Howard Models
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
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Specifications
- 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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