By Any Other Name

From the early 1900s to the 1940s, Chicago’s Carl and August Larson created some of the most forward thinking, innovative acoustic guitars, mandolins and harp guitars ever made. That said, you’ll never see a Larson Bros. guitar labeled as such, their output was typically shrouded under brand names such as Euphonon, PrairieState, Maurer and Stetson. What makes these mysterious guitars so coveted? Guitarist John Thomas gives us an overview. He also sheds light on some of today’s luthiers -- Tony Klassen, Frankie Montuoro and Blazer & Henkes -- who are building guitars based on original Larson models.