I (heart) my Harmonys

[threecarjam]

What do y'all think of USA-made Harmony acoustics? Anyone own one?

 

I've had a bunch, right now I've got a 1968 Sovereign and a 1965 H-162 (000-18 sized, solid spruce top). I feel like they're guitars that get disparaged a lot on boards like this, because people remember that cheap plywood one that they owned in 1975 that made their fingers bleed whenever they even thought about playing.

[Cletus Spuckle]

What do y'all think of USA-made Harmony acoustics? Anyone own one? I've had a bunch, right now I've got a 1968 Sovereign and a 1965 H-162 (000-18 sized, solid spruce top). I feel like they're guitars that get disparaged a lot on boards like this, because people remember that cheap plywood one that they owned in 1975 that made their fingers bleed whenever they even thought about playing.

 

 

I've owned three and passed them on. I bought each one on ebay needing neck resets. I thought I could learn via the online method (google) and I bailed on each project before I caused any harm.

 

My last one was a 30's Supertone that needed a reset and a lot of work. I couldn't resist at $40 but wasn't man enough for the job.

[babablowfish]

There are several folks here who have Harmonys. I have 2 parlor-sized.
The action on both is great amazingly enough. I keep them tuned down a full note and only use extra light guage strings due to their tendency to fold up like an accordian. So far, so good. I wouldn't recommend them for playing folk or rock or pop, but for '30s songs like Pennnies From Heaven or Brother Can You Spare A Dime their funky tone is perfect.

[Terry Allan Hall]

Harmony (as well as Kay and Regal) guitars are great for funky blues and ragtime tunes, due to their ladder bracing.

[guitarcapo]

Stairway To Heaven's famous acoustic guitar intro was played and recorded with a Harmony Sovereign 1260.

The Harmony Sovereign 1260 is the best kept secret on the vintage guitar market. In many ways it's superior to a 60's Martin D-18 costing 10 times as much.