 H1310 - Brilliant cutaway
Acoustic archtop - Sunburst
Production year(s) : 1952-1971 (other years possible, not verified)
Top of the line acoustic archtop - Pressed top (not carved) - H1311 is the blonde version - trussrod from 1956 - square tailpiece from 1965 - white-bounded f-holes from 1968 - renumbered H6510 from 1972. Pickguard is thick solid plastic in early years, then molded from about 1954.
 101 images in database
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| Top wood | Spruce
| | Body wood | Maple
| All solid woods - Pressed top (not carved)
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14 comments | Add your comment ! - H20rider - 2007-06-26
A DeArmond Rhythm Chief bolt-on pick-up works well on this model, but ONLY in the middle to bridge positions. The low profile of the neck doesn't allow sliding the pick-up into the neck position. So, be careful about investing in one of these "monkey-on-a-stick" pick-ups. Of course, this also applies to the H1311. - IHMony - 2008-01-10
In the last few year's I have acquired a few various model's the H1310 being one of them, it had issues as most do when they've been neglected. After some TLC my 1955 H1310 is once again a Brilliant cutaway. - Carl Croce - 2008-03-04
I found my H1310 on ebay in early 2004. When it arrived, it was gorgeous, but the neck joint was loose. Instead of sending it back, I took it to Rudy Pensa on 48th St. His repair guy was too backed up so Rudy suggested I take it next door to Carlo Greco. Imagine, this great old luthier, who handmade custom guitars for Merle Travis, agreed to reset the neck on my Harmony. Now my H1310 plays clean and fast up and down the neck and barks like Eddie Lang's L-5 - crisp and loud, with bells! This axe is a keeper. - BWA - 2008-09-24
I bought mine in a garage sale for 2.00. Yes, that's right, 2 bucks.
It was a bit of a mess, with only 5 tuners, 4 strings and a plywood bridge.
Once I got it all pulled apart and cleaned up, I pretty much reallised I had more than a two dollar guitar on my hands.
Took me a couple months to find a fairly close tuner (actually only needed the knb/worm part, the peg and gear were still there. Dressed the frets, found a pretty close bridge in my junk parts box, put some new strings on it, and tuned it up and set it up. Man, was I surprised.
I cannot believe what killer guitars these are. Beautifull to play, great tone. It can sound folky, Jazzy, but, can still rock on all day.
Absolutely the best two bucks I ever spent. - thestorysmusic - 2009-01-03
My cousin gave me one of these when I was 16. Been hauling it around ever since. Recently had it set up and now it's easy to play and sounds very cool. Would like to find another DeArmond PU for it. Lost years ago. - FJH - 2010-06-28
Just picked up a 1963 1310 to compliment my HG6510. Like most vintage guitars, it needs some work but even in its current rough state, play amazingly well for a 47 year old ax. With the right set up and some TLC (along with some NOS parts)these guitars are a real find and worth the investment. They turn up on eBay occasionally at prices that are still affordable compared to vintage Gibsons. - 2256 H1310 - Chelle - 2010-11-29
I have one of these that was given to me by my grandfather when I was about 19, and have carried it around with me for about the last 18 years. It is basically new....hardly ever played, lives in the original case which is in decent condition for being 40-ish years old. (minor wear) The guitar itself is scratchless and if you didn't know it was a 40 year old guitar, you'd think it was new.
I used it for an introductory guitar class, but to date it's had a lonely life in the case... a treasure to me. - Bluespikker - 2011-04-15
I got a really nice example of the 1310 at a local guitar shop, I took it to a very talented luthier who custom made a pickguard,mounted a DeArmond floating pick up, put on all gold hardware, Wes Montgomery tailpiece, Grover Imperials, and a volume & tone, as a result, I have an incredible guitar that amazes all players when they see and hear it, I will put it up against any archtop out there, it is a honey - bilrux - 2011-08-09
I have a sweet 1961 H1310 in near-mint condition, and have no problem using a DeArmond Rhythm Chief in the neck position. Mine has a hex screw under each thumbwheel on the bridge, which appear to be original. Has anyone else seen a bridge set up that way? My '61 has a single-piece back, like most in the photos posted here. One of the posted pics shows a 2-piece back with a dark narrow center strip. I suspect that is a later version. Mine (and some of those posted here) also has nice bird's-eyes in the maple back.
The f-hole bindings on later models were actually molded plastic inserts press-fit into the holes - Another clever Harmony innovation. I've seen specimens with some of the inserts missing. - ohYew812 - 2012-04-23
Is it possible to install pup in the neck position? If so which one? - Jim Tuten - 2012-06-13
A friend of mine gave me several old guitars and parts that had been in his shed for years. One was a 1310, just the box and neck, no hardware. A lot of work later (had to reset the neck) it has become one of my favourite players, nice big ringing tone, slightly twangy, great rockabilly guitar. - Bakobilly - 2020-06-24
Using a Krivo micro pickup on my 1954 H1310.
Plenty of string clearance and BEAUTIFUL sound! - NewerNovice - 2024-10-17
bought my fist one in the early 90s for $300. My buddy ran the used guitar shop. I told him he was crazy for asking so much on a Harmony. He promptly pulled a Gibson L-50 from the rack and said compare them. After about 45 minutes, I put the Gibson down and handed the man $300 - FOR A HARMONY...LOL
That guitar traveled the world with me and has a very fond place in my heart. Ended up selling it to a friend, who was a little hard up for $100. It was a Harmony after all...LOL
Figured I'd pick up another one that year. The year turned into five and I finally gave up on owning another one. Until a faithful day a little over a year ago. Found a H-1310 on E-Bay. Suprise suprise suprise. I sent an offer of $600 and won a wonderful 1969 version w/ installed mini-humbucker at the neck. All work very well done! She was shipped in a mighty fine hard case as well. Any way, learned my lesson. Hard up or not, you aint getting this one. Happy hunting... - NewerNovice - 2024-10-17
bought my fist one in the early 90s for $300. My buddy ran the used guitar shop. I told him he was crazy for asking so much on a Harmony. He promptly pulled a Gibson L-50 from the rack and said compare them. After about 45 minutes, I put the Gibson down and handed the man $300 - FOR A HARMONY...LOL
That guitar traveled the world with me and has a very fond place in my heart. Ended up selling it to a friend, who was a little hard up for $100. It was a Harmony after all...LOL
Figured I'd pick up another one that year. The year turned into five and I finally gave up on owning another one. Until a faithful day a little over a year ago. Found a H-1310 on E-Bay. Suprise suprise suprise. I sent an offer of $600 and won a wonderful 1969 version w/ installed mini-humbucker at the neck. All work very well done! She was shipped in a mighty fine hard case as well. Any way, learned my lesson. Hard up or not, you aint getting this one. Happy hunting...
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