|
|
Re: 1895 Almcrantz Guitar
Posted by Barbara on Sun, 03/30/03 - 11:59:06.
: Hi All,
:
: I thought that you might find the following story about my 1895 Almcrantz interesting. It's not for sale, just thought you might enjoy the story and pictures.
: http://www.mountaininstruments.com/pages/Almcrantz.html
:
: Happy Holidays,
: Larry Myers
Hi! I bought an Almcrantz that needed a little loving care in April 2003 from a person in Florida who had it in her attic. It originally was bought by her ex-husband's Grandfather in Chicago and came into the grandson's possession when it was given to him by his Grandmother at the Grandfather's passing. It apparently was playable when first received. I have brought it back into playable condition and only minimalized its restoration. It still has the original finish. It is a Brazilian rosewood back/sides with a Sitka spruce top. I had to inlay more Mother of Pearl on its neck as it had lost its top flower inlay and one of the dots. I too am searching for information about its builder. The only thing I have found is that the guitars were built by Gerhardt starting in 1895 with its patent...and that he took on another partner in 1900. At that time, both names were put inside the guitars/mandolins...so...I am assuming that these guitars were made between 1895 and 1900. The book by Tom Wheeler, American Guitars, only posts a singular picture in the back of one and little more than what is posted in the label within the guitars. There is no information other than that. This book is the 1st Edition of American Guitars. I was hoping for more information about the lutier so I was sorely disappointed. If anyone has more information, PLEASE post it! Thanks! The guitar is just beautiful and plays very deep and full. Nice sound! :o)
Re: 1895 Almcrantz Guitar
hi, I am a fortunate owner of an Almcrantz, which I purchased in Chicago, around 1983, and had lovingly restored by Ed Reynolds, a great luthier. Later on having a bit of work done by another fantastic crafsman, Eric Aceto, of Ithaca Guitar Works, now owner/partner at Ithaca Stringed Instruments, Ithaca, New York. I absolutely love this guitar,and have enjoyed being the owner since I first
picked it up. The tone, and playability are wonderful. The workmanship is nothing short of incredible, the lore about Chicago (my home town), is tha Mr. Almcrantz was noted for his attention to detail, particularly with inlay and marquetry. Although my instrument is not as flamboyant as some that were produced, the herringbone inlay, and the back of the body are crafted with a very high degree of skill and care. I've never visited this posting before, and will try to get some photos on line to share, as soon as i figure out how to do that with my digital camera. A 19th century guitar meets 21st century technology...Hmmmmmmm.
Re: 1895 Almcrantz Guitar
Getting ready to take my old 1895 ALMCRANTZ guitar into a guitar fixer, and thought (like a bolt of lightening)"hey, let's go for a long shot and see if there is anything on/about ALMCRANTZ GUITAR on the internet. BANG , WOW, was I ever surprised, there WAS ! I have had my 1895 ALMCRANTZ guitar for about 40 years now, having been given it by an old mountain man from deep in the wild and rugged outback of the Trinity Mountains of remote Northern California, where we both lived. Six miles of hiking trails got us to a small spot on the road (hiway 36) called Forest Glen.
After playing it for about two or three years, the bridge started to seperate from the box, so I had it repaired by a Guitar-Fixer in Berkeley, CA. It has now developed the same problem - bridge seperating from the box. Probably from tight srings and sitting unplayed in a case in the cornor for 10 years. I no longer play, but keep the guitar as a close family friend. When you've been together for forty years, you get attached to the thing. I don't know what the cost to fix the bridge will be, but if it is too great, I'll just take it home and again put it in the corner, to wait for someone to come by who has an interest. It was given to me, so I'll just pass it on the same way.
From the few sites I have found on the internet, it seems that Almcrantz produced some fancy inlay models, but, sadly, mine is not one of them. Just plain jane. But it is smaller than most guitars, so it fits my playing style.
Re: Almcrantz Guitars
Hi All,
I am attempting to build a data base of owners and compile as much history about Almcrantz guitars as possible. This is not for a money thing. I want to preserve as much as I can about these fine old instruments and Gerhard Almcrantz.
Once I get it all together, I’ll send what I have to any of you so that we can, together, keep the history alive.
Thank you for your time and please feel free to email me at larry@mountaininstruments.com (not a music store!) Please put Almcrantz in the subject line.
Larry Myers
http://www.mountaininstruments.com
Almcrantz
Hi Larry Myers,
My name is Wendy Turnquist & my Granfather was Gideon Tornquist, whom you have listed on the site from Chicago in 1900. I still have his guitar, which is quite fancy, with inlaid wood all over it. My granfather's initials GT are in pearl on the neck, with other pearll pieces on the neck. Also, what appears to be ebony around the acoustic space, some of which is missing. I was told, that my Grandpa played for the King of Sweden and that He had this guitar made for him, however, since it was made in Chicago, that seems a stretch. My Granfather I am told was close to a millionaire, and I know my Dad grew up with maids and cooks, and a gymnasium in his home. My Grandfather built most of the apartment buildings in Jackson Park, on 55th street, right across from what used to be "Billings Hospital", which is now "U of C." However, when the Great Depression hit... he lost everything as noone could buy the buildings. There are 2 carcks, ( not all the way through), on the body. I will take a picture and send it to you. Just curious, what you think it may be worth .
Thanks, Wendy Turnquist, rnwlt54@comcast.net
Re: Almcrantz Guitar on dixieguitartraders.com
: Hi All,
: I am attempting to build a data base of owners and compile as much history about Almcrantz guitars as possible. This is not for a money thing. I want to preserve as much as I can about these fine old instruments and Gerhard Almcrantz.
: Once I get it all together, I’ll send what I have to any of you so that we can, together, keep the history alive.
: Thank you for your time and please feel free to email me at larry@mountaininstruments.com (not a music store!) Please put Almcrantz in the subject line.
: Larry Myers
: http://www.mountaininstruments.com
Re: Almcrantz Guitar
This popular thread has been given its own page : Re: Almcrantz Guitar
Re: 1895 Almcrantz Guitar
Hi Barbara,
Interesting! You are only the third person I've run across that has one. Any pictures of it yet?
Larry
Re: 1895 Almcrantz Guitar
Hi:
Yes, I too own an 1895 Almcrantz. My dad purchased it from my great aunt. It's in very good playing condition, and even though it was made for cat gut strings, I had kept steel strings on it for over 50 years, a testimoney to its loving construction.
Family history is that my great aunt was named Cederstrom (sp), of Swedish descent, and was probably distantly related to Almcrantz, himself one of two brothers. The one brother remained in Sweden, plying the luthier trade there. My understanding is that the Almcrantz name was well known and respected in Scandanavia for their luthier skills.
Currently the guitar is being repaired for minor bridge pullup and mother of pearl replacement.
What a piece of work. I used the guitar as my primary playing instrument for over 40 years and it always played with equisite tonal clarity and was rich in harmonics. At one time I was offered an 1890's Martin trade straight across. I knew then that I had something very special.
By the way, I also obtained a lady-bug mandoline owned by my great aunt as well. I was told that she had purchased them as a matchin set, however, the name burned into a cross strut on the inside is "Curtis." Anybody know anything about this manufacturer/luthier?
Would like to hear from any any all who have owned any of these two instruments.
Dan
Re: 1895 Almcrantz Guitar
: Hi:
: Yes, I too own an 1895 Almcrantz. My dad purchased it from my great aunt. It's in very good playing condition, and even though it was made for cat gut strings, I had kept steel strings on it for over 50 years, a testimoney to its loving construction.
: Family history is that my great aunt was named Cederstrom (sp), of Swedish descent, and was probably distantly related to Almcrantz, himself one of two brothers. The one brother remained in Sweden, plying the luthier trade there. My understanding is that the Almcrantz name was well known and respected in Scandanavia for their luthier skills.
: Currently the guitar is being repaired for minor bridge pullup and mother of pearl replacement.
: What a piece of work. I used the guitar as my primary playing instrument for over 40 years and it always played with equisite tonal clarity and was rich in harmonics. At one time I was offered an 1890's Martin trade straight across. I knew then that I had something very special.
: By the way, I also obtained a lady-bug mandoline owned by my great aunt as well. I was told that she had purchased them as a matchin set, however, the name burned into a cross strut on the inside is "Curtis." Anybody know anything about this manufacturer/luthier?
: Would like to hear from any any all who have owned any of these two instruments.
: Dan
Re: 1895 Almcrantz Guitar
This popular thread has been given its own page : Re: 1895 Almcrantz Guitar
Post new comment