Howard Models

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Howard Archtop Guitar
Howard Guitars & Mandolins

Instruments previously built in New York, NY circa 1930s. The construction technique and overall appearance indicate the possibility that Epaminondas "Epi" Stathopoulos' Epiphone company built instruments under the Howard trademark for a dealer or distributor. Models that have appeared in the vintage guitar market have the Howard brand name and fleur-de-lis inlaid on the headstock. The dealer or distributor involved in the Howard trademark has yet to be identified.

Source: Paul Bechtoldt, Vintage Guitar Magazine, February 1996


The Howard model shown below was contributed by Ruurd Feitsma and was purchased in March 2012 from www.niceguitar.eu. Before that it was in the hands of Southside Guitars. Around 1980 it was in the hands of George Gruhn.


Specifications

Howard
Howard Model Front
Howard
Howard Model Back
Photo compliments of www.niceguitar.eu
Photo compliments of www.niceguitar.eu
  • Serial Number: 7388, stamped inside back under bass f-hole
  • Label: None

Body:

  • Size at lower bout 16 3/8” (41.6 cm)
  • Two-piece carved spruce top
  • Two-piece carved maple back
  • Maple sides
  • Cello style, non-segmented f-holes

Neck:

  • Maple with walnut center stripe
  • Rosewood fingerboard with pearl block inlays
  • Black dot markers on side of fingerboard
  • 20 frets

Headstock:

  • Howard-style (identical to the Sorrentino-shape)
  • Howard banner logo and fleur-de-lis design

Binding:

  • 3-ply top (white/black/white)
  • 3-ply back (white/black/white)
  • Single-ply pickguard, neck & headstock

Hardware:

  • Gold hardware
  • Open back, oval metal button tuners
  • Trapeze tailpiece
  • Rosewood two-piece adjustable bridge
  • Small black celluloid pickguard

Colors:

  • Sunburst with dark brown sides and back


Pics & Specifications contributed by: Ruurd Feitsma



References
  • Jim Fisch & L.B. Fred, The House of Stathopoulo, 1996, p. 97
  • George Gruhn & Walter Carter, Acoustic Guitars, 1993, p.187
  • Paul Bechtoldt, Vintage Guitar Magazine, February 1996
  • www.niceguitar.eu/34Howard.php , 2011
  • Zachary R. Fjestad, Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars, 12th edition, p. 361
  • http://dutcharchtopguitarmuseum.nl



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