c.1968 Harmony H-165 Guitar

Like their baritone uke counterparts, Harmony guitars from this period were built to take some abuse. Fortunately for this all-mahogany gem, abuse is completely lacking. It is entirely original except for a new(er) truss cover, with only the most minor of typical playing dings, and has that period flat-top sound. This would make an excellent recording guitar: very good balance, sweet rounded notes with good sustain and harmonics, and without the huge boom on the bass end that a spruce top would have.

All-solid mahogany top, back, sides, and neck. Rosewood fretboard and bridge.

Typical big old paddle headstock.

Rosewood board, faux-mop dots. Board is radiused and the neck and board feel an awful lot like a 14-fret 000.

Simple bound soundhole with red-translucent pickguard.

Bridge is glued but also holds firm with factory-installed bolts. Fortunately, unlike the Framus guitars from Germany of the same period, Harmony used lightweight bolts so the tone isn't deteriorated by them. I had always wished, like Gibson, however... that they had hid them under some MOP dots!

Back.


Back detail. One big piece of mahogany!


Good tight neck join.


Tuners function 100%.


Side.


Side.


End pin area.

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