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*** VINTAGE & TRADITIONAL GUITARS *** – 18/11/2024.
*** Multiple Watcher’s Note: Listing refreshed for the many watchers on previous listing of this exceptional guitar, and for new enquiries!
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ACOUSTIC BLUES, JAZZ & SWING VINTAGE ARCHTOP – HARMONY H1320 “MONTEREY” USA 1938/40 RARE HIGH-END AUDITORIUM MODEL ACOUSTIC GUITAR – Professionally Restored, Fully Original, All Solid Woods, Spruce Top, Deep Red Wine Sunburst/Check Binding, Flamed Back & Sides Finish, Soft “V” Neck, Newtone “Archtop” Double Wound strings.
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Stock Number: VTGC1083.
*** In addition to the following description notes, further background information and restoration details can be found on my Vintage & Traditional Guitars website, Page A2…..also includes YouTube video demos and details of same model guitar, and link to the now archived Harmony Guitars Database page on the H1320 Harmony Monterey.
*** Rare, Short Production period, High-End Auditorium-size Model from the pre-war, early years of the long-running Harmony Monterey “Family” of acoustic archtops. As customary with vintage Harmony USA guitars, this archtop is of quality All Solid Woods construction, with Spruce top and Birch back & sides.
*** I can’t find the ink date stamp in this guitar, no doubt faded through time but the, now archived, Harmony Guitars Database lists the much shorter production run dates on the H1320 as only 1938 to 1940, which accounts for it’s scarcity!
The notes on the neck profile and nut width are as follows….
*** To me one of the nicest features of the guitar is the soft “V” profile neck, only found on these late 1930s guitars….as ever the nut width is standard Harmony 1.75″/44.5mm.
*** This guitar is a fully original, restored and very playable treasure – a “Pre-War” USA Archtop (bearing in mind that in the USA pre-war means up to the end of 1941) model with immense period character, which we brought back to full playability…as they say “they don’t make ’em like this any more!” Excellent archtop action….around 3mm./3.5mm. @ the 12th. fret….exactly where I would want to set it! Of course with scope to raise this on the adjustable bridge to suit some archtop players who prefer higher action.
*** It has been re-strung with a set of Newtone Archtop Double Wound Light/12-54 strings…Archtop Series – 6 string jazz guitar…”A Double wrap of Round Nickel Plated Steel wire over a Round core gives these strings a unique feel and sound. They are warm and mellow, with less string squeal.”
*** The guitar is in a vintage/period covered chipboard case, not fitted or offering the degree of protection of a modern hard shell case, but of the right size…..if not original to the guitar, it has certainly been with it over recent years.
*** YouTube clips of similar vintage Harmony archtops appear to be quite plentiful, but not surprisingly I could only find one clip of the scarce H1320 Monterey specifically, and have embedded that one, entitled “Harmony Monterey H-1320 (1938-40)” by Guitarras antiguas OLDGUITAR / MIGUEL ANGEL Luthier. Additional links in the Vintage & Traditional Guitars website details are to YouTube clip and accompanying blogspot article from the essential Jake Wildwood of similar age model H1327 Monterey.
Additional details, links to YouTube videos etc. are available on my VTG website via the link above.
I have restricted the wording here to a basic outline, so please do fully research the details provided on my VTG website, and contact me for any further information in order to fulfil your purchase.
Thank you, Bob Chaffer, Vintage & Traditional Guitars.
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