1970s Harmony H165 Rubber Bridge Electrified Guitar Conversion

This is a late '60s or early '70s Harmony H165 that I've converted into a rubber-bridge guitar. I think the silk-screened soundhole rosette was a '69 or '70 thing when it was new to the model. It's a "two-for-one" as it records nicely with a mic as an acoustic (think: mellow jazz tone) but it's also electrified with a Telecaster-style neck pickup which is where the "real deal" comes into play.

While Harmony-fans might describe modding a good old H165 into a rubber-bridge project as mild sacrilege, I think it makes this a really fun guitar to own and play. The tailpiece load gives it a relaxed feel and the tonal change (and larger body vs. the usual parlor-guitar rubber conversion) means it's a useful acoustic songwriting or recording tool, too. It doesn't hurt that the plugged-in sound instantly conjures-up retro jazz vibes, though!

Post-work it plays spot-on and is ready to go.

Repairs included: a neck reset, fret level/dress, wiring harness and pickup install, rubber conversion to bridge, added tailpiece, setup, etc.

Weight: 4 lbs 3 oz

Scale length: 25 1/8"

Nut width: 1 3/4"

Neck shape: medium D

Board radius: 10"

Body width: 15 3/8"

Body depth: 3 7/8"

Top wood: solid mahogany

Back & sides wood: solid mahogany

Bracing type: ladder

Bridge: rosewood

Fretboard: rosewoo

Neck wood: poplar

Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 50w, 36w, 26w, 20w, 15, 11

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium/lower

Condition notes: it's mostly-original save the mods -- the tuners are period but not original and of course the tailpiece, pickup, wiring harness, etc. are not original. The finish is in pretty good shape throughout but does have medium usewear and mild nicks/dings/scratches here and there throughout. There are no cracks, though. The fretboard extension dips slightly down from the rest of the board so playing past the 17th fret is a little stiffer. There's a little finish muck around the heel joint, too, and some bumps on the back of the neck but nothing major. The bridge, by the way, is floating and held in place by string tension. This is to allow micro-adjustments for intonation or if the player requires shimming the action up and down or whatever as needed. Rubber bridge guitars with this type of rubber intonate essentially on a straight line and so movement would only be needed for dramatically-thicker strings (think: baritone flats! -- a popular choice these days).

It comes with: no case, sorry.

Consignor tag: JW