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Just found this in a junk shop - 120 UK Pounds. I beat them down to 100 plus gig bag they had for an acoustic flattop.
I think it's gorgeous-looking. I can't see any serial number, and I'm having a hard time finding anything about them online. There is an original sign on the back saying USA, but I believe they were imported to the UK in 1938-9. So, 75 years old?
The neck is very thick, and V-shaped, but a soft V, unlike the Loar I had and sold because of the neck shape.
The tuners work fine. I'll have to get decent strings on it before assessing the sound, as it seems to have Martin roundwounds at the moment. I think it will be a fine knockabout guitar for rhythm, but you never know.
The tailpiece looks old, and might be original. Likewise the bridge. The soundboard has quite a pronounced arch, and the back is arched too.
Anyone have information about these guitars? I know it's not a pro-level instrument, but it seems well made, the neck seems true and solid, and there is a definite harmony to the overall shape and details.
Last edited by Rob MacKillop; 12-07-2014 at 10:23 AM.
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12-07-2014 10:21 AM
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The bad news is that I went out with the money in my pocket to buy Christmas presents...oops. That will take some explaining ;-)
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Shoot, in my neighborhood you have to go behind the pawn shop to buy some Columbian.
Looks great. Headstock and screening remind me of harmony. I'm guessing solid wood too. I bet with some good strings and a little elbow grease it'll be a neat around the house guitar...probably good for accompanying vocals too.
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Very nice find.
According to Jedistar, Colombian was a Harmony brand. However, the source for this, the "brands" page on the Harmony database, appears to be unavailable.
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Jeff - I think you're right. There might be a useful guitar here, and the top certainly looks solid.
Stuart - someone else on FaceBook mentioned Harmony, though it's hard to get a fix on.
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awesome ...great mojo in the look.... and at that price it's win win win ....
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Sure is, Keira!
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Nice find Rob. It looks not unlike my Rex Aragon, another Harmony/Kay model marketed, apparently, by Gretsch in the 30s/40s.
I'm told mine has a solid top, and it barks quite loudly! Not the sweetest tone I've ever heard, but it cuts through, which is what it was meant to do, I guess.
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Looks very similar, bananafist...great photo there!
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Thanks Rob. Perhaps I should add, the photo was taken in a pub, we've moved on from mud brown/cream wall décor at home.
The back on mine looks just like yours, but mine has a rub patch which shows the 'flaming' is not the wood but the finish. Suspect the back and sides are birch, top spruce, though whether carved or moulded I don't know. Feeling the underside of the top through the f hole it feels a bit rough as in not visible so not sanded to a fine finish. The Rexs neck is very much as you describe, dead straight, with a rosewood fingerboard. Yours looks dark enough for ebony(?) or maybe just well used.
Frets on mine are very worn down, but still useable. The inside of the guitar smells like a dead body - but you can't have everything!
I'll be interested to hear how you get on with your Colombian.Last edited by bananafist; 12-07-2014 at 03:29 PM.
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Not here in Washington State. I tried to buy some at Starbucks, and the closest they have is Guatemalan. They will grind it for you.
Originally Posted by mr. beaumont
The guitar is a great find, but didn't your mother teach you not to steal?
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That's quite a looker - hope it plays nice once you get decent strings. Love the chunky necks on the older archtops.
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I had a set of 12, bronze, lying around, so tried them out. Also gave the rosewood neck some liquid feed. It's sounds not bad at all, but that cricket-bat neck is tiring, bigger than any neck I've had before. It will take some getting used to.
Might try try a video soon.
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Rob
Sounds like you need a bottle of Cuervo Gold to go with your fine Columbian, to make tonight a beautiful thing.
Joking aside, I think that you got yourself a bit of bargain there mate - wish you well to play it.
Cheers
Mango
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Great find, did you find it in Edinburgh? If so I'm clearly not looking hard enough in the local junk shops!
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Yes. First I've seen, though, in 30 years of looking.
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Thanks, Mango.
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Well it's 1 more than me! Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
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Video recorded just now. Coming soon to a forum near you.
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You just have to tell her that they were magic beans that you got in exchange for the cow, and all will be good. Won't it? Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
Oh waitaminnit......
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LOL, that's funny. Good idea, though. She just might fall for it!
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WELCOME FROM A NEW MEMBER.
Hi Rob and Buddies
This Guitar is exactly the same as I now own, I was also trying to find some information.
So if any one else fancies another Major just like Rob's let me know and I will take some pictures.
Strange coincidence that Rob should get his Major just when I'm thinking of selling my late fathers.
My father (1915-1995) played in Jazz bands from around 1935, as far as I know he had his Major from new.
Cheers William
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Nice guitar. These were imported into the UK, I believe, by Selmer in the late 1930's. Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop
Just found this in a junk shop - 120 UK Pounds. I beat them down to 100 plus gig bag they had for an acoustic flattop.
I think it's gorgeous-looking. I can't see any serial number, and I'm having a hard time finding anything about them online. There is an original sign on the back saying USA, but I believe they were imported to the UK in 1938-9. So, 75 years old?
The neck is very thick, and V-shaped, but a soft V, unlike the Loar I had and sold because of the neck shape.
The tuners work fine. I'll have to get decent strings on it before assessing the sound, as it seems to have Martin roundwounds at the moment. I think it will be a fine knockabout guitar for rhythm, but you never know.
The tailpiece looks old, and might be original. Likewise the bridge. The soundboard has quite a pronounced arch, and the back is arched too.
Anyone have information about these guitars? I know it's not a pro-level instrument, but it seems well made, the neck seems true and solid, and there is a definite harmony to the overall shape and details.
Yours
Drew
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I'd forgotten about this old thread, Drew. The guitar has now passed on to someone else. It was a fun project.
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