Vintage harmony mandolins

[jasslyn]

Can anyone tell me what the Vintage Harmony mandolins are like.Were they a fairly good make?

[8ch(pl)]

The early American made ones were generally quite good. If they had a point to criticise it would likely be volume. The ones I have heard have had a sweet tone. A friend of mine has a pickup in his which makes it very versatile.

[Jim Garber]

Some info here (http://www.broadwaymusicco.com/Harmony5.htm) specifically on the mandolin.

General info on Harmony (http://www.broadwaymusicco.com/HARMONY.htm)

Jim

[allenhopkins]

In the late '60's and early '70's Harmony made some decent "A style" mandolins. Some of them were marked "Monterey"; they had solid spruce tops and very good tuners. Back then you could buy one for less than $100 and they made great first or second instruments.

[jasslyn]

Thanks for the info. Would the oval hole mandolins be better than the f hole ones for volume? I think the one I am looking at is a '60s model from what I can see.

[8ch(pl)]

The early electric models evidently had a super pickup and can be had reasonably if you can find one. I answered an ad for a Harmony electric mandolin, but it turned out to be a recent Oriental Model, so I passed. A friend went to look at it and told me it was a dog. I believe I had read in a post here that the pickup in the American made electrics was a good unit. Someone else will have to chime in on who built the electronics in these.

The acoustic ones that I have seen and heard were F hole models, so I can't comment on an oval.

[Givson]

Harmonys were budget instruments. If you can find one from the 30's are 40's with a solid spruce top, it may be quite nice sounding. Others are built like tanks, have warped necks, and are strictly wall-hangers. I would let your ears (and fingers) be the judge.

[tumblewead]

I have an A stlye f hole I bought used in the mid 70's. I belive it was likely made in the late 60's early 70's. Made of solid woods possibly birch, including the top. It has had a rough life over the last 30 years, and over that time I have refinished it (with some regret now, in the early 80's I thought the red burst and faux flame was rather cheesey,) carved the f holes to connect the body of the "f" with holes at each end, fitted a new bridge, new nut, replaced the tailpiece (all budget stuff) and the thing sounds and plays pretty decent. Kind of a sweet sound. I use it as a beater and open tuning mando. I sure there is alot of varibilty among these guys, but if the neck is still straight and the body made of solid woods, it could have potential with a little work.

[odeboy]

The Harmony Monterey ( A-style ) and the Baroque ( F-style, or "shark fin" ) were the very last American-made budget mandolins. Built in Chicago up until the late '60's, I believe they were made from solid pressed spruce. The Baroque I had was heavier than most. It was probably designed to be an electric model. A buddy of mine still has his and it is not as loud as some, but still fun to play.
I think, because of the historical value of these peices of Americana, they would be worth owning. The last time I looked, the "fin" could be had for a little over $200. The Monterey, a little over $100.