A Dyer Discovery

ANNOUNCING A FIRST

Dyer Style 3 Harp Guitar, Serial No. 624, c. 1907
Found December, 2006

This is the first labeled Style 3 found to date. It is unusual in size, having a 22” (2 ½” shorter than the norm) scale length and being only 14” wide at the lower bout instead of the usual 16”. All previous labels refer to styles 4 through 8. All of these styles refer to the ornate ness, from the plain style 4 to the tree-of-life fingerboard on the style 8. test


Dyer Symphony Harp Mandolin, Style 20, c. 1908 April 17, 2012 Extremely rare Larson brothers made Dyer with a label that states Style 20 and serial number 121. This model is different from the ones made a few years later, in that it represents the one shown in a 1908 ad in The Cadenza magazine depicting a point formed in the lower bass side section of the body, in contrast to the later models that have a similar corresponding point in the lower treble side of the body. The body is generally wider but thinner than its later counterparts, while maintaining the same general appearance. To this date there are but two of this type of Dyer Symphony Harp Mandolins in existence, the other one is lacking a label. The condition is remarkably good for its age. There are no cracks and the top shows normal play wear one would expect in an instrument much newer than this one. The back and sides are in excellent condition with light crazing in the original finish equally on the entire instrument. It is all original and very playable and with lovely tone and more than adequate volume.