Pricing and availability
Average Price: $800
High-end/Boutique
$200
$601+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
The Harmony Stella 12 String Acoustic is a testament to the rich musical heritage that dates back to the early 20th century. Originally crafted under the Stella name, these guitars have been cherished by early blues musicians for their resonant sound and affordability. Acquired by Harmony in 1939, the Stella brand continued to evolve while maintaining its commitment to quality and accessibility. This 12-string variant offers a lush, full-bodied sound that layers beautifully in any ensemble setting, making it a favorite amongst folk and blues players alike.
Crafted with a trapeze tailpiece and adorned with traditional dot inlays, the Harmony Stella 12 String combines vintage aesthetics with modern playability. While these guitars are historically known for their high action, modern iterations have been refined for smoother performance, allowing both beginners and seasoned players to enjoy its rich tonal palette. The guitar's white pickguard adds a touch of classic style, while also serving a practical purpose in protecting the guitar's body. Whether you're strumming away in a solo performance or adding texture to a band, the Harmony Stella 12 String Acoustic delivers a sound that is both timeless and unique.
Key Features:
- 12-string configuration for a rich, layered sound
- Trapeze tailpiece for vintage style and stability
- Dot inlays for classic aesthetic appeal
- White pickguard to protect and enhance the guitar's look
Product specs
| Brand | Stella |
| Model | 12-String |
| Finish | Sunburst |
| Year | 1960s |
| Categories | 12-String Acoustic Guitars |
| Color Family | Brown |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Number of Frets | 18 |
| Number of Strings | 12-String |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| String Type | Steel |
FAQs
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What kind of sound can I expect from the Harmony Stella 12 String Acoustic?
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The Harmony Stella 12 String Acoustic is known for its rich, full-bodied sound, characteristic of vintage 12-string guitars. It offers a jangly, bright tone ideal for folk and blues music, with a resonant quality that enhances its projection.
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Is the Harmony Stella 12 String Acoustic suitable for beginners?
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The Harmony Stella 12 String Acoustic may not be ideal for beginners due to its wider neck and additional strings, which can require more finger strength and precision. However, it offers a rewarding experience for players familiar with 6-string guitars looking to explore 12-string sounds.
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How does the Harmony Stella 12 String Acoustic handle tuning stability?
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Being a vintage model from the 1960s, the Harmony Stella 12 String Acoustic can be prone to tuning instability, especially with its steel strings. Regular maintenance and proper tuning techniques can help maintain its tuning stability.
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What is the neck profile like on the Harmony Stella 12 String Acoustic?
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The Harmony Stella 12 String Acoustic features a relatively wide neck profile to accommodate its 12 strings, which can be challenging for players with smaller hands but offers a comfortable grip for those accustomed to 12-string guitars.
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What type of music is the Harmony Stella 12 String Acoustic best suited for?
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The Harmony Stella 12 String Acoustic excels in genres such as folk, blues, and classic rock, where its bright, chiming tones can add depth and richness to the music. Its vintage sound is particularly favored in acoustic settings.
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Harmony Stella 12 String Acoustic.
Value and pricing
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In excellent condition, the Harmony Stella H912 is valued around $1000, with its popularity boosted by Kurt Cobain's use of the model.
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A similar model was sold for $750 on gbase, providing a realistic starting point for pricing negotiations.
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A Harmony H1270 in good condition, even without a pristine case, can be priced around $1,200, depending on condition and urgency of sale.
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Setup and maintenance
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It's advisable to remove the additional strings if the 12-string setup is not needed, allowing for easier playability without altering the guitar.
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Many vintage Harmony guitars, including the H1270, often require a neck reset, a common necessity for maintaining playability.
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It's suggested to lower the action by adjusting the saddle height, as there seems to be ample saddle to work with.
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Check if the guitar has a truss rod for potential adjustments to address high action.
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User experience
Features and functionality
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The guitar's bracing supports heavy strings tuned to C standard, contributing to a large, resonant sound suitable for blues styles reminiscent of Leadbelly and Hendrix.
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Use cases and applications
Other
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Original strings from brands like Black Diamond, found in the guitar case, may hold collectible value, though aren't suitable for use.
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4.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings
2423
much better than my other one
I got it also on my most recent guitar safari and it is much better. Will be using it a hole lot more considering Shifter is starting to do more acoustic stuff
Artist usage
Add artist
Huddie Ledbetter, better known as Leadbelly played a Stella 12 string. So did a lot of other Blues men. Most loved the big, big sound it got when they played slide guitar. Most of them tuned their Stella's down to accommodate the tension of the strings.
http://uniqueguitar.blogspot.mx/2009/11/stella-12-string-guitar.html
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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