Harmony Stratotone Mars H45 Sunburst 1962

Harmony Stratotone Mars, made in USA around 1962, two tone sunburst finish. Very cute, right? Harmony were an enormous market presence in the young electric guitar market in the 50s and 60s, making more instruments out of their Chicago factory than any other company at the time. They launched their Stratotone line in 1954, the very same year another guitar company launched a similarly titled guitar out of California. The whole line was named after different planets, so this one was called the  Mars. It's got a lovely small size fully hollow body, not dissimilar in dimensions from a Les Paul, but literally half the weight. The neck is a chunky D style shape and is in good order after all these decades, with workings frets and a pretty manageable action. The tone is charming: warm and woody with a pleasing openness on the top end and a tuneful, fast bass response. It's wearing flatwound strings, which feel and sound great. This is a perfect little couch guitar, or if you're out delivering the goods in a jazz, blues or soul context, this will serve sweetly.

Model: Harmony Stratotone Mars H45
Made: USA, 1962 approx, Chicago
Serial: none
Finish: two tone sunburst, gloss urethane
Body: laminate maple, hollow construction, 336mm across, 48mm deep
Neck: maple, ebonized maple fretboard, 12" radius, 24" scale, fat D style shape, three-bolt join
Weight: 2.215kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Harmony single coil, slider switch for bass cut
Accessories: basic vintage gig bag
Catalog:

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has scuffs on the end, dimples on the front and back and balding around all the edges. The is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and significant rub wear on the back. The back has an extra hole drilled in the middle, minor chips along the back edge, scratches on the top horn, elbow area and bottom edge and widespread light scuffs around the whole body. The sides have minor scuffs, dents and checking lines around the whole guitar. The front has dimples in the elbow area and near the knobs, a surface scratch on the top horn, a driver's license number on the pickguard, light scuffs around the whole body and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (7.5/10)

Playing condition notes: action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh flatwound strings.
Fret Life: 6/10, normal wear inc minor pitting, playing evenly with no major buzz issues