Harmony H54 Rocket 1959 - 1967 - Brown Sunburst

Harmony H54 Rocket 1959 - 1967 - Brown Sunburst

1962 Harmony/Silvertone Rocket.

The eagle-eyed among you may notice something strange about this picture.

I had a fully-loaded ‘62 Harmony Rocket body whose neck was sadly beyond repair. I paired it with a same year (and of course, same factory/templates) Silvertone 1454 bound/block inlayed neck, completing a rather handsome guitar indeed.

1962 Harmony / Silvertone Rocket, made in USA (Chicago).

This guitar comprises of a loaded 1962 Harmony Rocket body (whose neck was unsalvageable), paired with a same-year, same factory Silvertone 1454 neck. A perfect fit, with these models sharing the same templates, made side by side at the Harmony factory in the same year.

The 1454 model’s neck however featured a far more ornate design than the Rocket, featuring an adjustable truss rod, binding, block inlays and (I believe) a Brazilian rosewood fretboard. Paired with the Rocket body, I think it looks rather handsome indeed, and retains its original shaded Red sunburst finish to the back, which makes for a quirky mismatch to the body’s burst.

Specs:

2x Dearmond / Rowe Industries ‘Gold Foil’ pickups

Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with block inlays

New 3-on-a-plate Kluson tuners

4x original ‘Cupcake’ knobs

Condition:

Well-worn, but free of structural issues, breaks or issues. Beautiful patina to both the body and neck, giving the guitar a consistent vintage, worn-in look.

Modifications/repairs:

Year-matched body and neck as above. Neck has had a prior refret and a brand new set of Kluson 3-on-a-plate tuners installed. Switch tip is a replacement - bridge may be original but I can’t be certain. Original Harmony Rocket pickguard has repaired crack (as pictured). New nut fitted by Fontaine Guitars (Nottingham).