Description
Harwood ~1900 – extremely nice sounding parlor size guitar. Similar to the C.F. Martin Parlor guitars of the time.
“Harwood” was a brand used in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by J.W. Jenkins & Sons of Kansas City, one of the largest dealers in top quality instruments.
Beginning in 1895, Jenkins operated a small factory in Kansas City for over 30 years where Harwood guitars were built.
Harwood instruments were generally very good. They were made of high quality materials and were quite expensive to purchase at the time.
Jenkins claimed that the Harwood line were the best guitars made, and while C.F. Martin or Lyon & Healy may have disagreed, this model is really a very nicely made instrument. Judging by the features, this example appears to date from around 1900. Harwood instruments carry serial numbers that appear to be consecutive, but there is no key to an exact date as the brand was discontinued at the time the Depression hit and never revived.
The top of the guitar is made of fine spruce. Back and sides are made of the best rosewood. The guitar has a scale length of 625 mm and a nut width of 47 mm.
This small guitar has a beautiful and surprisingly powerful sound, suitable for both solo and ensemble contexts, where it comes through very well. As you might expect, the small body doesn’t offer much bass response, but the tone is surprisingly even. The sound has a very pleasant vintage character.
The guitar plays very comfortably with a low action, straight neck, and well-preserved frets.
It is in overall good condition and the body is free of cracks. Only repairs can be seen on the sides around the heel of the neck. Presumably these were caused by the neck reset. Everything is stable and the guitar is 100% ready to play.
The guitar comes with the original case.