1960's Stella Harmony H-943 Guitar Review
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- Please, please take the time to read all of this description:
Scott Baxendale's legacy of building custom instruments began in 1974, when he arrived in Winfield, Kansas to work for Stuart Mossman, owner and founder of Mossman Guitars. Scott joined Gruhn Guitars in Nashville, Tennessee, In l978, where he specialized in the restoration of classic vintage instruments. Gruhn Guitars is one of the most well-known dealers in used, vintage and collectable instruments in the world. During this time he repaired or restored guitars for such professionals as Billy Gibbons, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Jr., Steve Howe, Elvis Costello, John Hartford, Marty Stuart, Norman Blake, Roy Acuff and many others. While in Tennessee, Scott and the Gruhn Guitar repair staff were responsible for the care and maintenance of Roy Acuff's Grand Ole Opry Museum collection.
Scott fulfilled his dream and purchased Mossman Guitars, in l985, moving the company to Garland, Texas. He manufactured over 250 acoustic guitars, averaging five instruments per month, some of which are owned and played by Carl Perkins, Joe Walsh, Willie Nelson, Donovan, Greg Lake, Jorma Kaukonen, John Mellencamp, Chris Hillman, James Burton, Travis Tritt, Dave Alvin, B.J. Thomas and Ray Wylie Hubbard.
During this time, Scott's reputation for guitar building earned him a contract from the Hard Rock Cafe to construct two guitar bars for their Dallas restaurant. These 34-foot bars were conceived, designed and built by him to scale (a 10:1 ratio) to look like Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul guitars. Scott duplicated the same custom finish that would have been found on an original Strat or Les Paul, both bars being featured in Guitar Player Magazine. At that time Scott also became responsible for the care and restoration of all instruments in the Hard Rock Cafe's extensive collection. Some of the priceless guitars he either refurbished, repaired or maintained included Jimi Hendrix's black Gibson Flying V, Elvis Presley's sunburst Gibson Super 400, Buddy Holly's 57 Strat and Gibson J-45 acoustic, and John Lennon's Rickenbacker.
You can read the rest of Scott's bio at: baxendaleguita...
1960's Stella/Harmony H-943 - Baxendale Conversion
This is one that I picked up from a gentleman in California. He had the Baxendale Conversion process done on it by Scott Baxendale. The more I play this guitar, the more I've come to realize that it has more sustain than any other guitar I own. What a great job Mr Scott Baxendale did on this one. Birch top, back and sides and quite a looker. This guitar should have cost me $3,500.00 or more. It's just a killer instrument.
From Wikipedia:
Stella was one of several musical instrument brands made in Jersey City, New Jersey, by the Oscar Schmidt Company. Other Schmidt brands included "Sovereign" and "La Scala". The company produced low and mid-level stringed instruments such as guitars, mandolins, banjos and autoharps.
The company thrived during the first quarter of the 20th century. In 1920, the company was said to be the world's largest manufacturer of stringed instruments. Stella instruments were noted for their good tone and relatively low price. Top-of-the-line Stella and Sovereign guitars cost a fraction of the lowest-end Gibson or C. F. Martin instruments.[citation needed]
After struggling through the Great Depression, the company sold their fretted instrument division in the late 1930s, but continued to make autoharps. Schmidt's Stella, Sovereign and La Scala brands were acquired by the Harmony Company of Chicago, Illinois in 1939. Harmony went on to produce student-grade Stella instruments, as well as mid-level Sovereign guitars and banjos.
Please go visit Scott's UA-cam channel and if you're in the market for something like this, there's none better. They are so popular, I just hope that he has one in stock for you:
www.youtube.co...
Please feel free to reach out to me anytime @ asmallstone1977@gmail.com
Scott does great work and is really nice guy. If he mod it then you bet its a great job. Anyway you get a guitar with at least 1/2 century wood that is just worth the trip. Nice demo playing great job.
Hi Siggy, we are in complete agreement, sir! Always great to get a visit and comment from you , brother man 👍🏻
This is a beautiful guitar! It makes me want to string up my old Harmony h181 which I bought new in '69 or '70. It was my first.
I think that the difference between a 000 and a OM is usually scale length, with the OM being a half inch longer. But Martin does not always stay true to the program. I think that you have a keeper on your hands.
Hi John, I really appreciate the additional information, as I know others will too. If you ever decide to have that old guitar rebuilt, Scott’s your man. That cat has a half of a century’s worth of experience, working with some of the biggest names in this business. To show you the kind of guy he is, he takes time out of his life to visit with a nobody like me 👍🏻
Wow that one is nice! Great find! If I keep watching your videos I’m gonna end up having to drag my Dads old Kay Archtop out. It’s a all acoustic Archtop he got used as a kid back in the 1950s. Sunburst color and looks much like a old Gibson Archtop like Mother Maybell Carter played. It’s in great shape but intonation has been knocked off and it doesn’t sound right when you play it. But it used to have a really good old time vintage sound. Anyhow…great old Stella sir! It’s a beauty and sounds great 👍🏻
Thank you, Johnny Reb! I’ll say this, if you ever decide to make that thing sing, Scott is the man to do it. I think for what you get back, it’s invaluable. Great to hear from you, brother man 👍🏻
We always learn something when we pop by here... so calming listening to you dear one... thank you for enriching my morning coffee 🤗🌹
Hi there Ms Therese! Great to see you and hope you've been keeping well. Thank you so much. If you can drink coffee and listen to me, you're my new hero! My best to you and yours, ma'am 👍
Beautiful old Stella and a fantastic rebuild by Scott Baxendale he seems like a guy who really knows his stuff, wonderful demo and talk Randy well done my friend 🎸👏👏🙏🏻
Hi Trevor, I hope you’re keeping well, my friend. As always, your input is very much appreciated, brother man. I have come to value you more and more as time goes on. Thanks, brother man 👍🏻
@@randysrhythm You're very welcome 👍🏼👍🏼
Loved it Randy. The work that went into that guitar is crazy. And as I said earlier, I would never let that go. It's probably going to be worth a mint some day. And besides, it sounds great too.
I love the reviews. Can't wait for the next one.
My friend, David Hayes! Great comment and great advice. As always, brother man, I really appreciate you taking the time to come visit. I’m heading to your channel shortly to see the key replacements for your USA 60’s Texan. That should be a great video!
@@randysrhythm
They look great in it. And with the original bridge back on, its got that old Gibson sound again.
Randy this one is my favorite sounding of all your catalog Guitars. Baxendale’ worked magic on this one👍 🇺🇸
Hi Dennis, great to see you here, brother man! Thanks very much for that comment. While the 69 Silvertone is my favorite guitar, this birch top sounds crazy great to my ears as well. I’m more impressed every day with it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here, brother man 👍🏻
Hi Dennis, what happened to your channel, brother man ?
Brother Randy! Another beauty 😮
I’ve played a lot of birch drums, but that’s the first birch guitar I’ve ever heard, and it sounds great- but like Jeff Beck, every guitar sounds good in your hands! Great review, my friend ❤
Way, way too kind, brother man Paul. Just great to see you here and hope you’re getting some of your sea legs back under you. I’ll be sending you an email later today 👍🏻
Woah brother!! I am 8 minutes in and loving the sound of that guitar!!!! Scott did a fantastic job on that!! I'm definitely going to have to keep his name for my future repairs!
Thanks for playing a the guitar I couldn't while on lunch at work. Hope you have a great weekend Randy!
Hey there brother man, Al! If you watched me play and your lunch is still present and accounted for, then I’m one happy man 😂. Yes sir, Scott is a master of masters, in my opinion and just a heck of a nice man. I’ve grown right fond of him over the last couple of years and he’s been a great relationship. Great to see and hear from you, brother man 👍🏻
I have a chance to pick up a Harmony Stella today for $60.
The original owner is selling it.
I hope it works out.
Thanks for your video.
Hi Richard, I hope it works out well too and you’re welcome. If he’s not done anything to it, you may need to get the neck reset. But, for $60, I don’t see how you can go wrong 👍🏻
Really nice sounding guitar!
My friend, Ms Rose! It is a pleasure to see you here and thank you so very much, ma’am 👍🏻
Harmony bought the Stella name in the 1930. These Stellas were marketed through the harmony catalogue. Silvertone certainly marketed similar harmony made models. These are all birch. The conversion is astounding. I have an original ladder braced Stella om model much like yours. It sounds good for fingerpicking but not a strummer like yours.
The sound of yours is amazing especially because you wouldn’t think that birch would have such complexity.
Hi Seth, great information. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment, especially with the additional information, brother man 👍🏻
Your guitar sounds wonderful Randy! You played it beautifully! 👏👏✌️😃🎸🎶👍
Appreciate that kind comment, brother man. Very kind of you!
Hey Randy, great review of the Stella. I have the H942 and it plays beautiful. However, I dont play it much and I think im going to sell it. Hard decision for me but I want a classical guitar. Of courae after watching your video, I kind of want to keep it. Ugh.
Hey DL, I agree, a difficult decision for sure. While they are still out there, they are certainly not all in the shape ours are. Appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment, brother man 👍🏻
Good to meet ya via @songsfromtheruaroom! Love the sound, will be coming back here, notifications are on!
All the best, Casey
Right backatcha, my new Belgium friend 👍. You are quite a talent to be reckoned with, Ms Casey!
@Randy's Rhythm well, that is a fine compliment, I'll take it humbly, thank you so much! Awesome 👌 you hail from Texas, Love that! chatter later mater.
Hey Randy , Over across the pond they call them Draw Naughts , You know they have something in their water LOL Sounds Good !
Hilarious!! Great to hear from you, brother man. Thank you for the insight and as always, the kind words 👍🏻
@@randysrhythm I try to Help !
W❤️W! Brilliant And Lovely Performance 👏🏻! Cheers!🥂❤️✨
Cheers Juan, appreciate you sir 👍🏻
amazing and well done 👍🙏🔥
Thank you so much, Othman!
Beautiful playing here
Thank you, David. Very kind of you to say 👍🏻
Leave the pick guard
Hi Jay, I did, brother man 👍🏻
Howdy Mate . . . . a Handsome guitar with a very nice sound. Sorry for the tardy reply Randy. I have been pretty busy lately . . . . preparing my house to move in. Just when I think I've finished doing everything, something else needs to be taken care of, and I have been working (my day gig) also. 🙄 🤷🏻♂
Always an informative upload Mate, especially as we share the same interests . . . . . guitars, finger pickin' and music. 🎸 🎼 🎥 🎧 👍🏻 😊
PS Love Ya' shirt! 😊
Hi Johnny, no worries at all. I know you are busy with the house. I am surely looking forward to you getting settled and back to picking! Always great to hear from you and much appreciate your insights 👍🏻
Nice video 🎸🎸🎸🎸
Thank you very much!
Famous Belgian beer 'Stella' ..not so good :) the guitar is better. Hallo Randy .
😂😂😂
Hilarious, Steven! Learn something new every day, eh? I didn’t know that. Thanks, brother man 👍🏻
Guitar sound so nice!
Thank you!
@@randysrhythm You welcome happy to be your new friend!
Lovely box! I've got the H-942 which is like this one you've got but without the sunburst finish. Of course, mine is not a Baxendale conversion - even so, it sounds pretty good. I had to glue back on all of the back braces and reset the neck on it haha. What strings are you using on yours here? I really like your fingerstyle playing - it looks and sounds like you don't use nails so you get such nice mellow tone.
Hey Tate, I use Martin Retro 12s on all of my acoustics. The 942 is an original ladder brace, right? Sounds like you now have a lifer there, after those repairs. I have a couple of ladder braced and I have occasions to use them. I like that box sound they produce. Thanks for noticing the guitar, brother man 👍🏻
@@randysrhythm Aha cool thank you! I've used Martin Retro but it's been a while - I'll have to try them again. Yes I do appreciate the sound of a good ol' ladder braced guitar also. The problem is that, unlike x-bracing, ladder bracing doesn't do much to counteract the tension on the guitar that ultimately leads to the guitar needing a neck reset. They both will eventually need it but I think an x-braced guitar stands a better chance of lasting longer without a reset. I enjoy your playing - keep it up!
@@tateharmann3057 Thanks brother man and hope to see more of you on channel 👍🏻
@@randysrhythm Will do! I also realized that I failed to answer your original question haha. Yes, my H-942 has its original ladder bracing ;) I've got some recordings of it - I'll see if I can post something over on my channel.
@@tateharmann3057 I’ll check it out!