What do you guys know about this SS Stewart Archtop?

[Jim Soloway]

Anyone know the details on this guitar? They were built by Harmony, right? Is that a vintage pickup? Original bridge? Is it worth $575 Cdn ($450 US)? ANy other thoughts at all?

[citizenk74]

I don't know a thing about this particular model, but given the set-in Dearmond and the tune-o-matic type bridge (which seems to be screwed in place, though that is simple enough to address) it looks to be in nice shape and the price would not put me off. I'm intrigued, but fortunately/unfortunately I don't need another guitar.

I note also the up-graded tuners and le rouge et le noir color scheme and the Deco headstock treatment with considerable favor. My taste may be an outlier, as is fit.

[John A.]

I don't know a thing about this particular model, but given the set-in Dearmond and the tune-o-matic type bridge (which seems to be screwed in place, though that is simple enough to address) it looks to be in nice shape and the price would not put me off. I'm intrigued, but fortunately/unfortunately I don't need another guitar.

I note also the up-graded tuners and le rouge et le noir color scheme and the Deco headstock treatment with considerable favor. My taste may be an outlier, as is fit.

I bet you like Stendhal amps ...

John

[Dennis D]

I'd agree with the Harmony connection, and add Regal / Silvertone in there as well.....I'd doubt that's the original bridge saddle, but may very well be the original p/u.

Man I'd be surprised if it's up your standards, JS as an instrument.....These Harmonys have a limit and that's all you get and will ever get out of them...

And that's all the money for a Harmony, although people ask more for them.....And bottom line once you tire of the sound and then tire of seeing it hanging on your wall, then what it'll ever bring goes down from there...

Just MHO

[Jim Soloway]

I'd agree with the Harmony connection, and add Regal / Silvertone in there as well.....I'd doubt that's the original bridge saddle, but may very well be the original p/u.

Man I'd be surprised if it's up your standards, JS as an instrument.....These Harmonys have a limit and that's all you get and will ever get out of them...

And that's all the money for a Harmony, although people ask more for them.....And bottom line once you tire of the sound and then tire of seeing it hanging on your wall, then what it'll ever bring goes down from there...

Just MHO

It just sold so I don't have to worry about it but I do think it was interesting, especially if it had a war club for a neck.

[citizenk74]

I bet you like Stendhal amps ...

John

I've never seen one in the flesh, as those lucky few don't want to part with them. But, yeah, I'd love to have a Standel. An an L5-CES to match!

[wyndham]

I've never seen one in the flesh, as those lucky few don't want to part with them. But, yeah, I'd love to have a Standel. An an L5-CES to match!

Stendhal! Stendhal! The reference is to his great novel. One of my favorite writers.

[Hammertone]

... le rouge et le noir color scheme...

I bet you like Stendhal amps ...

Oh, well, played!

Anyone know the details on this guitar? They were built by Harmony, right? Is that a vintage pickup? Original bridge? Is it worth $575 Cdn ($450 US)? ANy other thoughts at all?

The guitar is a neat old big-neck cheapie with changed out tuners, bridge, tailpiece, added cool pickup, and homebrew pickguard. Yes, worth the $$ IMO if you want to do a bit of work - I'd pull those tuners and replace with something a bit more demure and retro-apropriate; replace the bridge with a wood bridge, replace the tailpiece with a more correct one. Maybe find a less idiosyncratic pickguard. The guitar would be worth the same, and the parts could be sold to cover any incremental cost. Those vintage Dearmond Model 41 pickups sound great!

Also, these often have ultra-wide fretboards - of particular interest to the fingerpickers.

[Cunamara]

One of the reasons that I love this forum is the prehensile thinking that goes on around here.

As a total aside and having nothing to do with guitars, in 2002 I took a bike tour in France through the Alps, starting in Grenoble and ending in Nice. I was outside a supermarche in Grenoble with my bike, when an elderly gentleman walked up to me and said "bonjour," asked where I was from, etc. He noticed my gloves, which were red and black, and pointed at them saying "rouge et noir" several times. I did not get the reference then nor until today. He bid me a "bonne journee" and went on his way.

I suppose I will have to read Stendahl's book now!