Harmony Stella H-922 1960-61 - sunburst w/DeArmond pickup

Harmony Stella H-922 12 string

1960-61 Harmony Stella 12 string guitar. Serial number: 2593H922. Solid birch body. Fan-braced like the originals from the 1920s, as used by Blind Willie McTell, Leadbelly and other Blues greats. Not to be confused with later 60s/70s Harmony plywood guitars, these sound great.

This model came with an unbranded* vintage DeArmond soundhole pickup. Volume pot replaced with a 500k Bourns pot (original was scratchy and hummed). Because of the height of the pickup, this guitar is set up for slide playing.

These Harmony Stellas go for anywhere between $950-1750 depending on condition and whether or not they have had a neck reset, etc. This guitar appears not to have had a neck reset and while the action is high, it does not seem to need one (it is playable fretted but not with this particular pickup). String height has been raised to facilitate slide playing, but it could be lowered to make fretted playing possible, there is still room at the saddle and bridge to lower the action height.

Branded vintage DeArmond soundhole pickups go for $500-600 depending on condition. Sounds absolutely great. This killer Blues combination can be had with a hardshell case for $1400 plus shipping.

*(No marking on pickup but the features are identical to the originals, and the sound is the same.)