Silvertone H-59 arch top electric guitar. This was manufactured by Harmony (nearly identical to their model H-50) for the Sears-Roebuck catalog company in the early 1950s. It is a full-depth, arch top and back acoustic guitar with an electric pickup. The pickup is the much ballyhooed "P-13", supposedly manufactured by Gibson and a predecessor to Gibson's P90. The arched plates are solid wood and were heat-processed, not carved, as with more expensive instruments. The oh-so-comfy neck has a wide Brazillian rosewood fingerboard and a pleasantly full carve to the back contour.The width at the nut measures just shy of 1 3/4", and the scale length is 25", placing it between the two popular Gibson scale lengths of 24 3/4" and 25 1/2". The body measures 16 1/2" wide and 3 7/16" deep. All of these features combine to make this guitar directly comparable to the Gibson model ES-125, with the main differences being the top of the Silvertone is made of solid spruce, whilst the 125 is constructed of laminated maple/poplar/maple. As shown in the accompanying photos, this guitar has had a few orbits around the solar system, and knicks and knocks to prove it. It's most serious detriment is a shrinkage crack on the back, near the waist, which is oh-so-common on these Harmony arch tops. It appears to have been reinforced internally and has remained stable in the ten or so years I have owned the guitar. Additionally, a slight gap of approximately 0.010" is apparent at the end of the heel, between it and the body. This too has been like this, unchanged in the time I have owned it. The guitar plays like a million bucks with generous frets and optimum action. It is a bling-a-zoid model, compared to its Harmony H-50 counterpart (compared to the Gibson ES-125, for that matter) with its fancy-schmancy headstock overlay, bound fingerboard, abalone block position markers, and multiple body binding, front and back. The guitar is extremely versatile as is functions quite well as an acoustic guitar(no, it's no Stromberg 400, but has always been a very enjoyable around-the-house-acoustic of me). Plugged in to an amp, it exhibits a very "acoustic" sound at low levels, but turns its beautifully primitive P13 personality loose when cranked. Perfect for the retro, swinging blues thing, or even straight-ahead jazz with an old-time vibe. As with all old guitar purchase considerations, arm yourself with as much information as possible (perhaps you've heard of this google thing??), then ask me for information specific to this particular guitar. Comes with a perfectly serviceable gig bag. Here's how shipping will work: The buyer will remit $100.00 above and beyond the purchase price. I will pack the instrument to survive a nuclear blast and ship per the buyer's preference. Upon shipment I will immediately refund any balance remaining. If the buyer has a shipping as count and arranges pre-paid pick up or can do local pickup and cash payment, this will eliminate the need for the above. Please be responsible and reasonable and I will reciprocate in kind. Thank you
