milod Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I picked this Harmony single pickup guitar in the mid 1970s in a swap. It's been loaned out to a young friend for a coupla years and I just got it back in my hands. I think it's an H65 that was made 1956-1960. It also came in sunburst. I haven't measured, but it looks "right" for the description I found of the H65 on the Web: "Cutaway body, 1 pickup, thin body (2"3/4) and unusual shorter scale (24"1/4). Cousin version of the deeper and longer scale H60. H65 is a relatively common model. The pickup is often presented as a "Gibson" pickup, but the original Gibson P13 was different, with a different magnet and square polepieces (see Harmony H50)." ---- Anybody know any different or do I have it figured out? It's in nice shape but I'm convinced that there are some replacements: Grovers for the tuning pegs, the tailpiece... I replaced the top half of the bridge myself with a tunamatic type I'd taken off another one of the guitars that I owned and swapped dozens of times in the 70s; there's a wooden bridge and a metal bar-type bridge that came with it when I bought it. After I made the swap I actually gigged with it for about a year and it worked well for a guitar/bass/drums trio doing a mix of country and rock. Two extra questions: 1. It seems in good shape in spite of showing its age; any suggestions for ensuring it stays that way? 2. Any ideas for a hardshell case for it? m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damian Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 That is one beautiful guitar.....I can't help out otherwise.... Perhaps to keep it in shape you should loan it to me....... ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 That thing is sweet. GAS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Tari Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Milod It looks to be the same size as a Zephyr or Casino.Epiphone has a super case that looks like it would fit it fine. Look at the post Dream Guitar. I have my Zephyr in there. It looks a lot a like. VERY nice guitar. Can't help it, I like Those styles of guitars instead of the LP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Searcy Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 The pickup mounting and construction style look very "Kay" to my eye. Nice get! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freak show Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Beautiful guitar! I almost bought a Harmony once, and this was the site I used, when I was looking for info: http://harmony.demont.net/ I don't know if the people who run the site answer questions, but they would probably be able to give you some advice on finding a case for that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted February 6, 2011 Author Share Posted February 6, 2011 Freak... That's where I got the initial info on the instrument that have me convinced it's "probably" an H65. You're right, I should drop in a note asking about a case from those who may have had the experience already. Right now she deserves a super-good cleanup, new strings and such. Steven... Good idea on the case. I think I'll do a real measurement of the body etc. and see if she would fit in a Zephyr or similar case. Right now she's in one of those antique "cardboard" cases with a nice fuzzy lining, but that's not nearly the protection she deserves at over a half century of making music. I think a lotta folks had no idea what I was playing when we'd do CCR or Waylon Jennings stuff - or even Johnny B. Good with the thing some 30+ years ago, but it did work. I almost hate to admit I was flatpicking at the time since that seemed to work best for the trio and the stuff we were playing. <grin> Later on she was my "open tuning" guitar. A distinctive sound, for sure; the neck is too thick for my real preference, but as I said, even with my 9-42s in those days, she held together as an overall gigging guitar rather well while technically "better" guitars sat at home in their cases. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeVeeWee Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 A true beauty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dub-T-123 Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 By the way.. Nice photos. Especially the first one. That pickup looks like I would love it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaxson50 Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I DIG IT!!!!! The pickup looks like a Horner type set up from the same era... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKahune Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 . Very tasty indeed. B) KSdaddy might be able to identify it if he chimes in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silenced Fred Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I really want an old Harmony back when they were made in the Chicago area. Really cool man Seriously jealous Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff-7 Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Don't have the foggiest idea on the model M but it sure is nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I have no idea, but it's a beauty. I especially like the binding and the F holes. Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Natural Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Milod, I have no idea about the ID, but it sure has a cool vintage look. The Dallas Guitar Show is coming up. Come down here for some warm weather, stay at the Renaissance (walking distance from the show at Market Hall) check-out the show (2.5 days of thousands of guitars, amps, beer, live entertainment, and general vibe) and see if anybody can help you on an ID. You might wind up selling it for 5X what you thought it was worth, or you might wind up taking it home. But, I guarantee you will have a good time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Since you've already seen the dumont site, you might find Jim and Chris Calhoun's website of interest. They give some advice for proper treatment of these guitars: http://www.broadwaymusicco.com/ They prefer Harmony guitars. He may have one in your size and have advice on acquiring the proper case. He also has an interesting page on his traveling stage built atop a Studebaker truck. You may have run into these folks Milod, they're from out your direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 Tommy... I shared some emails with 'em three or four years ago, that's all. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brundaddy Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Sometimes those guitars fit nicely in a case made for a Grand Concert-size or Auditorium-size acoustic guitars. If you (or a buddy) don't have one of those cases laying around, it's a wild goose chase to determine good fit. Looks like you got a hot guitar for rowdy rock and roll there, by the way. If you played Rumble through a good and loud amp I bet it would just resonate on that E. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TommyK Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Odd sized guitars can be placed into larger sized cases, then the slack taken up by rolled up tee shirts stuffed between the guitar and case sides. Avoid ones with latex graphics. Actually, I don't think the finish used on Harmony guitars would be affected in the least by latex. So.... break out those AC-DC and Chis Ledoux tee shirts languishing in your closet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 Tommy.... <chortle> What's AC-DC? A power line conversion unit? <grin> Yeah, I know, but don't ask me anything they did. I was deeply into other stuff and never listened to any radio for some 25 year or so unless I was in the car and it appeared we'd have a storm so I'd pop the tape placer and listen for weather. That latter habit saved me by about 20 minutes from getting caught in a tornado in West Memphis, Ark., back in the 80s. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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