Harmony H167 / 1969 / Relive that Endless Summer

Here’s a beautiful time capsule of a guitar, a Harmony H167 from 1969, in Excellent condition, all set up and ready for serenading that beach bonfire.  As part of its restoration, it has had a full neck reset, with a new, bleached bone saddle, and plays with a very comfortable action and seemingly endless sustain.

The Harmony H167 stands out right away, with its Fender style headstock.  Back in the 1960s Harmony actually made many of the acoustic guitars marketed by Fender, generally to Harmony specs, but with a Fender overlay on the headstock.  This guitar has something of the shape of a mid-60s Fender Malibu, but it features a solid Birch back and sides with a Spruce top, and a Maple neck.  The fretboard and bridge are Brazilian Rosewood.

As with many Harmony guitars, this one arrived in need of a full reset.  In addition to adjusting the neck angle, shimming and properly resetting the neck, we gave the guitar a level and crown of the frets, made a new bone saddle, cleaned and lubricated the original tuners, reattached the pick guard, made a new heel cap, and touched up some minor dings on the body.  There is a significant but purely cosmetic scuff on the bass shoulder of the guitar, which is visible in the photos.  Other than that, there are no cracks, splits or open seams, the fretboard it lovely, the tuners work well, the nut slot depths were adjusted for optimal playing, and the guitar has been strung with D’Addario Phosphor Bronze Custom Light Gauge strings.

Here are the important specs:

Top: 15” wide Sitka Spruce

Back: 15” wide Birch (one piece)

Sides: 3 7/8” Birch

Neck: Medium C profile Maple

Tuners: Original open back six on a plate

Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood

Bridge: Brazilian Rosewood Pin Bridge with Bleached Bone Saddle (12” radius)

Bracing: Ladder Braced Top and Back

Nut Width: 1 3/4”

Scale: 25 1/4”

Action: Low E 6/64ths, High E 5/64ths at 12th fret

In terms of its tone, the H167 has a crisp sound, with a well rounded bottom end, a warm resonance and plenty of chime.  The Birch Back and sides give the guitar both a degree of warmth and enough stiffness that the instrument has tremendous sustain.  This is a great guitar for chopping chords or for playing finger style folk or blues.

Personally, I think this would make a great travel guitar.  It has a big voice in an OM sized instrument, is equally at home flat or finger picked, and is not so expensive an instrument that you would worry about taking it to the beach or camping.  The Cherry Sunburst finish is in beautiful shape, with only a few minor nicks and dings, and the guitar has an eye-catching appearance that would also stand out on the concert stage.  Outfit it with a Mojotone Quiet Coil and you’d be set for playing electric.

The cold weather is coming.  Why not stock up on some Summer, while it lasts?

Please be sure to check the photos carefully, as we have tried to capture this guitar from all angles.

This Harmony H167 is sold AS IS and is not returnable unless it arrives in a condition other than as described or photographed, here.

Comes with its original chipboard case, worn but serviceable.

Serial #: 6535H167 (1969)

Price: $725 plus $125 shipping (Lower 48 USA, only)