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musical instrument details
MEGA-RARE 1930s HANBURT electric lap steel guitar - Made In Seattle - Audiovox
Estimated price for orientation: 1 800 $
Category: Lap and Steel Guitars
Class:
Description Brand: Hanburt Country/Region of Manufacture: United States Type: Electric
THIS AUCTION LOT CONSISTS OF: One extremely rare original HANBURT brand “Style 1” electric lap steel guitar. Overall condition is excellent as seen. Handmade in Seattle by an electrical lamp-shop owner – Mr. Harvey Hansen – between about 1939 and 1942, this instrument is one of about ten known survivors. As they never turn up anymore, this is your best chance to nab one.
My name is Peter Blecha – I am a professional historian and the former longtime curator at Seattle’s rock ‘n’ roll museum, the Experience Music Project (EMP) where I developed their “Quest for Volume: The History of the Electric Guitar” exhibit that has been on display since the year 2000. Amongst my most significant discoveries over the years has been the Hanburt brand of guitars, about which literally nothing had been published or publicized anywhere until I researched and revealed the company’s history in a major essay in Vintage Guitar magazine in 2008 (where this guitar is pictured), the same year I published another feature about Hansen & Hanburt via the HistoryLink.org website [ ]. The background story, in short, is that Mr. Hansen had been inspired in the 1930s by his fellow church-member, Mr. Paul Tutmarc, who designed and marketed the groundbreaking Audiovox electric guitars in Seattle back in 1935, and set out to copy Tutmarc’s success by launching his own Hanburt line of instruments. About this particular guitar: the body is made of, I believe, walnut. The fret-board consists of alternating slabs of maple and walnut. The head-stock still bears the original Hanburt logo -- (whereas at least a couple of other survivors haven't retained their logo decal). The hardware – the pickup, bridge, palm-rest, mirror-steel face-plate, nut, brown cloth-covered cord and 1/4" bakelite plug are all original – (whereas a couple other surviving specimens are missing the unique cast metal/nickel plated bridge etc). The tuner strips are, I believe, original however there may be one small errant drill hole barely visible near the end of one -- perhaps an assembly error by the self-trained "luthier," Mr. Hansen. The original hard-shell faux-alligator-covered case is a bit rough, as seen, but the hinges and clasps still work as intended. The downsides here are that brown Bakelite knob seen is, alas, a vintage replacement I put on after the original suddenly crumbled several year back. And, while the guitar used to produce a strong signal, it currently offers only a hum when plugged in. Drat! Due to the instrument’s genuine rarity – and the fact that I don’t want to see it being shipped around too much – it is being offered on a strictly no-return basis.
This guitar and case together weight about eleven ponds. We don't know what the entire package will weigh yet -- 15LBS? 16LBs? 17LBs? -- as its hasn't been packaged yet for shipping.
GREETINGS: To get a sense of our high standards please see our positive FEEDBACK ratings. The age, origin, composition, and condition of all items are honestly described from direct observation and handling. Though we do not claim to be experts on every item we list, we do strive for clarity and accuracy – but please e-mail any specific questions or concerns prior to bidding and we will respond promptly. Thank You! PAYMENT - SHIPPING - INSURANCE: We pride ourselves on offering reasonable shipping fees and providing excellent packing and fast service. All items are carefully prepared for shipping with damage-resistant packaging materials. Shipping Insurance will be required. We only ship to the “confirmed address” listed in your PayPal account. We ask that the auction’s winner not pay until you receive an Invoice email from us as the shipping fee will be based on the weight of the item (after it’s been packaged for safe shipping) the speed of shipment you desire, and distance from us to you. This can only be calculated after we know your Zip Code or Postal Code and final weight of the package.Winners must make payment within 3 days of receiving our emailed Invoice. HAPPY BIDDING & GOOD LUCK!
Description
| Brand: | Hanburt | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States |
| Type: | Electric |
THIS AUCTION LOT CONSISTS OF: One extremely rare original HANBURT brand “Style 1” electric lap steel guitar. Overall condition is excellent as seen. Handmade in Seattle by an electrical lamp-shop owner – Mr. Harvey Hansen – between about 1939 and 1942, this instrument is one of about ten known survivors. As they never turn up anymore, this is your best chance to nab one.
My name is Peter Blecha – I am a professional historian and the former longtime curator at Seattle’s rock ‘n’ roll museum, the Experience Music Project (EMP) where I developed their “Quest for Volume: The History of the Electric Guitar” exhibit that has been on display since the year 2000. Amongst my most significant discoveries over the years has been the Hanburt brand of guitars, about which literally nothing had been published or publicized anywhere until I researched and revealed the company’s history in a major essay in Vintage Guitar magazine in 2008 (where this guitar is pictured), the same year I published another feature about Hansen & Hanburt via the HistoryLink.org website [ ]. The background story, in short, is that Mr. Hansen had been inspired in the 1930s by his fellow church-member, Mr. Paul Tutmarc, who designed and marketed the groundbreaking Audiovox electric guitars in Seattle back in 1935, and set out to copy Tutmarc’s success by launching his own Hanburt line of instruments. About this particular guitar: the body is made of, I believe, walnut. The fret-board consists of alternating slabs of maple and walnut. The head-stock still bears the original Hanburt logo -- (whereas at least a couple of other survivors haven't retained their logo decal). The hardware – the pickup, bridge, palm-rest, mirror-steel face-plate, nut, brown cloth-covered cord and 1/4" bakelite plug are all original – (whereas a couple other surviving specimens are missing the unique cast metal/nickel plated bridge etc). The tuner strips are, I believe, original however there may be one small errant drill hole barely visible near the end of one -- perhaps an assembly error by the self-trained "luthier," Mr. Hansen. The original hard-shell faux-alligator-covered case is a bit rough, as seen, but the hinges and clasps still work as intended. The downsides here are that brown Bakelite knob seen is, alas, a vintage replacement I put on after the original suddenly crumbled several year back. And, while the guitar used to produce a strong signal, it currently offers only a hum when plugged in. Drat! Due to the instrument’s genuine rarity – and the fact that I don’t want to see it being shipped around too much – it is being offered on a strictly no-return basis.
This guitar and case together weight about eleven ponds. We don't know what the entire package will weigh yet -- 15LBS? 16LBs? 17LBs? -- as its hasn't been packaged yet for shipping.
GREETINGS: To get a sense of our high standards please see our positive FEEDBACK ratings. The age, origin, composition, and condition of all items are honestly described from direct observation and handling. Though we do not claim to be experts on every item we list, we do strive for clarity and accuracy – but please e-mail any specific questions or concerns prior to bidding and we will respond promptly. Thank You! PAYMENT - SHIPPING - INSURANCE: We pride ourselves on offering reasonable shipping fees and providing excellent packing and fast service. All items are carefully prepared for shipping with damage-resistant packaging materials. Shipping Insurance will be required. We only ship to the “confirmed address” listed in your PayPal account. We ask that the auction’s winner not pay until you receive an Invoice email from us as the shipping fee will be based on the weight of the item (after it’s been packaged for safe shipping) the speed of shipment you desire, and distance from us to you. This can only be calculated after we know your Zip Code or Postal Code and final weight of the package.Winners must make payment within 3 days of receiving our emailed Invoice. HAPPY BIDDING & GOOD LUCK!
My name is Peter Blecha – I am a professional historian and the former longtime curator at Seattle’s rock ‘n’ roll museum, the Experience Music Project (EMP) where I developed their “Quest for Volume: The History of the Electric Guitar” exhibit that has been on display since the year 2000. Amongst my most significant discoveries over the years has been the Hanburt brand of guitars, about which literally nothing had been published or publicized anywhere until I researched and revealed the company’s history in a major essay in Vintage Guitar magazine in 2008 (where this guitar is pictured), the same year I published another feature about Hansen & Hanburt via the HistoryLink.org website [ ]. The background story, in short, is that Mr. Hansen had been inspired in the 1930s by his fellow church-member, Mr. Paul Tutmarc, who designed and marketed the groundbreaking Audiovox electric guitars in Seattle back in 1935, and set out to copy Tutmarc’s success by launching his own Hanburt line of instruments. About this particular guitar: the body is made of, I believe, walnut. The fret-board consists of alternating slabs of maple and walnut. The head-stock still bears the original Hanburt logo -- (whereas at least a couple of other survivors haven't retained their logo decal). The hardware – the pickup, bridge, palm-rest, mirror-steel face-plate, nut, brown cloth-covered cord and 1/4" bakelite plug are all original – (whereas a couple other surviving specimens are missing the unique cast metal/nickel plated bridge etc). The tuner strips are, I believe, original however there may be one small errant drill hole barely visible near the end of one -- perhaps an assembly error by the self-trained "luthier," Mr. Hansen. The original hard-shell faux-alligator-covered case is a bit rough, as seen, but the hinges and clasps still work as intended. The downsides here are that brown Bakelite knob seen is, alas, a vintage replacement I put on after the original suddenly crumbled several year back. And, while the guitar used to produce a strong signal, it currently offers only a hum when plugged in. Drat! Due to the instrument’s genuine rarity – and the fact that I don’t want to see it being shipped around too much – it is being offered on a strictly no-return basis.
This guitar and case together weight about eleven ponds. We don't know what the entire package will weigh yet -- 15LBS? 16LBs? 17LBs? -- as its hasn't been packaged yet for shipping.
GREETINGS: To get a sense of our high standards please see our positive FEEDBACK ratings. The age, origin, composition, and condition of all items are honestly described from direct observation and handling. Though we do not claim to be experts on every item we list, we do strive for clarity and accuracy – but please e-mail any specific questions or concerns prior to bidding and we will respond promptly. Thank You! PAYMENT - SHIPPING - INSURANCE: We pride ourselves on offering reasonable shipping fees and providing excellent packing and fast service. All items are carefully prepared for shipping with damage-resistant packaging materials. Shipping Insurance will be required. We only ship to the “confirmed address” listed in your PayPal account. We ask that the auction’s winner not pay until you receive an Invoice email from us as the shipping fee will be based on the weight of the item (after it’s been packaged for safe shipping) the speed of shipment you desire, and distance from us to you. This can only be calculated after we know your Zip Code or Postal Code and final weight of the package.Winners must make payment within 3 days of receiving our emailed Invoice. HAPPY BIDDING & GOOD LUCK!