Having built guitars for almost 40 years, an making every guitar essentially to custom order by the mid 1930's, the Larsons were incredibly ahead of their time, or at least were deeply cognizant of innovations being utilized by other major builders, and were readily applying them to their own guitars. This flat top OM-style sports an X-braced top with a slight arch, a feature innovated in the late 20's meant to replicate the bow of a piece of wood under tension, and helps to accentuate the tone and give a much livelier response.
The "Chocolate" top models were a run of mid to late 30's guitars produced under a couple of the Larson names that utilized either Brazilian rosewood or incredible mahogany back and sides and Adirondack spruce tops, stained with a dark brown finish that gives the whole guitar a, well, chocolatey look. These guitars have been perhaps the most recognized of this era of Larson offering, mostly for their gorgeous looks. This particular guitar was from the intermediate series of Euphenon guitars, popular around Milwaukee and Chicago. As well as the normal tonewoods, they sported three layer laminate braces in order to strengthen the top. Serial #821 comes with a Cedar Creek hardcase.
