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1896 Howe-Orme
The other strange feature of the Howe-Orme is the longitudinally arched top. This is much the same as a Vega cylinder-backed instrument, only here it's the soundboard which has had this form bent into it. Remember, this instrument predates any true arch-top guitar and was built around the time that Orville Gibson was tinkering with patent ideas for the arched mandolin. The Howe-Orme patent on the headstock dates to 13 Feb. '94. The beautiful pyramid bridge has this shape carved into its base. The top is ladder-braced with the arch carved into each brace. The sound is not what you expect from a straight-braced instrument, as the longitudinal strength of top seems to balance it out and give a close approximation of the Martin X-braced sound. It is a sweet and loud guitar.
This guitar is reputed to have walked across America with its barefooted previous owner! Many cracks in the top were repaired at one time in the style of Irving Sloane, and the guitar was here to see those repairs repaired. We have reglued and cleated the cracks, but left the earlier finish touch-ups as they are. Hopefully she is ready for another 111 years of service. If you are inspired to research these guitars further you'll find lots more on the net, including broad hints that these may have been built in Canada despite the Boston label, and that Martin Simpson also feels these are among the best he's ever played...
NOT FOR SALE
