Holzapfel 12-String c 1915 | SOLD | (vbg 1822) Carl C. Holzapfel and Clemence Beitel opened a new instrument shop in Baltimore, MD, in 1898. Holzapfel had worked for Weymann in Philadelphia for a time, and Beitel had worked for Martin in Nazareth, so both knew a good bit about acoustic instrument making. By 1905, Beitel sold his share of the business to Holzapfel, who soon moved his shop to new quarters and continuted to make guitars, violins, mandolins and other stringed instruments. Among their early offerings were large-bodied 12-strings.
Holzapfel (& Beitel) 12-strings are among the earliest known, and quite rare today. It's unknown exactly how many were made, but probably less than two dozen have emerged over the years. This particular instrument is not labeled or branded, but one look at the bridge and neck/headstock shape, and it's maker is pretty obvious. Dating it precisely is more difficult. We've owned another 12-string nearly identical to this one branded Holzapfel & Beitel, which was believed to have been made c 1900-1904. We feel pretty secure in dating this one to the first quarter of the 20th century, but will likely never know an exact date of manufacture.
The top is spruce, and bound in colorful herringbone marquetry and white celluloid binding. The bridge appears to be ebony and is carved in the distinctive, and robust, Holzapfel shape, using six bridge pin holes. The body is mahogany. The neck is mahogany, and carved in the typical Holzapfel shape, a generous 'C'-shape. It's a handful, but not as massive as some Holz 12s we've played. The slotted head stock is overlaid with Brazilian rosewood veneer. The tuners, bridge and nut all appear original to the guitar.
This is the largest Holz 12 we've seen. The body measures just over 16" across at the lower bout, and is a full 5" deep at the end pin, and 4 1/4" at the heel. Quite the box! The fingerboard measures 1 15/16" across at the nut, and string spacing is 2 5/8 at the saddle. Scale length is 25 1/4".
This instrument appears to have some repair history. Written in pencil under the top in large letters is the name of a York Co. repairman, and the date "6/18/61". It's evident that the back was removed and several supporting top braces added, and a few thin cracks below the bridge repaired. There was also a tailpiece setup on the guitar when we acquired it (now removed). The body appears to have been refinished at that time, or at least thinned, but it's a very thin finish. The neck and bridge finish are original. There is a small chip repaired where the back attaches to the end block, likely a result of the back removal. The fingerboard had many divots, and was dry and cracked, so it was removed and replaced. This allowed access to the mortise and tenon joint so the neck could be easily removed and the angle reset. (Most Holzapfels we've seen have a mortise and tenon neck joint as opposed to a traditional dovetail). The original board did not have a 'zero' fret, typical of many Holzapfels we've seen. The bridge had a split (not broken off) in front of the saddle (likely explains the tailpiece addition), which was repaired by gluing the split, then routing the slot 1/16" deeper for added strength, then the new saddle was glued into the slot with hot hide glue so the entire unit is very solid.
The guitar is now in sound, excellent condition, and plays very well with the action set at 7/64". Holzapfel 12-strings were played by such musicians as Mike Seeger and Dave "Snaker" Ray. The sound is robust and ringing, and perfect for blues and folk guitar.
No case at the moment, but we'll try to source a hard case.
Holzapfel (& Beitel) 12-strings are among the earliest known, and quite rare today. It's unknown exactly how many were made, but probably less than two dozen have emerged over the years. This particular instrument is not labeled or branded, but one look at the bridge and neck/headstock shape, and it's maker is pretty obvious. Dating it precisely is more difficult. We've owned another 12-string nearly identical to this one branded Holzapfel & Beitel, which was believed to have been made c 1900-1904. We feel pretty secure in dating this one to the first quarter of the 20th century, but will likely never know an exact date of manufacture.
The top is spruce, and bound in colorful herringbone marquetry and white celluloid binding. The bridge appears to be ebony and is carved in the distinctive, and robust, Holzapfel shape, using six bridge pin holes. The body is mahogany. The neck is mahogany, and carved in the typical Holzapfel shape, a generous 'C'-shape. It's a handful, but not as massive as some Holz 12s we've played. The slotted head stock is overlaid with Brazilian rosewood veneer. The tuners, bridge and nut all appear original to the guitar.
This is the largest Holz 12 we've seen. The body measures just over 16" across at the lower bout, and is a full 5" deep at the end pin, and 4 1/4" at the heel. Quite the box! The fingerboard measures 1 15/16" across at the nut, and string spacing is 2 5/8 at the saddle. Scale length is 25 1/4".
This instrument appears to have some repair history. Written in pencil under the top in large letters is the name of a York Co. repairman, and the date "6/18/61". It's evident that the back was removed and several supporting top braces added, and a few thin cracks below the bridge repaired. There was also a tailpiece setup on the guitar when we acquired it (now removed). The body appears to have been refinished at that time, or at least thinned, but it's a very thin finish. The neck and bridge finish are original. There is a small chip repaired where the back attaches to the end block, likely a result of the back removal. The fingerboard had many divots, and was dry and cracked, so it was removed and replaced. This allowed access to the mortise and tenon joint so the neck could be easily removed and the angle reset. (Most Holzapfels we've seen have a mortise and tenon neck joint as opposed to a traditional dovetail). The original board did not have a 'zero' fret, typical of many Holzapfels we've seen. The bridge had a split (not broken off) in front of the saddle (likely explains the tailpiece addition), which was repaired by gluing the split, then routing the slot 1/16" deeper for added strength, then the new saddle was glued into the slot with hot hide glue so the entire unit is very solid.
The guitar is now in sound, excellent condition, and plays very well with the action set at 7/64". Holzapfel 12-strings were played by such musicians as Mike Seeger and Dave "Snaker" Ray. The sound is robust and ringing, and perfect for blues and folk guitar.
No case at the moment, but we'll try to source a hard case.