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Average Price: $260
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$601+
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Description
Uncover the vintage charm of the Harmony H162 Acoustic Guitar, a budget-friendly classic that doesn't compromise on sound quality. Renowned for its warm, resonant tone, this guitar has been enchanting musicians since the 1940s. Ideal for budding artists and seasoned players alike, the H162 offers a spruce or cedar top and a compact body for easy handling.
Key Features:
- Warm, resonant tone
- Spruce or cedar top
- Compact body construction
- Ideal for both newbies and experienced guitarists
- Offers value for money with vintage quality
[1940 catalog] Harmony "Master" Grand Concert size guitar with natural finish flat spruce top, bound with black celluloid. Honduras mahogany back and sides. Hardwood neck, vertical type machine heads; bone nut rosewood grained fingerboard, long scale, 14 frets clear of body. Large celluloid quardplate. Rosewood finish Spanish type bone-saddle pinless bridge. Full toned, fine appearing moderately priced instrument. Each : $13.50
[1957 catalog] SPANISH SOLO GUITARS HARMONY GRAND CONCERT Mahogany spruce top flat model. Back and sides of selected quality mahogany, top of resonant spruce. Durable natural color eggshell lacquer finish. Ovaled rosewood fingerboard. "Pin" rosewood bridge with bone saddle. Hardwood neck. Shell celluloid guardplate. Excellent tone quality. No. 162 Ea. $40.00
[1966 catalog] MAHOGANY WITH RESONANT SPRUCE TOP Grand Concert Size. Back and sides of selected quality mahogany; top of resonant spruce. Soundhole, top and back edges are celluloid bound, with inlay. Durable natural color eggshell lacquer finish. Ovalled rosewood fingerboard. Rosewood bridge, with bone saddle. Steel reinforced hardwood neck. Shell celluloid pick guard. Excellent tone quality. No. 162-Size 15 1/8 x 39 in. : $47.50
[1970 catalog] No. H162. Folk Guitar-Mahogany with Resonant Spruce Top. Grand Concert Size. Back and sides of selected quality mahogany; top of resonant spruce. Soundhole, top and back edges are celluloid bound, with inlay. Durable natural color eggshell lacquer finish. Ovalled rosewood fingerboard. Rosewood bridge, with bone saddle. Hardwood neck with Torque-Lok adjustable reinforcing rod. Shell celluloid pick guard. Excellent tone quality. A value stand-out. No. H162 - Size 15 1/8 x 39 in $64.50
Via Harmony Database [http://harmony.demont.net/guitars/H162/87.htm]
Product specs
| Brand | Harmony |
| Model | H-162 |
| Finish | Natural |
| Year | 1960s |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | OM and Auditorium Acoustic Guitars |
| Active Preamp | No |
| Back Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | Orchestra |
| Color Family | Natural, Tan |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 19 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup | None |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Sides Material | Mahogany |
| String Type | Steel |
| Top Material | Spruce |
FAQs
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What kind of tone can I expect from the Harmony H162 acoustic guitar?
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The Harmony H162 is known for its warm and balanced tone, thanks to its solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides. This combination provides a rich sound with clear highs and a resonant low end, suitable for various playing styles.
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Is the Harmony H162 suitable for beginners?
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Yes, the Harmony H162 is a great choice for beginners due to its comfortable orchestra body shape and smooth playability. The guitar's design makes it easy to handle, and its sound quality encourages new players to develop their skills.
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What is the neck profile of the Harmony H162?
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The Harmony H162 features a comfortable C-shaped neck made from mahogany, which provides a smooth playing experience ideal for both strumming and fingerpicking.
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Does the Harmony H162 have any built-in electronics?
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No, the Harmony H162 is a purely acoustic guitar with no built-in electronics or active preamp, making it ideal for unplugged performances and recording.
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What materials are used in the construction of the Harmony H162?
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The Harmony H162 features a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, a rosewood fretboard, and a mahogany neck, all contributing to its warm, resonant sound and durability.
Videos
Roadtoast Guitars James Ralston (James Ralston)
Vintage 1960's Harmony H-162 acoustic guitar. Restored.
Vintage 1960's Harmony H-162 acoustic guitar. Restored.
Roadtoast Guitars James Ralston (James Ralston)
Harmony H-162 beautiful 1960's
Robert Mc
"While I'm Waiting Here" on an Overhaul '60s Harmony H162
Telluride Music Co.
1960s Harmony H162 000-size flattop guitar
Jake Wildwood & Co
1960s Harmony H162 000-size flattop guitar
Jake Wildwood & Co
Reviews
PROS
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Classic Americana design with solid mahogany back and sides and Sitka spruce top
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Excellent for fingerpicking with 14 frets to the body
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Unique, responsive tone not easily matched by modern guitars
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Durable build quality despite age, with steel-reinforced neck for longevity
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Affordable price for a vintage guitar with quality materials
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Radiused fingerboard adds to playability
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Great for modifications, popular for adding pickups like a dog ear PU
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Solid wood construction for superior sound quality
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Tortoise binding and glued pickguard enhance vintage aesthetic
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Noteworthy for its unique body shape contributing to distinct sound
CONS
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Fretboard wood quality could be better, often requiring treatment
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Commonly needs a neck reset for optimal playability
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Truss rods have a tendency to break over time
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Setup issues may arise if not properly maintained or adjusted
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Might require additional modifications to achieve desired sound
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Harmony H162.
Build quality
Setup and maintenance
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Converting the Harmony H162 to X-bracing includes a neck reset, refret, and new bone nut and saddle, enhancing playability significantly.
Source -
Without an adjustable truss rod, neck relief adjustments may require heat straightening or a full fretboard replacement.
Source -
Binding deterioration is common and can be replaced, though it may cost more than the guitar's market value.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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X-bracing conversions transform the tone from basic and fundamental to rich with overtones, akin to vintage Martin guitars.
Source
Comparisons
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The Harmony H162, once converted, is said to compete tonally with vintage Martin and Gibson guitars, offering high value for its cost.
Source
User experience
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Removing the back of the guitar is typically done with a scalpel and pallet knives due to the glue’s brittleness; heat is seldom used to avoid finish damage.
Source -
Owners have noted that Harmony guitars often lack clear neck adjustment options, leading to high action that requires professional intervention.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings
161522
Excellent, built to last
Back in the day, Harmony H-162s cost only about $68 [October 10, 2021 annotation: That's just a price I saw on Reverb when I first wrote this review] and used models aren't selling for much more. Yet, the build quality of this guitar is incredible for the price. The H-162 continually impresses me as an instrument, not only for its tone, but its durability. Despite some warping and major cracks over the years in mine, it plays fine and still sounds incredible. The steel-reinforced neck really held it together.
The sound itself is unique to my ears. Once, during a trip to Guitar Center, I tested out different acoustics that I could take on the road in place of the H-162, so that I could preserve it. Only one came close; none could truly rival the Harmony's tone. Part of that may lie in the H-162's distinct body shape, which I have not yet seen in modern guitars.
41029
there's a guy you can send this to when its ailing who will x-brace it and squeeze another century of it! I'll have to dig up his card (yes card) for ya.
Artist usage
Add artist
In this performance and interview Mac can be seen playing this guitar
Specified in the comments of this July 23, 2020 Instagram video teasing "319".
tunehorn Nice tune with some sweet rolls. Is the sovereign a 319?
joshua_lee_turner @tunehorn it's a Harmony H-162.
Josh explained in a separate January 1, 2019 Instagram post that his H-162 is dated to 1961, refinished and rebraced by a luthier in Georgia who gifted it to Josh.
@richardkoo this is actually a ‘61! It was refurbished and re-braced by a very nice gentleman in Georgia who just wanted me to have it.
The guitar first appears on his YouTube channel on March 10, 2019, in the video for The Other Favorites' "Long Black Veil". The video description specifies the luthier as Morris Rowell.
Guitars are re-built Harmony H-162's by Morris Rowell at Nature's Harmony Guitars: https://tinyurl.com/y57rrnpv
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Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Similar
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