Maurer 551 by Larson Brothers Natural, Early 1920's [USED]

Perhaps a century old, this Maurer 551 by the Larson Brothers likely dates to the late 1920s at Chicago, Illinois and uses a 15-inch wide Auditorium sized body. The Maurer 541 used a 'Concert' body, 14 inches wide, with the same appointments. As was often the case in the period, there is no visible serial number on this guitar and records are scarce, so it is difficult to date exactly. This example is a bit unusual in terms of the Mother of Pearl fingerboard inlay set - the markers at the fifth and seventh frets are distinctive.

While there is no visible serial number, we're dating this to the early 1920's through comparisons to other examples we have seen and the effects of the stock market crash of October 29. That crash lead to the Great Depression and dramatically reduced interest in more ornate instruments like this. Also, this guitar has 12 frets to the body, which was the standard until Martin introduced the OM or Orchestra Model in late 1929 for banjo players migrating to guitar. Other builders took notice and swiftly shifted to 14-fret necks. Finally, serial numbers were often not applied to earlier Larson Brothers instruments.

Robert Maurer worked as a luthier in Chicago, Illinois in the closing years of the 19th century. On his retirement in 1900, he sold his company to the Larson Brothers. The Larson Brothers were Swedish immigrants who had been working as craftsmen and luthiers for other companies. They introduced and patented a number of innovations, including the use of laminated X-bracing as found on this example. Here, the brace lamination consists of a center Rosewood block with Spruce on either side.

The Maurer trade mark became the flagship line for the Larson brothers, who built other models under names like Euphonon and Prairie State. In 1932, they built a custom guitar for Rhubarb Red - Les Paul - with a very thick top and no soundholes, to which Paul added pickups. The Larson Brothers company folded with the death of August Larson in 1944.

For this Maurer 551, the top is Adirondack Spruce, the back, sides, head plate and fingerboard are Brazilian Rosewood, with a number of old, solid repairs to the top and back. The neck, body blocks and linings of the Larson Brothers Maurer 551 are mahogany, with Brazilian Rosewood used for the fingerboard. The bridge and its extension are also Brazilian but are likely reproductions; the top shows signs of the bridge being removed, and most Maurers had 'star' inlays on the bridge ends; this one does not.   The Waverly strip tuners with celluloid buttons are original, and are mounted in what would now be 'upside down' orientation.

The scale length is a modern 25.66 inches (652mm), and the nut width a fairly wide 1.82 inches (46.27mm). It has been re-fretted and the frets are in good condition.The finish base is original but there are a number of touch ups and some overspray over most of the guitar.

This beautiful Maurer 551 guitar by the Larson Brothers is quite playable with a somewhat higher action.

Sold with an older,  fibre faux-gator case.

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

 

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DETAILS: 

• Instrument Model:  551
• Instrument Manufacturer:  Maurer by Larson Brothers
• Instrument year:  1920's
  
• Instrument Finish:  Natural
• Instrument Class:  Vintage
• Instrument serial number:  N/A, built during 1920's in Chicago IL
• Country of Origin: USA
• Instrument Condition: Very Good
• Right-handed 
• CITIES Documentation Required:  Yes
• Case included:  Yes
• Case original:  No
• Case Type: Fibre
• Instrument Weight Imperial:  3.52 lbs
• Instrument Weight Metric:   1.6 kgs
• Scale Length Imperial:    25.66 in
• Scale Length Metric:    652 mm
• Nut Width Imperial:    1.821 in
• Nut Width Metric:  46.27 mm
  
• Items in Case: N/A
• Consignment: Yes
• Product ID: 189632

 

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