 H956 - Montclair
Acoustic archtop - Black
Production year(s) : 1955-1968 (other years possible, not verified)
The black and white acoustic arhtop. Be careful when identifying Montclair models : some important differences, under same name and same model number !
No model had a cutaway, but all models had the "cutaway type" thick white molded pickguard.
Evolution :
- until 1955 : Two body sizes, 19 frets. H956 "auditorium" (15 3/4) or H956S "Grand Auditorium" (16 5/8). Both have "harmometal" (aluminium) bindings, No trussrod.
- 1956 : only H956S "Grand Auditorium" (16 5/8) size was proposed.
- 1958 : H956W, "Grand Auditorium" (16 5/8) size with new trussrod neck an 20 frets (one more perloid dot on 15th fret). Still have "Harmometal".
- 1959 : H956W, same model but no more harmometal (16 1/2 body), replaced by thick W/B/W plastic bindings.
- 1965 to 1968 : later H956 (without suffix, like the older, smaller models), now with block inlays on neck, still has 20 frets.
 52 images in database
mouse over image for file name - click to enlarge 
| Body wood | Birch
| All solid woods
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18 comments | Add your comment ! - Will. - 2007-04-18
I just bought one that has been modified......it had a p90 pickup installed. - jon c - 2007-07-16
I have an H956 that belonged to my grandfather and I'm looking for the white pickguard. Contact Jon @ (662) 305-5041 - harmonicat - 2007-08-14
I have the short stock 15 Montclair w/ a lipstick Pup installed by ???.
I play it thru a '70 Fender Champ Amp and a Boss Blues Driver and believe me,the NASTY TONE CAN'T BE BEAT!!! It is pure,driven hair-ball puking NASTY. I defy anyone playing a $$$$$thousands Gibson or whatever to better my Montclair! - Wingman54 - 2007-12-11
I have a Montclair vintage 1965 that I modified and made electric with KENT dual pickups. Still sounds fantastic! And still in fairly good to excellent shape. Alas, my guitar case has LONG bit the dust..... I really need to get another. - donna - 2008-02-20
Is this the same kind of harmony that Jolie Holland is playing on youtube, "littlest bird"?
I would like to find one. Thanks anyone. - camp radio - 2008-05-15
wow...i bought one of these not knowing what i was getting...i just thought it was so cool! someone painted 'sonny rey' on the top lower bout of the guitar (i wish this guitar could talk!) anyway, i had it set up professionally and it sounds AMAZING! i agree...you could put this up against some pricey gibsons! - Dave - 2009-06-06
I have an H956 that my father bought for me in 1956. It is in great condition except missing the pick guard. The neck is straight after all these years and still sounds great! The case is original although al bit ragged. - cfanmax - 2010-05-22
RE: donna - 2008-02-20
Is this the same kind......
No it is not the same guitar. Jolie plays an Epiphone. Similar look and sound. - Fred Shepherd - 2010-09-29
I have a Montclair guitar, it sounds like I have an original but I have some questions. I purcahsed this quitar about 40 years ago. It is a dark brown archtop, with two cutaways and a pick guard like in the picture. On the top of neck the only says Montclair, strait across, and on the back it says "steel reinforced neck". On the inside the only number is L 6089. - François (webmaster) - 2010-09-30
Fred, with this serial, no doubt, your guitar is not a Harmony ! It was made by Kay. With the "Montclair", we have a rare case where both Harmony and Kay, different makers, used the same name on similar black archtop guitars, hence many confusions. But the "L" prefixed serial is a giveaway and it says : made by Kay. - the next prescott niles - 2010-12-05
My Montclair has WBW plastic binding and so is clearly post-'59. But: it's stamped H956, no suffix (suggesting it's post-'65), but has dot inlays, not blocks. No date stamp is visible/legible. - Wayman - 2010-12-07
I have a Harmony Montclair Demont that I bought used in 1962 in Richmond , Va. Orig owner was Beverly Schultz. Can't locate her yet. I have no idea where to look for the serial #. Need advice. Tks - Gabriel - 2011-03-23
I have an old Montclair that my uncle modified. He told me that is a '52 but the info here dates it as '60-62 if I remember correctly. I just registered over at the forum, I thought you guys might get a kick out of seeing this guitar. My uncle stripped almost all the paint, there's a bit under the bottom of the neck just to show how it was. He added a hand carved bridge and custom binding on the backside. Also there are a few other unique mods. I really am interested to see what you think about this guitar. It is my main player and has been for years now, an amazing sounding punchy guitar. Hopefully I'll be able to post up some pics at the forum. Cheers! -Gabriel- - john - 2011-10-01
I just bought a '59 I think . Dots on fretboard and w/b/w binding,pristene and with the original pickguard! I'll post pics if moderator would like them.
Cheers johncurt@telus.net - michael - 2013-04-26
i have a 1959 montclair ... i had to pull the neck, and reset it ... stripped the front to show the beautiful spruce, and carved a custom bridge for it ...ditched the pickguard since i didn't need it ... it sounds great - Mykel Sane - 2018-04-17
I have a case that looks like it would match that beauty! It has the metal binding and embossed music staff on it! - Mykel Sane - 2018-04-17
Is anyone familiar with the case I’m describing? I tried to post a pic but site won’t allow it. - Thomas falls - 2019-02-13
I have a sovereign that is unlike any other the bridge is pegged in a V pattern cant find born on date it gets a great delta blues sound
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