1960s Harmony H1265 Sovereign Deluxe Jumbo Guitar

So -- one H1265 last week and another one this week? I truly am spoiled around these parts. Not only are the H1265 models more-blingy than the "normal" H1260 Sovereign jumbo, I think they also sound better. I don't know why, but they always sound a little more "Gibson J-45ish" to me than a normal Sovereign Jumbo. Maybe it's the big, mustache/eagle bridge with its adjustable saddle? Maybe it's the oversize pickguards? This one has the same thing going on, too, though it's more visually beat than last week's H1265.

This guy got oversprayed all-over at some point and then the overspray crinkled and wrinkled and weirded itself out over time. The only place with normalcy, now, is the back of the neck where I've steel-wooled it down to smoothness. It's also missing its "upper pickguard." I thought about replacing it (and I still can) but I don't have any tortoise that matches closely. I'll leave that "up to the interested party." It looks neat with just the one, too, at any rate.

Work was the usual mixmash and, as a result, it's now playing quick and easy and has a good, solid sound and plenty of adjustment room for action changes at its adjustable saddle.

Repairs included: a neck reset, fret level/dress, new bone (comp'd) saddle, minor cleaning, and setup.


Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid mahogany

Bracing type: ladder

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret:
3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 54w-12 lights

Neck shape: medium-bigger C/D

Board radius: ~10"

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium


Scale length: 25 1/8"

Nut width: 1 3/4"

Body width: 16 1/8"

Body depth: 4 1/4"

Weight: 4 lbs 5 oz


Condition notes: it has a coat of overspray on everything including the fretboard face. It's also mucked-up over time and is glossy and "normal" in areas and then wigged-out in others. You can see in the photos what I mean... but the guitar still looks decent in its own way. There's old pickwear, playwear, and usewear throughout as well. There are two minor repaired hairline cracks (older) in the sides on the upper-bout shoulders. There's a repaired hairline crack on the top below the pickguard and to the side of the bridge. Everything on the guitar is original except for: the nut (an older replacement), the saddle (now bone), and perhaps the pins. It's missing its second, upper pickguard but I can cut a repro if desired -- OTH.


It comes with: an old, funky, but functional, hard case.





















Comments

tony klassen said…
Yeah, I'd say that sounds pretty good!