Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Harmony H-417 Mandolin

  1. #1

    Default Harmony H-417 Mandolin

    I started a thread for a pickup for the Loar M-520 I ordered. Well I called my guitar luthier and he mentioned he had a Harmony H-417 model for sale. He had done some work to clean it up and new frets. Also someone in the past put a inlay on the head. The age of it he is not sure of. It's in very good condition and asking $100

    I am going to take a look at it. The new Loar is very nice and affordable at $520. But being new to the mandolin thing, it is prudent to look at the H-417.

    Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875

    Default Re: Harmony H-417 Mandolin

    It should be a Harmony Monterey A style. They made the Monterey from the mid 30's to the late 70's. I don't know if they kept the same model number all those years. They should be all wood and although people love the "mojo" of these old Harmony instruments, they were still low end instruments. With that said I have a friend that spent an immense amount of time rebuilding one from the inside out that turned out decent but he'll never get back what he put into it. If you like it buy it. If it was me I'd probably be looking at the newer instrument myself. Old doesn't always equate as better. Look at the bridge, some of the tops have a habit of collapsing.

    There might be a date code inside that is stamped. It will begin with a F or S and then a number to signify the year. It's not always there and there are a few where it isn't the year. Harmony was a company where quantity was job one.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  3. #3
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Howell, NJ
    Posts
    26,875
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  4. #4
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    1,987

    Default Re: Harmony H-417 Mandolin

    I guess if you like it and it is all fixed up by your luthier, and is only $100, there isn't any reason you can't have both

  5. #5

    Default Re: Harmony H-417 Mandolin

    Enabler ? Lol!
    Quote Originally Posted by Sue Rieter View Post
    I guess if you like it and it is all fixed up by your luthier, and is only $100, there isn't any reason you can't have both

  6. The following members say thank you to Wildcat1 for this post:


  7. #6
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Rochester NY 14610
    Posts
    17,378

    Default Re: Harmony H-417 Mandolin

    You have a bargain luthier if he gave it a complete re-fret and will sell it for 100 buxx. Maybe he just replaced first-position worn frets.

    Harmony mandolins were cheap instruments. The ones I've played had rather thick tops and were dead-sounding, had pretty clunky necks, but usually had rather nice tuning machines. If your luthier has set it up well, you could definitely learn on it, but doubt it would be a "keeper" if you stay with mandolin.

    You mentioned getting a pickup for a Loar 520. Does the Harmony have a pickup? Here's one for sale on Reverb, and it looks all-acoustic.
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  8. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Conneaut Lake, PA
    Posts
    4,147

    Default Re: Harmony H-417 Mandolin

    The neck joint on those always fails. Always.
    Don

    2016 Weber Custom Bitterroot F
    2011 Weber Bitterroot A
    1974 Martin Style A

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •