No instrument museum is complete without the Gibson
Style "U" Harp-Guitar
© Frank Ford, 1999; Photos by FF

This one was made around 1915, and tipped the scales at more than $400.00 (list price) which was quite a piece of change in those days! In spite of the high cost, all indications are that Gibson sold quite a number of these behemoths. The style "U" ten-string harp-guitar was by far the most common. Earlier versions had either six or twelve sub-bass strings.

The ten "sub-bass" strings were tuned generally in half-steps and rang sympathetically or were struck for a sustaining bass note.

This instrument has birch back and sides, spruce top, mahogany neck and ebony fingerboard.

Here are some things to look for:

• The external turnbuckle neck stabilizing rod (an "external" truss rod? the world's first?)

• A really big fat celluloid tailpiece that uses bridge pins to hold the ball end strings in place.

• The friction pegs for the harp section. They're reworked "Grover Champion" friction pegs, should you care.

• The neck pillar, which actually runs entirely through the body.

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