| Larson Bros Stetson 2ES
Acoustic Guitar
*NEW, used as NAMM Show Sample
Mint Condition
Click the link below to hear an audio sample of this guitar.
Stetson 2ES Sound Clip
In 2006, one of the most respected European luthiers teamed up with German product designer Toni Götz in order to launch the Larson Bros brand guitars. The results are remarkably fine instruments which offer the typical unique tone, of the old Larson designed instruments.
Specifications
Body Shape: Dreadnought
Back & Sides: Indian Rosewood
Top: Aged German Spruce (also known as European Alpine Spruce)
Neck: Mahogany
Peghead: Square Solid
Bridge: Ebony/Larson Style
Saddle: Micarta
Nut: Micarta
Fingerboard, Peghead Overly: Ebony, Larson Flower
Decorations: Black/White/Black/White Purfling, Multiple wood Ivoroid Rosette
Description
At first glance, this guitar seems to be a plain Dreadnought, but the very opposite is true. So what’s the main difference between this model and many others produced by various companies all around the world? Is it the sound? The construction? Yes, and more!
The top is braced using the unique Larson-style laminated bracing system. It is almost authentic as to the braces position, but the braces are slightly scalloped, which is an element that the Larsons never used on laminated braces. This helps to provide the sound that you will find on all the old Larson guitars.
The goal was to construct a guitar that even though it is new, sounds like a guitar which is almost a hundred years old. All the details were carried out in vintage style in order to get as close to the original guitars as possible. Larson guitars feature a very simple black/white/black wooden purfling besides the white plastic binding – not just around the edge of the body, but also around the sound hole.
The result is a guitar with a more refined sound different from all other dreadnoughts. The sound is brighter and fuller than a Martin. By the way: Back in their days, the Larsons’ guitars very often beat their main competitor – Martin Guitars – as their sound was more progressive. After 100 years, you now have the chance to rediscover that sound!
Construction Values
The most important construction differences in the Larson Bros guitars from a standard high end
acoustic are:
1- Tops are built under tension. This is sometimes called a parabolic
top. The top is flexed to a slight curve giving it better resistance
to the string tension and a slightly brighter, clearer sound.
2- laminated braces of spruce/rosewood/spruce for the top makes the
braces stiffer and more supportive but can be scalloped and made small
to let the top vibrate better.
3- European Alpine Spruce, often referred to in the States as "German
Spruce" that is treated to a centuries old artificial aging process
giving the guitar maximum stability, resistance to humidity related
issues and a mature "played in" tone.
Condition
Mint condition. These were displayed at last summers NAMM show, but were not made available for handling. The guitars have been played a few times as they were being considered for U.S. distribution. They have been delicately handled at all times, and there are no marks or scratches to be mentioned.
HISTORY OF THE LARSON BROTHERS
Carl and August Larson of Chicago have left a remarkable legacy of fine fretted instruments from a career extending from the mid-1890’s to the early 1940’s. Original Larson designed instruments continue to be sought after by musicians, as well as collectors, for their distinctive tonal quality. They produced a wide variety of different styles of guitars, harp guitars, mandolins, tiples, and ukes under a variety of trade names, such as Maurer, Prairie State , Euphonon, Dyer, and Stahl. None of the Larsons’ instruments ever bore a Larson label or stamp. These vintage instruments now range in value from $10,000 to $20,000.
The Larsons invented some unique design and construction features for the acoustic guitar.
The Larsons’ laminated bracing, metal support rods on Prairie State brand instruments, system of building tops and backs under tension, and a number of other design features set them apart from any other builders. The brothers had patents on a number of these features and may justifiably be considered some of the most innovative fretted instrument designers of the period.
It would appear that the Larsons were among the first American manufacturers to concentrate on designing and producing steel-string flat-top guitars, almost 20 years before Martin, while most American flat-top guitars made prior to the late 1920’s were designed for use with gut strings.
The Larsons’ work is unique among pre-World War II guitar manufacturers as it represents the only non-industrially produced range of flat-top steel-string instruments that are still widely recognized as being of high-quality and high monetary value and which continue to be sought after by musicians as well as collectors for their distinctive tonal quality.
|
Sign In
