As rock n' roll took hold in the early '60s, every department store and mail-order catalog wanted to make sure they had plenty of electric guitars in stock. Mass-produced axes from brands like Harmony, Silvertone, and Kay often featured parts made by other manufacturers, and there is perhaps no pickup more sought-after than the DeArmond Gold Foil.
The Harmony "Rocket" was introduced in 1959, seizing on the space-age excitement of the day. With a Cherry finish and Gold Foil pickups, the Rocket is instantly recognizable. Intended as entry to intermediate level guitars, the various Rocket models sold well throughout the '60s, and many guitarists got their start on one of these Chicago-made axes. But relative to modern Chinese-made starter guitars, the Harmony Rockets are much more substantial instruments. Today, their niche sound and unique vibe stand up against other vintage American-made guitars.
In 1968, the Rockets single-cutaway shape was redesigned to a have double-cutaway body style. Sharing the same hollowbody construction of the earlier Rockets, the double-cutaway Rockets feature the DeArmond "Mustache" Gold Foil pickups.
This 1969 Harmony H53/1 is the single pickup version of the double-cutaway Rocket. It finds us in impressive condition. Most of these old Rockets were treated carelessly at some point, but this one is an exception! It is free of any damages or severe cosmetic issues. It also has low-playable action, so it's ready for anything you throw at it. It includes its original pickguard, but at the moment, it is rigged up with a very cool after-market tortoiseshell pickguard.
This '69 Harmony H53/1 Rocket is a vibey vintage archtop guitar with rich tone to boot. It includes its original chipboard case.