1966 Harmony H1201T Sovereign Tenor Guitar

When H1201T models are in the shop they tend to get snapped-up fast. There are lots of new tenor guitar players out in the world thirsty for a vintage tenor and this model sits right in that price range before you have to start going really upscale to get your fix.

While none of these are labeled as "Sovereign" tenors, the H1201T model number suggests a relationship with the "big brother" H1203 Sovereign model -- a 000-size 6-string. I think of them, thus, as the "Sovereign Tenor" because they've got the right mix of woods -- solid spruce top (ladder-braced) over solid mahogany back and sides and featuring a mahogany (rather than poplar) neck.

They have a nice sound, too -- a little woody, a bit boxy, a bit chunky, and overall cool. I like them as "songwriter" instruments or maybe "recording buddies" because they don't have the punch or volume-presence of something like a Martin or Gibson tenor of similar size. They're pretty comparable in voice to the ladder-braced Gibson TG-25 models of the '60s, though, though slightly "rounder" in tone and less woody than the Gibson sound.

This particular instrument is stamped with a 1966 build date and also "Factory Second." I'm not sure why it's a "second," but at some point in its life it developed a hairline crack running under the top-edge kerfing on the side all the way from around the endblock to the neckblock -- basically the whole bass side. It was repaired long before it got to the shop (with some discoloration and old touch-ups) for resale but I ironed-out the setup-side problems and now it's playing quick, easy, and true.

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, recut of the saddle slot, cleaning, new bone saddle, and setup.

Top wood: solid spruce

Back & sides wood: solid mahogany

Bracing type: ladder

Bridge: ebonized maple or similar

Fretboard: ebonized maple or similar

Neck wood: mahogany

Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" overall (quick!)
String gauges: 42w, 28w 20w, 12 for GDAE octave mandolin tuning

Neck shape: medium V

Board radius: flat

Truss rod: non-adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium-lower

Scale length: 22 3/4"

Nut width: 1 1/4"

Body width: 13 1/4"

Body depth: 3 3/4"

Weight: 2 lbs 11 oz

Condition notes: as mentioned, it has a hairline crack running from the endblock to the neckblock just under the kerfing for the top on the bass side. It's been repaired and touched-up (finish-wise) in the past. The neck was also reset by someone in the past. The saddle slot in the bridge had to be moved and the slot itself has a teensy hairline crack at the treble side of the bridge, though it's nothing to worry about. Overall the guitar looks pretty clean but it does show its age in various mild-medium-duty scuffs, scratches, nicks, and dings.

It comes with: a funky old chip case from the period it was built in.