Harmony 'Armstrong DeLuxe' H1499 1939 | HOLD | (v2201) The Armstron DeLuxe H1499 is a near-top-of-the-line pre-WWII Harmony arch top offering aimed at the semi-pro or serious amateur musician. The big arch top was constructed with quality materials and ornamented with snappy appointments like multi-colored marquetry and block inlays. It's likely that not too many of the model were made, since they rarely appear on the vintage market.
The top is solid spruce sporting a beautiful tobacco sunburst and trimmed with multi-colored marquetry and white celluloid binding ... a very attractive guitar. The body is solid mahogany, of a variety typically seen in late 20s/30s Harmony products, and bound on the back with white celluloid. The neck is mahogany, bound in white celluloid, topped with a Brazilian fingerboard with large white pearloid position markers and features a non-adjustable truss rod. . The headstock is capped with black celluloid and engraved Armstrong DeLuxe and some deco-like designs. The bridge (replacement) is Brazilian rosewood with adjustment wheels. The pick guard is a flamey celluloid three-piece laminate and appears to be original to the guitar. The tuners are replacement enclosed Grover DeLuxe. The tailpiece is a replacement.
The body measures 16 1/4" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 25". The neck is carved in a 'C' shape but not to 'baseball bat' proportions, and features a non-adjustable truss rod. The fingerboard measures 1 3/4" across at the nut and string spacing is 2 1/4" across at the saddle.
The guitar is crack free, and there are no evident prior repairs. We sourced a tail piece and bridge, and there is no end pin. The frets are original and were leveled and dressed. The action is set at 5 & 6/64". There are some minor nicks and scratches from use and time.
The guitar plays really well thanks to low action and a straight neck. It produces the tone one expects of a mahogany/spruce arch top with focused mids, nasal highs and mellow bass. It's a great guitar for comping chords or playing old-time Carter-style country. As an added bonus, it comes with what is very likely it original hard case in very good condition!
Check the sound clip!
The top is solid spruce sporting a beautiful tobacco sunburst and trimmed with multi-colored marquetry and white celluloid binding ... a very attractive guitar. The body is solid mahogany, of a variety typically seen in late 20s/30s Harmony products, and bound on the back with white celluloid. The neck is mahogany, bound in white celluloid, topped with a Brazilian fingerboard with large white pearloid position markers and features a non-adjustable truss rod. . The headstock is capped with black celluloid and engraved Armstrong DeLuxe and some deco-like designs. The bridge (replacement) is Brazilian rosewood with adjustment wheels. The pick guard is a flamey celluloid three-piece laminate and appears to be original to the guitar. The tuners are replacement enclosed Grover DeLuxe. The tailpiece is a replacement.
The body measures 16 1/4" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 25". The neck is carved in a 'C' shape but not to 'baseball bat' proportions, and features a non-adjustable truss rod. The fingerboard measures 1 3/4" across at the nut and string spacing is 2 1/4" across at the saddle.
The guitar is crack free, and there are no evident prior repairs. We sourced a tail piece and bridge, and there is no end pin. The frets are original and were leveled and dressed. The action is set at 5 & 6/64". There are some minor nicks and scratches from use and time.
The guitar plays really well thanks to low action and a straight neck. It produces the tone one expects of a mahogany/spruce arch top with focused mids, nasal highs and mellow bass. It's a great guitar for comping chords or playing old-time Carter-style country. As an added bonus, it comes with what is very likely it original hard case in very good condition!
Check the sound clip!