A Kontragitarre or Schrammel guitar is a type of harp guitar developed in Vienna in the mid-19th century. In addition to the usual guitar neck with six strings and a fretboard, it has a second, fretless neck with (in this case) seven bass strings. Customarily these additional strings are tuned from E-flat downwards, with the lowest string on this 13-string Kontragitarre tuned to A.
Viennese instrument maker Johann Gottfried Scherzer developed the instrument after 1848, improving on earlier, unfinished efforts by Johann Georg Stauffer (1778–1853), the master from whom Scherzer had learned his craft. The Kontragitarre is heard almost exclusively in Viennese folk music, especially Schrammelmusik. Occasionally it is also used in Alpine folk music.
This 1920s instrument was manufactured by Karl Hofner, who were based in Schönbach, Czechoslovakia at the time, prior to settling in Bavaria after the 2 nd
World War and re-establishing the Hofner brand as we still know it today. Despite being 100 years old the guitar is superb condition following a restoration project between ourselves and local luthier Mark Burnet Guitars. The body and necks were in really good condition and only needed cleaning up and polishing. We have repaired a couple of cracks where the 2 neck are joined at the headstock and made 6 new individual nuts for the drone string neck (we had one original to guide us). The 13 bridge pins are also replacements but other than that it is all as built 100 years ago.
We have strung the drone side with a new set of Thomastik 328 Vienna Sound Kontragitarre Bass strings, with a set of Augustine Reds on the traditional six string side. This truly is a unique antique guitar made by the Karl Hofner company – now ready to play on for another 100 years.
There is no case with the guitar but we are confident in our packing skills that we can deliver this safely anywhere in the world.
Shipping within mainland UK using fully insured 24-hour courier service @ £35.00.
Shipping to US/Canada, using UPS, is £185.00. Shipping to EU is £65.00
Customers outside of UK/EU/US/Canada should contact Vintage Rare & Retro Guitars for a shipping quotation. Free pick-up is always available at our Gullane shop.
