Harmony H71 Meteor model electric guitar, dating from 1961 and made in Chicago, USA.
This was Harmony's high end model thinline electric guitar, built to an excellent standard with top quality components. Most notable among these features were dual factory-fitted Dearmond/Rowe Industries pickups and the use of solid Spruce for the top, resulting in a really sweet sound.
Contemporary players include Keith Richards, who had a Sunburst model and of course Dave Davies of The Kinks - who can be seen playing an identical natural model to this one circa 1960s.
This guitar is a survivor and while well-played, is free of any breaks and retains its original parts. The only non original fixture on the guitar is the 'Harmony Meteor' headstock badge, which is an identical repro part sourced from the USA.
It is missing its pickguard, though this is hardly a shame as it reveals the beautiful natural spruce top in all its splendour.
This guitar recently benefited from a recent full set up, fret level and brand new nut - and as such it's playing beautifully.
In my opinion, these guitars are heavily underrated and easily go toe-to-toe with Gibsons of the same vintage. The Dearmond pickups and wonderfully clear, warm and drive really beautifully. Both pickups are well-balanced and have their own distinctive character. The neck pickup is warm, buttery and handles rhythm and lead lines with ease, while the neck pickup has a real 'bite' without sounding thin or brittle. They were further designed with a small block beneath the bridge (a la Gretsch) to reduce feedback, otherwise being fully-hollow and providing the guitar with fantastic voicing.
As pictured, it retains its original nickel tailpiece, individual white button tuners, brown cupcake knobs (rare as hens' teeth) and even its original switch with tortoiseshell facia. The body is bound in a beautiful 5-ply, with the back being constructed of beautiful, flamed maple and the headstock retains its factory stinger. Electronics are all original and still housed in their factory coiled shielding.
As pictured, there are numerous dings, marks and signs of wear to the finish - though no breaks or repairs. This is a well-played guitar, though these models were well built which this guitar is very much a testament to. There is one filled hole to the headstock from a previous (incorrect) headstock badge. There is some minor stress to the jack input area (as is the case with majority of these) though it is solid and issue-free.
It comes with a slightly later 70s case, which though not produced for the guitar fits it snugly and will be included to keep it safe in transit.
A classic vintage American instrument, integral to the 60s guitar music scene.