1960s Regal 2312 (Harmony H1270) Jumbo 12-String Guitar

Overview: When Regal went out of business in '53, Harmony scooped-up the name right away. In the late '50s and '60s, they then used it often for an alternate version of their Harmony Sovereign models. That's what this is -- a Sovereign H1270 but with Regal branding and a snazzy headstock veneer and "smile" bridge. It arrived here playing ok but needed some fussing to make it play well.

Tone: Like all H1270s, this one has a big, full voice with a Leadbelly-esque thump to it. I think that, if you're into that '20s Stella/Sovereign sound but can't afford one, these guitars are the next-best thing for that voicing among vintage 12s and, in many ways, actually sound bigger.

Feel: You will have to like a big neck -- this has a 2" nut width and a bigger C/D profile to the rear.

Interesting features: I like the headstock veneer and "smile" bridge, for starters. When Sarah was working on this she had to replace a missing pickguard, too, so she fit one that looks like the original for the most part but also has an upper-end that looks a little bit like an Epiphone. It works! The heel cap and truss cover are the same tortoise material.

Repairs included: Someone reset the neck and used a double-bolt system in the time before it got here. I left the angle where they set it -- they were aiming for a factory-height saddle at the bridge (as the bridge had a factory saddle still in place at the time) so the reset angle is shallower than I normally use but traditional and appropriate for this guitar. Sarah gave it a level/dress of the frets and a new pickguard. I removed the two(!) original saddles, filled one slot, and then fit a new, bone, fully-compensated saddle instead. This helped match the radius to the neck, which the original saddles never did (unfortunately), and also got it playing in tune up the neck. It then just needed glorified setup work before being ready to go. It's now playing nice and easy.

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

Condition notes: It's original throughout save for a new saddle, new pickguard, new truss cover, and new heel cap. The tuners, like all older vintage tuners, are lubed but not slick like new ones -- it's best to tune up to pitch rather than try to nail it on the down. There are small scratches, scuffs, nicks, etc. throughout but overall it's in good shape finish-wise. The finish does show the customary weather-check, though, for an old guitar.

It comes with: It's actually got a hard case -- nothing to write home about but good to go.

Consignor tag: GRY