Here is another example of one of our favorite guitar models, a Harmony H165, made somewhere between 1958 and 1967, and in Very Good Condition.  These guitars have a tone that is warm and lush and stands comfortably alone.  Yes, this guitar will sit well in a mix.  But it will also stand out as a solo instrument, ideal for the singer-songwriter or folk musician.  Personally, I love playing country blues standards on an H165.

This H165 has had a new neck reset and bone saddle, leaving it with a comfortable action and a warm and focused sound.  Called the “Poor Man’s Martin,” by many, these ladder braced guitars have the warmth and tone of the great Martin Mahogany body instruments, at a fraction of the price. They have a big voice when strummed, and a mellow warmth, finger style.  The Mahogany imparts a punchiness to the bass, and crisp quality to the treble end, ringing but not thin or shrill.

As mentioned above, the neck was removed, the heel profile corrected, the neck pocket properly shimmed, and a new bleached bone saddle was made.  The nut was reset and the nut depths adjusted for optimal playing. The new neck angle makes for a comfortable action. It plays beautifully finger style or with a light touch, strumming.  

Important Note: This guitar has a slight bow in the neck, which typically results in a high action.  We have the action set at a comfortable height, but if you are a heavy strummer, the guitar does buzz slightly at the higher frets (fret 9 and up).  If you find that the fretboard is buzzing, the best solution would be to slightly shim the saddle and sneak the action up another 64th of an inch.

This H165 is set up with D’Addario Silk and Steel strings (11-46) and sounds great.  The action measures 3/32nds on the low E at the twelfth fret, and 5/64ths on the high E.  Aside from the work that was done, everything else about this vintage guitar is completely original.  The frets have been leveled, crowned and dressed, and the tuners cleaned and lubricated.

There is no date stamp on this H165, but it appears to be from somewhere between 1958 and 1967, based on the script logo and the lack of an adjustable truss rod (it does have a steel reinforced neck).

Cosmetically, there are a few light scratches and small dings on the guitar, all of them superficial.  The lacquer everywhere on the guitar is beautiful.  There are no cracks, splits or open seams. A small area of the headstock face, just above the nut, was chipped on arrival in the shop, and loose. We carefully completed the break, reglued it, and it is a completely sound repair.

Some important specs:

Top, Back, Sides are Honduran Mahogany

Neck appears to be Poplar

Fretboard and Bridge are Brazilian Rosewood

Lower Bout: 15 3/8”

Upper Bout: 11 7/8”

Body Depth: 3 7/8”

Total Length: 40 3/4”

Nut Width: 1 13/16”

String Spacing at Bridge:  2 1/4”

Scale Length:  25 1/4”

Action at 12th Fret: Low E 3/32”, High E 5/64”

The Harmony H165 was produced from 1944-1971 and features solid Honduran Mahogany construction (top, back, sides and neck), with a Brazilian Rosewood Fretboard and Bridge. Note that the top and back are each, one-piece Mahogany, something you no longer find on guitars given the lack of old-growth lumber.  

The guitar was designed to capitalize on the popularity of Martin’s all Mahogany guitars, and was originally built with a more hour-glass or figure 8 shape of body, but by the early 1960s it had been retooled to most closely resemble a Martin 00-17.  However, the Harmony H165 is actually more of a 000 shape, with a lower bout width of 15 3/8 inches, a body length of 19 1/8” and a scale length of 25 1/4.”

In construction of course, the Harmony guitars are ladder braced, while the Martins are X-braced.  Each has is own, distinctive sound.  Many guitarists today, purchase these guitars specifically to have them converted to X- bracing, and wind up with the tonal quality similar to a Martin at a fraction of the price.

Personally, I like the ladder bracing and the unique voice of the Harmony H165s.  The warmth and roundness of the tone, particularly when strung with Silk and Steel Strings, is a perfect compliment for the human voice.

These guitars are quite possibly the biggest bargain in the world of vintage acoustic instruments, today.  The Harmony name puts a ceiling on what they’ll fetch, but the sound they produce is worthy of a price a thousand or so, higher.

Please be sure to study the photo’s carefully, as I have tried to capture the guitar from all angles, and follow the accompanying link for a video demonstration of this guitar.  Feel free to ask any questions that you’d like; we’re always happy to talk shop!

This Harmony H165 is sold “AS IS,” and is not returnable unless it arrives in a condition other than as described or photographed, here.

Serial #:  6446H165

Comes in a period correct, worn but functional chipboard case

Price: $700.00 plus $145 shipping (Lower 48 USA, only)