Late 1960s Harmony H7 Roy Smeck Lap Steel – Black & Ivory with Original Case & Legs
This late-1960s Harmony H7 Roy Smeck is a remarkably well-preserved example of Harmony’s distinctive American-made electric lap steel. Finished in its classic polished black-and-ivory “Tuxedo” color scheme, the H7 features a single gold-foil-style pickup, simple volume and tone controls, and three removable chrome legs that allow it to be played as either a traditional lap steel or a standing console instrument.
This example is in Very Good to Excellent condition and looks nearly perfect at first glance. Only close inspection reveals a few very fine signs of age and light wear consistent with an instrument from the late 1960s. There is some light cracking in the white plexiglass material around several of its mounting screws. The cracking appears localized to these mounting points and does not affect the instrument’s operation. Beyond that, only a handful of subtle cosmetic marks are present.
The instrument has been inspected and plays and functions exactly as it should. The pickup produces a clear, lively vintage voice with plenty of presence and character, while the volume and tone controls operate properly with no functional issues. The tuners, output jack, bridge and other hardware are all working as intended.
The original fitted hard case and complete set of three removable chrome legs are included. Finding an H7 this clean and complete is increasingly uncommon, making this an excellent choice for the working steel player, studio musician or vintage Harmony collector.
Condition: Very Good to Excellent
Country of Manufacture: USA
Estimated Year: Late 1960s
Construction: Solidbody electric lap steel
Finish: Polished black and ivory “Tuxedo” finish
String Configuration: Six-string
Scale Length: Approximately 23”
Pickup: Single vintage Golden-Tone/DeArmond-style gold-foil pickup
Controls: Master Volume and Tone
Bridge: Fixed lap-steel bridge
Tuners: Three-per-side strip tuners with plastic buttons
Fingerboard: White plexiglass fingerboard with black printed position markers
Hardware: Nickel/chrome-plated
Legs: Three removable chrome console legs
Case: Original fitted hardshell case included
Cosmetic Notes: Light age-appropriate wear with localized cracking in the plexiglass around several mounting screws
Functional Condition: Fully inspected and operating 100% with no known issues
About the Harmony H7 Roy Smeck
Introduced during the 1950s and produced into the early 1970s, the Harmony H7 was named for Roy Smeck—the celebrated vaudeville performer and multi-instrumentalist known as the “Wizard of the Strings.” The H7’s elevated two-level body, contrasting black-and-ivory finish and removable leg system gave it a particularly striking appearance while allowing it to serve as either a lap steel or compact console steel.
Every pre-owned instrument sold by BCR Music & Sound is carefully inspected for proper operation and accurately represented. This lap steel will be securely packed for shipment, with the instrument, removable legs and original case carefully protected for safe transport. Please review all photographs for a close look at its exceptionally clean overall condition and the light cracking described above.