Here is an ultra rare Vintage Harmony H1266 Sovereign Deluxe Jumbo, made in 1971, toward the end of the original Harmony company’s life in Chicago.  This beauty comes to you in Excellent Condition, with a fresh Neck Reset, a New Tusq Saddle, and a smooth, fast action. Sonically, this Sovereign is every bit as rich as my Gibson J200. 

The H1266 Sovereign Deluxe Jumbo replaced the top of the line of the Harmony Acoustic Flattops, the H1265 Sovereign Deluxe. Made only from 1969 to 1971, it incorporated an adjustable bridge and featured dual, matching pick guards on either side of the sound hole.  This particular example dates to 1971 and is exceptionally clean, with only  a couple dings in the finish on the top, and one substantial repair of a crack on the back of the guitar (pictured).  The crack was nasty and went all the way through the guitar, but has been cleated and glued, and the finish touched up.   Beyond that, this guitar is solid as a rock. The action is quick and responsive, the sound gloriously voluminous and warm in the bass and midrange, crisp in the treble.

Restoration of this H1266 was comprehensive. The headstock overlay was reattached, and the guitar has had a full neck reset and is set up with a Tusq Saddle.  The aforementioned crack was repaired, and a new heel cap was added.  A prior owner had removed the pick guards, so any residual adhesive was cleaned from the finish. A Bridge Doctor was added to tame a little bit of bellying and a compensated Tusq saddle was made to replace the adjustable one (intonation is perfect). The nut was removed and raised in order to properly set the depth of the nut slots, and the frets have been leveled and crowned. 

Adjustable bridge saddles seemed to be all the rage in the late 1960s and early 1970s.  You don’t see them anymore and with good reason.  They were a bad idea. As soon as the saddle was raised, all string vibration could only enter the top through the posts of the adjustment screws.  This was an absolute tone killer on a flat top guitar.  Now, with the Tusq saddle, there is a great transmission of string vibration to the top and this guitar really sings!

The Action at the twelfth fret is 3/32nds on the Low E and 1/16th on the High E.  The guitar plays without any buzzing, up and down the neck.  The Scale length is 25 1/4” and the width at the nut is 1 3/4”.  The Lower Bout is 16” wide and the Upper Bout, 12”.  The body is 4 3/8” deep.

Harmony guitars were made with solid tone woods throughout; the top is solid Spruce, the back, sides and neck, Quarter Sawn Honduran Mahogany (a one piece back!), and the Fretboard and Bridge Brazilian Rosewood.  The frets and fretboard are in Excellent condition.

The tuners may be original, as I have seen some examples of the H1266 with these same tuners. However, they are stamped “Japan,” which leads me to think they might also be replacements. They have been lubricated and function perfectly. The guitar is set up with a set of Martin Marquis Phosphor Bronze Light 12-54 strings and sounds amazing!  The bass just booms and the midrange and treble are rich and sweet as Tupelo Honey!

The Harmony Sovereign Deluxe Jumbo features ladder bracing and has a big, open sound.  This is a guitar equally at home in folk, blues or rock, finger style or flat picked.  As many know, Jimmy Page played the acoustic intro to “Stairway to Heaven” on a Harmony Sovereign H1260, built along the same construction lines as this one.  

This Sovereign Deluxe Jumbo comes in a brand new hardshell case which fits it perfectly.

These Sovereigns are not to be overlooked; they stand up against Gibsons and Martins and carve out a sound that is all their own. In my own flattop collection, I play a Gibson J100, J200, Lowden F23, Guild JF-65, and a Harmony Sovereign H1260.  I wouldn’t part with it.

Please be sure to check out the photos, as I have tried to capture the Sovereign from all sides.

Serial Number: 2075H1266

This Harmony Sovereign is sold, AS IS and is not returnable unless it arrives in a condition other than as described or photographed.

Price: $2350.00 plus $125 shipping (Lower 48 USA only)

For a Demo Video of this guitar, please use this YouTube link: