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Behind the Design: Understanding Our Heritage and New Era Guitars
At the heart of every guitar we build lies the spirit of two remarkable innovators: Carl and August Larson. From the early 1900s through the 1940s in their Chicago workshop, the Larson Brothers weren't just building guitars; they were pioneering the future of acoustic design. They were responsible for patented techniques that were decades ahead of their time, from arched tops built under tension for strength and power, to their unique laminated bracing which created unparalleled clarity and projection.
This legacy of inspired engineering and peerless craftsmanship is the foundation upon which our instruments are built. To honour the different facets of their genius, we have created two distinct guitar series: Heritage and New Era. Understanding the philosophy behind each is the first step to finding your perfect sound.
Our Two Series: Heritage vs. New Era
The Heritage Series is for the traditionalist. It is our promise of historical authenticity. Featuring vintage-correct laminated bracing and a hand-fitted dovetail neck joint, each guitar is crafted to be as accurate as possible to the original pre-war Larson instruments. The result is a sound that is pure Americana: dry, punchy, and incredibly articulate, with a woody character that is the soul of traditional blues and folk music. This series is a direct link to the past.
The New Era Series is for the modern player. It asks the question: what if the Larson Brothers were building guitars today? Featuring solid Moonspruce bracing and a modern bolt-on neck joint, this series embraces contemporary lutherie for its precision and long-term stability. This construction offers increased sustain and a richer, more complex palette of harmonic overtones. It is a more versatile and powerful interpretation of the Larson sound, designed to excel in any contemporary musical setting.
Our Tonewoods: Mahogany vs. Rosewood
The tonewood of a guitar's back and sides shapes its fundamental voice. We focus on two classic, time-honoured choices.
Mahogany is known for its strong, focused midrange and woody character. It provides a clear, direct, and balanced sound that is exceptionally good for recording and for styles where every single note needs to be heard with clarity.
Indian Rosewood is known for its deep lows, sparkling highs, and rich harmonic complexity. It produces a lush, powerful, and immersive sound with a hint of natural reverb, perfect for creating a huge sound for solo performance or modern fingerstyle.
Our Masterbuilt Option: The Pinnacle of Our Craft
For the ultimate expression of our craft, we offer the Masterbuilt designation. This is the highest tier of our New Era line, where lutherie becomes artistry. A Masterbuilt instrument offers access to an elite selection of the world's finest and rarest tonewoods—from prized Cocobolo to exquisite European Walnut—along with greater scope for custom appointments. This allows you to commission a truly personal, heirloom-quality instrument that is built without compromise.
