Symphony Scott Holloway Style-7 Harp Guitar Natural 2010
Scott Holloway Style 7 Hard Guitar, made in USA 2010, natural satin. The harp guitar was first envisioned, at least approximately, by French instrument maker Naderman in 1773. His 'Bisex' guitar had the usual six strings, plus an additional six drone strings below for extended range playing. The 'hollow arm' style of harp guitar was first created in 1839 by Vienna based maker Friedrich Schenck, a former student of master lutheir Johann Stauffer, who also taught teh one and only CF Martin. By the early 1900s, a version of the instrument was available in the Gibson catalog, and a major player was building them out of St Paul MN: WJ Dyer and Brothers. This example, handmade in California by renowned luthier and harp guitar luminary Scott Holloway, references the designs of the original Dyer style guitars. Scott was briefly commissioning models out of China under his name, but this is a USA-handmade example, and cost a small fortune when it was ordered new. The top six strings function like a high end OM style guitar: normal neck shape and hardware, great tuning stability; it all works nicely. The bottom six strings can be tuned to whatever notes you like, and extend the range into the kind of territory you'd normally expect from a five string electric bass. Tune them to sympathetic notes, and they add a gorgeous extra resonance and a sort of natural reverb, of sorts, to your playing on the standard six strings. Then, pluck the low B or A etc to add a gorgeous girthy drone underneath your normal notes. There really is a lot of fun to be had here, and played well, this is a truly remarkable and convincing instrument. You'd be up for well over double the listed price to order a new example from Scott, so here's your one shot if you've been thinking about that. We've only got one, but we can get it anywhere in the world if need be. What a gorgeous curiosity!
Model: Symphony Scott Holloway Style-7 Harp guitar
Made: Pasadena CA, USA, 2010 approx
Serial: 0001-MG/SH
Finish: natural satin
Body: solid 'bearclaw' sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, all solid, Dyer Harp style build
Neck: mahogany, rosewood fretboard, 648mm scale, 43mm nut, medium C shape
Weight: 3.005kg
Mods:none
Pickup: none
Accessories: padded gig bag and heavy duty hard case on wheels (pictured)
Cosmetic condition notes:
Overall: excellent condition (8.5/10)
Playing Condition Notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good. Setup with 12/54 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 9/10, minor wear only