HARMONY GUITARS - Why I’m OBSESSED with VINTAGE Harmony Guitars - Should YOU be too?
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- #HarmonyGuitars #VintageHarmonyGuitars #GoldFoilPickups
Harmony guitars were mass-produced and sold under many names including Harmony, Silvertone, Airline and Holiday. Robert Cassard plays the 3 vintage Harmonys he owns then shares the history of the world's largest guitar company.
Harmony made over 10 MILLION guitars in two Chicago factories between 1945 and 1975 (when they went bankrupt).
Mid-and upscale Harmony electrics had a unique and distinctly vintage "woofy" tone, thanks largely to the infamous gold foil pickups, manufactured by another American company, DeArmond (Rowe Industries).
Here are Robert's favorite sources of info on Harmony guitars. May they help you take your own trek to the stars...
"Harmony, The People’s Guitar 1945-75” by Ron Rothman:
amzn.to/2xeGASn
Unofficial Harmony Database:
harmony.demont.net/
NOTE: Since the death of Francois Demont, this site has been offline. However, you can see the most recent version via the Internet Archive:
web.archive.org/web/202008061...
History of the Harmony company:
ChasingGuitars.com/harmony-hyphen-history
Robert Cassard shares guitars, gear and tips to make you a better musician.
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Hi, my name is Robert Cassard. I'm a lifelong guitar player, singer-songwriter, producer, and music fanatic. I create Guitar and Recording Discoveries videos with a simple goal: to make YOU a better, happier, more confident musician!
In 2018, after more than 40 years as a pro musician, I started sharing my experiences through easy-to-understand UA-cam videos - giving you shortcuts to de-mystify playing, singing and recording.
My "day job" is as a video writer/producer/director. Often it's hard to balance my need to earn a living with my desire to share the pure joy of music through the UA-cam videos I make for free.
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Man, that Harmony Rocket is awesome! I found a Harmony H-162 at a thrift store for $35 bucks earlier today and its got me pretty gaga. Outside of being dusty, there was no damage or even a scratch on this guitar! It's got a great bluesy tone and it has a unique sound that separates it from my other guitars. Overall, it is pretty sweet playing guitar! I think Harmony guitars will become a favorite and maybe even a go-to guitar for me! And, I might have to go looking for a Rocket after hearing yours! ...And pick up that book too! Great video, man!
Thanks, Nobody! Glad you got your hands on a bargain Harmony…
@@RobertCassard Thank you, sir, I am enjoying it very much!
That Harmony H-162 is a sweet guitar. I had one back in the late sixties. I let it go, big mistake. I did hang on to both my H-167 and my Rocket. Yes I like them very much. Even owned a later day Harmony Strat. With a little adjustment it is a good guitar. The new Harmony's should be good. Everything is being made by computer run machines so there is a lot less dependents on human talent. By the way, Harmony built guitars for other company's. They built some of these all mahogany guitars for Martin.
I am 67. My guitar teacher took a group of us students to the Harmony guitar factory for a tour in 1968. It was very interesting for a new guitar player to see how they are built.
It must have been impressive. That was the world's largest guitar factory, at least in terms of output!
I've been in love with harmony guitars ever since I saw Ritchie Valen's Buick Green H44 (it's been my dream guitar ever since). Harmony guitars have this unique style and sound that I feel is so much more different and enjoyable than other guitar brand. The Harmony H-802 that I own is my favorite out of my collection, and I feel that the harmony brand is quite underrated.
Wishing you a Valens H44 among your holiday gifts this year!
My grandfather passed down his 1969 H181 down since he purchased it new in 1969, even has the original carrying case. I never knew what it was until I really got into guitar. I put new strings on it and it sounds amazing. Lot's of bass but still has good pitch and the sound lasts a very long time, I'm impressed for a 54 year old guitar.
The H181 is the acoustic with the narrow waist, right? Cool guitar!
@@RobertCassard Yes! It helps make it a veryy light guitar, keep up the great content man!
@@ProdigyAutomotive Of course!
Robert! I loved that Harmony video !!! Like you, there is an aura about these guitars. I know that I’m holding a student/inexpensive guitar from the 1960’s. I love to examine them carefully, and play them, knowing what I’m holding, so to speak. While looking at the craftsmanship from that time.... my Kay vanguard also reminds me of the harmony. So every now and then, I forget the Martin, to your point , and pick up a piece of history, with a unique sound. Thanks so much for doing this. I’m with you.....
Glad you enjoyed this, George. I’ve been surprised at my own passion and curiosity about these old guitars. Harmonys and Kays have a lot in common! But yes, a unique sound is often a source of intrigue, pleasure and inspiration!
I have a few of the old Harmonys, mostly their archtop acoustic models, but each one has it's own sound and vibe for sure! Great video
Thanks, Calvert. Uniqueness is what it’s all about.
It's great to discover these modern Jump Blues gurus usin vintage gear. Harmony guitars...! Rick Holmstrom, Jr. Watson, Ian Seigel (even John Hiatt's lead guitarist on "Perfectly Good Guitar") playing Harmony guitars. The Howlin' Wolf's early axe was this "peanut" style Harmony. My first ever guitar was a brand new 1961 Harmony acoustic, and in 2016 I was inspired to acquire the mighty Harmony Stratotone Jupiter, 1960 vintage. The Cadillac of the Harmony line. And I cherish it's woody DeArmond Gold Foils 10.5 ohms tone; light-weight playability; truss rod! ...multi-tone-controls; and the space-age West Memphis aesthetic. Excelsior Harmony! -Doug Pratt, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Probably has the same "S-grille" style of gold foils as my Rocket. Space-age, West Memphis indeed!
@@RobertCassard Yes, indeed, Robert, my Jupiter does have the same "S-grille" gold foils as your Rocket. These are now niche pickups that have become so recognizable by lovers of vintage electric guitars. I sometimes see them rescued from irreparable Harmony's and used in parts guitars. BTW, I happen to have a dis-assembled Rocket that someone had stripped but never re-finished. I don't plan to "rebuild" it but am its willing steward until someone comes along who will rebuild it and protect it. -Doug Pratt, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
@@edouglaspratt Nice, Doug! When I first started playing my Rocket with the S-grille pups, I was smitten! When it came time to get a "new" lap steel, I couldn't resist an old Harmony H7 with the same DeArmond S-grille. ua-cam.com/video/PU8O2r-BVnw/v-deo.html
Currently working on restoring a Harmony H79. I feel your love for the guitars.
I DO love ‘em, Ashen. In fact, I did 3 more videos in this Harmony series. I hope you’ll check ‘em out.
Yes I was infected with the Harmony virus about two years ago. I live in Australia and Harmony guitars are very rare with no local market to source them from meaning all I acquire comes from the USA - - much more expensive.....😩 I've started at a luthier school with the hopes of addressing some of the issues they have and tmaybe do some mods a 'la Bexandale guitars (I know ....big shoes right). Keep the goodness coming with Harmony guitars.
Hey redrock1963, I devoted 4 episodes to Harmony guitars a few months ago. You’ve seen the OBSESSION video. Here’s another about famous Harmony players: ua-cam.com/video/ZXOO_FYB4jA/v-deo.html
Excellent video! I have an embarrassingly large Harmony collection. (It's their fault for numbering their models sequentially!) I find myself playing one of them pretty much every single day. Not often the same one twice, but it's so much fun to explore new sounds!
I’m jealous, Bill. You’re gonna need to provide an itemized list!
@@RobertCassard Harmony H-73 Roy Smeck electric hollowbody
Harmony H-82 Rebel electric hollowbody
Harmony H-16 R electric solidbody
Harmony H-16 W electric solidbody
Harmony H-16 B electric solidbody
Harmony H-1 lap steel electric
Harmony H-6659 acoustic (1973)
Harmony H-14 Silhouette electric solidbody
Harmony H-1008 Harmometal trim acoustic
Harmony H-2525 parlor acoustic
Harmony TG-1201 tenor acoustic with pickup
Harmony Jamboree acoustic
Harmony H-1325 Monterey acoustic
Harmony H-15V Silhouette electric solidbody
Harmony H-40 Unotone acoustic electric
Harmony H-59 Rocket electric hollowbody
Harmony H-59 Rocket electric hollowbody (pre-1963)
Harmony H-72 electric hollowbody
Harmony H-19 electric solidbody
Harmony H-82g Rebel electric hollowbody
Harmony H-1306 Cremona archtop acoustic
Harmony H-75 electric hollowbody
Harmony H-22 bass electric semi-hollowbody
Harmony H-1415 Patrician archtop acoustic
Harmony H-1220 Catalina archtop acoustic
Harmony H-1260 Sovereign acoustic
Harmony H-1204 Sovereign acoustic
Harmony H-1310 archtop acoustic (w/ Bigsby)
Harmony Reso-Tone tenor banjo
Harmony H-49 Stratotone electric semi-hollowbody
Harmony H-1214 archtop acoustic
Harmony 5 string banjo
Harmony H-972 Monterey archtop acoustic (1944)
Harmony H-39 Modified with Rocket pickups archtop
Harmony H-66 Vibra Jet electric hollowbody
Harmony H-35 mandolin electric hollowbody
Harmony H-17 Silhouette electric solidbody
Harmony Color Kat (like an H-16B but larger)
Harmony H-945 Master archtop acoustic 1970
Harmony H-81 hollowbody electric
Harmony H-684 Rebel (stripped but originally dark stain)
Harmony H-673 Rebel electric hollowbody 1972
Harmony Sovereign tenor banjo
Harmony H-956 Montclair archtop acoustic (with Harmometal)
Harmony H-1215T tenor archtop acoustic 1965
Harmony H-1213 archtop acoustic 1958
Harmony H-950 Monterey archtop acoustic
Harmony H-6340 acoustic
Harmony H-168 acoustic
Harmony Baritone Ukuele
Harmony Stella H-927 acoustic (with pickup) 1970
Harmony Stella H-929 acoustic
Harmony Stella H-934 acoustic
Harmony Stella H-907 Sundale 1955 Colorama
Harmony Stella H-968 (?) acoustic
(Some of these were sold a few years back, but that was the complete list at one point)
OM effing G!
Bill Arnold Truly an amazing collection. And I notice TWO Rocket H59s! Next week video will be all about 🚀 Rockets!
@@warnold909 Just counted and that's 54 Harmonys total. Yowza. Do you know your current count?
Hi there Robert. I went through a fairly long period of interest in Harmony guitars.
I have three Harmony instruments, starting with a Harmony ukulele, age or model
not known. Next is a Harmony Stella acoustic parlour guitar, believed to be a 1950's
H929. I now have that fitted with a De Armond 260 sound hole pickup, which I found on
ebay, and that came with it's original box, so it probably has never been used.
Finally I have a Harmony H59 Rocket with triple pickups and those 6 control knobs.
It has a Bigsby tremelo, which was possibly fitted by a previous owner.
To anyone who is interested in the Harmony brand I can recommend a book entitled
"Harmony, The People's Guitar", by Ron Rothman. I bought my copy on Amazon.
Thanks for the interesting video.
Sounds like two of our Harmonys are twins, Robin! I mentioned Ron Rothman's book at 9:45...love all the drool-worthy photos. There are three more videos in this specific series on Harmonys. As the owner of a Rocket, you'll enjoy this one: ua-cam.com/video/KLlsxhusORM/v-deo.html
Hey dude! I just got a 1964 Silvertone 1420, all original, all black.
It sounds sooo good! There really is something special about the sound from that thing, the thick, warm tone from both of the pickups.
It really nails the 60s rock sound, and the shop I bought it from has it setup with a perfectly straight neck and low action.
These are definitely way underrated.
Congrats on scoring your 1420, JT. Those pickups are really something, right?
The database has since been taken down which is massive bummer. I own and have owned probably 25+ Harmony guitars. My everyday player though is a stripped down 1964 H1213 archtop. I’ve owned 8 harmony archtops, including pristine higher end Kay’s and Silvertones with pickups built in, and there’s nothing like the feel of that guitar. The gritty and percussive tone combined with that worn down neck is something else. Paid $40 for it, and I play it more than my American Strat and my 314ce combined!
Glad you’ve enjoyed so many classic Harmonys, Samuel. FYI, You can still access the Harmony database through the wayback machine: web.archive.org/web/20200420143731/harmony.demont.net/
I totally agree whith what you say. I live in Belgium, then it's was harder for me to get thoses guitars, but today I am the happy owner of five greats models. Thanks a LOT for your very well documented and informatives video. Thanks !
Congratulations on owning 5 Harmony guitars! Which models and years?
Had my red H77 for 50 years now. Play it through a good amp and wow, those pickups are so lush!
On 27 September this year, the pickups will be 60 years old. Still look odd; still sound great. :-)
Damn, those lush pickups are almost as old as I am! Cheers, Andy.
I found an old Stella acoustic years ago. It really needs a neck reset, but I figured I could use it for slide instead. Hearing you play yours makes me want to learn how to do a neck reset.
I just recently picked up a H45 at a garage sale, and it needs a bit of work, but I love it!
Sounds like a cool H45, and if it only needs a bit of work, then solid. Need to be careful with the Stellas. A neck reset is a major operation (and cost) for a guitar of that dollar value. So your slide idea may be smart. You can get a new Gretsch Jim Dandy (basswood body) that sounds just like a Stella and is set up perfectly for under $200. Probably less than the cost of a reset...(but a little less mojo).
Did a "redneck" neck re-set on an old Stella a few years ago and it turned out great. Just carefully, with an approprate saw, cut as close as possible where the neck heel butts up against the body up to just below the fingerboard. Fill the gap with carpenters glue, getting as much as possible into the space. Then turn the guitar upside down and suspend it between two supports. Put enough weight on the upper bout to get what string height you want at the 12th fret and let it sit for a few days. Not something I'd try with a Martin or Gibson but on my $50 Stella I had little to lose.
@@resomony that’s another thing that’s great about most Harmonys and Stellas. You can truly fix, modify and have fun without worry or guilt!
Great playing and voice!
Thanks so much, Henry! Glad you found my channel.
I'm so happy I own my dream guitar, a Harmony Rocket H59 ! Great video!
Rock on, Marco! What year is your H59? What color?
@@RobertCassard Same as yours, early 60's!
The web site You mention seems to be gone! :-( Thanx for the wonderful vid and the great inspiration!
Hey Wizard. I appreciate the positive feedback. Sadly, the owner/curator of the original site, Francois Demont, died since I made the video. If you read the other comments, you’ll find an internet archive link which preserves the site I mentioned. Good luck!
I had a '65 and '66 H1260 both unplayable, loose necks. Just today I finished restoring the older one to fabulous playing condition. Replaced truss rod, had to replace finger-board. I love the ladder bracing, but did have to put a "Bridge Doctor" type of under-saddle device in. I am stunned by the balanced volume and true deep bass without any boominess. Beautiful fat round mids and highs. I have 70 acoustics hanging on my walls in my house. This guitar is right there with my 2017 D-18, 2002 AJ, 2006 J45, 2016 DYM70, vintage FG180's, L20A for guitars I gladly reach for. I'm shocked at the beauty of the sound. I'm also restoring a H162 Spruce top. I have restored and rebuilt many Harmony electrics over the years. One appears on the cover of Markus James release in around 2010.
That’s very cool to hear, Abraham. I’d love to hear the 1260 you restored!
@@RobertCassard I'm going to record it soon. If I can do it justice, I will post. That would be my first ever on UA-cam. Thank you for the nice response, sir.
@@oldmanofcotati please come back and tell me if you post!
Recently found a harmony H-6382 for 450 bucks. Late 60s early 70s. Jumbo body style guitar. I believe the owner is a guitar tech/luthier, as it is has been recently restored to great condition. Has new tuners and pickguard, and has had a neck reset done. This model is an all solid wood guitar. Solid mahogony back and sides, and solid spruce top. Bronze nut and saddle. And it just seems like a great guitar for the money. I have an early 2000s epiphone laminated jumbo body guitar, and it serves me very well and has a very good tone, but been thinking about upgrading. What do you think of purchasing this type/model of harmony guitar?
Also I really like the harmondy parlour guitars. I think they are very cool. Seen one recently on facebook marketplace for 225, but looks in really rough shape, so I would want something in better condition for sure.
Hey Dom. Thanks for watching a commenting on this. The H-6382 sounds like a nice guitar, especially if it's had all that work done. A neck reset usually costs far more than $450, so yeah. That model is similar to a Martin OM, and for the money< i'm guessing it has very good tone. I now have TWO harmony-made parlor guitars, a Stella H-929 from the 50s and a Silvertone from the 60s, which I just bought at a local shop for $150. They both have the same birch-body bluesy honkiness that i love. (I'm converting one of them to a rubber bridge.) Check Reverb.com to see what the going prices are for any guitar you're considering. And don't forget that almost any price you see on Reverb.com can and should be negotiated. Message the seller to put in an offer, and you'll probably be surprised how often you'll get a YES.
I just love the history of guitars and the artistry. I'm a big fan of buying used guitars because the guitar already has a history and an energy to it. And I find that used guitars tend to have a much better tone than new ones. The tone obviously improves over time.
I've bought a mixture of about 75% used and 25% new guitars over my 50 years of playing. Amazing that new ones become "used" the minute you walk out of the store. Even more amazing how fast 30 years goes by and new guitars legitimately become "vintage." LOL
@@RobertCassard yeah, that is funny. there is actually some debate on what is considered a vintage instrument. Lots of people say that a vintage instrument is made before 1980. Others claim that it includes instruments made in the 80s. One thing that everybody seems to agree on is that an antique instrument is any that is 100 years or older, but theres probably some debate about that too. Anyways, vintage does not mean its high quality. There were lots of shitty instruments made back in the day, and they are technically "vintage", but they are not really desirable. What people mainly want is the high quality, rare, and collectable vintage instruments. A high quality instrument will age much better. A low quality instrument will tend to fall apart.
@@domdimensions9219 True. That's what's interesting about old Harmonys. They were manufactured very quickly...they were putting out almost 1000 axes per day for many years. So they're rarely finessed to a high standard of quality. However, they all carried a one-year warranty, so the lack of quality control shows in areas like excessive glue in the joints, relatively high action, etc. So they're lower quality, but higher durability. The negative factors are often easily corrected by a good luthier. For example, my Harmony '65 Rocket H-59 LOOKS perfect. But among its manufacturing flaws were VERY uneven pickup risers. My luthier shaved each one down individually to correct them and with that one minor fix, it became an amazing guitar. ua-cam.com/video/kQACFYxXPJ0/v-deo.html
Harmony’s may be cheap, but mines from 1960 and is still almost mint. I think it’s a Alden H45, with a single pup. It looks cool, plays well and sounds dope! Frets are small but…
My vintage Harmonys are magical. Glad you love yours, Ben!
Been playing a Harmony Rocket and a H-167. Since new in 1969. I don't know nor have I ever felt that these were or are a cheap guitars. Harmony built guitars for all levels. They also at one time or another they built guitar for Fender, Martin and Grech. Every guitar has its own voice and it's up to you whether you like how she sings and it's more. The guitar is the only musical instrument you hold close to the body, under the arms , in your arms. You feel her as well as hear her. She's yours and she sings to you. That is why one guitar is picked over another. It is a love affair.
I like the way you put that!
Yes. Harmony guitars inspire people to make music. many famous musicians used them. my first guitar was a vibrajet h66.also got a 80s strat clone from a pawnshop I started playing. just bought a whammy bar for it and it sounds awesome.
Cool stuff. Still have the Vibrajet, Jeremy? They’re getting pricey!
Robert Cassard thanks and yes I still got it. it was passed down to me by my dad who got it as a gift with a tiesco coffee table amp from his dads friend.
I gotta harmony from about the time they went bankrupt. It's an acoustic. H106b. Only a 60$ guitar but outplays any martin or Gibson. Bridge is coming up which I hear is typical of a harmony and the fret board is coming up but still plays and sounds amazing. It was my grandpas.
Inherited guitars have a generational magic all their own. Sounds like your Harmony deserves a trip to the luthier to get the bridge and fretboard fixed up. Totally worth the investment!
@@RobertCassard I will when I can. I figure I'll just play it till it's unplayable and then fix it or hang it up for good luck. My grandpa used to play guitars that were in worse shape then Willie Nelson's trigger lol.
Hammer🔝 😍Attractive Video
Thanks for watching, Lionel.
Hey I just bought a 1960 Stella dread. It's in real nice condition. What kinda strings you recommend I should put on it?
Sounds like a cool gtr. If you watch other videos on my channel, you’ll discover I like coated strings for their consistency and longevity. I’d start with Elixir Acoustic 80/20 Bronze light gauge with Nanoweb coating. Here’s a link: amzn.to/3cDNLFS
i have the 1214 blonde ivory finish. would like to find someone to do a proper set up and find a pickguard for it.
Check around locally using the search words "guitar repair" and "luthier." Make sure to check reviews before you put your guitar in someone else's hands. (Don't trust big music stores - unfortunately, their guitar techs often lack proper training and experience.)
Which Harmony acoustic would you recommend for acoustic blues slide? Thanks
It depends on the tone you’re going for. My money-savings suggestion would be to get a cheap vintage Stella (like my H-929) which you can probably find for $2-300. The birch body has a cool-sounding “honky” mid-range that sounds like an old blues guitar. Many old Harmonys and Stellas have issues with their necks being slightly bowed or needing a reset. In other words, they have higher action. This is much less of an issue when you’re playing slide. Good luck finding the perfect one for you!
As many guitars as harmony may have made, the H66 I just picked up definitely seems like a rare bird. And by far the coolest harmony I’ve owned! I’d love to know how many H66’s were produced
Ah…H66…the Vibrajet! Does your Tremolo still work?
@@RobertCassard it does! The guitar is completely original aside from someone installed a AA battery inside instead.
Congrats on scoring that jem!!!@@taketwo1076
I had a Harmony Monterey Archtop that was a OK guitar. I also had a Silvertone with a built in Amp in the case . Vince Lee is a great guitar player who also has a lot of Harmonys . Check him out .
Thanks for the video.
Thanks, Duane. In my experience, vintage Harmonys were rarely very special as they left the factory. But once a luthier gets a chance to tweak their playability to modern standards, they truly become unique.
The video you watched is the first of a 4-part series.Here's Part 2: ua-cam.com/video/ZXOO_FYB4jA/v-deo.html
@RobertCassard Hello Robert
Thanks for the reply. I am getting ready to watch pt.2 Thanks for video. I love Archtop Guitar and so does Vince Lee he has a u tube channel . He has a Rocket also. He plays with Sophie Loard on Bass. See you Robert. Best wishes from Tennessee.
@@duanetrivett750 Part 3 is all about Rocket players: ua-cam.com/video/KLlsxhusORM/v-deo.html
I have an old Harmony H1000 it’s from 1938 do you have any information on these?
That’s going back a ways, Mark! There was an amazing Harmony database that’s been offline since the creator, Francois Demont, died. However, you can access it via the Wayback Machine: web.archive.org/web/20200420143731/harmony.demont.net/ There are also a couple of great Harmony Chicago groups on Facebook. many of the members have way more knowledge about older Harmonys than I do. Good luck!
That is a lovely Console Steel Guitar
I love it, Mr. Amptech! It’s a Harmony H7 from the mid 60s.
You're not nuts for sure. Guitars and tone are relative and subjective. An older "beater" can easily turn into a go-to guitar, and this seems to be the case for me too. The tone isn't necessarily worse, it's just different. What's crazy to me is how much money they bring since ebay and reverb really took off....that , and guys like Dan Auerbach using them. Plus, a lot of older guys wanted something that reminds them of yesteryear, and lets be honest, these are American made beauties and that just out-class so many cheap foreign-made guitars. It's pure Americana man.
I hadn’t thought of it that way, jd, but YES, pure Americana!
Does anyone know what is happening with the Harmony.Demont web site - will it be coming back on line or is it closed down for good ?
I’ve heard it is being ported over from servers in France to servers in the US, but I have no idea if that’s accurate or when it will happen. In the meantime, you can access the most recent version (from August) via the Wayback Machine at: web.archive.org/web/20200420143731/harmony.demont.net/
@@RobertCassard - Robert, thank you so much for the link. This is an amazing resource and a great piece of work that should not be lost.
Francois Demont created and maintained the site for years. I understand he was one of the great Harmony collectors, with a collection of about 350 Harmonys!
"The best guitars you can buy for the money you spend" I have a Sears LA15 model amp, it's probably made by Harmony, it's my favorite amplifier.
I’ve owned a lot of guitars. In general, Harmonys aren’t the best built, but they have a unique style and sound. Once a talented luthier gives them some TLC, they can really be magical.
Found a H943, Should I get it?
Hey ChickDud...no easy answer on that one. Just a lot of questions: What year? What condition? Asking price? Negotiating room? Do you like the sound of birch-bodied guitars? Do you like a very fat neck? I could go on. Bottom line, I’d be reluctant to buy it without playing it, unless it’s just a smoking deal!
Harmony Sovereign H1203 acoustic guitars are about the best sounding acoustic guitar you can find.
Quite the bargain as vintage guitars go, right Steve? They often need some luthier work, but even after that extra expense, they can cost 50-75% less than comparable Gibsons and Martins.
Stupendous
Thank you Geovanni.
Im looking at a harmony professional its a 1940 but I haven't found any videos documenting them
Are you looking in person or online? It’s hard to evaluate how much work an older Harmony may need to become a great, playable guitar. Older necks don’t have truss rods, so neck resets are often needed. If it’s playable, it’s likely to have a lot of vintage mojo.
@@RobertCassard yea it looks okay it's online but I haven't been able to find anyone documenting it it's a harmony professional hawaiian
@@LushLofiBeats have you checked the old Harmony database? It went offline when Francois Demont died, but you can see it via the internet archive: web.archive.org/web/20200806133357/harmony.demont.net/
@@LushLofiBeats are you talking about the h1252? It’s not in the database, but it’s a true hawaiian-style slide guitar with the raised nut. A slide guitar should be more forgiving regarding the neck…
@@RobertCassard yes that's what I'm talking about
H19 is the holy grail... best sounding guitar ever made
The Silhouette! Yes, super cool.
@@RobertCassard Do you know anything about Harmony E90? I saw one the other day in a old junk shop
@@jordonvlahakis1010 Hi Jordan. I'm not a Harmony expert, but based on the original Harmony model numbers, an E90 would NOT be an original Chicago-made Harmony. There was an H90 model, a Les Paul copy made by an Asian (probably Korean) manufacturer in the 70s and 80s. Did you take a photo? If so, you could post it on one of the Facebook Harmony guitar groups. There are some real experts over there!!
I got a h5422 and it sounds better then my Gibson hummingbird..
There is something about the challenge they bring but when you get the feel it's hard to put them down.
Great way to describe it. They can be challenging to play, but the sound is truly vintage.
I make my living remanufacturing old Harmony and Kay made guitars into world class sounding and playing new green tech professional grade guitars. #baxendaleconversions. We just relocated our shop in Sante Fe NM and joined forces with Stay Gold Guitars one of the biggest sellers of vintage department store guitars. Baxendale Guitars.
Thanks for saying hi, Scott! I'm excited about your partnership with Stay Gold and I've already been asking questions with my eye toward getting one of your conversions. I hear nothing but great things about what you do.
@@RobertCassard Thanks, hit us up in February and we will be ready to do one for you. Thanks for posting the video.
@@scottbaxendale323 I'd love that. Should I connect with you or Stay Gold?
Jupiter's weren't solid body. Have you heard of Magnatone amps?
Thanks for that correction, Joe. You’re right...they just LOOKED like a solid body. Yes, know the Magnatone name and have seen some in photos but never played one. Found this history page: magnatoneamps.com/history.html
i miss my harmony meteor
If I’d owned a Meteor and didn’t have it anymore, I’d feel the same way.
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Thank you, Jane.
Dude, 3 Harmony's is not an obsession. Get back with me when it takes 2 hands to count them
LOL. An obsession doesn’t have to be about quantity, translateslowly. It can be a pure mind obsession...and how often you play ‘em, of course. Always sad that you can only play one at a time!
I'm convinced $3000 to $5000 guitars are often overrated. Your Nippon Gakki red label (or green label) Yamaha proves the point. Every once in a while (when I used to go into guitar shops) I would find a $600 to $1000 guitar that sounded JUST GREAT. But, It seems that when you find THAT guitar you need to haul off and buy it right then and there, because you won't find it again anytime soon.
Totally agree. A really special guitar in that $600-$1000 range requires impulsive confidence!
Here's how I got my Takamine N-1012 (12-string) back around 2006 or so: I knew very little about Takamines at the time and was just having fun at The Guitar Shoppe in Laguna Beach. I saw this very pretty red-cedar-top acoustic 12 on the wall, picked it up and was stunned by how easy it was to play. Very low action for a 12-string. It had a "minstrel" tone that reminded me of British guitarists like John Renbourn, Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips before him. I played it for quite awhile without even looking at the price tag. I assumed it was a $1200-1500 guitar and that I shouldn't fall in love with. But the tag said $220, which I assumed was a mistake. I asked the manager, "$220? Is this tag right?" And he said, "Yep. That had a broken neck." Upon close inspection, I could see the neck had broken near the heel where the neck joins the body. It had been repaired and reset perfectly - so perfectly that I hadn't even noticed the repair while playing it for over 20 minutes. I did NOT let that one get away. In fact, it's usually the guitar that sits on a stand in my living room for me to grab and play randomly. Because I got it so cheap, I never worry about it. One of its many virtues!
Looks like that delmont website is down.
It is, but you can always refer to the most recent version on the Wayback Machine. Do a Google search for Wayback Machine, then put the URL in that search field and voila. You’ll find a bunch of archived versions. You’re welcome!
@@RobertCassard thank you. I'll try that.
@@guitarfreak521 August 6 2020 is the most recent version: web.archive.org/web/20200806133357/harmony.demont.net/
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Thanks for watching, Chesley.
For me its Hershey Bar.
I get it, Pat. Some great players swear by those "sweet" pickups!
me too dawg me too
Hey whoislukas...I presume you mean you're obsessed too! It's weird, eh?
Harmony's electric guitars are sturdier built than acoustics Soverigns and Opus are there best acoustic's
I agree Harmony generally made more high quality electrics than acoustics. Often, older Harmony acoustics need quite a bit of luthier work (e.g., neck resets, bracing changes, tuner replacements). But once that work is done, they often have a wonderfully unique sound, from the cheap birch-body Stella parlor guitars right up to the top-of-the-line Sovereigns.
Its funny how everyone is on the Harmony bandwagon all of the sudden when when they were poo-pooed for so many years as making cheap, low-end guitars. I also find the attitude that a guitar "Made in the USA" is automatically understood to be of better quality than imported, foreign-made guitars, quite amusing. For as creative and free-thinking musicians are popularly imagined to be, they are pretty narrow-minded and easily influenced when it comes instruments.
In general, I agree with you, Jason. Attitudes toward specific guitars and brand loyalty are often irrational and hard to explain. I did a video specifically about this topic and how and why my own attitude toward Harmony guitars did a 180. ua-cam.com/video/7Q-n-dKAntg/v-deo.html
@@RobertCassard Thanks for sharing this!
@@englejas My pleasure. The older I get, the more I realize it isn't only EXCELLENCE or even playability that makes a guitar special. In many cases it's UNIQUENESS. A different sound or playing experience can shake up the songwriting, recording or performing process. That's where some Harmony guitars find their fans.
Robert, loved you video. I also have three Harmonies, A Sovereign which have have owned for over 40 years and someone stole it and miraculously I got it back in pieces about 20 years later and I loved it so much I went to a Luthier school to learn how to put it back together. I have a H162 Mahogany top and sides that had a broken neck which I repaired and is just beautiful and plays like butter, and finally I have a model 1233 12 string acoustic that I picked up in an auto parts store from some guy that just wanted to get rid of it. I had trouble finding harmony,demont.net but I did find the other Harmony site that talks about the history of the harmony company. So you are not the only one out there with the same obsession. Bill
Thanks, Bill. Glad you enjoyed this one. I've done quite a few Harmony videos that you'd probably get a kick out of...like this one on "WHO plays Harmonys and WHY?" ua-cam.com/video/ZXOO_FYB4jA/v-deo.html Regarding the Harmony database, you can still visit the site and get most of the content using the "Wayback Machine," which captured the pages from when the site used to be online. Here's a capture from 2018: web.archive.org/web/20180308105113/harmony.demont.net/
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Thanks, Mikel.
Stratotones are not solid body instrument
Thanks for watching and catching that, Tony...yes, I've since realized they are "chambered" bodies.