________________________________________________________ *** VINTAGE & TRADITIONAL GUITARS *** - NEW LISTING! - 23​​/​​03​​/​​2025. ________________________________________________________ ACOUSTIC BLUES VINTAGE PARLOR - HARMONY STELLA H931 CHICAGO, USA 1966 ALL SOLID BIRCH, LADDER BRACED, 12 FRET RESTORED GUITAR - Overhaul​/​Restoration completed, Essentially Original Condition, Previously replaced string-through Bridge, Excellent Condition, Great Vintage Character & BluesTone. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Stock Number: VTG1086. In addition to the following description notes, further background information and restoration details can be found on my Vintage & Traditional Guitars website, on this link....https://www.vintagetraditionalguitars.co.uk/details.php?id=595 *** The H931 is one of the fixed-bridge versions of the Stella models which Harmony made, and are less numerous than the variety of floating bridge​/​tailpiece versions. In this form was only made by Harmony, Chicago during the period 1964 to 1966, and has the distinctive Harmony "Redburst" finish, pioneered on the Monterey archtop model. I can't now quite see the original ink date stamp, but this is thought to be from one of the 1966 production runs. *** This particular example had had some work carried out before it came to me, possibly including a neck reset, in addition to the fitting of an Ebonised version of the string through bridge of the type fitted on other Harmony guitars of the era, such as the iconic H165 (Lightnin' Hopkins model), in place of the original bridge unit, also of string-through design, but which has factory fitted bolts. *** It has the 1 3​/​4"​/​44.5mm. nut width, and 24.25" scale length which are standard for Harmony Stella guitars. The flat profile fingerboard has real dot inlay position markers, rather than the painted ones typical of most Harmony Stella models. *** Condition....essentially original, except for a replacement bridge, fitted before the guitar came here...finish & colour in my view as good as you are likely to find on a guitar of this type, at nearing 60 years old - inevitably there is good honest edge wear, marking & localised finish loss to the painted bindings and other edges and minor surface chips​/​scratches, together with some finish disturbance localised around the replaced bridge, but nothing ugly or detrimental for a vintage Stella. *** For details of the limited overhaul​/​restoration work which has been completed please see "Verification Report" below. *** The action is spot-on for one of these shorter scale parlors at 2.75mm.​/​3mm. @ 12th. fret, which, with lower string tension due to the shorter scale length, is ideal for blues players for both fretted or bottleneck​/​slide playing styles. Additionally it could also be used for full-time slide with a nut riser costing no more than a few pounds. It has been re-strung with a string set of Martin Bronze Light gauge 12-54 strings. There is no case included, but I may be able to offer additional options of period case, of the type these were originally supplied with...not offering modern standards of fit or protection, for which a modern hardshell case, Hiscox Liteflite or PRO11 may be available, or a Gig bag, and the guitar will be packed securely for postage if required. Additional details, links to YouTube videos etc. are available on my VTG website via the link above. I have restricted the wording here to a basic outline, so please do fully research any additional details provided on my VTG website, and contact me for any further information in order to fulfil your purchase. Thank you, Bob Chaffer, Vintage & Traditional Guitars. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Verification report

Overhaul​/​restoration work which has been completed is limited..... * Fingerboard has been relevelled...regrettably original thin brass frets had to be removed, in order to re-level the fingerboard, prior to re-fretting...new frets will be stoned​/​levelled, re-profiled, and polished. Unlike many similar age Stellas, the position markers are real inlay dots, not painted on, so re-finishing will not be required after re-levelling. * Other minor work completed includes adding vintage-type bootlace tuner ferrules​/​bushings, which were not factory installed until later in the '60s. Also missing endpin replaced from my stock of original vintage Harmony​/​Stella parts. * As mentioned bridge is a string through replacement unit, previously fitted elsewhere. Slight finish disturbance around the bridge, presumably caused buy removal of the original before it arrived here, but is not in any way disfiguring. * Other fittings original and in sound operational condition....one tuning machine key is slightly bent, but has been left rather than risk increasing damage in trying to straighten, but works fine!