Supertone 255 1935 / A Rare and Delightful American Jazzbox / July Special!!!

Here is one you haven’t seen before and may never see again, a 1935 Supertone 255 Archtop Guitar, made by Harmony and distributed through Sears Roebuck as the top of the line among the Supertone models.  It is in Excellent Restored Condition and  features a Solid Spruce top (15 1/2” lower bout), Solid Mahogany Back, Sides and Neck, wood bindings along the top and real mother of pearl inlays on the Rosewood fretboard.

We had one of these come through the shop in the middle of 2025, and it was a beauty. Beyond that one, I have searched the internet for many hours and there is only one other photograph of a Supertone 255, attached to the wayback machine for the old Harmony.Demont site.  This is a rare bird, indeed.

When it came into the shop it needed a ton of work, including a full neck reset and the repair of two large cracks, one along the bass side and one, the full length of the back.  Sadly, when the guitar arrived, the delivery driver from the “F’n” service, chose to throw the package up onto my porch, which did the damage.  The back needed to be cleated and glued and the side glued. The repairs are solid, but the scars remain, and there is some unevenness to the side repair.  We also gave it a full neck reset, dressed, leveled and crowned the frets, many of which were removed and reseated, cleaned and lubricated the tuners, touched up the finish and sourced new thumbwheels for the bridge.  We also manufactured a new pickguard.

Now completed, this old girl plays beautifully.  It’s got that deep V profile neck that rests so well in the hand and has a quick action, 5/64ths on the Low E and 1/16th on the High E, at the twelfth fret.  

Here are the specs:

1935 Supertone Model 255

Top: Solid Spruce

Back, Sides & Neck: Solid Mahogany

Fretboard & Bridge: Brazilian Rosewood

Scale: 25 1/4”

Lower Bout: 15 1/2”

Upper Bout: 11 1/4”

Body Depth: 3 1/2”

Nut Width: 1 3/4”

String Spacing at Bridge: 2 1/4”

Action at 12th fret: Low E 5/64”, High E 1/16”

Tuners: Original, open gear, three on a side

With its 15 1/2” lower bout, build and appointments,  it is comparable to a number of the Harmony Cremona models. The significance of that is that the Cremonas featured carved tops.  I think this one may be, as well.  It has a dual tone bar bracing for the top and the back is unbraced.  There is no discernible serial number, but the classic Harmony date stamp remains visible, indicating a manufacturing period of Fall, 1935. It is presently set up with Ernie Ball Earthwood Lights (.011-.052).  The neck has a dual truss rod, which was common to many Harmony Guitars of the period. It is not a particularly beefy truss rod, but the neck is straight with minimal relief.

What sets this Supertone apart from others in their line is the Mahogany back and sides (most Supertones were Birch), the elaborate inlays and the real wood bindings.  As mentioned above, the guitar is in Excellent Condition, everything original except the bridge thumbwheels and pickguard.  The only remaining damage to the instrument is a bit of compression of the bindings, underneath the legs of the tailpiece. Amazingly, the tuners work absolutely perfectly, and shine like they are brand new (they are 91 years old)!

As a player, it has a rich sound with a deep, round bass and a clear, smooth treble.  It has sustain for days.  I’ve enjoyed playing blues and jazz standards on it, both finger style and with a flat pick.  It is a very versatile guitar and has room to add a floating pickup, should you desire (a vintage DeArmond Monkey on a Stick would be great).

Please be sure to check out and zoom in on the photographs for a detailed look at this beauty.  I’ve tried to capture it from all angles.

It ships in a standard chipboard case.

This Supertone 255 is sold AS IS and is not returnable unless it arrives in a condition other than as described or photographed, here.

Price: $1400.00 plus $145 Shipping (Lower 48 USA only)