Ashborn Style #2 Model Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1864-7), made in Torrington, Connecticut, natural varnish finish, Brazilian rosewood back and sides, spruce top; cherry neck sheathed in rosewood, rosewood fingerboard, original black coffin case.
This is a truly classic six string American "Parlor Guitar" dating to the era of the Civil War, or just after. James Ashborn had the first major guitar and banjo factory in America; when C.F. Martin was still a small hand-building shop, Ashborn's Connecticut operation was organized on a full production line basis.
Ashborn-made guitars and banjos were very well-known and regarded in their day, but the firm did not last long after his death. This guitar is a fairly late example sold through the agency of Firth, Son & Co. New York, whose stamp appears on the backstrip. As this particular manifestation of the Firth & Pond business empire was very short lived, it allows unusually exact dating of this specific guitar to between 1864 and 1867.
This is a standard size Ashborn Style 2, generally seen as the most popular grade. The decoration is discreet, with contrasting wood strips around the top and soundhole and single maple binding on the back. The Brazilian rosewood body is beautifully grained, with a striking "burl eye" pattern on the bookmatched sides. Unusually, the original patented strip brass tuning machines with ebony buttons carry a small "J.Ashborn" stamp on the bass side. These finely made gears were Ashborn's own invention and work perfectly after 150 years. A discreet "J.Ashborn" is stamped internally on the heelblock.
The elegant slotted headstock is grafted on to neck with a low profile volute. The original brass frets are a very early "T"-style design. This guitar is neatly and solidly built for its age, playable with gut or silk-and-steel strings, and can be well recommended for musical situations such as Civil War re-enacting where a sturdy and functional 1860's guitar is required! A very fine piece of playable American guitar history.
Overall length is 36 in. (91.4 cm.), 11 3/8 in. (28.9 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 3 5/8 in. (9.2 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 24 1/4 in. (616 mm.). Width of nut is 1 13/16 in. (46 mm.).
Extremely fine original condition for a guitar of this age; all original except for reproduction bridge. There is some average wear to the finish, but overall a very nicely-preserved piece complete with a beautiful original coffin case lined with patterned fabric. Excellent Condition.
