1967 Harmony H1270 natural, Excellent, Soft, $725.00

Harmony 12-String H1270 1967 | $725 |

The Harmony factory in Chicago was among the first to return to building a 12-string guitar post-WWII. Most were constructed from slab-sawn birch, and adorned with painted trim; a solid guitar for everyman back in the day. However, this model of Harmony 12-strings took it up a notch from its plainer/cheaper siblings. Both the Harmony and the Sovereign branded 12s of this model were made with pretty nice materials, and included inlaid purfling and celluloid binding to boot!

This original 'jumbo' example, in excellent condition, is stamped inside "H2312", although based on period catalog descriptions, this guitar conforms to a model H1270. The date stamp appears to read '67, but it's difficult to read. The top is solid spruce and ladder-braced, with multiple sound hole and edge purfling. The back and sides are solid mahogany. The neck is mahogany with a radiused Brazilian rosewood fingerboard under which is an adjustable truss rod. The head stock sports a Brazilian overlay and a gold Harmony decal. The 'floating' bridge is Brazilian and is designed with the two saddle setup, one for action height, and one to space the strings correctly. The tailpiece is of the variety used up until about 1968, when they became a bit fancier, so this feature helps date the guitar.

This 'jumbo' 12 measures 16 1/8" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 25 1/4" and the flattish 'C'-shaped neck measures 1 15/16" across at the nut, and string spacing is 2 5/16" at the saddle.

The neck was recently reset, with new saddles. A few back braces were glued. The frets were leveled and dressed. The nut is the original made from nylon. Tuners are original. There is a top crack repair running from the bridge, treble side, to the end. A few nicks and dings here and there from use and age. Appears to be missing its pick guard. Action is set nice and low and, coupled with the radiused board and short scale, the guitar plays easily.

These guitars should be tuned low, about a step-and-a-half, and the sound produced is big and full in the bass, convincing in the mids, with ringing sustain in the trebles. This particular Harmony model was made 'famous' by a number of well-known guitarists over the years, Pete Townshend to name one, and are among the best values in the vintage market today.

Comes with a soft case, also in excellent condition.

Be sure to check the sound clip!