1920s Hans Leistner Schrammel/Contra Harp Guitar

Overview: It's a Schrammel guitar! It's a harp guitar! It's a contra guitar! It's all three, though, really. This one was probably built in the '20s and it's labeled as made by Hans Leistner in Nuremburg, Germany. It's in good shape and came to us with a lot of work already done -- including the install of internally-geared, violin-looking pegs that replaced the oodles of friction pegs that were on it when it was made. The harp strings run from Eb below guitar's low E down to a G below that (3rd fret of a bass low E) which gives a ton of range.

Interesting features: It has a clock-key-adjustable neck joint which means neck angle adjustments are fairly easy -- just pull the neck off and shim it to set the angle back or loosen the set screw to let the action rise. The bridge is awfully gorgeous and the neck is comfortable and easy to handle. There are a lot of beautiful curves where the two headstocks fit and meet and the lines of the body are quite nice.

Repairs included: Ancel gave it a level/dress of the frets and set the neck angle back to get nice, easy action. It's playing spot-on and ready to go.

• Weight: 5 lbs 4 oz
• Scale length: 24 5/8"
• Nut width: 1 7/8"
• Neck shape: slimmer-medium D
• Board radius: flat
• Depth at first fret: 47/64"
• Depth at seventh fret: 53/64"
• Body width: 16 1/8"
• Body depth: 2 7/8"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid flamed maple
• Bracing type: ladder
• Bridge: ebony
• Fretboard: ebony
• Neck wood: probably maple
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” overall (but adjustable) (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: medium-tension nylon
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: wide/medium

Condition notes: It's in great shape for its age and has original fittings throughout save for new tuners all around and some replaced bridge pins. There are a few repaired top seams/hairline cracks and some repaired seams on the back/side join and everything is good to go. It has some scratches, scuffs, nicks, and dings here and there throughout.

It comes with: Sorry, no official case -- just a cover -- but I may be able to find something to fit.

Consignor tag: JLPK