Txvirago Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 hi, anyone. I have a Gibson that has a neck and six extra strings above that (with no neck under the six extra. The serial number is 5831, built in 1909. It was my aunt's grandfathers, and he played it up o about 20 years ago. I was not able to get any input from online dealers yet, but would like to know anything about it for insurance reasons. It's not leaving the family... An input would be appreciated. Play on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tazzboy Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Got any picture of the guitar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 Sounds like a Gibson R1????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevef Posted August 28, 2010 Share Posted August 28, 2010 "GIBSON HARP GUITAR, 1913, Style U with 10 sub-bass strings, Black, all original except for nicely made new bridge, exc, ohsc...$7900" 10 strings instead of 6, look familiar? http://www.larkstreetmusic.com/ They might help with the valuation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Sounds like a Harp Guitar to me too. Gibson made several models and many variations. Here's one with 6 sub-bass strings: This one was made in the early part of last century. Yours is probably over a hundred years old. Found it on this website: http://www.harpguitars.net/history/history.htm They even have a cult... I mean forum. They may be able to give you even more information than us. Nice Family heirloom. Sure would love to hear one of these in concert. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 DArned right those harp guitars are cute. They had several at whatever they're calling the Shrine To Music museum in Vermillion, S.D., on the University of South Dakota campus. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flight959 Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 I'd love to hear one! Bet they sound sweet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 I dunno how they sound. They're all quite old. When I first saw them some 30+ years ago they hadn't been cleaned up much. I think some on display now are looking good, but I don't know about playability. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 I'd love to hear one! Bet they sound sweet! Some beautiful stuff on more recent intruments to start you out with here - http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=harp+guitar&aq=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Txvirago Posted August 30, 2010 Author Share Posted August 30, 2010 Thank you ALL for the insight and information. I don't play, but I do appreciate a good guitarist. The info provided will answer all the questions my aunt has had for so long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Lovely looking things. I'd love to try one out... I read an interview with Steve Howe in the mid '70s and in the snap accompanying the piece he had one sitting next to all his Les Pauls. Didn't John Mclaughlin play an electric version for a while? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeVeeWee Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 I've never saw anyone perform with these harp guitars but they are just awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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