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Family : Higher end archtop

Other brands : H1327 Monterey was also sold as Orpheum No.3

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Original catalog description

[1940 catalog]
Grand Auditorium Inlaid arched guitar - A handsome modern guitar that has gained nationwide acceptance because of its superior design and value. Distinctive marquetry-inlaid arched spruce top. Celluloid bound edges. Rosewood fingerboard and adjustable bridge. Compensating tailpiece. Tune Rite individual tuninq units. Tortoise celluloid guardplate on bracket. Beautifully grained high polished mahogany shaded finish. No. 1327. $27.50

Original price

  1940 : $27.50
  1951 : $49.50

Verified production year(s) : 1937-1953
others years possible, not verified.

4 comments | Add your comment !

• Ed Sharpe - 2006-07-09
  A friend of mine found a 1942 model with later machine-heads for NZ$40 in an Oxfam store. She then gave it to me!
  It has suffered some neck warping; 1mm action at the first fret & 8.5mm at the 20th. Very little sideways movement, only having being pulled evenly in the direction of the strings.
  The tone is incomparable to anything I have ever played before, the guitar has been played enough in its lifetime to have patches of laquer completely removed on its neck.. I am sure that in my idle hands it will only continue to recede. :)
  The guitar resides in Auckland, New Zealand. It is quite humid here, which seems to suit it.
  Many thanks for the website, it has helped me in discovering my Montereys' age, as like any true lady, she would not tell me.
• soncarl@hotmail.com - 2007-09-23
  great web site but im still having trouble dating my harmony monterey 4823h1327 because their is a square stamp beside those numbers that says made in usa s-53-t. It looks identical to the 1947 model.white and gold could it have been made in 1953? any ways absolutely love the very unique sound. still my favorite guitar bought by my great grandmother.
• François (webmaster) - 2007-09-23
  Yes soncarl, S-53 sure means it was made in 1953. I added this year to production dates.
• djrjr - 2008-02-23
  I have one that has the following numbers in it : L or E 785H1327, and 845. I assume that means August 1945 or maybe it says S45. It's so hard to read. Anyway, the body wood is split and I've been told it's not worth fixing. It belonged to my great uncle who was a fiddle player, and he carried it with him in hopes of finding an accompanist.