A number of manufacturers around the 1910's through the 1920's were producing high quality parlor guitars - and this is certainly one such instrument, albeit without any markings or clear evidence of the builder.

Constructed with a 12.75" lower bout, this small body concert or parlor guitar has a tightly grained spruce top fully bound with colorful multi-ply marquetry. The body length is a hair over 18" with a depth of 3 7/8" at the base of the body and 3 1/4" towards the heel. Internally, the top is braced with a fairly Larson-esque tapered (but not scalloped) ladder bracing. The bridge plate is actually made of what appears to be rosewood, spliced into the wider brace - see photos. The kerfing is tall and thinner, with the braces protruding into them. The back and sides of this instrument are very unique - the back evidently Brazilian Rosewood, with a nice book matched curl and figuring - similar marquetry back strip. The sides utilize a lighter "sappier" piece of the same wood. It is likely that this was refinished or oversprayed a long time ago, as it is quite glossy, but still has old checking most notable on the top. A very worn ebony pyramid bridge is present with a repaired crack between the bridge pin holes. The saddle has been lowered in its past. The buttons with MOP dot inlay.

The neck is constructed out of what appears to be a lightly stained cedar, the ebony fingerboard fully bound. It has a 24.25" scale length, with a 1 13/16" nut width. The profile of the neck has a soft V, something that would begin to be more common in "later" era of similar instruments. The neck is thicker, measuring .925" in depth at the first position and tapering up to about 1.1" by the eleventh fret. The headstock is slotted, with both front and back veneered in a darker rosewood. This instrument has a Regal like inlay pattern, with circles and diamonds made of mother of pearl. The fingerboard itself is clearly not aligned with the center, something that isn't particularly uncommon, but of note. The fingerboard, and the frets are in clean condition, with not much wear to speak of. The neck is straight with no clear evidence of a neck reset. The action is nice and low measuring about 4/64" in height at the twelfth fret. Old Grover tuners appear original, all functioning as they should (metal buttons).

Sonically speaking this has a nice and open voice with nice definition and balance between the basses and the trebles. Currently is setup with silk and steel strings which is certainly recommended for a vintage instrument like this. It is an excellent playing parlor, with a nicer than average build.

Includes a "newer' hardshell case that is in very good shape with all functioning latches and clean tolex.