Help identifying this guitar

[DaveG]

A friend of mine bought this 12 string cheap at a pawn shop. We know it is just a cheap guitar and not worth anything, but are curious as to what it is. It has no manufacturer's name or serial number on it. The only thing is the star on the headstock. I'm pretty sure it's a laminated top, but it actually plays and sounds pretty good. Any ideas?

[Jimmie]

Looks to be a Harmony 12, and appears that the headstock piece with the star has been added.

[DaveG]

Thanks, Jimmie. I think your right.

[Jimmie]

You're welcome. A lot of those birch guitars give off a mighty rumble. A decent one with a good neck is a treasure.

[bottleneckjohn]

I like these, can be awesome guitars!
The body is solid birch, no laminate. Ladder bracing, they were built in the 1960's by Harmony in Chicago..

Here's a clip where I play mine:


They have a nice ol'timey 12-string sound, I use mine a lot on my gigs.

So, congrats to your friend!!

[DaveG]

Thanks for your input, BJ. That's some nice playing, as usual. I guess I just assumed it was laminate. Nice to know it's solid.

By the way, I've been doing a cover version of your song "Tired Man Blues" with the trio I'm in (giving you credit, of course). It always goes over really well.

[bottleneckjohn]

Hey Dave, that was a cool surprise! I didn't know you played a song of mine, thanks for doing so!
I better start playing it live myself then, haha!

[DaveG]

It's a really cool song and always gets a good response. I just wish I could play it as well as you do!

[ricbleu]

Good stuff, BJ. Consistent right down to the shoes. You have a really good feel for the music and an equally good eye for the mis-en-scene. Peace.

[bottleneckjohn]

It's a really cool song and always gets a good response. I just wish I could play it as well as you do!

Oh man, there's no better or worse version of a song, only different ones!!
Please record yours sometime and let us hear it, I'd like that!!!

[Lo-Fi]

Looks like a Harmony Stella 912 with some bizarro piece of wood slapped on the headstock where the logo would be. If it be the Stella than it is the same guitar Blind Willie was playing in the 1950s. Not sure why but the Stella 12 strings from the 1950s and 1960s blow the six string Stellas out of the water when it comes to sound.

I always remove the three lowest octave strings cuz I love the single bass string thump with the shimmer of the doubled up high end.

[DaveG]

Thanks for the info, Lo-Fi. Looks like my friend might have done better than he thought!

[DaveG]

It's a really cool song and always gets a good response. I just wish I could play it as well as you do!

Oh man, there's no better or worse version of a song, only different ones!!
Please record yours sometime and let us hear it, I'd like that!!!

I'll give it a shot when I get the chance.