The nut is 51.23mm / 2.017″ wide, the depth of the neck at the first fret is 24.08mm / 0.948″ and 28.31mm / 1.1145″ at the 9th fret. The measurements of the guitar neck are as follows. There are some light scratches above the sound hole but this all adds to the vintage mojo. There is some buzzing in places on the fretboard which could be remedied in places with a professional set up if desired. The fretboard has sine separation but is glued well, and is a common issue but does not affect playability, and this guitar is in the best condition for for one of these we have come across. The pick guard is intact and the bridge is fixed in position well and the bridge is in good condition and the metal is still shiny. The guitar has some play wear as you would expect from such a great sounding vintage instrument, the neck is holding up well, and the tuners are all functional and it still has the original truss rod cover with ‘Made in USA’ written on it, although it is missing one of the screws and there is some cracking in the plastic. Kurt purchased his Harmony 12 String from Edgewater Pawn Shop and Sheridan Jewellery on the 12th October 1989, when Kurt was living in Olympia, and was a key instrument in the bands history. He also used it for the acoustic guitar parts on ‘In Utero’ as well as countless demo versions of famous songs on the ‘With the Lights Out’ box set such as ‘Sliver’, ‘Lithium’ ‘Been a Son’ and more.
You could even string it the way Kurt Cobain had his with Nylon Strings and was the set he used to record on ‘Nevermind’ a rare photo of which can be seen with Kurt sat on the sofa with the Stella Harmony leaning against a wall next to its case. It has an amazing sound and is really fun to play and recreates that early blues 12 string sound perfectly. This guitar has a birch body, with a poplar neck and is in good condition for its age, and is still very playable and has been set up for full 12 string play. The Stella Harmony H912 reissue was produced just in time for the 1960’s folk boom and was an affordable alternative to the Martin’s and Gibson’s of the day and still is.
Leadbelly himself also played a Stella Harmony 12 string and perhaps inspired Kurt’s choice of purchasing this guitar.
The Stella Harmony 12 string was a recreation of the classic early 20th century blues guitar favoured by players such as Leadbelly, who of Kurt Cobain’s favourite singers who famously covered his version of the classic folk song which originated in the 1870’s and the songs true authorship is unknown. Harmony had previously purchased the Oscar Schmidt factory and the Stella name in the 1930’s. Harmony was one of the first manufacturers of 12 string guitars post WWII. This Stella Harmony H912 12 string guitar was made by Harmony in Chicago in 1966 according to the stamp inside of the soundhole.
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