Agreed, I've directly compared brands such as Eastwood, Brice, Rogue, and Epiphone to their "vintage" counterparts and the new ones are much better built and sound as good if not better.
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Harmony H22 bass
- Thread starter drbassman
- Start date
Agreed, I've directly compared brands such as Eastwood, Brice, Rogue, and Epiphone to their "vintage" counterparts and the new ones are much better built and sound as good if not better.
We'll see, and it'll be interesting. When I first guessed at the price I was tempted to say about 650-750 MSRP, but didn't because Jay Turser hollow bodies are around 300, and they're on the same level (guessing) because they're in the budget/beginner market (not to imply the quality isn't there).
My point is these new ones won't be vintage and rare, so the supply/demand thing isn't there. That's not to say they won't try to capitalize on it anyway.
I just don't think many people under 40 will be buying them, and if they price it too high I'd expect that number to decrease because more familiar stuff is around for less. A guy in his 20s looking for a bass is more likely to spend 500 on a Fender than 700 on a Harmony RI (guessing again).
Where's Madam Cleo when you need her?
My point is these new ones won't be vintage and rare, so the supply/demand thing isn't there. That's not to say they won't try to capitalize on it anyway.
I just don't think many people under 40 will be buying them, and if they price it too high I'd expect that number to decrease because more familiar stuff is around for less. A guy in his 20s looking for a bass is more likely to spend 500 on a Fender than 700 on a Harmony RI (guessing again).
Where's Madam Cleo when you need her?
Do these new Asian hollow bodies have the kerf strips where the top and bottom meets the side? I know the old Harmonys did.
That's very important. The lack of those reinforcing strips is why many MIJ basses from the 60s and 70s crap out - not enough meat to resist the string tension.
That's very important. The lack of those reinforcing strips is why many MIJ basses from the 60s and 70s crap out - not enough meat to resist the string tension.
Anybody know when these are set to drop ? You cats have been talking about how younger fellas probably wouldn't be into them, but I'm sixteen and I'm diggin on this bass soooo hard.
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X Wolf
Guest
+1....That reissue is long overdue but I have heard that Rickenbacker doesn't want to do it. Too bad, I think there is interest out there. I played one in '75 and thought it was great, the only problem was feedback. I do like the way H22's sound recorded, just my 2 cents.
George
Yeah, I think Ric doesn't want to reissue the 4005 because it would take a little effort to tool up. Too bad really, cuz just about every HB bass player I know would want one. It isn't like they aren't making HB guitars already!!!!
They are finally updating their website... It's still incomplete but there are basic pages for most of the instruments now.
I really want to find out more about the new H22, but the website doesn't have much info, let alone a review...
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I really want to find out more about the new H22, but the website doesn't have much info, let alone a review...
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I found this article: http://www.entrepreneur.com/tradejournals/article/173786321.html
A brief excerpt, which has me feeling really optimistic:
Old buyers' guides and catalogs described the era's most popular models, which Harmony Vice President Chris Laguna sought out on eBay, sometimes buying two or three of the same model if parts were missing from the first. The company then shipped the samples to factories in Korea, where they were duplicated precisely, piece by piece.
"The reason for that is, we wanted to make sure we weren't just putting on another standard-issue pickup when the Harmony Rocket, for example, used a 'Gold Foil Mustache pickup,'" says Laguna. "We tooled and molded the pickups so that not only are they the same visually, but we've duplicated the frequencies, outputs, and magnets, so they sound exactly like the originals did."
The reissues do deviate from the originals in terms of several non-visual improvements, such as the addition of truss rods and Kluson Tuners and a switch from bolt-on necks to set necks, "a much more expensive process, but just a step-up feature that really doesn't change the look at all but enhances the performance," says Subecz. "Everything has been molded exactly the way it was done on the originals, but that's not to say the technology was so good back then that we've done it the same way."
A brief excerpt, which has me feeling really optimistic:
Old buyers' guides and catalogs described the era's most popular models, which Harmony Vice President Chris Laguna sought out on eBay, sometimes buying two or three of the same model if parts were missing from the first. The company then shipped the samples to factories in Korea, where they were duplicated precisely, piece by piece.
"The reason for that is, we wanted to make sure we weren't just putting on another standard-issue pickup when the Harmony Rocket, for example, used a 'Gold Foil Mustache pickup,'" says Laguna. "We tooled and molded the pickups so that not only are they the same visually, but we've duplicated the frequencies, outputs, and magnets, so they sound exactly like the originals did."
The reissues do deviate from the originals in terms of several non-visual improvements, such as the addition of truss rods and Kluson Tuners and a switch from bolt-on necks to set necks, "a much more expensive process, but just a step-up feature that really doesn't change the look at all but enhances the performance," says Subecz. "Everything has been molded exactly the way it was done on the originals, but that's not to say the technology was so good back then that we've done it the same way."
That's their quote and it sounds real good, but it isn't true. The new H-22 pickguard has a noticeably different shape and at least two extra screws. If that's any indication of their definition of "duplicated precisely" I wouldn't expect much better in less obvious areas. OTOH, they still might be just fine.
ah i see what you mean, i just did side by side comparisons... hmm...
well it looks close enough that if it actually sounds the same and is priced well, i'll still be very interested. but if it pales in comparison to the original in sound, then i'll just have to hunt down a vintage one...
well it looks close enough that if it actually sounds the same and is priced well, i'll still be very interested. but if it pales in comparison to the original in sound, then i'll just have to hunt down a vintage one...
I will have to pull my H22 out and check. But I'm pretty certain that mine has gold in the pickup slots. Now I remember. The pickup is a DeArmond and as far as I know they all should look the same with the gold in slots.
They are actually pretty incredible basses. Plug that sucker into an Ampeg B15N and it rattles the walls.
+1
I wonder what the original price was...I'm thinking $130 in the early 60's. Was out of my reach, but my friend Bill's Dad bought him one, and it actually changed my life to see it, hear it, and play it....mmm
guess it's nostalgia...but $300 seems pretty reasonable. I assume an Asian build...PRC? Mind you I DO NOT dis that...
If you go to that Harmony website and click on the H22 bass, you'll get a series of photos that you can click on to enlarge. One is the back of the headstock and you can clearly see the decal that says Made In Korea. )-(
Not sure if any of you guys might be interested, but Danelectro has some new "reissue" instruments due to come out in April. Check this link. I'm seriously gonna check out that short scale one. )-(
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the Dan-os are fun beasts for sure. But a Harmony H22 will be my next bass, by hook or by crook!!
The DeArmond PUPs in the H-22 are insane- one of the widest frequency and most powerful pickups I've heard, and with its hollowbody the sound that comes out of the H-22 is ridiculous, actually.
I haven't had a chance to play mine, strung with newish Chromes, really loud and long until last week, when I finally did through both my NV cabs and my SVT. When I switched back to my P it sounded like I was playing through a transistor radio in comparison. I'm not sure how useful this kind of output is for every musical situation, but in a sparse mix where you have a lot of room and want to lay down a thick rich and throaty bottom I haven't heard anything quite like this bass. I have no problems with feedback at any endurable volume, until I boost the mids a bit too much (by which time the tone is quite unmusical), then she starts howling.
I haven't had a chance to play mine, strung with newish Chromes, really loud and long until last week, when I finally did through both my NV cabs and my SVT. When I switched back to my P it sounded like I was playing through a transistor radio in comparison. I'm not sure how useful this kind of output is for every musical situation, but in a sparse mix where you have a lot of room and want to lay down a thick rich and throaty bottom I haven't heard anything quite like this bass. I have no problems with feedback at any endurable volume, until I boost the mids a bit too much (by which time the tone is quite unmusical), then she starts howling.
Hehehe...sweet! I love it!
and ain't that the truth. The bass sound massively huge. I'll bet that the Berg NV cabinets were nothing short of crushing with the Harmony.My H22 surely has the original flats on it. I wouldn't think of changing those out.
H22 was my first bass 41 years ago. I traded in my Fender Duo Sonic for it when I got drafted to be the bass player. I sold it several years later and don't miss it a bit. At the time I got it I lusted for a Fender Jazz Bass but that was crazy expensive $300-$400! I now have my MIA Fender Jazz Bass and it is my main bass. Considering how nice the cheap knockoff basses are nowadays I see no reason that a reissue H22 should go for much more than say $200. I have a Rogue violin bass that the old H22 couldn't touch in performance or looks.
