Instruments of the Larson Brothers
Carl Larson was born in 1867 in Kalmar Lan, Sweden, and immigrated to Chicago in 1885 at the age of 18. His younger brother August, born in 1873, followed, and joined Carl working at the Cubley drum factory, giving them an introduction to the instrument building business. After the factory was destroyed by fire in 1893, the brother began work for Robert Maurer & Company, makers of guitars and mandolins. When Robert Maurer retired in 1900, August bought the company with investors, who's shares brother Carl later bought out, giving the brothers full ownership of the company. The brothers took advantage of the larger instrument companies in Chicago, selling their instruments to Wm. C. Stahl, W.J. Dyer, and Stetson in addition to selling under the Maurer name. They later developed their own lines Prairie State and Euphonon.
The Larson Brothers not only produced beautifully constructed instruments, but they were highly innovative. They were among the earliest proponents of steel string guitar, helped by their 1904 patent for laminated X braces to strengthen the tops, and their 1930 patent for an interior steel rod construction to strengthen the top while still allowing the top to resonate.
Their guitars became popular with Country Stars on the WLS "National Barn Dance" radio show in Chicago, including Gene Autry and Patsy Montana.
The Larson Brothers built Guitars, harp guitars, mandolins, mandolas, mando-cellos, mando-basses, and taro-patches. The Larson Brothers never sold instruments with the Larson name. In 1940, Carl Larson was struck by a car while crossing the street, and retired soon after. He died in 1946. August ran the shop alone until he passed away in 1944.
Larson guitars are truly among the best ever built in America.
Stahl Guitar
The Larson's Brother's Prairie State guitars were famous for the steel rods running the length of the interior of their guitars. Occasionally this feature is also seen on one of their Stahl Guitars, as is true of this one. Their distinctive sound was also a product of their slightly arched tops built under tension.
August Larson filed for a Patent for the steel rod construction in September of 1930, which was granted in November of 1932.
1940 Euphonon Dreadnaught
In 1934 The Larson Brothers introduced the Euphonon brand to meet the demand for larger and louder guitars.
This rosewood Larson "Special Euphonon" Dreadnaught guitar was produced in 1940, near the end of the life of the company, and the year Carl Larson retired.
In the above photos you might have noticed the laminated braces Larson guitars were known for. These braces are constructed of spruce surrounding an inner layer of rosewood. In this case, the brace is also thicker at the center joint, and then the spruce thins considerably.
Always innovating and ahead of his time, August Larson filed for a patent for these braces in September of 1903, which was granted in July of 1904.
This rosewood Larson "Special Euphonon" Dreadnaught guitar was produced in 1940, the year Carl retired. The original receipt from November 4, 1940 was signed by August Larson
The serial number 1088 is stamped on the upper transverse brace.
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