RARE IMPERIAL GUITAR c1891 THE JOHN CHURCH CO CINCINNATTI OHIO PARLOR GUITAR

Description

IMPERIAL GUITAR 1880  THE JOHN CHURCH CO CINCINNATI OHIO. According to  my research this is the first marketed steel string guitar even before the Martin 0, which came out in 1898.The action is high as there is a crack by the neck as shown.( which may have been glued at one point) The neck seems to have a v shape on the back of it. Someone stabilized the neck at some point by drilling holes in the heel, I have no idea what is in those holes to hold the neck in place. The action is very high almost 1/4" at the 9th fret. About 1/8 inch at the third fret.  It has always been that way and I have always played it that way with a slide in  an open key. Upper bout is 8 3/4" Lower bout is 12 1/2". The fretboard is 16" long. The nut is 1 3/4". Very unusual tail piece, it appears it can be adjusted with two screws, I have never down anything with it.   The bottom of bridge says pat.  June 30 1891. This is a solid wood guitar.  The back has a hairline crack about 7" long from bottom up. Perhaps this guitar was refinished long ago? I do not know what kind of wood this is maybe spruce? Case is rough looks like something scratched at it on outside, thats the way its always been, I believe its original. This guitar has historic value.
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