Holzapfel & Beitel Jumbo 12 String Flat Top Acoustic Guitar (1900)
1
/
of
4
Couldn't load pickup availability
Item #6975
Holzapfel & Beitel Jumbo Model 12 String Flat Top Acoustic Guitar, c. 1900, made in Baltimore, MD, natural varnish finish, mahogany back, sides and neck, spruce top, ebony fingerboard and bridge, black hard shell case.
Overall length is 40 1/2 in. (102.9 cm.), 16 1/8 in. (41 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 15/16 in. (49 mm.).
This amazing and historic guitar has a number of repairs but overall is very well-preserved for its age, now well over 100 years on. The original very thin varnish finish has darkened considerably over time, and shows typical micro-checking over most of the instrument's surface. This is often characteristic of varnishes from this period, and gives the guitar an overall look not unlike many 19th century violins.
There are several old repaired spruce grain cracks on the top just above the bridge, on the upper bass bout, behind the treble side of the bridge, and on the center seam, also directly behind the bridge. All are cleanly sealed up but not finished over, so still visible. A few very small areas of the elaborate edge marquetry are missing, and the elaborately laid (originally) colored wood has faded to a dark honey brown.
The large rectangular bridgeplate is a correct style reproduction, while the lovely carved block ebony 6-pin bridge is original, down to the three large slot-head wood screws helping secure it! The bone saddle is likely newer, as are the plastic pins. Much of the original straight bracing has been re-glued over time, but is unaltered except for a large added plate under the top beneath the fingerboard. This was inserted to correct a slight top compression in this area above the sound hole, mostly on the bass side of the fingerboard. The back has been off and re-attached (looks like long ago) and the neck has been re-set cleanly. Considering the stresses involved, the top itself is remarkably flat and solid -- much more so than the typical 1920s Stella of similar design.
There are a few small spots of capo wear to the back of the neck, but nothing intrusive that affects playability. The headstock shows an old repaired split just at the top edge, above the D string tuner; the veneer on the face is re-glued in this area as well. This blemish does not extend beyond this small area; the repair is solid but rather sloppy and appears quite old. A decent amount of varnish is missing from the headstock face. There has been at least one re-fret; the frets are in good condition and the nut has been replaced. The very thick ebony fingerboard remains in largely unblemished condition and the neck itself is remarkably straight.
The guitar plays extremely well and has a sound that is absolutely unique -- exceptionally deep and powerful, with perhaps a more sophisticated tonality than the average period Stella. Simply one of the finest 12-string guitars ever made. An important instrument in the history of the American guitar and a heavenly instrument to play. Overall Very Good + Condition.
View full details
Overall length is 40 1/2 in. (102.9 cm.), 16 1/8 in. (41 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 4 3/4 in. (12.1 cm.) in depth at side, taken at the end block. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 15/16 in. (49 mm.).
This amazing and historic guitar has a number of repairs but overall is very well-preserved for its age, now well over 100 years on. The original very thin varnish finish has darkened considerably over time, and shows typical micro-checking over most of the instrument's surface. This is often characteristic of varnishes from this period, and gives the guitar an overall look not unlike many 19th century violins.
There are several old repaired spruce grain cracks on the top just above the bridge, on the upper bass bout, behind the treble side of the bridge, and on the center seam, also directly behind the bridge. All are cleanly sealed up but not finished over, so still visible. A few very small areas of the elaborate edge marquetry are missing, and the elaborately laid (originally) colored wood has faded to a dark honey brown.
The large rectangular bridgeplate is a correct style reproduction, while the lovely carved block ebony 6-pin bridge is original, down to the three large slot-head wood screws helping secure it! The bone saddle is likely newer, as are the plastic pins. Much of the original straight bracing has been re-glued over time, but is unaltered except for a large added plate under the top beneath the fingerboard. This was inserted to correct a slight top compression in this area above the sound hole, mostly on the bass side of the fingerboard. The back has been off and re-attached (looks like long ago) and the neck has been re-set cleanly. Considering the stresses involved, the top itself is remarkably flat and solid -- much more so than the typical 1920s Stella of similar design.
There are a few small spots of capo wear to the back of the neck, but nothing intrusive that affects playability. The headstock shows an old repaired split just at the top edge, above the D string tuner; the veneer on the face is re-glued in this area as well. This blemish does not extend beyond this small area; the repair is solid but rather sloppy and appears quite old. A decent amount of varnish is missing from the headstock face. There has been at least one re-fret; the frets are in good condition and the nut has been replaced. The very thick ebony fingerboard remains in largely unblemished condition and the neck itself is remarkably straight.
The guitar plays extremely well and has a sound that is absolutely unique -- exceptionally deep and powerful, with perhaps a more sophisticated tonality than the average period Stella. Simply one of the finest 12-string guitars ever made. An important instrument in the history of the American guitar and a heavenly instrument to play. Overall Very Good + Condition.
