1955 Harmony H64 Espanada Vintage Harmometal Archtop Collector-Grade w/ Gibson P13s, Silvertone

Up for sale, a 1955 Harmony H64 "Espanada" archtop electric guitar in collector-grade condition and in perfect working order. The most remarkable example we've ever encountered of this desirable first year model, this Espanada was made in the USA by Harmony and branded "Silvertone" to be sold exclusively through Sears. The guitar features its pair of stock Gibson P-13 single coil pickups and the aluminum "Harmometal" binding only seen on the very earliest Espanada models crafted from 1955-57. The guitar is 100% original aside from modern factory-spec bridge and professional refret, and the cosmetic condition is truly astounding.One of the finest guitars to ever carry the Silvertone (or Harmony) name, this archtop boasts a 16 1/2" lower bout width, full 3 1/2" body depth, and a tone that is as rich as it is defined. Essential for jump blues and jazz, the Gibson-made P-13 single coil pickups are a precursor to the P-90 and have a slightly meatier and darker tone. Through your favorite vintage tube amp, the Espanada has lovely top end sparkle, with a bass response that has a sweetness and bloom to the notes without being boomy or loose sounding. Truly one of the cooler vintage pickups ever produced, the P-13 pickups compliment an archtop that's stately and alluring with its "tuxedo" appointments, nickel hardware, and eye-catching thick metal binding. There's truly also something to be said for what the metal binding adds to the acoustic presence and electric chop of this guitar. Just like metal hoops on a drum, the Harmometal binding creates an audibly brassy top end and percussive cut not necessarily found with later Espanada models.According to the original catalog description, this Silvertone "is designed for the fullest possible expression of modern guitar technique, affording sharp treble tones, deep bass, and all the in-between shadings which may be desired in lead or rhythm work." The guitar weighs a mere 7lbs, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with comfortable action and a fresh set of 10-46 strings.The neck has a full C profile carve with even more girth and roundness as you travel up the fretboard, worthy of the "baseball bat" moniker and measuring .935" deep at the 1st fret and 1.105" at the 9th. The dyed maple fretboard features pearloid block inlay, professionally refretted with vintage-spec slender fretwire. The new frets are flawless, and the guitar plays easily up the 25 1/2" scale length. The hand-carved bone nut measures 1 3/4" in width, perfect for complex chord voicings or fingerpicking, and on the headstock, the original Waverly open back tuners are intact and turn smoothly. The raised metal Silvertone badge is flawless.All of the electronics work as they should, with individual Volume and Tone controls for each pickup and undeniably cool original white "cupcake" knobs. The transparent pickup rings (painted white on the bottom) are intact, as well as the stock nickel tailpiece, diamond switch surround, and pickguard with perfect "S" silkscreened graphic, an accent only seen on Silvertone-branded examples of the Espanada. The rosewood bridge is a modern, expertly crafted iteration shaped very similarly to the original with a compensated rosewood saddle for optimal intonation. The nickel plating on the hardware is positively gleaming, and the Harmometal binding is exceptionally clean. Visible through the bass side F hole, the 1955 date  and H64 model designation are intact, stamped on the interior back of the body.The black gloss nitro lacquer finish is 100% original save for two small dots of touchup on the neck heel from previously filled strap button locations. There is no lacquer checking on the body, with wear limited to a few extremely faint finish scuffs and minor marks on the guitar as a whole. The gloss lacquer on the neck profile is smooth and free of palm wear with only one shallow nick central to the carve behind fret 9.This first year Silvertone-branded Harmony "Espanada" sounds exceptional with the stock Gibson P-13 pickups and looks particularly eye-catching with its early "Harmometal" aluminum binding.The original light brown hardshell case is included and equally as clean as the guitar. The case features a red plush interior, original functional latches and the stock handle.