Up for sale, a 1962 Harmony Meteor H71 in 100% original, collector-grade condition and in perfect working order, complete with a hardshell case. An early example of the Meteor model with a gloss Blonde nitro lacquer finish, this guitar is unique among Harmony hollowbodies in that it features a spruce top, offering a more complex and rich tone than the maple tops seen on later Meteors and all Rockets, Rebels and assorted H-prefix models. It's no wonder that Meteors found their way into the hands of players including Keith Richards and Dave Davies early in their respective careers.

Acoustically, the guitar offers tons of natural projection and a rich, detailed sound. Plugged in, the pair of DeArmond gold foil pickups have a percussive treble cut and chirp, focused bass, and a harmonically-rich midrange that sounds great when each pickup is singled out or when paired together. Both pickups have strong output, and when mated with the fully hollow body and spruce/maple tonewood combination, the sound benefits from both the immediate attack of the maple and the warmth and fullness of the hollow construction. The guitar weighs 6lbs 8oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with fresh 11-49 strings and easy-playing action.

The figured tiger maple neck has a round, substantial C-shaped profile carve with generous shoulders, measuring .925" deep at the 1st fret and .995" at the 9th. The bound Brazilian rosewood fretboard retains the original slender frets which show only light wear on the crowns of frets 1-2, and similar light finger wear into the fingerboard in this area. The guitar plays cleanly in every register up the 24 1/2" scale, and the neck is straight with a responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. The bone nut measures 1 3/4" in width. On the headstock, the original raised metal "Harmony Meteor" badge is present, and the guitar retains its original set of white button Waverly tuning machines.

All of the electronics function as intended, with individual Volume and Tone knobs for each pickup and a three-way pickup selector toggle. Both Rowe Industries stickers are still intact on the DeArmond Gold Foil baseplates (the parent company of DeArmond), and visible through the F hole, the 1962 date stamp and H71 model stamp are intact. All of the original hardware is accounted for, and the chrome plating is positively gleaming on the pickup bezels and trapeze tailpiece. The Brazilian rosewood bridge with bone saddle insert is intact, as are the rosewood pickup risers and brown "cupcake" Volume and Tone knobs. All of the plastics are also notably well-kept, including the wide bevel red nitrate tortoise pickguard.

The natural Blonde nitro lacquer gloss finish is 100% original, highlighting curly flame figuring extending across the back, and tighter, straighter flame along the neck profile. Cosmetic wear is limited to a few small dings on top at the treble-side waist, and one similar mark on the bass-side lower bout, with a few additional light finish scratches and nicks consistent with careful use on the body as a whole.

This early and uncommon Blonde Meteor is in many ways Harmony's quintessential model, complete with a modern hardshell case.