‘80s Harmony Acoustic H-370

[PJ55]

Hey TDPRI Folks…..
I’m restoring an ‘80s Harmony Acoustic, Made in Korea. Not sure the year of production. Anyone know if these were finished in lacquer or poly? Appreciate any info from the Team!
Many thanks, PJ55.

 

[Freeman Keller]

The simple test is to remove a tuner and put a drop of lacquer thinner on the foot print. If it softens the finish it is lacquer. The Harmonys that I have worked on have been lacquer but they have also been quite a bit older and US made. Not sure about the Korean (or Chinese) ones.

There used to be a really good web site about vintage Harmony guitars but it seems to have gone away. It had lots and lots of information about each model.

 

[dan1952]

Pretty sure it's lacquer of some sort, possibly built by Samick. I worked for a major importer of Korean guitars from 1985 to 1994. Most Korean imports were fairly decent at that time.

 

[PJ55]

Thanks for the replies! It is pretty well made, compared to some of the old Harmony’s I’ve seen. And, it does look more like lacquer. That would have been my guess, but I will try some lacquer thinner. I have a can.