Silvertone S1220 Sovereign 1968 / A Gorgeous Teaburst H1260

What a sexy instrument!  This is a Harmony made Sovereign H1260, that was issued through Sears in 1968, and branded as an S1220.  It is in Excellent Condition, has just had a full neck reset, and plays with a silky smooth, fast action, up and down the fretboard.  The voice is big and round, with a volume that will absolutely drive a band.  Whether branded as a Harmony, Silvertone, Airline or Regal, these jumbo Sovereign H1260s are truly iconic American guitars and, to your good fortune, significantly under valued.

This particular guitar is really lovely.  It has all the hallmarks of a Harmony Sovereign, with a Solid Spruce Top, quarter sawn Honduran Mahogany Back, Sides and Neck (a one-piece back!), Brazilian Rosewood Fretboard and bridge, and Open Back Waverly style tuning machines.  The tea-burst finish is something you rarely see on a Sovereign, and it really sets it off.  There are a few scratches and minor dings on the guitar, but no cracks, splits or open seams. On one area along the back of the neck, there has been some finish loss and a subsequent touch-up. In playing the guitar, I don’t even notice it. Any damage you may see is purely cosmetic.

Most importantly, the sound is huge!  These ladder braced Sovereigns are known for their big, round voices, and this one does not disappoint.  This is a guitar equally at home in folk, blues or rock, finger style or flat picked. There is a warmth and a gentle rumble to these guitars that is hard to match.  The bottom end is full and warm, and the treble is clear and ringing, but with overtones that don’t break into shrillness.  As many folks know, Jimmy Page used a Harmony H1260 on the acoustic parts to “Stairway to Heaven,” and Pete Townshend was said to also keep one handy for studio work.  John Sebastian famously played a Harmony Sovereign (Tim Hardin’s) at Woodstock.

There is no date stamp inside the body, but the Tea-Burst S1220 replaced the H633 in the Sears Catalog in 1968, and received a larger floral pickguard in 1969.  That has allowed us to date the guitar to 1968.  

When this guitar came into the shop, it did so without a case.  Somehow, it managed to survive with only a few minor scars.  In any case, it was in need of a neck reset, and the guitar was rather dirty.  We completed the neck reset, made a new, bone saddle, leveled and crowned the frets, adjusted the nut slot depths, lemon oiled the fretboard and bridge, cleaned and lubricated the tuners, set the action and procured a newish, Gator Hard Case to keep her safe.  The guitar is strung with a fresh set of D’Addario Phosphor Bronze Lights (.012-.053)

Here are the important specs:

Top - Solid Spruce

Back, Sides and Neck: Honduran Mahogany

Fretboard and Bridge: Brazilian Rosewood

Saddle: Un-Bleached Bone

Tuners: Individual Open Back Waverly Style

Lower Bout: 16 1/8”

Upper Bout: 12 1/8”

Body Depth: 4 3/8”

Nut Width: 1 3/4”

String Spacing at Bridge: 2 1/4”

Scale: 25 1/4”

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

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 Silvertone S1220 from all sides.

Serial Number: 4477S1220

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

Price: $1300.00 plus $145 shipping (Lower 48 USA only)