A Couple of Canadian Guitar Oddities…

As you may have noticed by now while scanning through the site, I have a particular interest in old guitars that were built for, or much better, made by a Canadian company. I have in my searches and via the curiosity of other fellow collectors come across two such instruments that have defied much detail thus far, but that are interesting definitely.

Bert Hill

In the first instance, I was contacted by a gentleman who had a lap guitar that he wanted to find out more about. He sent me a few photos and I got to it. I was ultimately able to find a single entry online about the guitar in particular and a couple of document references. The builder was a blacksmith from Folden’s Corners near Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada. He obviously built more than one guitar but I don’t know if he was also a luthier by trade. he did at one point appear to author a book or article called Illustrated Guitars (1933). One of his guitars is on display at the Ingersoll Cheese and Agricultural Museum and is reported to be built sometime between 1910 and 1917. If you have any information that could be added, please comment below or hit the contact link above and let me know.

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ADDENDUM: Feb, 26, 2021: Site follower Andy has graciously supplied photos of his example with a very interesting inlay pattern and he also pointed out another in Newfoundland… both are 7 string!!!!

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As you can see above, a wire saddle and nut. Below is a closer view of the neck inlay and flush wood “fret” markers…

Compare it to the NL 7 string below, not as ornate and interesting metal fobs on the tuners…

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Ingersoll Cheese and Agriculture Museum: https://www.facebook.com/IngersollCheeseMuseum/posts/today-is-apparently-getoutyourguitarday-so-its-only-appropriate- that-we-share-th/1251012771731047/

London Free Press: http://images.ourontario.ca/london/3110179/data?n=52

advertisement for 1939 Bert Hill guitar in Newfoundland, Canada: https://www.nlclassifieds.com/1939-hawaiian-guitar-GRAND-FALLS-WINDSOR-Newfoundland-Labrador-NLCId2624366

F. Benko

This is a real mystery. It may be a one off, I haven’t been able to find anything about the maker nor a match for the guitar. It was in a kijiji advertisement posted by Ed’s Pawn Shop in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. There was a hand written label inside that says “Made: by F. Benko Montreal Que. 5 – 1939”. I do not know whether the decorative covering on the front is original but the wear on the top appears to go under it so it very likely could be something added to try and protect or strengthen the top. The headstock shape is pretty peculiar and that’s what I have been watching for ever since. I have in the past seen a couple of odd shaped guitars with a star motif in the eastern townships of Quebec but this one is so old that I am not convinced that there is a connection. Again, if you have any information that could be added, please comment below or hit the contact link above and let me know.

ADDENDUM Jan, 22, 2021: “Frank Benko was a notable luthier in Toronto, Canada from the 1940s through the 1970s. Originally from Croatia, he made a name for himself in this country through masterfully hand-built guitars and mandolins. Before rising to prominence in Toronto, however, he began his craft in Montreal, Canada in the late 1930s. The label in this guitar is hand written by Frank Benko and is dated September 5, 1939, making it possibly one of the earliest known examples of his work remaining.” courtesy of General Guitar Works.

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Ed’s Pawn Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/1584087728584087/posts/1939-canadian-made-acoustic-guitar/2333082583684594/

General Guitar Works: https://myguitarfix.wordpress.com/