Rare find has strings attached, lots of them
Music shop owner excited by purchase of 102-year-old harp guitar
FITCHBURG » Eddy Troxler’s recently acquired Gibson Style U harp guitar was built in 1918, the same year Daylight Saving Time was enacted by the federal government.
Troxler, owner of Eddy’s Music on Mill Street, recently purchased the historical instrument from an online seller in Needham.
“I’ve always wanted to play a harp guitar. It’s really a wonderful instrument,” Troxler said.
“It’s like a regular guitar with an onboard bass, but to play
them is pretty incredible.”
He said the instrument creates a powerful vibration that you can feel throughout your entire body.
“Those bass notes really resonate through you,” he said. “It’s almost like riding a motorcycle the way it vibrates through your body.”
The unique instrument features a standard sixstring guitar neck with an additional 10 sub bass strings on the harp neck.
He added that the top of the instrument is made of spruce wood and the sides are maple.
Troxler said it is in very good condition except for a few scuffs here and there.
He also said the guitar was also purchased with its original case and the turning key used for subbass strings.
And while the guitar last belonged to a collector, he said he was curious about its past.
“I do wonder who played it or what kind of music they played,” he said.
According to Troxler, the Gibson Style U was a harp guitar produced by the Gibson Mandolin- Guitar Company from 1902 until 1925.
It was made in several different configurations over the years, with the most common variation having 10 sub-bass strings. It was the most expensive Gibson guitar produced until 1934.
“Not only do these instruments look really cool, but they’re functional and there’s certain tones you can get out of a much older instrument,” Troxler emphasized.
He’s always looking to buy new and interesting instruments to bring to the shop, where he typically resells or uses for music lessons.
Troxler said he is looking to sell the harp guitar despite his feeling for it.
“I would love to keep it, but it’s how I run my business,” he said.
“I would like to see it go to someone local and who would play it,” he continued.
Troxler encouraged interested buyers in contacting him or walking to the store at 18 Mill St., with a mask of course.