Nice. You should be able to research on line when and where it was built. Harmony of Chicago has an interesting history. That pick guard looks 60s or 70s to me. At some point, Harmonys were being built outside the U.S.
Billy the Kid? I'm pretty sure this is a 70's era model. The headstock design and Harmony logo are identical to one I have that is stamped 1970. Mine is identical except the painted fret markers on mine are dots. Check online for pics of 50's era Stellas and you will see how those headstocks are shaped. Look for a stamp on the back panel directly inside of soundhole (might be really faint) or sometimes they are stamped on the soundboard and can only be seen with a mirror. Another clue is if it has a plastic height adjustable bridge. Older models had wooden bridges
My 1935 Harmony Faux Resonator guitar had the date stamp on both the top and bottom of the guitar. Not on paper, just on the inside wood. It also has a large longer number. I got the info on the date stamps from a nice little book on Harmonys. "Harmony the Peoples Guitar" by Ron Rothman.
Dave, great input bro.! I may need this later myself. By inside you mean on paper glued to the bottom of the body one can see via the sound hole or did they just stamp 'em (same spot?) in the wood? Thanks, -Glenn
Nice job! nice patina. I love the old parlor guitars. Hide glue is still used in most instrument construction. Tight Bond works a lot like hide glue as it will come apart with heat. Many Harmonys have a date in them. It will be a S-64 (means the Summer run of 1964) or F-58 (Fall of 1958). This is a small stamped date. I have seen them in a circle about 1/4 inch in total size.
Sweet! My first electric was a single pickup Harmony. Got a soft spot for those. This has that parlor guitar blues look. I bet early to mid 60s. Any markings anywhere (flashlight and reading glasses time?)? Numbers or anything inside or outside, back of headstock, etc.? Thanks for sharing :) -Glenn
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Y'all have likely seen this but if not, click, then scroll down. A pretty thorough site on Harmony's.
http://harmony.rothguitar.com/
Nice. You should be able to research on line when and where it was built. Harmony of Chicago has an interesting history. That pick guard looks 60s or 70s to me. At some point, Harmonys were being built outside the U.S.
My 1935 Harmony Faux Resonator guitar had the date stamp on both the top and bottom of the guitar. Not on paper, just on the inside wood. It also has a large longer number. I got the info on the date stamps from a nice little book on Harmonys. "Harmony the Peoples Guitar" by Ron Rothman.
Dave, great input bro.! I may need this later myself. By inside you mean on paper glued to the bottom of the body one can see via the sound hole or did they just stamp 'em (same spot?) in the wood? Thanks, -Glenn
Sweet! My first electric was a single pickup Harmony. Got a soft spot for those. This has that parlor guitar blues look. I bet early to mid 60s. Any markings anywhere (flashlight and reading glasses time?)? Numbers or anything inside or outside, back of headstock, etc.? Thanks for sharing :) -Glenn