Description
This rare Gibson HG-22 Amplifying Hawaiian Guitar dates to 1932 based on its Factory Order Number (FON), an ink stamp visible looking through the soundhole towards the neck block and used in place of a serial number.
Condition
The Gibson HG-22 is a rare, intriguing instrument and this example is in good playing condition. Its physical condition is good, with some crack repairs to the top, particularly around the F-holes. The finish shows wear and checking expected for a now 93-year old instrument, and there is some overspray. The neck angle is good. The guitar is set up for Spanish style and is very playable.
A non-original hard shell case is included.
Model History
The Gibson HG-22 Amplifying Hawaiian Guitar is among the rarest instruments Gibson produced. This distinctive, short-lived line featured not only a round sound hole, but four F-holes placed around the top and an internal sound wall intended to increase volume and projection. This idea is somewhat akin to the sound well found in many resophonic guitars. Perhaps oddly, while this design is identified as a Hawaiian guitar to be played lap style with high action and a steel, most of the production shipped in Spanish style setup.
The 14.5 inch wide HG-20 and more decorated HG-22, and the 16 inch wide HG-24 were available from 1931 to 1933 and were the first 14-fret necks to appear in the Gibson catalog, though the L-4 had a 14 fret neck in 1928. The HG-24 body shape was ultimately developed into the J series - Jumbo, Advanced Jumbo, J-35 and J-45.
Materials and Construction
The Gibson HG-22 and HG-20 paired an Adirondack Spruce top with Maple for the sides and back. The body blocks, linings and neck were Mahogany, with Brazilian Rosewood for the fingerboard and bridge. Position markers are Mother of Pearl dots. The HG-22 has binding on the top and back, the HG-20 only on the top. This example has a pickguard, but not all examples do.
The interior sound wall is Maple. It attaches to the neck and tail blocks, but not the top or back, and has a Maple dowel visible through the soundhole to help keep its shape at the waist.
The finish is nitrocellulose lacquer, with a brown sunburst on the top, dark stain on the back and neck. The headstock gets a black finish with a screened, script Gibson logo which is in very good shape. The back of the head has a 'Made in the USA' stamp, which normally indicates that the instrument was destined for export.
The HG-24 was a more elaborate and physically larger model, with Rosewood for the sides and back, block position markers, and bound Rosewood fingerboard. It was also the most expensive guitar in the Gibson catalog at $160, double the price of the HG-22; the HG-20 was $47.50.
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |
DETAILS:
- Instrument Model: HG-22 Amplifying Hawaiian Guitar
- Instrument Manufacturer: Gibson
- Instrument year: 1932
- Instrument Finish: Sunburst
- Instrument Class: Steel String Acoustic Guitars
- Instrument serial number: FON 283, dated to 1932 at Kalamazoo Michigan
- Country of Origin: USA
- Instrument Condition: Good
- Playing Condition: Good
- Right-handed
- CITIES Documentation Required: Yes
- Instrument Weight Imperial: 4.4 lbs
- Instrument Weight Metric: 2 kgs
- Scale Length Imperial: 24.8 in
- Scale Length Metric: 630 mm
- Nut Width Imperial: 1.746 in
- Nut Width Metric: 44.35 mm
- Case included: Yes
- Case original: No
- Case Type: Hard
- Items in Case: Earlier Nut and Tail Pin
- Consignment: Yes
- Product ID: 190584
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |