Instrument Details

1935 Larson Prairie State 15 Inch Brazilian/Spruce

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Larson Brothers Prairie State Prairie State 15 Inch Acoustic Guitar

Larson Brothers Prairie State Prairie State 15 Inch

Specs

Status: Sold
Brand: Larson Brothers
Product Year: 1935
Model: Prairie State 15 Inch
Serial #: 1.768261
New/Preowned: Preowned
SKU: 5268
Condition: Very Good. Tony Klassen made pickguard reproduction. Multiple cracks all cleated and stabilized, string holes in bridge plate restored using bridge saver, bridge plate is original. Bridge pins replaced, originals provided.
Body Type(s): Medium, Grand Concert
Back & Sides: Rosewood - Brazilian
Top: Spruce
Neck Wood: Mahogany
Bridge: Ebony
Rosette: Ivoroid and Wood
Fingerboard: Ebony
Fingerboard Bindings: Ivoroid
Fret Markers: Dots
Frets to Body: 14
Headplate: Rosewood
Headstock Inlay: None

Body Bindings: Ivoroid
Tuners: Original
Tuner Finish: Nickel
Cutaway: None
Pickup: None, we can install one, ask about options
Body Length: 19.375 in
Upper Bout: 11 in
Lower Bout: 15 in
Body Depth Heel: 3.375 in
Body Depth Tail: 3.875 in
Scale Length: 25.5 in
Scale Length (mm): 647.7 mm
Nut Width: 1.78 in
Nut Width (mm): 45.2 mm
String Spacing: 2.31 in
String Spacing (mm): 58.7 mm
Weight: 0 lb. 0 oz.
Case: *TBD
Audio File: larson_prairie_state_15_1768261.mp3

Description

Although they never once put their own name on their instruments, the Larson brothers have left us an extraordinary legacy with a different kind of signature: superb craftsmanship, powerful tone, and an astonishing number of different designs. This 1935 Larson Brothers Prairies State 15" is an excellent example of their forward-thinking: the braces are actually Ebony and Spruce laminates, making them much more rigid than the purely Spruce equivalent, there's a metal reinforcement rod that runs from the heelblock to the tailblock to help preserve the guitar's shape, and finally the Larsons implemented an early neck angle adjustment system with a thin bar of metal that travels from the bottom of the guitar at the end pin, through the interior of the body and heel, and wraps around the outside of the heel of the neck: one twist of a flathead screwdriver, and the theory goes, you can tighten the tension on the heel, pulling it back and into the body of the guitar, thereby achieving a lower neck angle. Add to that a rare "Chocolate Top" finish and a period reproduction pickguard added by Tony Klassen (of New Era guitars fame), and you've got a legend of living wood in your hands!

The voice is warm, yet articulate, with rich overtones from the crisp bass register. Now that our repair staff have cleated and stabilized all cracks and restored the original bridge (which was suffering from the string slots tearing into the saddle slot) to full functionality, this Prairie State 15" is in peak playing condition.

The chocolate top gives this guitar a moody look, and the voice is delightfully clear and projective. I think the body's in such great shape in no small part because of the Larsons' use of the metal reinforcement rod that runs the length of the body.

I've never seen one of these guitars with a brown top like this. It looks great and it plays great as well. It has a strong midrange focus which works quite well for recording and for fingerstyle playing. A very rare and collectible instrument.

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SCALE LENGTH	25.5 in
NUT WIDTH	1.78 in
STRING SPACING	2.31 in
WOODS	SPRUCE, ROSEWOOD - BRAZILIAN

Although they never once put their own name on their instruments, the Larson brothers have left us an extraordinary legacy with a different kind of signature: superb craftsmanship, powerful tone, and an astonishing number of different designs. This 1935 Larson Brothers Prairies State 15" is an excellent example of their forward-thinking: the braces are actually Ebony and Spruce laminates, making them much more rigid than the purely Spruce equivalent, there's a metal reinforcement rod that runs from the heelblock to the tailblock to help preserve the guitar's shape, and finally the Larsons implemented an early neck angle adjustment system with a thin bar of metal that travels from the bottom of the guitar at the end pin, through the interior of the body and heel, and wraps around the outside of the heel of the neck: one twist of a flathead screwdriver, and the theory goes, you can tighten the tension on the heel, pulling it back and into the body of the guitar, thereby achieving a lower neck angle.

I've never seen one of these guitars with a brown top like this. It looks great and it plays great as well.

15512