NGD - Vintage Fender F-1000

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helsinkirocks
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Joined: Wed May 27, 2020 8:20 pm
Location: Vinton, OH
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Found this at a local indoor flea market for $40. Looked over it, I didn't know exactly what it was, but I knew it was definitely older. I didn't see anything broken, or damaged beyond normal wear so i decided to grab it because it would be at least a cool piece to have as im a lefty. Doing some research it is a Fender F-1000, made between 1969 and 1971- there were two versions of these, Asian made ones, and these USA made ones. These were USA made by Harmony for Fender, so it matches pretty much exactly similar harmony models from that year, I don't have the exact one.

For being at least 52 years old its honestly not in bad shape, and even with the absolutely ancient strings it holds tune and sounds surprisingly big and loud. Gonna clean it up this weekend and let it shine. For now, here's pics as i brought it home.

This is what I could find from an old reverb listing matching the guitar:
This is a really interesting piece. At a bare minimum it is a cool guitar to hang on the wall but it is actually quite playable.

In the late 1960s Fender wanted to offer a line of more affordable acoustics to compete with the increasing number of cheap imports, so they went to Harmony, who was well known for building quality budget acoustic guitars. Harmony was a large guitar manufacturer from Chicago that built guitars under the Harmony trademark, as well as over 50 other brands, making them a house brand in the guitar industry. In the late 1960s, Fender asked Harmony to build a line of Fender-branded, Harmony-built acoustic guitars.

The resulting instruments became known as the first F Series, and nearly 10 different guitars were available. This is likely the Model F-1000, which was the standard size flat top acoustic offered. It has an all-birch body, 12/18-fret fingerboard, metal trapeze tailpiece and a white pickguard. The headstock has a bright white Fender logo with a Uni-Bar Reinforced Neck inscription indicative of the steel truss rod. The F-1000 retailed for $32.95 in 1969 and the entire F Series was produced through the early 1970s. Harmony enthusiasts will note that this guitar is nearly identical to the Harmony Model H929.

Interestingly enough, these F-Series of acoustics never appeared in Fender catalogs, and were only available through their price lists. It may have been Fenders way of offering an acoustic guitar without having to jeopardize their pride by showing them in a catalog. Regardless, these guitars exist and people still play them. While it is a step above a 1950s childrens guitar, it still is a budget acoustic guitar.
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And a short little video of my trying to play upside down and backwards..

Joined the original AGF on January 20, 2007.
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tonebender
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Joined: Sun May 31, 2020 8:39 am
Location: Wheremyhathangs, FL
Gearlist: Fav: Gibson LP and Gibson Goldtone Amp. Other gear: Gretsch, Peavey, Taylor and more.

Awesome, love the vintage stuff! Happy new guitar day!
"Will follow through with a transaction when the terms are agreed upon" almightybunghole
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BatUtilityBelt
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Joined: Thu May 28, 2020 4:25 pm

Cool find, happy new old guitar day!
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