Harmony H71 Meteor – USA 1960-61

From TYM Guitars: 

‘Nearly everybody who has played guitar for any period knows the name Harmony guitars. In the 50's and 60's they were possibly the biggest guitar manufacturer in the world primarily focusing on budget and entry level guitars for department store walls. Their cheap solid bodies have become quite collectible and the pickups they used, the now famous "gold foil" single coils are very sought after, especially for hot-rodding. 

The history of the company goes all the way back to the late 1800's and Harmony made many types of stringed instruments over the years including Ukes, Violins and acoustics. While there have been some big-name Harmony players over the years the brand was looked on until recently as being a "cheap beginners guitar" although the quality of some models can be very impressive for such a claim. 

The Harmony Meteor was introduced in 1958 in two different models (H70-71) as part of the hollow body line and was joined a year later by the Rocket and the H74 with a slightly modified top "half cutaway" in 1960. 

The Meteor is typical of design and construction for these guitars of the period. Laminated (spruce) bodies with pressed arched top and back with big neck blocks and a bridge block to control feedback. The construction is very good for what was considered a "cheap" guitar at the time with multiply binding top and back.’ 

Features: 

Neck Material: Flame Maple  

Fingerboard: Brazilian Rosewood  

Inlay: Mother of Pearl Block 

Nut Width: 1 ¾" 

Scale Length: 24 ¼"  

Body:  Single-cutaway, hollow body with dual F-holes   

Top Material: Spruce top with 6-ply binding 

Back & Sides Material: Flame Maple   

Tailpiece: Trapeze  

Bridge: Rosewood 

Pickguard:  Original 4-ply tortoise 

Pickups:  Original DeArmond "gold foil" single coils with wooden bases. 

Controls: Dual volume & tone controls with brown "cupcake" knobs; 3-way toggle switch

This Harmony H71 Meteor presents in very good condition. Frets have lots of life left, truss rod works fine, tuners are good, and while there are a few small marks from honest player wear, there are no cosmetic or structural impediments to detract from the inherent vintage cool of this very appealing guitar. The DeArmond ‘gold foil’ pickups sound incredible, with plenty of kick and tonnes of tone. This guitar really must be played to be believed! 

Comes in a non-original hard-shell case.