1960 Harmony Roy Smeck Stratotone Jupiter H7208 Vintage Guitar Gold Foils w/osc

Up for sale, a 1960 Harmony "Roy Smeck" signature model Stratotone Jupiter in exceptional condition and in perfect working order.  The official Harmony catalog model number for this instrument is 7208, and while that designation certainly isn't sexy, the Roy Smeck model certainly makes up for it in looks and playability. This is easily one of the cleanest Stratotones we've ever had the pleasure of offering up for sale, and the tone through a pair of original DeArmond gold foils is truly something to behold. Manufactured by Harmony (despite Roy's name being prominently displayed on the headstock) and only available for a few short years in the early 1960s, this was one of Harmony's more expensive offerings and a quality instrument to be sure! The pickups have strong output and the clear, percussive quality that you only get from a gold foil. The tone is full and nuanced, with great growl when you dime out your favorite vintage tube amplifier. The body is fully hollow and that adds a certain richness to the tone and soft attack to the notes that you simply can't get with a solid body instrument. Plus you can't beat the diamond etched chrome pickup covers, rarely seen on any Harmony model!  Professionally setup with comfortable, low action and a fresh set of 11-50 nickel strings, this Roy Smeck is ready for the stage and studio. 

The neck has a comfortable medium C profile that fills the palm nicely and plays exceedingly well. The frets are in great shape, with their full original height and near perfect crowns, showing only the faintest wear beneath the B string in the first position and virtually no wear up the neck.  The Brazilian rosewood fretboard is incredibly clean with pearl block inlays and multi ply nitrate mint green fretboard binding.  On the headstock, the metal "Roy Smeck" logo is clean and fully intact. The original Waverly open-back tuners are intact as well, turn smoothly, and hold pitch well. 

On the body, all of the electronics work as they should, with a four-way pickup selector toggle that engages an extra capacitor in series with the neck pickup in the fourth position for an exclusive "Rhythm" tone not found on any other Stratotone!  All of the original hardware is intact including the dark brown "cupcake" knobs, nickel trapeze tailpiece, and carved Bazilian rosewood floating bridge.  The iconic pointed pickguard is near mint with the original "Rowe DeArmond" sticker on the back (photo #13).  The original stamped serial number and 1960 date code is also clear and intact, stamped to the inside of the back and visible with the pickguard removed.

Cosmetically, this guitar is a very clean and early example.  The maple top has moderate, tasteful flame figuring, with a few very faint cracks in the finish roughly where the forearm comes over the top of the guitar, but no even remotely serious wear.  The original black nitro lacquer finish on the back and sides is intact, with a few finish scuffs and nicks on the back, and one spot near the edge on the treble side of the lower bout on the back where it looks like there was some finish touchup and a bit of putty, but it's impossible to say why (photo #11 near the left edge of the frame).  There are also a few assorted tiny nicks on the neck profile and aroud the top edge of the headstock. Lastly, a new rear strap button has been added adjacent to the location of the original (photo #10). Rest assured this instrument is completely structurally sound and a very well cared for example!

The original brown leatherette form fit chipboard case is included.  This is a very rare case with clean leather binding and a snake skin-esque diamond pattern across the case top and back, not dissimilar to the faux alligator covering used on many Gibson cases of the era.  There is some wear in the brown snake skin covering, but overall the case is particularly clean and closes securely with the original handle and latches working and intact.