 H6690 - H12291 - Dreadnought
Acoustic flatop - Natural
Production year(s) : 1974 (other years possible, not verified)
Dreadnought from the last Harmony USA years. Spruce grained birch top. Rosewood grained body. Some models (sold by Sears ? have a label with model number 319.12291000. The H6659 is the same instrument with shaded birch body.
 51 images in database
mouse over image for file name - click to enlarge 
| Top wood | laminated with faux spruce grain
| | Body wood | laminated with faux rosewood grain
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11 comments | Add your comment ! - Martin Galicia - 2006-06-13
I recently purchased the H6690 at a garage sale for a whole $2!! I knew nothing about this brand of guitars, but for $2 I really had nothing to lose. This guitar was hardly played! I rubbed some lemon oil onto the fretboard, loosened the truss rod a bit to straighten the neck out, wrapped some new strings onto it, and had myself a vintage dreadnought by Monday. It definitely commands a very bright and sometimes gritty sound. It doesn't resonate very much bass like the original ad said it did, but it sounded like the Delta blues once you tuned it down to Open G and let the slide do the talking!! My hands were dripping in blues!!!
You either love Harmony guitars or you don't. There's no middle ground here. My $2 investment was definitely worth the time and effort in getting my H6690 quickly restored. And to add more sentiment to my story, my H6690 was stamped to indicate that it was made in the Fall of 1973 - a few months after I was born!
Thanks for maintaining this website. It was very helpful.
Martin
Renton, WA - nancy - 2007-04-08
My father bought a H6690 for my mother back in 1977. It was so easy to play. It holds a lot of family history,which is why I am trying to find a replacement for it. I,sadly,accidently,stepped on it and broke the neck. I can't find anyone who is willing to repair it in our city.If anyone is selling one for a fair price, I would be interested. acts4nancy@yahoo.com - CJ - UK - 2008-11-29
I have owned my Harmony H6690 since 1976 and it hs given me years of fantastic playing. I thought it had dated back to the early '60's. But to a degree that's irrelevant,as the guitar is as good as ever, has never warped and the original build quality is a credit to the Harmony guitar makers. - Bridgett - 2009-12-02
My Harmony was my mother's from the 1970s. Although the bridge cracked and had to be repaired it has been a great guitar. I've been using it in music therapy sessions for two years now. It is interesting how many people like it's sound and want to know what brand it is. - J.-P. Masson - 2013-07-20
I own a Dreadnought H12291 (label is as per your photo with model number 319 12291000 - Sears ?) but the interesting thing is the stamped date on the inside neck brace: F 75 and below, on the inside back body: 6919H 12291. This would make it one of the last produced Dreadnaught models from the fall of 1975 - Klaus - BC, Canada - 2014-10-24
I bought mine in 1977 from a friend who need a few $$. Have enjoyed its easy playability and sound. Still pick at it every now and then. - Steve H. - 2015-01-23
Just got an H12291 handed to me for evaluation. It was found in a closet at my daughters school. Looks like the nut was replaced, and some serious bellying on the top. The bridge looks like a Pringles chip! Wondering if it's worth the hassle? Have 2 Harmony phenolic banjos that I tuned up and are great to play! - Andy Johnson - 2016-03-11
Saw one of these in the pawn shop about 4 or 5 weeks back and looked to be in pretty good shape. I bought it for 40 dollars they wanted 59 for it originally. Had a friend look at it and set it up and put new strings on it. Now it plays great and stays in tune really well. I had another friend play it like two or three days ago and he said its hard to believe that its a harmony guitar. I am happy with it. - David Velasco - 2019-01-28
Just found my "Diamond in the Rough" at a thrift store today!
It's actually in amazingly good condition. $40 Bucks, With Case!
It's a Sears Version as per this website Model # 319.12291000
Run # 8198 H12291, I don't know how to tell the year it was made by this info but my guess would be about 1975. - Michael W. - 2019-03-20
I bought the sears model H12291 on ebay with a case for $25. Must have been a kids guitar, it was signed on the top in marker and pen by the entire class. Because of that and the cracks on the back and sides I decided to use a heat gun and scrape off all of the faux coverings. To my surprise there was nice wood under the faux covering. I fixed the cracks and stained, sealed and cleared the body and now have a beautiful guitar. The sound in now fuller and richer. - Rootch - 2019-04-29
My mom played this guitar in the 70s in high school. She bought it for about $30 off a friend. She let me take it home, and I've been teaching myself since, practicing well past a reasonable soreness in my fingertips. That steel takes serious loving! It buzzes a bit, but I'm learning how to make adjustments. Thanks for putting this database together!
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