H73 - Roy Smeck
Electric hollowbody - Red
Production year(s) : 1964-1967 (other years possible, not verified)

Other brands : H73 Roy Smeck was also sold as Holiday AL9401

Roy Smeck version of the H74 "half-cutaway" or "neo-cutaway" shape, but with a lower grade body, simple bindings and painted wood. Late models have different pickups with larger housing and black rings.

Show text from the catalogs (1)

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37 images in database
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Width	15"3/4	400 mm
Length	40"1/4	1020 mm
Body depth	2"	50 mm
Scale	24"1/4	615 mm
Neck at nut	1"3/4	44.6 mm
Neck at 12th	2"	49.3 mm

12 comments | Add your comment !

• Brent - 2006-02-04
  I have one of these, and ts sounds GREAT!... my only reservation about it is in the original tailpiece. It seems only useful when locked down, otherwise it throws the strings out of tune quickly. I would be interested if anyone has tried retro-fitting a time period correct Bigsby tailpiece, and if it would require alteration that would detract from the originality. I'm torn between what is a true "player" and a vintage guitar.
• François - 2006-02-04
  Brent, the B3 Bigsby will easily fit, because it was stock on the very similar H74. But usually the original Harmony vibrato works good. perhaps try other gauge strings or adjust the central screw ?
• Nickolas - 2006-03-03
  I just got a Roy Smeck and I can't decide if I like the flat wound strings. I play with a pick and they just don't sound right to me.
• Brent - 2006-03-04
  Nickolas- It all depends on personal preference and music style. I wouldn't play flat wounds (I believe that's what was original on them) because I like the bright sounds that the DeArmond produces with round wounds. The most important advice I can give you is to decide what strings and guage you like, and set the truss rod and bridge (or have it set up) for optimal playability. We have to remember that these guitars CAN play well, but they are a less expensive and lower quality instrument, and do have limitations.... but, the pickups are great!
• michael - 2006-08-05
  My parents bought me the H73 second hand in about 1968 and 38 years later it still sounds and plays great.
• Jim - 2008-01-15
  I have one of these H73 models. My best friend gave it to me about a month before he died in a car wreck.
  It really means alot to me,and i love playing it
• JohnnyT - 2008-04-16
  I found this guitar at my wife's gramma's house. Gramma was put into a nursing home. Me and the wife liked to check on the house (was still fully furnished) and check the neat things in it. One time I was in a closet full of stuff and found this H73 guitar hidden in a pair of pants!!!! I uncovered it and have done research on it and found the model etc. I have a cheap unauthentic foreign harmony strat circa 1987 so I was really excited to find this one. Plugged it in and sounds great!! Pretty cool find huh?
• camp radio - 2008-05-15
  johnnyT...i love that story about finding a great vintage guitar in a pair of pants!! and brent...thanks for the tips re: flat wounds. i have them on my roy smeck H56 and i wasn't really liking them at all. i think i'll try what you suggest. cheers!
• Hammer - 2008-12-23
  My father bought this guitar new in 1964...its definitely hard to find and the sound of this beauty through a Marshall half stack is incredible. I have played it since 1979 and its playability is among the best I've had. This guitar ALWAYS gets comments from people in the audience.
• Fred - 2009-09-07
  The earlier version featured a different vibrato (something like a stamped metal version of a Bigsby which connected over the edge of the body). I remember seeing it in a catalog from 1964. A friend of mine from Norway bought the model shown here while visiting on Long Island N.Y. around 1966. It was great guitar for an economy instrument. The red paint was really intense, like a "blood red".
• Old Guy - 2009-12-22
  I received one of these for Christmas in 1967 (if memory serves me) and I loved it. A year or two later, I filed the frets to lower them, and it played like a DREAM. Sadly, it was stolen from my parents home while I was traveling. Somebody out there has it and hopefully is enjoying it, as it was/is a killer player. Low action, killer tone, and unique look... Funny thing, initially I wasn't happy with the red color. After it was stolen I replaced it with a Gibson 335... the only color available..??? Red. Over the years, by no choice of mine, I've ended up with many red guitars. Fortunately, the 335 I found is one that raises the hair on your head... I still wish I had the Roy Smeck..!!!!
• JOHN P. - 2010-02-01
  Ive had my H73 Roy Smeck guitar for over 35 years now and it still looks like new and plays and sounds great! Im pretty sure its a 1963 model. Ive been offered a lot for it but I wont ever part with it. I love it!