Stauffer/Martin style parlor guitar 1830s/40

1830s/40s Stauffer/Martin style parlor guitar

This guitar has been through enough work in its nearly two century existence that any maker's mark that might have once existed (stamp, label, etc) are long gone. It bears some significant similarities in design, style and construction to examples built by Stauffer and also some of Martin's Stauffer-style instruments. But there were also other Markneukirchen makers building what were basically Stauffer "knock off" guitars during that period. The guitar also has some similarities to German guitars of the Vogtland region. The most that can be said is that this guitar bears some similarity to guitars made by Stauffer and also by Martin building in the Stauffer style, but no positive attribution to either can be made.

The guitar has Brazilian rosewood back and sides lined in spruce. The top is solid spruce, the neck is veneered in ebony and has an 'ice cream cone' heel and Stauffer style scroll headstock. The head stock is a separate piece from the shaft, joined with a bird-beak joint, though the joint does not have the raised dart typically seen on Martin guitars with this joint. The back has three rather robust braces and solid spruce lining strips. The top has 4 lateral braces (two above the sound hole, two below) along with a brace that extends out of the neck block toward the sound hole and intersects both lateral braces between the neck block and the sound hole (a design feature of some Martin built Stauffer style guitars). The bridge plate is a small rectangular patch, also very similar to those found on Martin made Stauffer style guitars. The top is dressed with a band of half-herringbone or 'rope' wood purfling bordered by 4 ply wood pufling lines on either side. The binding is original natural material on the body and neck. The neck is straight with a good angle, and the frets are in very good condition. The original tuners are present and functioning, though occasionally there is a slight buzz from vibration of parts in the tuner mechanism when playing. The bridge (obviously) is not original. The guitar has been refinished at least once, the quality of the finish currently is good. It appears to be French polish shellac, it is thin with good surface quality. The top has many repaired cracks with multiple splints that are structurally well done. The sides show no cracks while the back shows a number of fine checks in the rosewood veneer, though all are closed. The guitar plays very well, the action is comfortable and intonation is good. Comes with a chip board case (it's all I have that will fit the guitar). It will be securely packed for shipping. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have about this rare and interesting guitar. Ships to US destinations only, no international shipping offered. $2500 + shipping, NYS buyers add 8% sales tax.