Dangerous
Curves: The Art of the Guitar
Text by Darcy Kuronen
Photographs by Carl Tremblay and others
Text by Darcy Kuronen
Photographs by Carl Tremblay and others
Guitar
Attributed to Jakob Ertel
Italy (Rome), about 1690
Ebony, spruce, fruitwood, ivory, bone
35 ¾ x 9 3/8 x 3 7/8 in.
The Metropolian Museum of Art;
Purchase, Rogers Fund, Mrs. Peter Nicholas, University of Chicago Club of New York, Mrs. Henry J. Heinz II and Lowell S. Smith and Sally Sanford Gifts, The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, by exchange, and funds
From various donors 1984
Attributed to Jakob Ertel
Italy (Rome), about 1690
Ebony, spruce, fruitwood, ivory, bone
35 ¾ x 9 3/8 x 3 7/8 in.
The Metropolian Museum of Art;
Purchase, Rogers Fund, Mrs. Peter Nicholas, University of Chicago Club of New York, Mrs. Henry J. Heinz II and Lowell S. Smith and Sally Sanford Gifts, The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, by exchange, and funds
From various donors 1984
Guitar
Attributed to Belchior Dias
Portugal (Lisbon), about 1590
Rosewood, spruce, ebony, ivory
37 ¾ x 10 x 3 5/8 in.
Collection of Frank and Leanne Koonce
Attributed to Belchior Dias
Portugal (Lisbon), about 1590
Rosewood, spruce, ebony, ivory
37 ¾ x 10 x 3 5/8 in.
Collection of Frank and Leanne Koonce
Guitar
Antoine Aubry (active 1778-1784)
France (Mirecourt), 1779
Maple, spruce, ebony, applewood, ivory, Tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl
35 ½ x 10 3/8 x 4 1/8 in.
America's Shrine to Music Museum,
The University of South Dakota, Vermillion
(No. 5581, Rawlins Fund, 1993)
Antoine Aubry (active 1778-1784)
France (Mirecourt), 1779
Maple, spruce, ebony, applewood, ivory, Tortoiseshell, mother-of-pearl
35 ½ x 10 3/8 x 4 1/8 in.
America's Shrine to Music Museum,
The University of South Dakota, Vermillion
(No. 5581, Rawlins Fund, 1993)
Guitar
Louis Panormo (1784-1862)
England (London), 1823
Maple, spruce, cedar, pearwood
37 x 11 ¼ 3 3/8 in.
Collection of Frank and Leanne Koonce
Louis Panormo (1784-1862)
England (London), 1823
Maple, spruce, cedar, pearwood
37 x 11 ¼ 3 3/8 in.
Collection of Frank and Leanne Koonce
Guitar
Christian Frederick Martin (1796-1873)
United States (New York, New York), 1833-1840
Rosewood, spruce, ivory, mother-of-pearl, Abalone
37 x 11 ½ x 3 3/8 in.
Courtesy of the Chinery Collection
Christian Frederick Martin (1796-1873)
United States (New York, New York), 1833-1840
Rosewood, spruce, ivory, mother-of-pearl, Abalone
37 x 11 ½ x 3 3/8 in.
Courtesy of the Chinery Collection
Lyre
Guitar (Apollo lyre)
Clementi and Company
England (London), about 1810
Maple, spruce, ebony, ivory
34 3/8 x 14 3/8 x 4 1/8 in.
Philio Wigglesworth Cushing and Henry Cowell Cololidge Wigglesworth, from the Collection of their parents, Frank and Anne Wigglesworth
Clementi and Company
England (London), about 1810
Maple, spruce, ebony, ivory
34 3/8 x 14 3/8 x 4 1/8 in.
Philio Wigglesworth Cushing and Henry Cowell Cololidge Wigglesworth, from the Collection of their parents, Frank and Anne Wigglesworth
Harp-Guitar
Joseph Laurent Mast (active 1802-1830)
France (Toulouse), 1827
Maple, spruce, ebony
45 x 13 ¾ x 5 ¾ in.
Courtesy of the Chinery Collection
Joseph Laurent Mast (active 1802-1830)
France (Toulouse), 1827
Maple, spruce, ebony
45 x 13 ¾ x 5 ¾ in.
Courtesy of the Chinery Collection
Classical
Guitar
Francisco Simplicio (1874-1932/3)
Spain (Barcelona), about 1929-30
Stainwood, spruce, cedar, ebony
39 ½ x 14 ¼ x 4 in.
Courtesy of R.E. Brune, luthier
Francisco Simplicio (1874-1932/3)
Spain (Barcelona), about 1929-30
Stainwood, spruce, cedar, ebony
39 ½ x 14 ¼ x 4 in.
Courtesy of R.E. Brune, luthier
Flamenco
Guitar
Santos Hernandez (1874-1943)
Spain (Madrid), 1934
Cypress, spruce, cedar, ebony
39 ½ x 14 ½ x 3 ¾ in.
Courtesy of R.E. Brune, luthier
Santos Hernandez (1874-1943)
Spain (Madrid), 1934
Cypress, spruce, cedar, ebony
39 ½ x 14 ½ x 3 ¾ in.
Courtesy of R.E. Brune, luthier
Arch-top
Guitar
Orville H. Gibson (1856-1918)
United States (Kalamazoo, Michigan), About 1900
Walnut, spruce
40 x 15 ¾ x 2 ½ in.
Courtesy of the Chinery Collection
Orville H. Gibson (1856-1918)
United States (Kalamazoo, Michigan), About 1900
Walnut, spruce
40 x 15 ¾ x 2 ½ in.
Courtesy of the Chinery Collection
Flat-top
Guitar
Probably by Lyon and Healy (Washburn Brand)
United States (Chicago, Illinois), About 1900
Rosewood, spruce, mother-of-pearl, Abalone, ivory
37 5/8 x 14 x 4 3/8 in.
The Roy Acuff Collection, Gaylord Entertainment, Nashville, Tennessee
Probably by Lyon and Healy (Washburn Brand)
United States (Chicago, Illinois), About 1900
Rosewood, spruce, mother-of-pearl, Abalone, ivory
37 5/8 x 14 x 4 3/8 in.
The Roy Acuff Collection, Gaylord Entertainment, Nashville, Tennessee
Flat-top
Guitar (SJ-200 model)
Gibson, Inc. United States (Kalamazoo, Michigan), 1938
Rosewood, spruce, ebony, mother-of-pearl, Plastic 42 1/8 x 17 x 4 7/8 in.
Mac Yasuda
Gibson, Inc. United States (Kalamazoo, Michigan), 1938
Rosewood, spruce, ebony, mother-of-pearl, Plastic 42 1/8 x 17 x 4 7/8 in.
Mac Yasuda
Flat-top
Guitar (D-45 model)
C.F. Martin and Company
United States (Nazereth, Pennsylvania), 1938
Rosewood, spruce, ebony, mother-of-pearl, Abalone, plastic
40 ¼ x 15 ¾ x 4 7/8 in.
Mac Yasuda
C.F. Martin and Company
United States (Nazereth, Pennsylvania), 1938
Rosewood, spruce, ebony, mother-of-pearl, Abalone, plastic
40 ¼ x 15 ¾ x 4 7/8 in.
Mac Yasuda
Cowboy
Guitar ("Singing Cowboys" Model)
Harmony Company
United States (Chicago, Illinois), 1942
Birch
36 3/8 x 13 ¼ x 4 ¾ in.
Brian Fischer
Harmony Company
United States (Chicago, Illinois), 1942
Birch
36 3/8 x 13 ¼ x 4 ¾ in.
Brian Fischer
Arch-top
Guitar (Super 400 Model)
Gibson, Inc.
United States (Kalamazoo, Michigan), 1934
Maple, spruce, ebony, mother-of-pearl, Plastic
44 x 18 x 3 ½ in.
Courtesy of the Chinery Collection
Gibson, Inc.
United States (Kalamazoo, Michigan), 1934
Maple, spruce, ebony, mother-of-pearl, Plastic
44 x 18 x 3 ½ in.
Courtesy of the Chinery Collection
Arch-top
Guitar (Synchromatic 300 model)
The Fred Gretsch Company, Inc.
United States, (Brooklyn, New York), About c. 1939
Maple, spruce, ebony, mother-of-pearl, Plastic
43 1/3 x 17 ¼ x 3 3/8 in.
Scot Michael Arch
The Fred Gretsch Company, Inc.
United States, (Brooklyn, New York), About c. 1939
Maple, spruce, ebony, mother-of-pearl, Plastic
43 1/3 x 17 ¼ x 3 3/8 in.
Scot Michael Arch
Arch-top
Guitar (New Yorker Model)
John D'Angelico (1905-1964)
United States (New York, New York), 1954
Maple, spruce, ebony, mother-of-pearl, Plastic
43 3/8 x 18 x 3 ¼ in.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston;
John H. and Ernestine A. Payne Fund, and Harriet Otis Cruft Fund 1998.62
John D'Angelico (1905-1964)
United States (New York, New York), 1954
Maple, spruce, ebony, mother-of-pearl, Plastic
43 3/8 x 18 x 3 ¼ in.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston;
John H. and Ernestine A. Payne Fund, and Harriet Otis Cruft Fund 1998.62
Hawaiian
Steel Guitar (style 4)
Hermann C. Weissenborn (1863-1937)
United States (Los Angeles, California), mid-1920s
Koa wood
37 3/8 x 15 3/8 x 2 7/8 in.
Tim Scheerhorn
Hermann C. Weissenborn (1863-1937)
United States (Los Angeles, California), mid-1920s
Koa wood
37 3/8 x 15 3/8 x 2 7/8 in.
Tim Scheerhorn
Arch-top
Guitar (Orchestre Model)
Designed by Mario Macceferri for Selmer & Cie
France (Paris), 1932
Rosewood, spruce, ebony
38 x 15 ½ x 3 7/8 in.
Courtesy of the Chinery Collection
Designed by Mario Macceferri for Selmer & Cie
France (Paris), 1932
Rosewood, spruce, ebony
38 x 15 ½ x 3 7/8 in.
Courtesy of the Chinery Collection
Resonator
Guitar (Tri-Cone Model)
National String Instrument Corporation
United States (Los Angeles, California), 1934
Nickel alloy plated with nickel silver, Ebony, plastic
38 5/8 x 14 3/8 x 3 3/8 in.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston;
Helen B. Sweeney Fund 1998.193
National String Instrument Corporation
United States (Los Angeles, California), 1934
Nickel alloy plated with nickel silver, Ebony, plastic
38 5/8 x 14 3/8 x 3 3/8 in.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston;
Helen B. Sweeney Fund 1998.193
Lap
steel Guitar (Dynamic model)
Valco (National Brand)
United States (Chicago, Illinois), 1952
Wood, plastic
32 x 6 ½ x 1 ½ in.
Walter Carter
Valco (National Brand)
United States (Chicago, Illinois), 1952
Wood, plastic
32 x 6 ½ x 1 ½ in.
Walter Carter
Electric
Guitar (Telecaster Model)
Fender Electric Instrument Company
United States (Fullerton, California), 1957
Ash, maple
38 3/8 x 12 5/8 x 1 ¾ in.
Brian Fischer
Fender Electric Instrument Company
United States (Fullerton, California), 1957
Ash, maple
38 3/8 x 12 5/8 x 1 ¾ in.
Brian Fischer
Electric
Guitar (Les Paul model)
Gibson, Inc.
United States (Kalamazoo, Michigan), 1952
Mahogany, maple, rosewood, mother-of- Pearl, plastic
39 5/8 x 13 x 2 in.
Brian Fischer
Gibson, Inc.
United States (Kalamazoo, Michigan), 1952
Mahogany, maple, rosewood, mother-of- Pearl, plastic
39 5/8 x 13 x 2 in.
Brian Fischer
Electric
Guitar (Flying V model)
Gibson, Inc.
United States, (Kalamazoo, Michigan), 1958
Limba wood, rosewood
43 3/8 x 16 ¾ x 1 ½ in.
Brian Fischer
Gibson, Inc.
United States, (Kalamazoo, Michigan), 1958
Limba wood, rosewood
43 3/8 x 16 ¾ x 1 ½ in.
Brian Fischer
Electric
Guitar (White Falcon 6136 model)
The Fred Gretsch Company, Inc.
United States (Brooklyn, New York), 1956
Maple, spruce, ebony, mother-of-pearl, Plastic
42 3/8 x 16 7/8 x 2 7/8 in.
Mac Yasuda
The Fred Gretsch Company, Inc.
United States (Brooklyn, New York), 1956
Maple, spruce, ebony, mother-of-pearl, Plastic
42 3/8 x 16 7/8 x 2 7/8 in.
Mac Yasuda
Double-neck
Electric Guitar (EDS-1275 model)
Gibson, Inc. United States (Kalamazoo, Michigan), 1960
Maple, spruce, rosewood, mother-of-pearl, Plastic
44 x 17 ¼ x 1 7/8 in.
Courtesy of the Chinery Collection
Gibson, Inc. United States (Kalamazoo, Michigan), 1960
Maple, spruce, rosewood, mother-of-pearl, Plastic
44 x 17 ¼ x 1 7/8 in.
Courtesy of the Chinery Collection
Electric
Guitar
(Les Paul/ SG Standard model)
Gibson, Inc.
United States, (Kalamazoo, Michigan), 1961
Mahogany, rosewood, mother-of-pearl, Plastic
39 3/8 x 13 x 2 7/8 in.
Brian Fischer
(Les Paul/ SG Standard model)
Gibson, Inc.
United States, (Kalamazoo, Michigan), 1961
Mahogany, rosewood, mother-of-pearl, Plastic
39 3/8 x 13 x 2 7/8 in.
Brian Fischer
Electric
Guitar (360-12 model)
Electro String Instrument Corporation
(Rickenbacker brand)
United States (Los Angeles, California), 1966
Maple, padauk, plastic
39 7/8 x 14 7/8 x 1 ½ in.
Brian Fischer
Electro String Instrument Corporation
(Rickenbacker brand)
United States (Los Angeles, California), 1966
Maple, padauk, plastic
39 7/8 x 14 7/8 x 1 ½ in.
Brian Fischer
Electric
Guitar (3012 model)
Danelectro Corporation
United States (Neptune City, New Jersey), About 1960
Hardboard, pine, rosewood
38 x 13 ¼ x 1 5/8 in.
Brian Fischer
Danelectro Corporation
United States (Neptune City, New Jersey), About 1960
Hardboard, pine, rosewood
38 x 13 ¼ x 1 5/8 in.
Brian Fischer
Electric
Guitar (Telecaster Pink Paisley model)
Fender Musical Instruments
United States (Fullerton, California), 1969
Ash, maple, printed paper
38 3/8 x 12 5/8 x 1 ¾ in.
Collection of the Fender Museum of Music and the Arts
Fender Musical Instruments
United States (Fullerton, California), 1969
Ash, maple, printed paper
38 3/8 x 12 5/8 x 1 ¾ in.
Collection of the Fender Museum of Music and the Arts
Electric
guitar (331 model)
Electro String Instrument Company
(Rickenbacker brand)
United States (Los Angeles, California), 1971
Maple, mahogany, plastic
39 3/8 x 14 7/8 x 2 in.
Brian Fischer
Electro String Instrument Company
(Rickenbacker brand)
United States (Los Angeles, California), 1971
Maple, mahogany, plastic
39 3/8 x 14 7/8 x 2 in.
Brian Fischer
Electric
Guitar (M5-700 MoonSault model)
Kawai Company
Japan, 1982
Mahogany, rosewood mother-of-pearl
42 x 12 x 1 5/8 in.
Michael Wright, The Different Strummer
Kawai Company
Japan, 1982
Mahogany, rosewood mother-of-pearl
42 x 12 x 1 5/8 in.
Michael Wright, The Different Strummer
Guitar
(Pikasso model)
Linda Manzer (born 1952)
Canada, (Toronto, Ontaria), 1993
Rosewood, mahogany, spruce, ebony, Abalone
47 x 18 3/8 x 4 in.
Courtesy of the Chinery Collection
Linda Manzer (born 1952)
Canada, (Toronto, Ontaria), 1993
Rosewood, mahogany, spruce, ebony, Abalone
47 x 18 3/8 x 4 in.
Courtesy of the Chinery Collection
John
Lennon's First Guitar
Flat-top guitar (Champion model)
Gallo Industries
The Netherlands, mid-1950s
Flat-top guitar (Champion model)
Gallo Industries
The Netherlands, mid-1950s
Jimi
Hendrix's Psychedelic Flying V model
Gibson, Inc.
USA (1967)
Gibson, Inc.
USA (1967)
Electric
guitar (Les Paul model)
Gibson, Inc.
United States (Kalamazoo, Michigan),
Possibly late 1950s
Mahogany, ebony, mother-of-pearl, plastic
39 x 13 x 2 in.
Les Paul
Gibson, Inc.
United States (Kalamazoo, Michigan),
Possibly late 1950s
Mahogany, ebony, mother-of-pearl, plastic
39 x 13 x 2 in.
Les Paul
Flat-top
guitar (0-42)
C.F. Martin and Company
United States (Nazereth, Pennsylvania), 1927
Rosewood, spruce, ebony, mother-of-pearl, Plastic
38 3/8 x 13 ½ x 4 ¼ in.
Courtesy of the Autry Museum of Western Heritage, Los Angeles.
Donated by Mr. And Mrs. Gene Autry
C.F. Martin and Company
United States (Nazereth, Pennsylvania), 1927
Rosewood, spruce, ebony, mother-of-pearl, Plastic
38 3/8 x 13 ½ x 4 ¼ in.
Courtesy of the Autry Museum of Western Heritage, Los Angeles.
Donated by Mr. And Mrs. Gene Autry
Electric
guitar (6120 model)
The Fred Gretsch Company, Inc.
United States (Brooklyn, New York), 1955
Maple, rosewood, mother-of-pearl, plastic
41 3/8 x 15 5/8 x 2 7/8 in.
Chet Atkins
The Fred Gretsch Company, Inc.
United States (Brooklyn, New York), 1955
Maple, rosewood, mother-of-pearl, plastic
41 3/8 x 15 5/8 x 2 7/8 in.
Chet Atkins
Electric
arch-top guitar (ES-150 model)
Gibson, Inc.
United States (Kalamazoo, Michigan), 1936
Maple, spruce, mahogany, rosewood, Plastic
40 ¾ x 16 ¼ x 3 5/8 in.
J. Geils
Gibson, Inc.
United States (Kalamazoo, Michigan), 1936
Maple, spruce, mahogany, rosewood, Plastic
40 ¾ x 16 ¼ x 3 5/8 in.
J. Geils
Electric
guitar (GL2T model)
Steinberger Sound Company
United States (Newburgh, New York), 1986
Carbon graphite
30 1/8 x 7 ½ x 1 7/8 in.
Reeves Gabrels
Steinberger Sound Company
United States (Newburgh, New York), 1986
Carbon graphite
30 1/8 x 7 ½ x 1 7/8 in.
Reeves Gabrels
Electric
guitar (Les Paul Custom model) Gibson Guitar Corp. (Custom Division)
United States (Nashville, Tennessee), 1995
Mahogany, ebony, cocobolo, mother-of- Pearl, abalone, plastic
38 7/8 x 13 x 2 in.
Kix Brooks
United States (Nashville, Tennessee), 1995
Mahogany, ebony, cocobolo, mother-of- Pearl, abalone, plastic
38 7/8 x 13 x 2 in.
Kix Brooks
Electric
guitar (five-neck Custom model)
Hamer Guitars, Inc. United States
(Arlington Heights, Illinois), 1981
Mahogany, rosewood
37 7/8 x 29 7/8 x 1 7/8 in.
Rick Nielsen
Hamer Guitars, Inc. United States
(Arlington Heights, Illinois), 1981
Mahogany, rosewood
37 7/8 x 29 7/8 x 1 7/8 in.
Rick Nielsen
Electric
guitar (Yellow Cloud Model)
David Rusan and Barry Haugen of
Knut- Koupee Enterprises, Inc.
United States (Minneapolis, Minnesota), 1989
Maple 39 x 11 x 2 in.
National Museum of American History,
Smithsonian Institution
David Rusan and Barry Haugen of
Knut- Koupee Enterprises, Inc.
United States (Minneapolis, Minnesota), 1989
Maple 39 x 11 x 2 in.
National Museum of American History,
Smithsonian Institution
Lap Steel guitar
Semie Moseley (1935-1992)
United States (Jonas Ridge, North Carolina), 1984
Aluminum, rubber
47 ¼ x 8 3/8 x 2 3/8 in.
America's Shrine to Music Museum,
The University of South Dakota,
Vermillion (No. 6190, Board of Trustees, 1998)
Semie Moseley (1935-1992)
United States (Jonas Ridge, North Carolina), 1984
Aluminum, rubber
47 ¼ x 8 3/8 x 2 3/8 in.
America's Shrine to Music Museum,
The University of South Dakota,
Vermillion (No. 6190, Board of Trustees, 1998)