NGD Harmony H-62

[shihan]

I’ve been looking for one of these for years. Prices, condition and playability are all over the place. This one came up on Reverb as a local pick up only; and I was ablle to negotiate a sale based on my liking the guitar.
I expected a cool sounding but quirky guitar, probably a bit of a struggle to play. Boy, was I wrong. This is a stellar instrument. It is easy to play and sounds incredible. I am shocked at how good it sounds through a variety of amps.
Its in excellent condition, no issues at all. I couldn’t be happier.

 

[GGJaguar]

Cool looking guitar, congrats!

 

[zulu]

Very cool what year is it?

 

[shihan]

Very cool what year is it?

I believe it’s a 1957, but I haven’t verified that yet, too busy playing it!

 

[bobouz]

Very nice - Congrats!

 

[HeyMikey]

Looks terrific Shihan. Very clean. Play the heck out of it!

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Like wow.

 

[Guildedagain]

It is interesting how the p'ups look a lot like the Gibson P13, but with adjustable pole screws.

Anyone have more info on these?

DeArmond's from the era, or a variation of the pre war P13 that was unloaded post war to cheaper guitar builders like Harmony?

 

[shihan]

They are indeed Gibson P-13 PU’s; the main reason this model is sought after. They are fantastic sounding, either through a driven tweed or squeaky clean Amp. They have that ‘3-D’ quality that people sometimes talk about. I have several nice guitars, but this is hands down the best sounding.
there are 2 different P-13 pickups Harmony used; the adjustable pole piece ones, like on the H-62, and the non-adjustable kind Used on other guitars. Those sound very different, from what I’ve read.

 

[Norrissey]

Reading this I’m getting P-13 PU GAS, oh no

 

[shihan]

Reading this I’m getting P-13 PU GAS, oh no

The guy I bought this from told me “ If you play this guitar you’ll buy it.” My advice: give in to temptation!

 

[Guildedagain]

I love all manners or Harmony/Silvertones but this one is a gem. This unknown lap will seriously outgrind a Fender from the same time period, but nobody paying 3 times more for a Fender really wants to know that.

 

[shihan]

Wow, that’s super nice! I‘ll bet it sounds great. The perfect PU for a lap steel.
Your picture confirms my recollection; the non-adjustable P-13’s were lap steel PU’s. You do see them on Harmony guitars, though.

 

[SFIV1967]

That's the H62 "Blonde" in the 1959 Harmony catalog, didn't find an earlier catalog.

And about the mentioned special truss rod:




The pickups were described as "Responsive "Tone Emphasizer" pickups, individual balancing adjustment under each string".

Ralf

 

[GGJaguar]

Isn't that tailpiece the same one used on Hofner or maybe Hopf guitars?

 

[SFIV1967]

Isn't that tailpiece the same one used on Hofner or maybe Hopf guitars?

Yes Hopf also used them, sometimes also in a version with just one middle bar.
But they had all "Original Hopf" engraved into them.





And Höfner was and even is still using them today like on this 2018 made one (left) vs. a vintage 1962 (right), just the engraved name changed in style.



Those tailpieces were and are Made in Germany, probably by Müller (ABM).

Ralf

 

[shihan]

Wow! Very cool, Ralf, I haven't seen that before. Thanks for posting it. I have to laugh at the ‘slimmer Professional neck’. I really like the feel, but it’s definitely beefy; like a ‘50’s Les Paul plus.

 

[Guildedagain]

the non-adjustable P-13’s were lap steel PU’s

Makes sense.

 

[Canard]

I’ve been looking for one of these for years. Prices, condition and playability are all over the place. This one came up on Reverb as a local pick up only; and I was ablle to negotiate a sale based on my liking the guitar.
I expected a cool sounding but quirky guitar, probably a bit of a struggle to play. Boy, was I wrong. This is a stellar instrument. It is easy to play and sounds incredible. I am shocked at how good it sounds through a variety of amps.
Its in excellent condition, no issues at all. I couldn’t be happier.

Congrats.

For comparison's sake ... there is burst one on CL in Vancouver, not as pretty or in as good condition as yours.

Asking $2250 CDN or about $1680 US

Harmony H-62 1955 - Sunburst - musical instruments - by owner

1955 Harmony H-62! This was one of their higher end guitars at the time. Fully Hollow, Original P13 pickups (outstanding!) recently set up and electronics tuned up by Vancouver luthier Brad Pearson....

vancouver.craigslist.org

 

[Walter Broes]

Very cool guitar, probably the nicest electric hollowbody Harmony made - very playable and great sounding indeed. The P13 pickups do "that" Jump Blues thing perfectly.

They're pretty unique construction-wise in that the top has no bracing whatsoever. A good number of them have sunken or sagging tops as a result, but when you get a good one, they really are very nice.