Offering my 1961 Harmony Sovereign H1203. 000/OM sized all solid wood Spruce/Mahogany with X-brace conversion, neck reset, and new Rosewood pin bridge. 

Okay, I hate it when someone takes a classic car like a ‘68 Camaro and does a "Resto-Mod". You know, with titanium billeted dashboard, 20” wheels, fiberglass fender flares and digital gauges…

So why would I do this to an old guitar? 

Well, these old Harmony guitars are a great value for a Vintage, solid wood American guitar. Unfortunately, they invariably need the neck reset by now. The "string-thru" bridges had a tendency to lift, and while ladder bracing has a distinct tone that I enjoy, I think the tone of a 000/OM size guitar is enhanced with X-bracing. To say nothing about the added stability of the guitar structure. 

This one was in really good shape overall. No top cracks, and just a minor side crack to address. The bridge was cracked, but I always make a new pin bridge for these anyway. 

So, this one has had:

-Neck reset (12th fret action is about .080” Low E and .070 High)

-New hand carved Rosewood Pin bridge

-Canadian Spruce Fwd-shifted X-bracing

-Re-brace back braces, convert from 5 to 4

-Repaired side crack

-New Maple bridgeplate

-Fret dressing and polish/fretboard dress

-Interior glue cleaned up, linen shellacked side reinforcement strips installed. 

-Bone saddle

The flaws:

-A side crack on the lower Bass side, repaired and reinforced inside with linen side strips. 

-Various surface chips and dings you’d expect from a 60yr old guitar. 

-Binding shrinkage, with a small piece grafted in below the neck heel. 

Specs:

Nut width 1 3/4” (original nylon)

Scale 25 1/8”

Action at 12th .080” Low E .070”Hi E 

Weight  3lbs 8oz (feels really lightweight!)

Brazilian Rosewood  fretboard (beautiful figuring in the grain)

Rosewood Pin bridge with 2 1/8” spacing

Bone compensated saddle

This guitar is a real player now! These small Sovereigns are sort of a "working man's 000-18” when they get the treatment. Amazing mid tones, and lows that you wouldn’t expect from a budget level smaller body guitar. The action is very comfortable now with the neck reset, the truss rod works and there is plenty of saddle for future adjustments. 

 The top is completely crack-free, and it’s just had a wipe with Tru-Oil to help seal it all up, and then buffed.

The original 3/strip Kluson tuners work perfectly. I made a Rosewood neck heel cover to give it a little extra detail as well. 

One other thing that’s pretty cool with this one. It has no real pickguard "tan line". Maybe it never had one, I’m not sure. But it looks really nice without it. I have one cut and made to the right shape for a 1203 that I’ll include,and you can see it sitting on top for a couple of photos here, but I’ll let the buyer decide if they want it or not. 

All in all, this is a fabulous Vintage American built guitar at a fraction of the cost of a Martin or a Gibson!

Good condition chipboard case included 

YouTube video posted here.

Final notes: 

If you’re on Facebook, check out my page "Brian's Guitar Rehab and Customs" for current projects that I’m working on, to see what’s coming soon! You can also send messages there, ask questions about services, etc 

And now the fine print….

Please look closely at all photos, as this instrument will exhibit the years it has lived it’s life. My "Resto" process is primarily aimed at the structure and sound properties of the instrument, such as bracing and neck/bridge components. It has NOT been COMPLETELY refinished and oversprayed (unless my listing says so specifically for that instrument), and will show various dings and scratches expected from a 50+ year old instrument. I often apply a little Tru Oil wipe to help seal any chipping or cracking original finish’s, but any completly refinished areas will be described in the listing. I try to really show any significant finish wear as clearly as I can, and I’m always willing to send interested folks more pics on request. 

Sometimes shipping from my climate to yours can affect setup slightly. Please give it a few days of acclimating before doing any significant adjustments, and I’m always available to help walk you thru it. Occasionally I’ve had folks that want to take it to their own tech to get a complete setup, reach out to me and we can discuss my $$ help with that process if it seems necessary. 

Please take a look at my Return policy. I always strive to have a buyer 100% psyched to own one of my "babies", but if something just doesn’t click, and they just don’t bond with it, I will conditionally accept returns within a week (buyer will pay all Shipping costs, Full Refund of the purchase price will be processed upon Return) 

Last note, my "day job" takes me away from home for 7 days, then I’m home for 7. If you can message me before making payment, I can let you know if I’m away and if shipping will be delayed. If I’m home, I always ship by the following business day!

Thanks!

Brian