1950s Harmony Stella Sundale H906 Colorama Parlor Guitar with Original Case – “Amélie”

There’s nothing more “Fun Time” than a Stella Sundale! Introduced for the 1957 model year, the Sundale Colorama series brought bold, modern styling to Harmony’s dependable Stella parlor guitars. Advertised as "meeting the demand for the new, the brilliant, the striking," the initial series featured three distinctive two-tone finishes: Pacific Blue & White (H902), Jubilee Red & White (H907), and the elegant French Gray & Black (H906) offered here. 

There is something especially graceful about this color combination. The soft French Gray, black lower bout and delicate pink trim give the guitar a refined mid-century look that feels more like vintage furniture or classic industrial design than a budget mail-order instrument. Nearly 70 years later, it still turns heads. 

This Stella remains remarkably original and comes complete with its chipboard case. The finish is clean for its age, with only minor wear and tear. The nut, bridge, tuners and tailpiece all appear to be original. The string posts are fitted with threaded protective bushings that screw into the tuner holes to protect the painted headstock from string wear.

Fitted with Martin Custom Light strings, the action measures approximately 4mm at the 12th fret on the bass side. It plays comfortably in the lower and middle register with the dry, woody voice these vintage ladder-braced Stellas are known for. 

Please note: the fingerboard extension rises sharply at the end, causing the two highest frets (17 and 18) to choke out during play, and there are also some minor cracks in the fingerboard veneer in this area. Otherwise, it’s a wonderful strummer with plenty of vintage charm. 

Beautifully preserved and gloriously understated, this is an excellent example of one of Harmony’s most distinctive late-1950s Coloramas. Complete with its original chipboard case in excellent condition, “Amélie” has survived with a quiet elegance that is becoming increasingly difficult to find. Bonus period braided string strap, made just for cowboys. 

SPECS 

Make: Harmony Stella Sundale H906 Colorama 

Nickname: “Amélie” 

Year: 1957-1958 

Color: French Gray & Black w/ Pink trim 

Serial No.: None 

Made: The Harmony Company, Chicago, IL, USA 

Scale: 24" 

Frets: 18 

Body: Birch 

Neck: Maple w/non-adjustable rod 

Fingerboard: Rosewood 

Markers: Painted pink triple bars 

Nut: Black hardwood 

Nut width: 1-3/4" 

Tuners: Kluson open-gear 3-on-a-plate

Bridge: Rosewood floating bridge with nickel-plated trapeze tailpiece 

Overall length: 36" 

Body length: 18" 

Depth: 3-3/4" 

Upper bout: 10" 

Lower bout: 14" 

Strings: Martin MA535 Custom Light phosphor bronze – .011, .015, .023, .032, .042, .052 

Case: Original chipboard case 

Note: Information provided is to the best of our knowledge. This is a vintage instrument and shows normal wear consistent with age. Please refer to the listing photos for the cosmetic condition of each individual item prior to clicking the “Gimme!” button. Items are sold “as is”, no returns. Thank you for respecting that. Feel free to reach out with any questions, and have a Fun Time kinda day.