 H40 - Uno-tone, electrified flat top
Acoustic flatop - Natural
Production year(s) : 1954-1957 (other years possible, not verified)
1 pickup at the end of fretboard - later replaced by H55. A brace was removed under the top to make place for the pickup, so they may not be as solid as the pure acoustic version. Note the fretboard is longer, and soundhole is lowered if compared to the H1203 or other pure acoustics. Pickup looks like a variation of the P13 pickup. 4 screws hold it in place.
 18 images in database
mouse over image for file name - click to enlarge 
| Top wood | Spruce
| | Body wood | Mahogany
| All solid woods
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6 comments | Add your comment ! - bbc-apache - 2006-02-11
great guitar pick is really cool, guitar has a really crisp tone and nice action, these are rare, hardly ever seen. - Harold Wittmaier - 2006-07-07
I agree with bbc-apache, this guitar is very rare and has a very mellow crisp and clear sound. The guitar I own (1093 H40) is different than pictured, .... electric with a floating bridge and strings anchored by a metal bracket that extends beyond the end of the guitar. This is the guitar I learned how to play on. - Daddyo_RT - 2010-01-08
I inherited my Mom's H40, and often wondered if it was anything special, but have never found any real info on it until now. Great site...thanks! - Neal Sweeney - 2010-03-31
I also received (in the late 70's) an H40 from my mom. Until I discovered this Harmony Database and associated Harmony Guys Board, I always assumed that the pickup at the end of the fretboard was the previous owner's do-it-yourself job. The pickup is secured by machine screws that appear to be an inch too long, and the brown Bakelite knobs look like something you might see on an old 30's radio. I was stunned when I saw images of a nearly identical guitar on this site! Also the 1954 and 1957 Harmony catalogs show the H40 in the Harmony product line. Fantastic mellow sound often superior to more expensive brands! - Guitarnut48 - 2016-05-22
I got one of these off Ebay a few years ago. It had been converted to a tailpiece because of the high action. I did a neck reset following the Kitchen Lutherie suggestions and put a pin bridge on instead of the tailpiece. This guitar sounds like a nice crisp acoustic but when plugged in, it is more like a jazz guitar. Really warm tone. It turned out way better than I had hoped. Thanks for the advice. - Bob Seaman - 2019-02-19
Hi my copy has a date stamp inside of s54 so it was one of the first of this model maufactured.This going along with my h1203 stamped s45 which again is the first year and season of production.I am very pleased with my two purchases from eBay.It was worth getting out the strong reading glasses full lighting and torch to read h40 date stamp.
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