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Harmony H165 Jumbo 1971 | $650 | (v2329) This is a grand concert-size all mahogany flat top from the venerable Harmony company, made in 1971. The Chicago company had only a few years left in its long run due to strong import competition, but the instruments were still well built with quality materials. The 1970 Harmony catalog listed the H165 as a "Country and Western, Folk" guitar with "Resonant tone quality for solo playing or accompaniment of songs. A strong value." The 'strong value' part still rings true today! The 'ribbon' mahogany is very difficult to source today, and coupled with its vintage vibe and decent workmanship, the H165 represents good band-for-the-buck!
Top (ladder braced), back and sides are a high grade of mahogany. The only ornamentation is an applied rosette and a celluloid sound hole ring. The neck is either poplar or basswood, topped with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard that features a number of pearl dot inlays. The head stock is painted black and sports the Harmony name in white script. The original tuners feature bushings for tuning ease. The bridge (originally bolted on ala Gibson) is Brazilian rosewood and designed as a pinless type .. a pretty clever design. The neck is supported with an adjustable truss rod.
The body measures 15 5/16" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 25 3/16". The fingerboard measures 1 3/4" across at the nut and string spacing is 2 1/4" across at the saddle. The neck is carved in a very modern 'C'-shape. Action set at ~ 5 - 6/64".
The guitar is pretty much 100% original but for the saddle. We recently: reset the neck; glued and cleated a back crack as a result of impact; removed and reglued the bridge (it appears to have been off and glued a few times, now glued with hot hide glue...we removed the original bolts and inlaid pearl dots); re-attached the pick guard; cleaned and lubed the tuners; leveled and dressed the frets. In addition to the back cracks, there are various nicks, dings and scratches from age and use.
The guitar plays very nicely, with a comfortable neck and low action. Unsurprisingly, the guitar sounds great, too .. deep bass with warm, mahogany-influenced mids that project true without any harshness. Where else can you find this much guitar fun for $600?
No case
Check out the sound clip!
Top (ladder braced), back and sides are a high grade of mahogany. The only ornamentation is an applied rosette and a celluloid sound hole ring. The neck is either poplar or basswood, topped with a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard that features a number of pearl dot inlays. The head stock is painted black and sports the Harmony name in white script. The original tuners feature bushings for tuning ease. The bridge (originally bolted on ala Gibson) is Brazilian rosewood and designed as a pinless type .. a pretty clever design. The neck is supported with an adjustable truss rod.
The body measures 15 5/16" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 25 3/16". The fingerboard measures 1 3/4" across at the nut and string spacing is 2 1/4" across at the saddle. The neck is carved in a very modern 'C'-shape. Action set at ~ 5 - 6/64".
The guitar is pretty much 100% original but for the saddle. We recently: reset the neck; glued and cleated a back crack as a result of impact; removed and reglued the bridge (it appears to have been off and glued a few times, now glued with hot hide glue...we removed the original bolts and inlaid pearl dots); re-attached the pick guard; cleaned and lubed the tuners; leveled and dressed the frets. In addition to the back cracks, there are various nicks, dings and scratches from age and use.
The guitar plays very nicely, with a comfortable neck and low action. Unsurprisingly, the guitar sounds great, too .. deep bass with warm, mahogany-influenced mids that project true without any harshness. Where else can you find this much guitar fun for $600?
No case
Check out the sound clip!