A rare early original version (pre-1962) of the Harmony Sovereign H1203 (Western) in great condition. The faint time stamp dates the guitar Fall 1960 (F-60). The headstock features the classic "HARMONY" in block letters and the guitar has no pick guard, all consistent with it being an early (1958-1962) version. Most available H1203's are later versions that feature the "Harmony" logo in script and a pick guard. The guitar has a solid spruce top, solid mahogany sides, a solid single piece mahogany back, mahogany neck and a Brazilian rosewood fretboard. The guitar has been completely restored with a V-brace conversion from Moonlight Luthiers. This includes replacing the original ladder bracing with modern V-bracing for a brighter more vibrant sound and improved sustain (Check the video for an idea). The guitar also has a neck reset, re-fret, a new rosewood pin bridge with maple reinforcement plate, a new bone saddle, and new tuners. The cost of a comprehensive V braced conversion like this is typically $1000 or more. Virtually all H1203's require at least a neck reset to be playable, making this a great deal. The guitar has its original finish with various little dings and scratches and two cleated hairline cracks above the sound hole. I've included photos (in bright light) of these imperfections - most are hard to see unless you are really looking for them. For a 65 year old guitar it is in fantastic shape. The neck reset results in a guitar that is highly playable with action about 2.5 mm on the low E and 2 mm on the high E at the 12th fret. The guitar comes with lockable Gator hardshell case - it's quite new but a some nicks and missing one clasp.