 H1327 - Monterey
Acoustic archtop - Sunburst
Production year(s) : 1937-1953 (other years possible, not verified)
Spruce top, older top of the Monterey line model, herringbone binding - Grand Auditorium 16 1/2 in. Steel reinforced neck (bar in the neck but no adjustable trussrod). Early models only had "Monterey" stenciled in white on the head, then "Harmony" was added in red, then later replaced by a new logo with a musical note.
 90 images in database
mouse over image for file name - click to enlarge 
| Top wood | Spruce
| | Body wood | Maple
| All solid woods
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15 comments | Add your comment ! - Ed Sharpe - 2006-07-09
A friend of mine found a 1942 model with later machine-heads for NZ$40 in an Oxfam store. She then gave it to me!
It has suffered some neck warping; 1mm action at the first fret & 8.5mm at the 20th. Very little sideways movement, only having being pulled evenly in the direction of the strings.
The tone is incomparable to anything I have ever played before, the guitar has been played enough in its lifetime to have patches of laquer completely removed on its neck.. I am sure that in my idle hands it will only continue to recede. :)
The guitar resides in Auckland, New Zealand. It is quite humid here, which seems to suit it.
Many thanks for the website, it has helped me in discovering my Montereys' age, as like any true lady, she would not tell me. - soncarl@hotmail.com - 2007-09-23
great web site but im still having trouble dating my harmony monterey 4823h1327 because their is a square stamp beside those numbers that says made in usa s-53-t. It looks identical to the 1947 model.white and gold could it have been made in 1953? any ways absolutely love the very unique sound. still my favorite guitar bought by my great grandmother. - François (webmaster) - 2007-09-23
Yes soncarl, S-53 sure means it was made in 1953. I added this year to production dates. - djrjr - 2008-02-23
I have one that has the following numbers in it : L or E 785H1327, and 845. I assume that means August 1945 or maybe it says S45. It's so hard to read. Anyway, the body wood is split and I've been told it's not worth fixing. It belonged to my great uncle who was a fiddle player, and he carried it with him in hopes of finding an accompanist. - shootgolffish - 2008-05-26
My Monterey is 2907H1327, made in the spring or summer of 1948(S-48), Also inside is the number (W-111) I'm not sure what this means. It is in great condition, except for a loose fret up high on the neck. It dried out and cracked on me. The place I took it for repair called it the "Contessa" model, again I'm not sure what that means. - Wes Lunsford - 2009-05-25
This guitar was my Grandfathers that was given to me after his passing away. The Monterey is 751H1327, made in s47. Going to show it some love and see how she will sound. - mike - 2009-08-22
The monterey pic 15-18 is in my collection. Nice wartime guitar with all original components.
S 46 stamped inside, 1946, has a very beautiful full tone with tons of volume. One of my favorites. Very solid construction, Im pretty sure the neck is made of walnut or maple with a rosewood fretboard. Solid Top. - Doug - 2011-04-08
Recovered my third Harmony Archtop this one is a Montery stamped 250 8 H 1327. dont understand how to read production year unlike my others
stamped S 45 - Jon C - 2013-05-02
I recently picked up what I think is a H1327, is 100% identical (body, binding, hardware...) but has no markings, or labels and the headstock is stenciled w/ "Favorite Concert". Any thoughts on what this could be would be greatly appreciated. - Jim Edmondson - 2014-02-21
OMG-I just discovered I own the guitar on the 2nd and 3rd rows. 2nd row pics 10-11; 3rd row pics 1-8. Every nick, break in the body and every little scratch. It's mine. I bought it on Ebay and had those cracks on the front body corrected at Gruhn in Nashville. I'm thrilled my guitar is on this site!!! Even the case is correct!!!
QUESTION, the captions on the pics say 1939. This is ABSOLUTELY my guitar. Is the date correct? (stamp inside, etc. identical!)
- Vintage-Flip - 2014-05-03
I'm going to be moving the date on this model! I have a documented 1935 model of the Monterey with paperwork and date stamp S-35 inside. It's in near mint condition and will be listed on eBay this weekend. Check it out! Harmony database can now change the start year form 1937 to 1935. Thanks, VF
PS I love Harmony Database!! - Collette - 2015-04-18
This is my Daddy's guitar. He used to sit in the couch with us kids by humid ad he played and sang to us! Whistled too! We used to laugh at Bill Grogans Goat and sing with him on country and.hit parade songs. Lots of wonderful memories in this guitar:) - Andy - 2015-06-27
Just picked up a '42 Orpheum 3 tenor. Model number is clearly H1827, not 1327, but is in every way an H1327 except for the headstock which is shaped like that of an H1820T. - willie - 2016-09-24
I found a silvertone in excellent shape with the number 1272H1324 what year is this? I can't find the model anywhere.. It also has a 1/4 inch jack so there is an old pick up mounted inside from the factory. It looks just like the H1325 - Willie - 2016-09-25
I double checked the pick up and it was just a jack with wires installed below the strap anchor. The wires inside went no where. who would do that?
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