~1951 Harmony H-1057 "Singing Cowboys"
Description
When America turned to television following World War II, millions of little babyboomers were treated to cowboy programming that came right out of the pre-war B-movies with their singing cowboys. When they wanted guitars, the stenciled USA-made “cowboy guitars” available in the mail-order catalogs were there to satisfy the demand. The 1950s Harmony H1057 parlor-sized "Singing Cowboys" acoustic guitar was one of these, in production between 1951 and 1963. This model featured a western chuckwagon scene stenciled in white over a brown sunburst finish with the words "Singing Cowboys" appearing on either side of the upper bout in red or white.
This particular guitar is in very good cosmetic condition, and I have included a few pictures of the dramatic graphics and sunburst finish without the tailpiece, bridge, and strings so its visual impact can be fully appreciated; however, this is actually a playable guitar and not just a wall hanger.
Inside the sound hole up by the neck block is faintly stamped 489H1057; while the “H1057” is obviously the model number, I believe the “489” indicates a production number early in the 1950s. The body is apparently made of birch, and the rosewood fretboard, floating pinless bridge, thinline brass frets, dot inlays, wooden nut, and open tuners are all original and ready to play. The neck boasts a rounded V-profile, but not the infamous "baseball bat" style – this is much smaller and really comfortable in the hand. This is a pre-owned and pre-loved instrument with tons of mojo for the 70-odd years it's been around, and there are dings, dents, scratches, scuffs, paint chips, etc., but no cracks anywhere. There is no evidence of repairs or replacements other than some obvious re-gluing of the braces on the inside.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a small enough case for it, so I am including an inexpensive black gig bag for its protection and your convenience in all the cool experiences you’re going to share. However, I believe you will want to keep this colorful and authentic guitar on display anyway. Naturally it will be packed very carefully for shipping.
Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.
I have attempted to describe this guitar accurately and completely. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions before you offer to purchase it, as its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing.
Thank you for your interest in this cool piece of American guitar history, from an age when quality and value for money really counted in American instrument-making, even at the “popular” level.
This particular guitar is in very good cosmetic condition, and I have included a few pictures of the dramatic graphics and sunburst finish without the tailpiece, bridge, and strings so its visual impact can be fully appreciated; however, this is actually a playable guitar and not just a wall hanger.
Inside the sound hole up by the neck block is faintly stamped 489H1057; while the “H1057” is obviously the model number, I believe the “489” indicates a production number early in the 1950s. The body is apparently made of birch, and the rosewood fretboard, floating pinless bridge, thinline brass frets, dot inlays, wooden nut, and open tuners are all original and ready to play. The neck boasts a rounded V-profile, but not the infamous "baseball bat" style – this is much smaller and really comfortable in the hand. This is a pre-owned and pre-loved instrument with tons of mojo for the 70-odd years it's been around, and there are dings, dents, scratches, scuffs, paint chips, etc., but no cracks anywhere. There is no evidence of repairs or replacements other than some obvious re-gluing of the braces on the inside.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a small enough case for it, so I am including an inexpensive black gig bag for its protection and your convenience in all the cool experiences you’re going to share. However, I believe you will want to keep this colorful and authentic guitar on display anyway. Naturally it will be packed very carefully for shipping.
Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.
I have attempted to describe this guitar accurately and completely. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions before you offer to purchase it, as its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing.
Thank you for your interest in this cool piece of American guitar history, from an age when quality and value for money really counted in American instrument-making, even at the “popular” level.