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sold / Harmony H1205 c 1955
Harmony H1205 c 1955  |  SOLD  |  From the late 1800s through the mid 1970s, Harmony produced hundreds of thousands of guitars.  Many examples survive today, but for those who follow the brand, the H1205 appears to be a quite a rare bird.  Similar to the H162 and H1203, the H1205 is an OM-size acoustic, but seems to date from the 50s, rather than the 60s.  Typically, most Harmony guitars have either an 'S' or 'F' stamp inside with a two digit date code, but this example lacks that stamp.  But the 'H1205' is clearly visible inside.  

The back and sides are a nice grade of mahogany, bound top and back in white celluloid.    The top is spruce, ladder-braced.  The pin bridge is Brazilian rosewood with the typical two bolts installed, covered in pearl.  The pickguard is a replacement.  The neck is also mahogany carved in a modern-feeling 'C'.  The Brazilian board has a 12" radius, is bound in white celluloid and inlaid with pearl position dots.  The headstock is painted black, with the ghost of the original 'Harmony' logo intact.  The original tuners are Waverly singles with hex-shaped bushings.  There is a steel truss rod installed under the fingerboard (confirmed with a strong magnet) but non-adjustable.

The body measures 15 1/4" across at the lower bout.  Scale length is 25 1/4".  The fingerboard measures 1 3/4" across at the nut and string spacing is 2 1/4" across at the saddle.  

Overall, the guitar is in excellent, original condition with the following repairs/changes noted:  The neck was reset;  the fingerboard was leveled and re-fretted; the pickguard was replaced; one tuner button was replaced; the bridge was re-glued and a new saddle installed; a short section of the finger board binding was re-glued on the bass side.  There are no cracks; the guitar overall is in excellent and stable condition, and a breeze to play.  There are nicks and dings from wear and age, and some of the old pick guard 'footprint' is visible where the new guard doesn't cover.  Action is set at 5 & 7/64".

This rare Harmony, with its comfortable action, radiused board and straight neck is a pleasure to play, and produces a warm but assertive tone with plenty of volume and sustain.  Definately a bang-for-the-buck guitar!

Comes with a soft case, which could be its original.

Check out the sound clip!

VintageBluesGuitars · Harmony H1205