~1910 Wm.G Stahl by Larson Bros. Style 8 Natural

No SN: Early Wm. G. Stahl model built by Larson Bros. of Chicago in excellent condition. There is no serial number but the features, particularly the historic “Z” top bracing, date it to 1910 or so. The trim package indicates a Style 8 model designation. The Martin equivalent would be an 0-40 if there had been such a thing. The guitar is a testament to the craftsmanship, quality of materials and innovation of the Larson Bros. I doubt there is a cleaner or more original example from this period for sale anywhere today.

The guitar is constructed of a really nice medium grain Adirondack Spruce top with book matched Brazilian Rosewood on the back and sides, mahogany neck with 12-frets clear and slotted headstock and ebony fretboard and bridge. The top, back, fretboard, sound hole and endcap are bound in white with a thin black stripe. The top and rosette are further trimmed with lovely abalone inlay. The fretboard is handsomely inlayed with diamonds, clover, crosses, small dots and a squiggle. The bridge is adorned with clover and the headstock has a single inlaid snowflake. The bridge pins are white with an abalone dot like Martin style 45 pins. The bridge looks original but the lines are so crisp it may well be a meticulously carved replica. The inlay work is very precise and much more exacting than examples I’ve seen from the 30s.

The overall condition is very clean inside and out. There is one tight hairline in the top that was secured violin style with a piece of linen. There’s some fingernail wear where a pickguard would normally be. The frets show some wear but they’ve been leveled and it plays smoothly up the neck. The action is low by anyone’s standards. The guitar appears to have been played almost all its life and meticulously cared for. It’s a sweetie.

How does is sound? Very sweet and dry and woody. Thanks to one of the previous owners, there are multiple videos on YouTube. I will attach one to this listing (once I have his permission) and it will lead you to many others. To add a bit of mystery the initials TBS and TB Sutton are penciled lightly on the inside. TB Sutton General Store in Granville, TN broadcasts live Bluegrass all over the world in front of a live audience every Saturday night. The connection between TB Sutton and the little Larson is a mystery.

This little honey ships in a good fitting “Superior” hardshell case that has one busted buckle but the remaining four continue to do the trick.

On consignment.

Top: Spruce
Band & Sides: Brazilian Rosewood
Bridge & Fretboard: Ebony
Appointments: Various
Nut width: 1-13/16”
Saddle spacing: 2-7/16”
Body width lower: 13-5/8”
Upper: 9-7/8
Depth: 3-13/16”
Scale length: 24.9”
Case: HSC