Harmony H1227 12-String 1970 | SOLD | (vbg #1418) By the late sixties and into the early seventies, likely spured by the waning folk boom, Harmony altered its 12-string production by giving the guitar a different cosmetic look when compared to the model H912 that had been offered for over a decade. This iteration of the twelve string line included a natural top and black-painted sound hole rosette, while retaining the Gibson-esque pick guard, and the adjustable truss rod. We've offered a good number of these birch-bodied jumbo 12s over the years and this is among the best sounding and playing example that has passed through our hands .. a two-thumbs up!
The date stamp evident inside the body shows a manufacture date of 1970. The body is slab-sawn birch, highlighted with a deep brown painted body, natural top set off with a black sound hole ring, faux-tortoise pick guard, and white-painted trim. The neck appears to be poplar with an ebonized fingerboard. There is an adjustable truss rod installed under the board.
The body measures 15 1/4" across at the lower bout, and the scale length is 25 1/4" (short scale). The fingerboard measures 2" across at the nut and string spacing is 2 3/8" at the saddle. The neck is shaped in a flat 'C' profile. Tuners are original, and show some patina and one replaced gear. The tail piece is the original 'trapeze' style.
The guitar came to us will all the braces loose and one missing. We pulled the back and reglued all braces with hot hide glue. Additionally, we removed a superfluous top brace to replace the missing brace, and shaved several of the way oversized top braces in an effort to open up the sound. A top crack along the bass side of the fingerboard extension was filled and glued. We reset the neck, made a new saddle and leveled and dressed the frets. The finish shows traces of wear from time, and the head stock shows some paint wear, but is otherwise a clean guitar overall. Action is set at 5/64 & 6/64 (low for a 12!) and with its short scale, flat neck and fresh neck reset, the guitar plays easily. Considering the work inside, and the fresh neck reset, this guitar is very likely in better playing shape now than when it left the factory in 1970! We like the tone these Harmonies produce: big and full, jangly, with ringing sustain, great for blues or ragtime picking, and fun for slide. We think that, with a hefty break angle over the bridge ane the brace modifications, this is one of the better sounding Harmony 12s we've offered. These 12s are about the best value-for-your-money in the vintage market today!
Comes with a soft case.
Check out the sound clips!
The date stamp evident inside the body shows a manufacture date of 1970. The body is slab-sawn birch, highlighted with a deep brown painted body, natural top set off with a black sound hole ring, faux-tortoise pick guard, and white-painted trim. The neck appears to be poplar with an ebonized fingerboard. There is an adjustable truss rod installed under the board.
The body measures 15 1/4" across at the lower bout, and the scale length is 25 1/4" (short scale). The fingerboard measures 2" across at the nut and string spacing is 2 3/8" at the saddle. The neck is shaped in a flat 'C' profile. Tuners are original, and show some patina and one replaced gear. The tail piece is the original 'trapeze' style.
The guitar came to us will all the braces loose and one missing. We pulled the back and reglued all braces with hot hide glue. Additionally, we removed a superfluous top brace to replace the missing brace, and shaved several of the way oversized top braces in an effort to open up the sound. A top crack along the bass side of the fingerboard extension was filled and glued. We reset the neck, made a new saddle and leveled and dressed the frets. The finish shows traces of wear from time, and the head stock shows some paint wear, but is otherwise a clean guitar overall. Action is set at 5/64 & 6/64 (low for a 12!) and with its short scale, flat neck and fresh neck reset, the guitar plays easily. Considering the work inside, and the fresh neck reset, this guitar is very likely in better playing shape now than when it left the factory in 1970! We like the tone these Harmonies produce: big and full, jangly, with ringing sustain, great for blues or ragtime picking, and fun for slide. We think that, with a hefty break angle over the bridge ane the brace modifications, this is one of the better sounding Harmony 12s we've offered. These 12s are about the best value-for-your-money in the vintage market today!
Comes with a soft case.
Check out the sound clips!