1960s Harmony H165 000-Size X-Braced Conversion Guitar

Overview: This well-traveled, well-loved old Harmony H165 is one that I'd been traded some time back and used as a Hawaiian guitar for a while before leaving it up in the guit-carcass racks for a year or more. A friend of Ancel and mine wanted a rebraced H165 and, lo and behold, here was one that sounded good with ladder-bracing ripe for conversion just awaiting us.

Ancel did the whole shebang on this one -- removing the back and converting the top bracing to an x-pattern while using carbon-fiber-reinforced bracing stock so it could be cut very light and thin but also structurally substantial. He then reset the neck, planed the board and refretted it (which also revealed some nice Brazilian rosewood in the board to its full effect), cut and fit a new bridge, saddle and pins, and nut, and set it all up like a champ.

It has an excellent sound that's reminiscent of a Martin 00-15 but with perhaps a bit more oomph in the mids and overall volume. It's been stable in service since he put it all together a few months ago, too. Unfortunately for the friend of ours, the neck turned-out to be just a bit big for him (he likes modern-profile, slimmer necks more) and so it came back in for resale. His loss!

Repairs included: Aside from the bracing conversion, it got a new bridge, new nut and saddle, a board plane and refret, seam repairs, minor cosmetic work, and setup. It plays spot-on and is ready to go.

• Weight: 3 lbs 11 oz
• Scale length: 25 1/16"
• Nut width: 1 3/4"
• Neck shape: medium C/D
• Board radius: 12"
• Depth at first fret: 0.93"
• Depth at seventh fret: 0.99"
• Body width: 15 3/8"
• Body depth: 3 7/8"
• Top wood: solid mahogany
• Back & sides wood: solid mahogany
• Bracing type: x
• Bridge: rosewood
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: poplar
• 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/taller

Condition notes: There's discoloration to the finish here and there throughout and signs of use (scratches/scuffs/etc) as well. There are some filled holes in the top below the bridge (small ones). There's some moisture damage to the clearcoat's top -- "ghosting" here and there -- that happens with these H165s all the time. I think it adds some nice character. The bridge, top bracing, frets, saddle, nut, and pins are all replacements. Ancel made use of the adorable woodburn stamp that our buddy Rob gave us for it and branded the inside of the guitar with our mark. 

It comes with: As I recall, it has a decent case or gigbag.

Consignor tag: MULK