Harmony Stratotone Jupiter H-49 Model Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar (1959), made in Chicago, natural top, sunburst back and sides finish, lainated maple body, spruce top; maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, tweed hard shell case.
As played most notably in the 1960's by Spencer Davis of the Spencer Davis Group, the Harmony Stratotone Jupiter is a super cool, mid level professional guitar from the guitar boom era. Priced at just a few dollars less than a Fender Esquire, The H-49 was quite high end for Harmony, and was the top of their "semi-solid" line starting in 1958-This one was built in 1959. The guitar is extremely light and handy with a 24" scale neck and two great-sounding DeArmond "Golden Indox" pickups, giving plenty of tonal possibilities. Harmony themselves advertised it thusly: "Practically unlimited variations of tone, with simplified technique!" Although we cannot quite describe the pickup circuit as being exactly intuitive, it is fully functional, with a conventional 3-way switch plus an exciting "Blender" control setting that pans between the pickups. This is a well used but superbly playable example!
Overall length is 38 1/4 in. (97.2 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 in. (610 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). This guitar has seen a lot of play over the years; there is moderate wear everywhere, with one noticeable spot of armwear through the top finish. There are scuffs, scratches and dings overall and some finish loss to the treble side of the neck. All original except for new repro tuners and a handmade repro bridge; the truss rod has been upgraded (not visible but very useful!) and the frets nicely crowned. There are some small added paint markings to the control knobs-someone wanted to get their settings right every night! Overall this one has a great look and "played in" vibe. With a very nice straight neck and fret touch-up this is a great player ready to gig! Overall Very Good + Condition.
