1960s Harmony H1270 Sovereign 12-String Jumbo Guitar

Overview: These big, beautiful, bruisers are among my favorite old 12-strings. They're not for everyone because they have giant necks, but if you don't mind that, you have access to a true "Leadbelly experience" of a guitar. The big body, light build, ladder bracing, and tailpiece setup give them a sound very similar to the old '20s Stella 12-strings but with more bottom-end and volume.

Tone: It's punchy, jangly, woody, and wide-sounding. With heavier gauges, these work really well for detuning.

Feel: The neck has a big, D-shaped profile with a curvy fretboard. The nut is wide and so, while I am not a huge fan of these for standard-tuned strumming, I think they're excellent open-tuned, country-blues monsters.

Interesting features: This one is original throughout save the truss rod cover and saddle. Its finish has also aged to a really nice buttery-orange color. As per the usual for Sovereign-level Harmony products, it has binding on all of its edges and it uses nicer materials throughout. The tailpiece on this particular one is a better-grade version and, as the model remained in production, the company used a cheaper variety later-on. The date stamp is illegible inside this guitar but I'm guesstimating it was built between '63-'65 judging by the features.

Repairs included: I tag-teamed a neck reset with Ancel and then he carried the work forward, giving it a level/dress of the frets, new (fully-compendsated) bone saddle, and setup work. It's playing spot-on fast and is ready to go.

• Weight: 4 lbs 12 oz
• Scale length: 25 1/8"
• Nut width: 2"
• Neck shape: medium-bigger D
• Board radius: 10"
• Body width: 16 1/4"
• Body depth: 4 3/8"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid mahogany
• Bracing type: ladder
• Bridge: rosewood/bone
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: hair-under 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 46w-10 12-string lights
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium-lower

Condition notes: Overall it looks good, though there's weather-checking to the finish and minor scuffs and scratches here and there throughout, some areas where the finish clearcoat has crackled-off (just at the tailpiece on the sides), and a few areas where it's a little grungy-looking. I have not found any cracks on it.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: MMK