illegible parlor guitar label

[David Houchens]

I guess better late than never. Here's the parlor I started the thread about. whoever took the top off cut the finger board off too.

[David Houchens]

Heres the top. Once a ladder brace, someone tried half hearted to X brace it.
It also was originally a floating bridge with a tailpiece.

[s11141827]

I'm guessing it was cheaper to build with the floating bridge than to accurately place and install the pin bridge. My first thought was that pin bridges may have come at a much later time but apparently Martin was already using them in the 1820's.

I guess that having a Tailpiece also allows this instrument to be strung w/ Steel strings cause it'll relieve tension from the top.

[s11141827]

I think that is a good approach, Allen. Just tune to pitch when needed, then slack off. aka the "bow and arrow" principle!

Some of us will remember in the 60's, 12-string acoustics were recommended to be tuned to C# and capoed for standard. Most of those old 12 strings were "over-tuned" as time went on. Also, even before that, a lot of the Leadbelly-era stuff took advantage of the lower tuning and the resulting overtones, droning, distortion, etc. -- used to good effect, IMHO.

However w/ Super Light 12 Strings you can tune up to E Standard due to their super low tension.

- - - Updated - - -

I have a no-name, X-braced parlor guitar with a pin bridge that several people have estimated to be c. 1860. I have used silk-and-steel XL strings on it since I obtained it 30 or so years ago, as an instrument usable for historical programs I do.

However, I take the string tension down to "floppy" and leave it there whenever I'm not actually playing it. I know it was built for gut strings (and I'd love to know who was copying C F Martin's bracing pattern back around the Civil War), but so far it's taken the sporadic extra tension of the silk-and-steels without any damage.

It's a gutsy little instrument; I had a replica "pyramid" bridge installed after I purchased it for $50; the old bridge was missing, but the holes in the top testified to the fact that it was a pin bridge.

How about Thomastik KR116 Rope Core Strings?

[pops1]

GHS makes a thin core string with low tension. I use them for ladder braced guitars/ The lowest set is 99lbs. for the set. They also make them in 12 string sets. These are a little less tension than their silk and steel.