www.shortscale.org

Nick · Last edited by Nick on Mon Jul 23, 2018 2:25 pm; edited 2 times in total

I was yardsaling yesterday and spotted a generic hardshell electric case for $10...the same sale also had this gnarly looking unbranded acoustic with a $1 sticker on it. I asked if they would throw it in if I bought the case, so technically this was a free guitar.

It was missing tuning pegs and bridge. The neck looked straight and top looked flat enough. Neck joint seemed firmly attached.

There are no fret markers on this guitar so a previous owner painted the entire frets white. I took this off with a combination of acetone and alcohol, but it also removed some of the rosewood stain, I will probably address this with the next string change but I first wanted to make sure it was worth putting more work into.

I went to Parkway and bought some used 3+3 tuning pegs; $10 for the pair. Only problem was the holes in the pegs did not exactly clear the headstock thickness, so I had to drill out string holes further up the posts. I think I found a proper bridge on eBay but for now I am using a cheap plastic adjustable bridge I already had from a newer project parlor guitar (a Gremllin) I picked up from another yard sale last year.

So anyways, with a set of Martin Silk and Steel Marquis, I now have a whole $20 into this guitar. I love it so much, the action is a little high but nowhere near as bad as some of these Stellas I've seen, also with the light tension strings it is totally playable. Just wish I took a "before" picture...

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dezb1 · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 12:44 am Post subject:

I like that a lot... nice score
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Extreme distortion used discreetly...

Doog · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 8:07 am Post subject:

Love it, always was a fan of dem skinny headstocks

sunshiner · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 9:50 am Post subject:

Great purchase. It's a made in the 50s or 60s Stella or Harmony from what I understand. 8 years ago you could buy one on ebay in a working condition for $30-50 all day long. I was toying with an idea of buying one after I had seen a video with some old man playing one. At the time they were still considered to be junk on most guitar forums (Norlin era Gibsons were considered to be junk by many). Just checked ebay - they've gone from 5 to 10 times up in price
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sunshiner · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 2:07 pm Post subject:

Nick · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 2:19 pm Post subject:

I took a guess as to the year. Who really knows....inside the sound hole it is stamped "S-58-E Made In USA" for all the good that does in identifying it. S=Stella, 58=year of manufacture perhaps?

I ordered the correct bridge for it on eBay last night for $16 shipped

No such thing as a free guitar Laughing

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https://hauntedcat.bandcamp.com/album/haunted-cat-3

Nick · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 2:26 pm Post subject:

Found this website, 2nd picture down confirms my suspicion.

http://harmony.demont.net/faq.php

One of the oldest guitars I've ever owned.
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https://hauntedcat.bandcamp.com/album/haunted-cat-3

plopswagon · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2018 3:40 pm Post subject:

sweet! I have one of these, I love it!

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DiAmoroso · . Joined: 23 May 2018 Posts: 32 Location: San Diego, CA

Can't beat it at that price!
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BillClay · . Joined: 28 Jun 2010 Posts: 1292

Can't believe the action is that low, really great score!