Harmony Stella 12-string 1963

Stella (Harmony) H922 12-String 1963 | $675 | (VBG#2001) Beginning about 1940 the Harmony-made 'Stella' was about the only mass-produced 12-string guitar available. The 1940 catalog shows the image of an H922 twelve, but it has the rounded lower bout, unlike the H922 offered here. The square-ish lower bout began to show up in catalogs in the later 60s, so our guess is that this example, even though ink stamped H922, is a transitional piece, and very much like the later H912, with a few differences. Essentially the same guitar as the H912: same dimensions, solid birch body, poplar neck, tuners. Although this H922 example has a metal truss rod it lacks an adjustment nut, there is no 'Harmony' or star on the headstock, and the sunburst tends to be more brownish than reddish.

Top, sides and back are solid birch (the top has an attractive 'flame' grain pattern); neck is poplar carved in a wide 'C' shape; ebonized fingerboard with truss rod installed; ebonized 'floating' bridge; solid rectangular tailpiece; white-painted binding and sound hole trim. F63FK is stamped in ink inside the sound hole indicating a 1963 year of manufacture.

The 'jumbo' body measures 15" across at the lower bout. Scale length is 25 1/4" (short scale). The neck measures 2" across at the nut and string spacing is 2 1/2" across at the saddle.

The guitar appears to be all original. The only prior repair is a very small hairline at the base of the bass-side tuners (see pic). The frets were recently leveled and dressed. There are some nicks and dings from use but no abuse. Action is set at 8/64" and the guitar plays easily.

These short scale 12s are a lot of fun to play. They produce a bright, ringing tone with just enough bass to mimic the old pre-war Stellas; good choices for blues and ragtime picking, slide or folk music.

Comes with a soft case.

Check out the sound clip and video.