The easiest was to distinguish between the two really boils down to three main points. It is an oriental guitar if it fits the following:

1. If the guitar is a direct copy of existing popular model guitars, such as a Les Paul or Stratocaster. Harmony U.S.A. never made a direct copy. They had designs that were similar to the competition but not identical.

2. Is a popular modern body style. Harmony U.S.A. never made Stratocasters or Les Paul influenced guitars. The electrics were similar to Gibson and Gretch hollowbody electrics and Fender Jazz Master solid bodies. The Archtops and Flat top guitars are easier to identify. The Oriental model lineup has no archtop or folk style acoustics. If it is a Dreadnought, it is most likely oriental.

3. Has the Est. 1892 After the name Harmony is an oriental guitar marketed by a company called "Harmony Est. 1892" The Koreans simply lifted an old name and used it. The current owners are U.S.A. based but import guitars from Korea and China. They are still marketing guitars and have been since the late 1970's.

USA made Harmony guitars NEVER have the EST 1892 on the headstock.

I must add that the new Oriental Harmony guitars are not bad at all. Fender and Gibson both sell far more foreign made guitars than domestic ones. Some of the finest guitar makers happen to be located on the Asian rim at this point in history.

If you have an oriental guitar, play it often and enjoy it. The new Harmony folks are in the same business as the original company, making good guitars affordable for everyone! Besides, the USA made Harmony guitars were sent to every country in the world where they are foreign guitars when not here in the States!

The easiest way to identify the model of a Silhouette or Bobkat solidbody, (Looks similar to a Fender Jazzmaster but is not a direct copy) is by color, number of pickups and hardware (mainly the tailpiece).

H14 - Sunburst finish, White pickguard, single pickup, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 6 to a side tuners, no tremolo.

H14V - Sunburst finish, White pickguard, single pickup, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 6 to a side tuners, tremolo.

H15 - Sunburst finish, White pickguard, two pickups, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 6 to a side tuners, no tremolo.

H15V - Sunburst finish, White pickguard, two pickups, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 6 to a side tuners, tremolo.

H16B - Metallic Blue finish, White pickguard, two pickups, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 6 to a side tuners, tremolo.

H16R - Candyapple Red finish, White pickguard, two pickups, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 6 to a side tuners, tremolo.

H16W - Gleaming White polished finish, White pickguard, two pickups, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 6 to a side tuners, tremolo

H19 - Sunburst finish, Tortoise pickguard, two pickups, bolt on neck, block inlay position markers, 6 to a side tuners, Hagstrom tremolo.

Where to find dates on Harmony Solidbody electric guitars.

Harmony as a rule did not stamp a date on their Solidbody guitars, but fortunately, DeArmond did stamp a date on their electronics. Simply remove the pickguard and look for the date stamped either on the pickup or on the underside of the pickguard.

The easiest way to identify the model of a Thinline Hollowbody, (Looks similar to a Gibson 335 style but is not a direct copy) is by color, number of pickups and hardware (mainly the tailpiece).

H79 - Cherry Red tone finish, 12 String, black or tortoise pickguard, two pickups, bolt on neck, block inlay position markers, 6 to a side tuners, no tremolo.

H78 - Cherry Red tone finish, tortoise pickguard, three pickups, bolt on neck, block inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, Bigsby tremolo.

H77 - Cherry Red tone finish, tortoise pickguard, three pickups, bolt on neck, block inlay position markers, 3t o a side tuners, no tremolo.

H76 - Brown Mahogany Sunburst finish, tortoise pickguard, three pickups, bolt on neck, block inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, Bigsby tremolo.

H75 - Brown Mahogany Sunburst finish, tortoise pickguard, three pickups, bolt on neck, block inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, no tremolo.

H74 - Brown Shaded Finish, 2 Pickups, 4 Knobs, 1 Toggle, Double cutaway, but one cut much deeper than the other

H72 - Burgundy Shaded finish, black/white/black pickguard, two pickups, bolt on neck, block inlay position markers, 6 to a side tuners, "Fender Style" headstock, no tremolo.

H66 - Sunburst finish, thin hollow body, built in electric tremolo, tortoise pickguard, two pickups, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners.

H68 - Sunburst finish, deep body "Jazz Style", tortoise pickguard, two pickups, bolt on neck, block inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, no tremolo.

H64 - Sunburst finish, tortoise pickguard, two pickups, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, Bigsby tremolo.

H60 - Sunburst finish, tortoise or black pickguard, two pickups, bolt on neck, block inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, no tremolo. ( Also called a "Meteor")

Rocket Models

Harmony used two different sizes of pickups on Rockets. A wide pickup with adjustable pole pieces and a more narrow type without adjustable pole pieces.

H59 - Red Shaded finish, white pickguard, three pickups, white pickup bezels, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, single cutaway, no tremolo.

H59/1 - Red Shaded finish, white pickguard, three pickups, white pickup bezels, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, double cutaway, no tremolo.

H56 - Red Shaded finish, white pickguard, two pickups, white pickup bezels, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, single cutaway, tremolo.

H56/1 - Red Shaded finish, white pickguard, two pickups, white pickup bezels, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, double cutaway, tremolo.

H54 - Red Shaded finish, white pickguard, two pickups, white pickup bezels, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, single cutaway, no tremolo.

H54/1 - Red Shaded finish, white pickguard, two pickups, white pickup bezels, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, double cutaway, no tremolo.

H53 - Red Shaded finish, white pickguard, one pickup, white pickup bezel, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, single cutaway, no tremolo.

H56/1 - Red Shaded finish, white pickguard, one pickup, white pickup bezel, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, double cutaway, no tremolo.

Where to find dates on Harmony Hollowbody electric guitars. Good example of date stamp

Harmony as a rule did stamp a date on the inside of their Hollowbody guitars,

(Example: F-66-R or F-66, the F is for Fall and the 66 is for 1966. The R would likely be a work shift number.)

The other stamped number is a serial number followed by an "H" and the model number.

Also, DeArmond stamped a date on their electronics. Simply remove the pickup and look for the date stamped on the underside of the pickup.

The easiest way to identify the model of a bass, is by color, number of pickups and body style.

H27 - Sunburst finish, Hollowbody, no pickguard, two pickups, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 4 to a side heavy duty tuners, "Fender Style" headstock.

H25 - Sunburst finish, Solidbody, tortoise pickguard, two pickups, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 4 to a side heavy duty tuners, "Fender Style" headstock.

H22 - Sunburst finish, Hollowbody, white "Bat Wing" pickguard, one pickup, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 2 to a side guitar type light tuners , "Harmony Style" headstock, single cutaway.

H22/1 - Sunburst finish, Hollowbody, white "Bat Wing" pickguard, one pickup, bolt on neck, dot inlay position markers, 2 to a side guitar type light tuners , "Harmony Style" headstock, double cutaway.

Where to find dates on Harmony bass guitars. Good example of date stamp

Harmony as a rule did stamp a date on the inside of their hollow body bass guitars,

(Example: F-66-R or F-66, the F is for Fall and the 66 is for 1966. The R would likely be a work shift number.)

The other stamped number is a serial number followed by an "H" and the model number.

Also, DeArmond stamped a date on their electronics. Simply remove the pickup and look for the date stamped on the underside of the pickup.

On solidbody models:

Harmony as a rule did not stamp a date on their Solidbody guitars, but fortunately, DeArmond did stamp a date on their electronics. Simply remove the pickguard and look for the date stamped either on the pickup or on the underside of the pickguard.

The easiest way to identify the model of a Classic is by the headstock and soundhole ring.

910 - Natural finish, simulated inlay soundhole ring, beginner size, 3 to a side tuners.

177 - Natural finish, genuine marquetry inlay soundhole ring, , 3 to a side tuners, rounded top headstock.

175 - Natural finish, genuine marquetry inlay soundhole ring, Dark body bindings, 3 to a side tuners, fancy headstock.

173 - Natural finish, extra thin soundhole ring, , 3 to a side tuners, mahogany sides, square top headstock.

171 - Natural finish, soundhole ring, , 3 to a side tuners, mahogany sides, entry level quality.

Where to find dates on Harmony Classic guitars. Good example of date stamp

Harmony as a rule did stamp a date on the inside of their guitars,

(Example: F-66-R or F-66, the F is for Fall and the 66 is for 1966. The R would likely be a work shift number.)

The other stamped number is a serial number followed by an "H" and the model number.

The easiest way to identify the model of a Sovereign is by the headstock.

1270 - Natural finish, black or tortoise pickguard, 12 string, jumbo size, 6 to a side tuners.

1266 - Sunburst finish, two tortoise pickguards, jumbo body, block inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners.

1260 - Natural finish, tortoise pickguard, jumbo body, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners.

1230 - Natural finish, black or tortoise pickguard, 12 string, concert size, 6 to a side tuners.

1203 - Natural finish, black or tortoise pickguard, grand concert size, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners.

H55 - Natural finish, pickup, volume and tone controls, black or tortoise pickguard, grand concert size, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners.

Where to find dates on Harmony Sovereign guitars. Good example of date stamp

Harmony as a rule did stamp a date on the inside of their guitars,

(Example: F-66-R or F-66, the F is for Fall and the 66 is for 1966. The R would likely be a work shift number.)

The other stamped number is a serial number followed by an "H" and the model number.

The easiest way to identify these models is by the color and sound hole.

1233- Shaded Mahogany finish, white striping on edges, black pickguard, dot neck inlay, auditorium size, 3 to a side tuners, the headstock looks like a classic guitar. f soundholes.

1234 - Shaded Mahogany finish, white striping on edges, black pickguard, dot neck inlay, Concert size, 3 to a side tuners, the headstock looks like a classic guitar. Round soundhole like a flattop.

1255 - Shaded Mahogany finish, white striping on edges, black pickguard, fancy neck inlay, Concert size, 3 to a side tuners, the headstock looks like a classic guitar. Round soundhole like a flattop.

1263 - Shaded Violin finish, All mahogany, white striping on edges, black pickguard, fancy neck inlay, Grand Concert size, 3 to a side tuners, the headstock is white pearloid with gold stamped name. f soundholes.

1264- Shaded Violin finish, All mahogany, white striping on edges, black pickguard, fancy neck inlay, Auditorium size, 3 to a side tuners, the headstock is white pearloid with gold stamped name. f soundholes.

1265- Golden Brown Walnut finish, white celluloid edge binding, dot inlay position markers, simple tailpiece, 3 to a side tuners, round soundhole. (Valencia)

1272 - Brown Lacquer finish, spruce top, Mahogany back and sides, white edge binding, dot inlay position markers, simple tailpiece, 3 to a side tuners, round soundhole.

1275 - Natural Brown finish, white edge binding, black and white celluloid inlay, dot inlay position markers, simple tailpiece, 3 to a side tuners, round soundhole. (Patrician)

1280 - Light Brown finish, , celluloid bound, black and white inlay, rosewood veneer headpiece, dot inlay position markers, simple tailpiece, 3 to a side tuners, round soundhole. (Deluxe)

Harmony Artist Archtop Guitars

1304- Shaded Violin Type finish, Figured Maple back and sides, Spruce top, White celluloid binding. Dot neck inlay, black pickguard, simple tailpiece, Rosewood adjustable bridge. (Cremona Model IV)

1305- Shaded Violin Type finish, Figured Maple back and sides, Spruce top, White celluloid binding. Dot neck inlay, tortoise pickguard, hinged tailpiece, individual tuners. hand engraved tortoise shell headpiece, Rosewood adjustable bridge. (Cremona Model V)

1306- Shaded Violin Type finish, Flame Maple back and sides, Spruce top, White celluloid binding. Fancy neck inlay, Fingerboard of black pearlette celluloid, hand engraved tortoise shell headpiece, tortoise pickguard, hinged tailpiece, individual tuners. Rosewood adjustable bridge. (Cremona Model VI)

1307- Shaded Violin Type finish, Flame Maple back and sides, Spruce top, White celluloid binding. Contrasting neck inlay, hand engraved tortoise shell headpiece, tortoise pickguard, hinged tailpiece, individual tuners. Rosewood adjustable bridge. (Cremona Model VII)

Where to find dates on Harmony Archtop guitars. Good example of date stamp

Harmony as a rule did stamp a date on the inside of their guitars,

(Example: F-66-R or F-66, the F is for Fall and the 66 is for 1966. The R would likely be a work shift number.)

The other stamped number is a serial number followed by an "H" and the model number.

The easiest way to identify these models is by the color.

HG510 - Gloss Sunburst, Cutaway, Inlay Harmony on headstock, Block inlay, 3 to a side tuners.

1407 - Natural Spruce finish, auditorium size, tortoise pickguard, 3 to a side tuners. ( Patrician)

1310 - Maple body, spruce top, sunburst finish, single cutaway, block inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners.

1214 - Blonde finish, black pickguard, dot inlay position markers, simple tailpiece, 3 to a side tuners. (Archtone)

1215 - Reddish Mahogany Shaded finish, tortoise pickguard, dot inlay position markers, simple tailpiece, 3 to a side tuners. (Archtone)

1213 - Brown Shaded finish, tortoise pickguard, dot inlay position markers, simple tailpiece, 3 to a side tuners. (Archtone)

954 - Sunburst finish, inlaid edge binding, dot inlay position markers, trapeze tailpiece, 3 to a side tuners. (Broadway)

954 - Sunburst finish, celluloid edge binding, dot inlay position markers, simple tailpiece, 3 to a side tuners. (Master)

950 - Red Mahogany Shaded finish, white edge binding, dot inlay position markers, simple tailpiece, 3 to a side tuners. (Monterey Leader)

Where to find dates on Harmony Archtop guitars. Good example of date stamp

Harmony as a rule did stamp a date on the inside of their guitars,

(Example: F-66-R or F-66, the F is for Fall and the 66 is for 1966. The R would likely be a work shift number.)

The other stamped number is a serial number followed by an "H" and the model number.

The easiest way to identify these models is by the color.

937 - Natural finish, student size, nylon strings, steel string style headstock, 3 to a side tuners.

165 - All Mahogany, natural finish, tortoise pickguard, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners.

162 - Spruce top, mahogany sides, natural finish, tortoise pickguard, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners.

162 3/4- Spruce top, mahogany sides, natural finish, tortoise pickguard, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, 3/4 size.

150 - Sunburst finish, white pickguard, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners, 3/4 size.

Where to find dates on Harmony Folk guitars. Good example of date stamp

Harmony as a rule did stamp a date on the inside of their guitars,

(Example: F-66-R or F-66, the F is for Fall and the 66 is for 1966. The R would likely be a work shift number.)

The other stamped number is a serial number followed by an "H" and the model number.

The easiest way to identify these models is by the color.

943 - Two tone Sunburst finish, grand concert size, simulated marquetry soundhole ring, 3 to a side tuners.

942- Natural finish, black pickguard, dot inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners.

933 - Cherry finish, white pickguard, dot inlay position markers, 6 to a side tuners, "Fender Style" headstock.

927- Fruitwood finish, black pickguard, block inlay position markers, 3 to a side tuners

913 - Pumpkin finish, 12 string , dot inlay position markers, 6 to a side tuners.

Where to find dates on Harmony Stella guitars. Good example of date stamp

Harmony as a rule did stamp a date on the inside of their guitars,

(Example: F-66-R or F-66, the F is for Fall and the 66 is for 1966.. The R would likely be a work shift number.)

The other stamped number is a serial number followed by an "H" and the model number.

The easiest way to identify these models is by the color.

TG1201- Natural finish, Spruce top, Sovereign model, 2 to a side tuners.

TG950- Red Mahogany Shaded finish, Archtop , Monterey Leader model, 2 to a side tuners.

TG929 - Mahogany Shaded finish, standard size, Stella model, 2 to a side tuners.

Where to find dates on Harmony Tenor guitars. Good example of date stamp

Harmony as a rule did stamp a date on the inside of their guitars,

(Example: F-66-R or F-66, the F is for Fall and the 66 is for 1966. The R would likely be a work shift number.)

The other stamped number is a serial number followed by an "H" and the model number.