Harmony Flat Top Acoustic Guitars

Harmony flat tops have been many beginners' first guitar. Harmony also made top of the line guitars, though they are not common today as relatively few were produced, compared with the beginner guitars.

Through the years, Harmonys have stood up well. The main thing that hurt Harmony's image was the fact that millions were sold through mail order and small mom & pop stores that had no guitar tech to set them up. I have seen hundreds of these guitars that are almost impossible to play as they were never set up.

That is very good news for the modern Harmony collector. Why? Because we can find guitars that have very little use, since they were hard to play. Today, we can buy them reasonably and set them up correctly and have a great guitar for a great price!

Harmony had many Stella and Folk models, just a few are listed on this page.

Harmony prided themselves on their highly skilled work force of professional luthiers.

Technical Tip

When storing your guitar for long periods, release the tension of the strings. This will keep your guitar from developing any stress problems. Also, if you are shipping your guitar UPS, US Mail, Fed Ex etc.....loosen the strings! It will really pay!

STELLA GUITARS

Stella guitars should be considered entry level guitars. Millions were sold to students. Hundreds of thousands survive today and are still languishing in the hands of teenage students, possibly for the 3rd or 4th time. Talk about tough! These guys are not the best sounding or playing but they are great traveling guitars as with any care at all they are practically indestructible, just keep them away from The Who and Garth Brooks!

1971 Harmony model 942 Stella

This is a top of the line Stella

Here is a tough old soldier that has given years of service!

Your Basic Stella

Technical Tip

When your guitar is starting to get too many small scratches and abrasions, and you're just about to hide it away it looks so sad, try going to any good antique store to purchase a bottle of Beeswax and Citrus oil polish and finish restorer. You will be simply amazed at your guitar's new look! Try it on ALL of your wood products around the house!

Look at the date stamp on the bottom inside this Stella, roughly center, between the 3rd and 4th strings.

This is a Stella Tenor guitar, model TG929

Near mint 1960's vintage Stella

This is an interesting late 60's - early 70's Stella model

Harmony Folk models were a step up from Stella and a step down from Sovereigns. They are designed with ladder bracings and are lighter in weight than most flat tops, the wood is pretty thin. (Be careful with these, the thin wood is easy to damage!) They do fret well and sound very good. Some models came in both steel re-inforced neck or with a truss rod, depending on the year made.

Harmony Model 162 Folk Guitar

Once you set the action on these models, they are real good players. Most have a spruce top, some are solid mahogany.

....................

I'll bet this one sounds as good as it looks!

This model features a mahogany body and white celluloid sound hole ring

The position markers are small, but tastefully laid out

Open gear, 3 to a plank tuning machines were standard

Technical Tip

Never store your guitar near a heat source or in a dry place. It is good to put a damp sponge in a plastic container, with some holes punched in the top, in the case with your guitar. Also, if the top starts to show tension or stress warpage, tune down one step and capo the first fret or use a lighter gauge of strings to combat the deterioration.

Harmony Home Page         Harmony Master Instrument List
 

© 2001 Broadway Music Co.