
“. I had this dream for many years, building guitars in the Larson tradition, but where would I start? My background in woodworking and Graphic Design might certainly give me the edge needed, but what an undertaking. My passion for guitars would soon unlock this door.”
The 1938 Euphonon Square Shoulder. On of the finest Larson I have ever encountered!
My journey into the world of Larson-made
instruments began in the summer of 1985. Prior, I had never heard their names
spoken, nor seen an instrument made by them; Euphonon, Maurer, Prairie State? Gibson,
Martin, and Washburn, these were the instruments I played, owned and admired.
My dream was to save enough money and eventually find a nice pearly guitar
(style45). My favorite appointments! So that August (1985) I
finally scrapped up $600.00. With my cash in hand and my 1929 000-28 I headed
to Gruhn Guitars in Nashville. George had on his list a nice, early 1930's
00-45. Man I wanted that. I sent George some photos to see if he would be
interested in a trade, and he gladly accepted. Needless to say I was excited.
That trip changed me forever. Gruhn's shop at that time was much smaller than
its present location, but he didn't lack in fine guitars. Wall to wall, I was
in heaven. I arrived 5 minutes before closing, and George's hospitality was
amazing. He locked the doors, called his wife ( I'll be home later), and I
spent the next 2 hrs playing guitar after guitar. What stuck in my mind was the
Euphonon. What is this!? George was totally excited about it. I wasn't quite
sure. It was pearl trimmed (a real plus) and sounded unlike anything I'd
played. It looked so cool! But 300.00 bucks more than the 00-45. Hmmmm. I had
some thinking to do. So it was time to let George go home. Before we parted He
gave me a book on the Larsons written by Carl's grandson, Bob Hartman, and
told me to check it out. This Euphonon was one of the guitars in the book.
On the adjacent page were two Larsons owned by Stephan Grossman. I
loved Grossman's music, and now a little connection started. I remember on one
of my albums, Stephan was pictured with a Euphonon. The one in Hartman’s book!
We shook hands and would meet again in the morning.
Hartman's book told the story. I
was really taken by the brothers. A two man shop, and located in Chicago, just
an hour from my home. They made so many different instruments as well: mandolins,
mandolas, and harp guitars. Their guitars were even played by some of the
finest and well known musicians. Gene Aurtry, and a host of others form
the WLS Barn Dance. A show I was a little familiar with because my
Uncles had told me stories abut it. Their guitars had a totally different look
than the guitars I was accustomed to. They made everything from 12"
parlors to 19" jumbos. So now I really had to decide what to do. I
still wanted that Martin. That was the reason I came to Nashville, and I had wanted
a style 45 for a long time. I guess I would just have to wait till the
next day.
Me circa 2001 with a 19" Prairie State Super Jumbo from the late 1930's
The following morning I returned
to the shop excited as ever. Just what was I going home with? On the wall hung
many great guitars, but the one that really stood out was that square-shoulder
Euphonon. It had such an unusual shape. I kept gravitating towards it, but I
asked for the Martin instead. George lead me to a small listening room
that was relatively quiet so I could hear the guitar without the
outside interference. The Martin was great. That sweet Martin tone we are
all familiar with; nice balance, and projection, its classic look
etc.after about 45 minutes, a knock on the door. It was George, and in his hand
was the square shoulder Euphonon. Here, give it a try and see what you think. I
gladly accepted, tuned it to one of my favorite open tunings, and away I went.
Amazing, the first thing that came to mind was how powerful this guitar was. It
had more volume than I was accustomed to. It was close to the size of a
dreadnought, but had the balance of the 00 Martin. I was really amazed. For the
next 4 hours I would play the Martin, then the Euphonon, Then the Martin. I
went through every tune I knew and open tuning arrangement trying to decide
what was going home with me. Every time I picked up the Larson George
would knock on the door and say I can hear that one! Right through the walls!
So by now I'm really hooked on the Euphonon. It was quite clear that it
really was the sound I was looking for; a great ragtime machine. The real
deciding factor was on about the sixth trip George made to that little
listening room. He said that he would give me 2400 for my trade in instead of
the originally agreed 2000 If I would take home the Larson and spread
the word. I was gleaming, it was decided! Now what I hadn't quite realized at
this determining moment, this guitar would change the way I thought
about vintage guitars for a very long time to come!
What I didn't realize that weekend at Gruhn's was how really special and unique
the Larson creations were. I skimmed the book the night before my purchase, but
there was much, much more to discover. The Larsons were much more than guitar
makers, they were inventors; explorers in the world of guitar making. They were
always looking to improve on their craft, and build a better sounding
instrument. So now my journey began.
Very few Larsons would find themselves on the market, especially compared to
Martins and Gibsons. When one did, I would try to grab it. Guitars in theses
days were much
more affordable, and the Larsons, since they were so rare, and not well know,
were even more affordable then their counterparts. So over the years many of
these fine instruments
passed through my hands. I was quite taken by every one of them. The
smaller guitars, 12" - 15" 12 fret parlors seemed most
plentiful. The larger bodied, 15"-19" fourteen fret models are the
rarest. As far as designated models, the Larsons made many different
styles and looks. Body widths varied, body depths varied, but all were exceptionally
well made. The most common feature was the laminated main braces. The ' X
' and lateral brace beneath the fingerboard extension. The
lamination consisted of hardwood strip, usually rosewood, between two strips of
spruce. This 3-piece construction produces a much more ridged brace, therefore
a much stronger top. In addition to the lamination the tops were built "
under tension". This is achieved by making the braces with
the appropriate arch, and conforming the soundboard to them. This
arch also helps in the stability of the top. I have rarely encountered a Larson
with a cracked top! If this method of construction is responsible or
not, I'm sure it was intended and well thought out by the Brothers. This lamination
of the braces is the one most common feature found on all Larsons. Very rarely
will you find one that is not laminated—and if so, it would be on their student
or lower budget models. In some instances, the center strip was laminated
with maple, and I have seen maple and rosewood combinations on the same guitar.
Another innovative feature, and one that I am the
most intrigued with, is the jumbo Prairie State model(s). These
are the guitars made in the latter years of production. I feel the Prairie State
line of guitars were the most inventive in the Larson line. In
addition to the laminated main braces the Larsons devised a rod system. The
rods act as a way for additional support to counteract stress on the
top of the guitar. In most cases there are two rods. A larger fixed,
and a smaller adjustable which came through the neck block and wrapped around
the heel which traveled down through the end block, and could be adjusted,
or tightened with a fixture that doubled as the end pin. Wow! What
a radical idea! The Larsons believed this would have
to eliminate stress on the soundboard and allow for a
more resilient top. You need to consider these were some of the
largest guitars ever manufactured by anyone. Sizes up to 21" wide! This
rod system came into play on most if not all PS's that where in access of
16". It is found on 14" and 15'', but I believe the
Larsons well intended all their larger guitars
to incorporate this system. There is a lot of surface area on a
19" and 21" guitar. The rod idea would certainly help relieve tension
from the pull of the strings. In the two rod version, the larger rod is fixed (non-adjustable),
and runs closer to the underneath of the top. This would push or act
as a truss rod and keep the body rigid, the smaller rod, (the adjustable),
wrapped around the neck heel and relieved forward pull on the neck caused
by the tension of the strings. These rods working in unison would make for one
solid, and well intended for, steel string guitar! Another interesting thing I
have found, and am very fascinated by this, when the guitar is played the rods vibrate.
I'm sure this was not
intentional, but just as an open string would vibrate, the rods pick up
sympathetic vibrations which add to the unique tone and beauty of these
guitars.
Over the years my Larson collecting has lead me to
make some great connections. The Larson circle is quite small, and we all
got to know each other, or at least what instruments we had, and/or
gravitated towards. I first meet Bob Hartman in the mid 1990's. Bob
is the grandson to Carl Larson. Bob's knowledge of Larson instruments
is superlative. He has seen and studied so many great examples. He has helped
them gain recognition with collectors, and has
written several informative books. Prior to Bob's books there
was no documentation of these fine and sometimes mysterious instruments. I
am very grateful to him for sharing his knowledge, and all the
history he has gathered, and made available.
For many years, since the acquisition of my first Euphonon, I've questioned
why there were not more instruments being built using
such innovative construction techniques as the Larson
Brothers. Possibly the Larson creations were just a little ahead of their time.
With small production totals compared to the big makers, just not
enough instrument to fall readily into hands of players, and collectors. I had
this dream for many years, building guitars in the Larson tradition, but where
would I start? My background in woodworking and Graphic Design
might certainly give me the edge needed, but what an undertaking. My
passion for guitars would soon unlock this door. I had
already acquired quite an array of tools. I sold the big stuff
to get the more suitable tools needed for guitar making. I had made
over the years drawings of Larson body styles, bracing patterns, inlays, etc. at
least enough to produce one guitar, so now the big decision. Where would I get
the funds!? It was apparently time to part with my Larson collection. It was
tough, but I knew what lie ahead would in the long run be more rewarding. One
of my first customers was Dave Portman. Dave not only purchased part of my
collection, but he owns a few of the first handmade guitars I produced. Dave
has become a friend over the years, and has helped very much in the early part
on my business. Dave not only has allowed me access to his collection for
drawings and measurements, but also created the name of my business. New Era
Guitars. Dave's knowledge and collection have been great inspiration.
Upon completion of my first three guitars, I called Bob Hartman. Bob up to this
point was not aware I was a builder, and I wanted to show him what I was up to
and where I wanted to go with my idea of making Larson Reproductions. Needless
to say Bob was quite thrilled to meet. It was a great meeting, and Bob was very
impressed. Impressed enough to give me his endorsement! Bob makes
trips to my shop with his repair work, and we talk guitars, and make plans
for new additions to my line.
I am now fulfilling that 20+ year dream. I have had a great response form my
customers, and my build list is continually growing. It's a tough market to
crack, and a long slow journey ahead, but the craft, and rewards are
endless.
Anthony
R. Klassen, ARK - New Era Guitars
