1970s Silvertone 1227 (Harmony-made) 12-String 000-Size Guitar

This looks like a normal, late-'60s, Silvertone version of the normal "Harmony Stella 12" in all-birch and it is for the most-part. The difference is in the body. Almost every single Harmony 12-string of this type has solid birch throughout the body but this one is thin ply birch instead.

Compared to the solid birch versions, this one is actually a little warmer and fuller-sounding and perhaps has a little more overall volume, but it has slightly-less of the "clunk" or "clank" of the earlier models and a little more of a "snap." I'm guessing because of this construction, this one was built at the tail-end of manufacturing for Harmony -- in the early to mid '70s. The style of the Silvertone medallion at the headstock confirms it's at least from around '70.

Anyhow, after all of the usual repairs, it's now playing its best and is setup for standard EADGBE tuning with some fairly light, 46w-10 gauges. I can restring for detuned pitches, though, if desired. I know C#-to-C# is popular on these. The extra compensation added at the bridge will help with keeping deeper tunings in tune up the neck, too.

If you're after the country-blues tone, this has it. The neck is also wide-enough and flat-enough that metal-tipped fingerpickers will find it very homey.

Repairs included: a neck reset, truss rod replacement, fret level/dress, bridge mod (added compensation at the saddle), cleaning, and setup.


Top wood: ply birch

Back & sides wood: ply birch

Bracing type: ladder

Bridge: ebonized maple or similar

Fretboard: ebonized maple or similar

Neck wood: poplar

Action height at 12th fret:
1/16" overall (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 22w/46w, 15/36w, 11/26w, 8/20w, 13/13, 10/10

Neck shape: medium-bigger D

Board radius: flat

Truss rod: adjustable (freshly-installed)

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium-lower


Scale length: 25 1/8"

Nut width: 2"

Body width: 15 1/8"

Body depth: 3 7/8"

Weight: 4 lbs 11 oz


Condition notes: aside from average usewear (finish nicks, small dings, small light scratching throughout, worn edges) it's in good shape. It had a damaged truss rod which I replaced with an aluminum-encased rod which is a big upgrade compared to the normal ones in these. Other than that it's actually all-original throughout. 


It comes with: no case, sorry.

















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