Harmony Shutt Style Arch Top Mandolin (1920)
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Item #6527
Shutt Style Model Arch Top Mandolin, most likely made by Harmony, c. 1920, probably Chicago, sunburst finish, maple back and sides, spruce top; mahogany neck, black hard shell case.
This rather unusual-looking but distinctive 'shouldered' style mandolin is unlabeled, but evidence suggests that it was manufactured in Chicago by Harmony in the early 1920's. The original design is traceable to Albert Shutt, who was awarded a number of innovative musical instrument patents in that period. Shutt hand-crafted his own high end instruments out of Topeka, Kansas during the early 20th century, and pioneered a number of important innovations in mandolin design. Shutt's mandolins embody several features usually attributed to Gibson including the elevated fretboard extension, the use of f-holes, and the longer neck that would become 'standard' with the introduction of Lloyd loar's F-5 design some years later. These make this a uniquely 'modern' instrument for its period.
The construction is all solid woods. The one-piece mahogany neck has typical period bowlback style recessed tuners covered by a metal plate with grained ivoroid buttons. Nicely figured maple was used for the arched two-piece back and sides. The arched spruce top has F-holes on the upper bouts, with an unusual cut-out pickguard mounted on the treble-side. The bridge is one-piece ebony. The triple-bound top is finished with a 'lateral' sunburst that was typical for this instrument, and is very subtly shaded. This is an excellent playing and sounding mandolin, whth a very uniqie cnaracter.
Overall length is 25 in. (63.5 cm.), 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 7/8 in. (352 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.). This mandolin appears all original is in excellent playing condition, with a recent refret and neck-set. There are small cracks from the top of the F-holes to the cutaway bouts, cleanly sealed and touched up. The finish is in better condition than most examples of this model, with only some light wear and some touch-up to the back of the neck. A neat and unusual mandolin with a very good sound; includes a functional but not fitted HSC Excellent - Condition.
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This rather unusual-looking but distinctive 'shouldered' style mandolin is unlabeled, but evidence suggests that it was manufactured in Chicago by Harmony in the early 1920's. The original design is traceable to Albert Shutt, who was awarded a number of innovative musical instrument patents in that period. Shutt hand-crafted his own high end instruments out of Topeka, Kansas during the early 20th century, and pioneered a number of important innovations in mandolin design. Shutt's mandolins embody several features usually attributed to Gibson including the elevated fretboard extension, the use of f-holes, and the longer neck that would become 'standard' with the introduction of Lloyd loar's F-5 design some years later. These make this a uniquely 'modern' instrument for its period.
The construction is all solid woods. The one-piece mahogany neck has typical period bowlback style recessed tuners covered by a metal plate with grained ivoroid buttons. Nicely figured maple was used for the arched two-piece back and sides. The arched spruce top has F-holes on the upper bouts, with an unusual cut-out pickguard mounted on the treble-side. The bridge is one-piece ebony. The triple-bound top is finished with a 'lateral' sunburst that was typical for this instrument, and is very subtly shaded. This is an excellent playing and sounding mandolin, whth a very uniqie cnaracter.
Overall length is 25 in. (63.5 cm.), 10 1/4 in. (26 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 7/8 in. (352 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.). This mandolin appears all original is in excellent playing condition, with a recent refret and neck-set. There are small cracks from the top of the F-holes to the cutaway bouts, cleanly sealed and touched up. The finish is in better condition than most examples of this model, with only some light wear and some touch-up to the back of the neck. A neat and unusual mandolin with a very good sound; includes a functional but not fitted HSC Excellent - Condition.