Here’s a rare and historic “Mozart Concert” parlor guitar made by Holzapfel & Beitel in the early 1900s. For a guitar well over 100 years old it’s in stunning condition. It’s very playable and has nice vintage tone as well.
Holzapfel & Beitel was a Baltimore, Maryland mandolin and guitar company founded by German-born Carl Holzapel at the turn of the century. Beitel, who trained as a luthier with C.F. Martin, joined up with Holzapel in 1898 to form H&B. Beitel soon fell ill and left the company, but Holzapfel keep the company going for many years producing fine instruments like the Mozart Concert model we have here. What a piece of history.
This guitar has had a neck reset and a bridge re-glue, but is otherwise original. The fancy inlay on the fingerboard might possibly be a later addition as we haven’t been able to find an example pictured with this pattern. Hard to say.
Brazilian Rosewood back and sides. Spruce top, most likely Adirondack. Double bound body and bound neck and headstock. Very playable and has nice vintage tone. It’s a lovely guitar and a true historical piece. Comes with its original coffin case, too.
DETAILS
Year: Early 1900s
Make: H&B
Model: Mozart Concert Model Parlor Guitar
Case: Original Coffin Case
Weight: 2 pounds 15 ounces
Condition: Very Good
Modifications: Neck reset; Re-Glued Bridge; possibly added Fret Markers
Comments: A finely decorated and very playable parlor guitar from the early 1900s.