Harmony H-44 Stratotone Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1957), made in Chicago, copper lacquer finish, hardwood body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original two-tone chipboard case.
Overall length is 36 7/16 in. (92.5 cm.), 10 3/4 in. (27.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This Stratotone is structurally well-preserved but has moderate finish wear overall, and heavier loss to the lacquer in a few areas. On the back of the neck has the gold metallic finish has greened in spots from hand contact, and is worn down to the grey primer coat up to around the 7th fret region. There is a smaller, similarly worn area on the face where the player's arm contacts the top of the body. The guitar has had an excellent professional refret with wire very close to what Harmony used in the 1950's and is quite playable as a result.
The electronic assembly is original but the mounting has been modified to make it possible to adjust the pickup height. The tailpiece is an old Harmony tailpiece but not original to the guitar, and the jackplate has been replaced -- the thin plastic originals are nearly always broken. A very nice playing and interesting off-brand example of this super cool, funky, and now much sought-after guitar, complete with its original 2-tone SSC. Overall Very Good + Condition.
