Cincinnatus 3/4 Size "Terz" Guitar c 1905 | $750 | (v2031) We believe that this guitar bearing the graphic Cincinnatus label is from the Lyon & Healy factory in Chicago, and manufactured in the first decade of the twentieth century. An almost exact example appears in an early Wurlitzer & Co. catalog described as: Three-quarter size 2054 1/2 Maple, finished in imitation rosewood, polished, celluloid and fancy wood edge around front and back, inlaid stripe down back, orange-colored soundboard, cherry finished neck, rosewood fingerboard, position dots, brass patent head. That pretty much describes this instrument. (The Wurlitzer company was headquartered in Cincinnati, and Cincinnatus was a renouned Roman statesman and military leader who was the model of civic virtue.)
The ladder-braced top is made from spruce and bound in 'rope' marquetry and white celluloid, echoed at the sound hole. The back and sides appear to be mahogany rather than birch, and faux-painted rosewood. The back features a colorful inlaid strip down the middle. The neck is basswood or poplar, unbound, carved in the typical 'V' with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. The 'floating' bridge/tailpiece is typical of the era. The tuners are brass.
The body measures 11 1/8" across at the lower bout. Total length is 32" Scale length is 21 5/8". The fingerboard measures 1 3/4" across at the nut, with string spacing at 2 1/8".
Prior repairs include some top and back cracks glued. The guitar nut was cut in such a way that we believe that this instrument was set up something like a tamburitza with a few double courses, and the frets at the end of the fingerboard removed. We recently re-glued and cleated some cracks; reset the neck; fashioned a new 'replica' bridge with a bone saddle in lieu of the fretwire; leveled and dressed the frets; glued a few braces; cleaned and lubed the tuners; fashioned a new nut. The tailpiece appears to be an old replacement but is true to the style. One interesting observation is this appears to be a one-owner guitar due to the consistent and unique play wear on the top.
The action is set at ~ 5/64" and the guitar plays well. The 'terz' is tuned a third higher than A440. The sound is a bit boxy due to its small size, but when played with a pick it can really cut! With its higher tuning, this could be a nice addition for someone looking to offer a different tonal spectrum in a small combo, or use it as a fun travel guitar!
No case.
Check out the sound clip!
The ladder-braced top is made from spruce and bound in 'rope' marquetry and white celluloid, echoed at the sound hole. The back and sides appear to be mahogany rather than birch, and faux-painted rosewood. The back features a colorful inlaid strip down the middle. The neck is basswood or poplar, unbound, carved in the typical 'V' with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard. The 'floating' bridge/tailpiece is typical of the era. The tuners are brass.
The body measures 11 1/8" across at the lower bout. Total length is 32" Scale length is 21 5/8". The fingerboard measures 1 3/4" across at the nut, with string spacing at 2 1/8".
Prior repairs include some top and back cracks glued. The guitar nut was cut in such a way that we believe that this instrument was set up something like a tamburitza with a few double courses, and the frets at the end of the fingerboard removed. We recently re-glued and cleated some cracks; reset the neck; fashioned a new 'replica' bridge with a bone saddle in lieu of the fretwire; leveled and dressed the frets; glued a few braces; cleaned and lubed the tuners; fashioned a new nut. The tailpiece appears to be an old replacement but is true to the style. One interesting observation is this appears to be a one-owner guitar due to the consistent and unique play wear on the top.
The action is set at ~ 5/64" and the guitar plays well. The 'terz' is tuned a third higher than A440. The sound is a bit boxy due to its small size, but when played with a pick it can really cut! With its higher tuning, this could be a nice addition for someone looking to offer a different tonal spectrum in a small combo, or use it as a fun travel guitar!
No case.
Check out the sound clip!