1960s Regal (Harmony H1260) Carbon Fiber Bracing Conversion Jumbo Guitar

Overview: We work on a lot of old Harmony Sovereigns in the shop and this Regal-branded guitar is, basically, a Harmony H1260 Sovereign jumbo with different branding. This one, however, is quite a bit different from your standard H1260 because Ancel has rebraced it with an exploratory type of wholly-carbon-fiber bracing in a pattern that is vaguely x-shaped but more "organic." To be honest, the stuff looks a bit like Stranger Things vines in there under the hood. The braces are made from half-tubular carbon fiber weave so they're extremely light and quite stiff and wrap around the soundhole and on curves into the lower bout. It's given the guitar incredible stability in the top, a tonof volume and punch, a top that doesn't get overdriven or "flattened-out" in sound when pounded-on, and notes that ring clear and loud straight from the nut right up to the end of the fretboard extension. The only other guitars I'm used to that amount of clarity and volume up there on are high-end boutique instruments like old D'Angelico archtops.

Interesting features: The mentioned bracing is an important alteration, of course. The back bracing has also been swapped from standard stuff to thin, 1/16"-thick, plywood "strapping" braces to give the back more flexibility (and durability). Aside from these changes, these Regal-branded H1260s also have ebonized maple/pearwood fretboards rather than the usual rosewood and the bridge shapes are different, too. The original bridge on this was wrecked but Ancel made a new one in pin-bridge format in the same shape and size. The top is still solid spruce and the back and sides are solid mahogany.

Repairs included: Aside from the rebracing job, it also got a crack repair to the back, a level/dress of the frets, neck reset, said new bridge, new saddle, cleaning, and setup work. It's playing spot-on and has been nice and stable in service since string-up almost a month ago.

• Weight: 4 lbs 0 oz
• Scale length: 25 1/8"
• Nut width: 1 3/4"
• Neck shape: medium-full C
• Board radius: 10"
• Depth at first fret: 57/64"
• Depth at seventh fret: 1"
• Body width: 16"
• Body depth: 4 3/8"
• Top wood: solid spruce
• Back & sides wood: solid mahogany
• Bracing type: x-like, hollow carbon fiber
• Bridge: rosewood (replacement)
• Fretboard: ebonized maple or pearwood
• Neck wood: mahogany
• Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 54w-12 lights
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: medium/lower

Condition notes: As noted, it's been modified. There's some finish muck-ups here and there in the body, too -- some chemical-looking marks that have dulled and/or marred it in spots but they're not obvious, really. There are the normal amount of moderate light scratches, scuffs, and tiny dings here and there, too. The back has one, long, repaired hairline crack. There's some ick from the glue left at the edges of both the back and top bracing, but it's only a visual thing.

It comes with: Sorry, no case.

Consignor tag: MULK/AC