Dyer Harp Guitar - Model 7 Serial # 910
This poor baby was found in an estate sale in
Dallas Texas in 2007. The new owner is
looking to restore it to playable condition.
This is a Dyer Symphony Harp Guitar Model 7
built by the Larson brothers of Chicago, Il.
Dyer is the name of a major musical
instrument retailer of the era that private
labeled Larson instruments. The serial
number on this instrument spanned all
models built by the Larsons.
There are actually only around a hundred
Larson Harp Guitars identified from
documentation research or locating the
actually instrument. Based on research with
other Larson Harp Guitar owners, this serial
number dates to ca. 1920.
The Larson brothers made some of the early
solid body guitars to the specifications of one
of their better known customers, Chicago
resident Les Paul.
Robert Carl Hartman, the grandson of Carl
Larson, has complied a history of Carl and
August Larsons' work in a book titled, "The
Larsons' Creations (Guitars and Mandolins)".
See the links page for a link to his Website.
Dallas Texas in 2007. The new owner is
looking to restore it to playable condition.
This is a Dyer Symphony Harp Guitar Model 7
built by the Larson brothers of Chicago, Il.
Dyer is the name of a major musical
instrument retailer of the era that private
labeled Larson instruments. The serial
number on this instrument spanned all
models built by the Larsons.
There are actually only around a hundred
Larson Harp Guitars identified from
documentation research or locating the
actually instrument. Based on research with
other Larson Harp Guitar owners, this serial
number dates to ca. 1920.
The Larson brothers made some of the early
solid body guitars to the specifications of one
of their better known customers, Chicago
resident Les Paul.
Robert Carl Hartman, the grandson of Carl
Larson, has complied a history of Carl and
August Larsons' work in a book titled, "The
Larsons' Creations (Guitars and Mandolins)".
See the links page for a link to his Website.
Why are the 6 string tuners installed upside
down?
The nut is not glued down and is resting on
some type of paper you can see sticking
out to the left of the nut. The nut does not
rest in a slot.
down?
The nut is not glued down and is resting on
some type of paper you can see sticking
out to the left of the nut. The nut does not
rest in a slot.
Rufus says, "It wouldn't make a bad cat box."
This is my new definition of a crying shame.
The bridge was a sandwich of what appears to
be mahogany between two pieces of ebony.
You can see the mahogany grain around the
inlays and along the back edge.
The bridge was a sandwich of what appears to
be mahogany between two pieces of ebony.
You can see the mahogany grain around the
inlays and along the back edge.
The fingerboard inlays are not done very
well. Too bad they didn't have super glue
to mix with ebony dust.
well. Too bad they didn't have super glue
to mix with ebony dust.
Here a crack, there a crack, everywhere a
crack crack...
crack crack...
The harp side tuners are in pretty bad
shape. One decided to escape.
shape. One decided to escape.
The black heel cap is missing.
The label is in surprisingly good shape
considering the treatment this instrument has
received.
considering the treatment this instrument has
received.