp-guitar-available-near-mint-all-original-tooled-leather-case

[Stuart]

Hi Lew:

I don't know much about them, but here are a few links:

http://www.harpguitars.net/

http://www.harpguitars.net/history/blog.htm

http://harpguitars.net/blog/2013/02/black-history-month-part-1-african-american-harp-guitarists/

http://www.harpguitars.net/players/aa_harp_guitarists.htm

A little ways down past the half-way point on the last link is a photo of Frank Waldron's group and includes two Chris Knutsen instruments. Greg Ruby has done a fair amount of research on Frank Waldron, and being a jazz guitarist, he might know about the recorded history of the harp guitar. If I remember, I'll ask him the next time I see him at one of his shows. Unfortunately, there are no recordings of Frank Waldron.

[TenBrook]

Thanks Stuart these links are great. The photos and history shared in the link below (from your links above) is especially wonderful.

http://www.harpguitars.net/players/aa_harp_guitarists.htm