Harmony 1962 Roy Smeck Stratotone Jupiter H7208 Vintage Guitar, Gold Foil pickups 1962 natural

1962 Harmony Roy Smeck signature model Stratotone Jupiter in excellent condition. The official Harmony catalog model number for this instrument is 7208, This is one of the coolest looking and feeling guitars and the gold foil sound is sublime.

Manufactured by Harmony 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. The pickups have strong output and the clear, percussive quality that you only get from a DeArmond Gold Foil. The tone is full and nuanced, with great growl especially through a vintage tube amplifier. The body is fully hollow for rich tone and soft attack that you simply can't get with a solid body instrument. You can't beat the diamond etched chrome pickup covers, rarely seen on any Harmony model. The guitar weighs in at a mere 5lbs 2oz.

The neck has a comfortable medium C profile that fills the palm nicely and plays well. Just had a complete refret and setup by Mark Tossman, who was featured in a recent Fretboard Journal. The dyed maple fretboard is clean with pearl block inlays and multi ply nitrate mint green fretboard binding. There are dings and wear on the back of the neck and body that add character, but the front is clean.The original Waverly open-back tuners are a little stiff but they 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. The original hardware is intact including nickel trapeze tailpiece, and carved Brazilian rosewood floating bridge. The iconic pointed pickguard.