Anyone ever seen a square, handmade(?) guitar?

Thank you Debora!
Thank you everyone!

 

And, exploring my basement some more reveals that I only assembled one of the two thumb piano kits; and the other box still contains the company catalog; they also sold assembled instruments and made kits for balalaikas and harps, under the name Hughes Dulcimer Company. My 12-string guitar kit cost $18.
Founded by Virgil and Norman Hughes in 1966, and refounded 10 years ago, and apparently still in existence.

 

Body
16.5" tall
8.5" wide at top
11.25" wide at bottom
4.25" deep !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

A few links about the Hughes Dulcimer company:
https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/inst...lems-questions/5237/hughes-mountain-dulcimers

https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/...offrey-johnson-of-hughes-news-photo/161884278

The first hammered dulcimer built by the founder of Dusty Strings in Seattle was built from a Hughes kit in 1977:
https://manufacturing.dustystrings.com/blog/dusty-strings-hammered-dulcimer-1

 

Thank you all_fakes!
THIS IS WHY I LOVE THIS SITE!!

 

Acetone (finger nail polish remover) will probably damage the finish on the wood, and leave you with a bleached spot. So it is just as well you didn't have any.

 

I'd have tried plain old rubbing alcohol. Hand gel dissolves sharpie just fine; I've gotten it all over my hands that way by accident at least once.

I think his was a solid body electric or electrified.

 

Measurements sure match up, don't they! That's a Hughes kit guitar!
Bo Diddley built his first rectangular guitar himself, but later, had them professionally made by the Gretsch Company. All his life, he loved odd-shaped guitars. I think that's his favorite Gretsch, "The Twang Machine" on the right.

 

They still make them, and they're not cheap.

 

It came out OK, but thanks 2manybooks - new photos