1960s Harmony H181 000-Size Guitar

Overview: This is a pretty cool variant of the venerable Harmony H1203 Sovereign model -- their upscale 000-size guitar. This one is mid-late '60s in era and has a Fender-style, 6-on-a-side headstock shape, mustache bridge (with, originally, an adjustable saddle insert), and cool "viney" detailing. The internal bracing (ladder), neck feel, scale length, and whatnot is otherwise as-normal for the H1203 model type.

Tone: Compared to the average H1203, this version has a woodier, warmer, mellower sound and perhaps a little more lower-mids emphasis. I think the bridge style is part of what helps that sound come out as it's lighter in weight than the typical wide, rectangular bridges usually seen on this style of Harmony body. It also has a normal pin-style string load which helps compared to the "tieblock" bridges on Sovereign models.

Feel: It's got a medium-heft C/D neck profile -- typical for Harmony -- combined with a tighter 10" radius board. It feels vaguely similar to an early-'50s Gibson profile.

Interesting features: Well, of course, the mustache bridge and headstock are tres cool. The "batwing" style, countrified pickguard is a nice touch, too. The current (big) saddle is a rosewood drop-in one that Jose made for it and it's a tone improvement over the original adjustable saddle setup (which was damaged, anyhow).

Repairs included: I gave it a neck reset and Jose leveled/dressed the frets, reglued the bridge, cleaned it up, and set it up. He also made a nice, authentic, replacement heel cap and reglued the pickguard.

• Weight: 3 lbs 10 oz
• Scale length: 25 1/8"
• Nut width: 1 3/4"
• Neck shape: medium C/D
• Board radius: 10"
• Body width: 15 1/8"
• Body depth: 3 3/4"
• 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: 52w, 40w, 30w, 22w, 16, 12 custom lights
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium-lower

Condition notes: The tuners are later replacements ('70s) but are working decently. It has a replacement saddle and the bridge pins are likely replacements, too. There are scratches, scuffs, dings, and whatnot throughout the finish and there's weather-check to the finish as well. Still, it looks pretty respectable. There's pickwear around the soundhole, too.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: DDMN