Joseph
Bowman Harp Guitar
Time
has faded the harp guitar, and today, this magnificent
and unique Joseph Bowman Guitar represents the
guitar making wizardry in the early 20th century.
Harp
guitars were made famous by big names like Gibson,
Martin, Lyon
& Healy, and the Larson Brothers among
others at that time. Harp guitars were originally
intended to play light classical music, and it's
deep tones were favored by many mandolin orchestras.
However, after World War II, the American music
evolved so quickly that the harp guitar was left
behind. Even companies that said the harp guitar
would eventually replace the six-string abandoned
it in search of better markets.
This
harp guitar was built by a skilled craftsman and
incorporated many original concepts. The Bowman
harp guitar has seven tensioned tone rods inside
its body. The well-made tuning machines was also
designed by Bowman.
The
guitar's standard neck features O-shaped and oval
pearl markers, while the harp neck has scalloped
decorative carvings. The strings of the two necks
are attached to separate bridges, and between
them is a carved palm rest for the player's right
hand.
Click
on the image for a complete view of the guitar.
