Harmony Guitar Reissues for NAMM 2008

[mgauction]

These photos of the new H22 are from NAMM. I am late posting these but better late than never. Regardless, they will give some insight.

1) Notice the stealth pickguard is flesh to the body. That was the first thing I noticed. Aren't the vintage ones raised? Can't remember.
2) Glued on neck. Hmmmm - I liked the bolt-on style from the vintage.
3) Truss rod's are designed on the new ones. A good choice!
4) Modern tuners - also a good choice.
5) When I played it it had a "tinty" sound acoustically, which wasn't real pleasant. Plugged in, it was better.
6) On the reverse headstock it was marked "Made in Korea." Comments?

[mgauction]

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[kenposurf]

The price of vintage Silvertone and Harmony guitars have been on the rise for the last few years. Some are really fun to play but when you start getting above $500 for one you gotta think twice...maybe the reissues well bring the price down?

[mgauction]

The reissues are still going to be pricey. The H22 - retail $1150, wholsale about $600. Last I checked on the H22, the price had leveled. I think at this point I'd be interested in a vintage one, despite the lack of a truss rod.

[fatcat]

The batwing pickguard is mounted direct on the top of vintage ones as well.
Most of the vintage ones had a truss rod,the earliest ones didn't.
$1150 is high for a $100 bass,even adjusted for inflation.
The set neck and different keywinds ruin it's authenticity as a repro, but are a good idea as a modern follow-on.
I'd like to see if the finish is better than a vintage,which were done on the cheap.
Throw in a good case and discount 30% it might sell well.
If it was an H22/1 then I'd get in line.

[soundmasterg]

5) When I played it it had a "tinty" sound acoustically, which wasn't real pleasant. Plugged in, it was better.

Thanks for the pics and info. When you played it, did it come with roundwounds or flats? I'd put flats on myself. I've heard that the wood isn't vintage correct either, but that may be good. A pine body and a poplar neck (like the old ones) don't exactly inspire too much confidence. I've heard the current pickups look like the priginals as far as the covers, but sound nothing like them and aren't made like them either. It doesn't really concern me overly because I have a vintage H22 pickup waiting to go into something. I wish they would offer different color choices on them though.....I've always hated black in sunbursts.....actually I hate black guitars period!

Greg

[kerchang]

From the pics it looks like there's a slightly different body shape too...heavy on the upper bout. The new style machine heads look terrible...it's gotta have those tiny pain-in-the-harris buttons!
Would like to hear one up against an original....would the new bass nail that "WHOMP" sound? Doubt it.

[fatcat]

Yep, now that you point it out, the cutaway contour is wrong, as is the batwing shape.
I think that the one in the V lineup picture is a vintage, it looks different than these photos.
I heartily applaud their motive in reissuing these classics, but sortof close isn't good enough,at these prices.

[paologregorio]

The two friends of mine who have original models of those basses removed the pickguards, or bought them with the pickguards already removed.

I've never liked those heart shaped tuners. If Harmony was going to use a different tuner from the old butter bean style, they still should have used something more traditional looking.

[rickenmetal]

I don't mind the new cutaway shape, and the tuners are an improvement. A bolt-on neck might be better.

But seriously, weren't those things hard to play? The neck looks very thick at the nut.

[fatcat]

The two friends of mine who have original models of those basses removed the pickguards, or bought them with the pickguards already removed.

Replacements can be had from Broadway Music.

But seriously, weren't those things hard to play? The neck looks very thick at the nut.

The neck on my vintage one is close in size to my '06 4003, and plays about the same.
Not hard at all.

[soundmasterg]

I just got a vintage one off the bay and will be able to compare with the new ones as soon as they arrive. I'll be keeping the better to the two whichever way it goes. I get to hear a vintage one at a local blues jam every week and they are so perfect for that jump blues style with flats.

Greg

[SixtyFour]

Yep, now that you point it out, the cutaway contour is wrong, as is the batwing shape.
I think that the one in the V lineup picture is a vintage, it looks different than these photos.
I heartily applaud their motive in reissuing these classics, but sortof close isn't good enough,at these prices.

Check this H-22, cir 1964

[rickenmetal]

I don't know if it's not an optical illusion, but I get the impression that the neck tapers backwards.

[fatcat]

A normal taper, but not much.
Mine measures 1 15/16" and tapers to 1 3/4 ".