Tracing the Origins of the American 12-String Guitar to Early Harp-Guitar Patents
The Birth of the American 12-string Guitar
I propose that the ubiquitous 12-string guitar evolved from overlooked early instruments, specifically Carl Brown's 10-string 'harp-guitar' patent and subsequent models by Rene Grunewald. By analyzing historical trade reviews and patents from the 1890s, I trace how these unique designs, intended to simplify amateur playing styles, laid the foundation for the modern steel-string 12-string we know today.
I propose that the ubiquitous 12-string guitar may have largely evolved from and been inspired by two previously overlooked instruments: An early non-floating-strings instrument named the 'harp-guitar,' and the true harp guitar with floating strings.