Harmony H-22 Electric Bass Guitar (1962)
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Item # 5789
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Harmony H-22 Model Electric Bass Guitar (1962), made in Chicago, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, maple neck.
One of the 1960's finest bass bargains, the Harmony H-22 "Hi Value" Electric Bass retailed originally at $99.50 and was the company's first bass guitar offering. This particular bass is one of the earliest example we have ever seen, with a pickup dated to late 1961. The H-22 was officially introduced in Harmony's 1962 catalog; this is likely an early production example. The only major difference from mid-60's H-22's a wooden tailpiece with a metal cover which was soon replaced by a single stamped metal unit.
The very lightweight flat-topped fully hollow body features one excellent sounding DeArmond pickup, mounted down by the neck. The neck itself is thick but comfortable, with a 30" scale dot-inlaid rosewood fingerboard. The bass's most distinctive cosmetic feature is the large white plastic off-center pickguard, which certainly gives it an unmistakable look! Controls are simple, with single tone and volume knobs and large "clunk" switch that works with the tone control for instant tone modification.
The H-22 was the model used extensively in the mid-1960's by both Muff Winwood in the Spencer Davis Group and Ronnie Lane of the Small Faces, and its aggressively thumpy tone can be clearly heard on many recordings. Popular up into the late 1960's, the H-22 has recently again become a much sought-after item, with new generations of players discovering its quirky charm, extremely easy handling and excellent sonic qualities.
Overall length is 44 3/4 in. (113.7 cm.), 15 7/8 in. (40.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth at side. Scale length is 30 in. (762 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). This is a well-worn bur great playing and sounding H-22. There is a decent amount of wear to the finish overall, especially on the lower part of the face and on the rims. There is a small area of plywood crunched in on the top edge by the bridge, no other damage or repair. The back of the neck has some general wear and dents but the finish is mostly intact and frets and action are excellent. The pickguard, truss rod cover, klunk switch lever and wooden bridge are repros; pickups, electronics, tuners, tailpiece, knobs and rosewood fingerrest are original. A good gigging Harmony bass now 50 years old, well played-and still not as beat up as Ronnie Lane's #1 bass in the Small Faces was by 1968! Very Good + Condition.
One of the 1960's finest bass bargains, the Harmony H-22 "Hi Value" Electric Bass retailed originally at $99.50 and was the company's first bass guitar offering. This particular bass is one of the earliest example we have ever seen, with a pickup dated to late 1961. The H-22 was officially introduced in Harmony's 1962 catalog; this is likely an early production example. The only major difference from mid-60's H-22's a wooden tailpiece with a metal cover which was soon replaced by a single stamped metal unit.
The very lightweight flat-topped fully hollow body features one excellent sounding DeArmond pickup, mounted down by the neck. The neck itself is thick but comfortable, with a 30" scale dot-inlaid rosewood fingerboard. The bass's most distinctive cosmetic feature is the large white plastic off-center pickguard, which certainly gives it an unmistakable look! Controls are simple, with single tone and volume knobs and large "clunk" switch that works with the tone control for instant tone modification.
The H-22 was the model used extensively in the mid-1960's by both Muff Winwood in the Spencer Davis Group and Ronnie Lane of the Small Faces, and its aggressively thumpy tone can be clearly heard on many recordings. Popular up into the late 1960's, the H-22 has recently again become a much sought-after item, with new generations of players discovering its quirky charm, extremely easy handling and excellent sonic qualities.
Overall length is 44 3/4 in. (113.7 cm.), 15 7/8 in. (40.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth at side. Scale length is 30 in. (762 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.). This is a well-worn bur great playing and sounding H-22. There is a decent amount of wear to the finish overall, especially on the lower part of the face and on the rims. There is a small area of plywood crunched in on the top edge by the bridge, no other damage or repair. The back of the neck has some general wear and dents but the finish is mostly intact and frets and action are excellent. The pickguard, truss rod cover, klunk switch lever and wooden bridge are repros; pickups, electronics, tuners, tailpiece, knobs and rosewood fingerrest are original. A good gigging Harmony bass now 50 years old, well played-and still not as beat up as Ronnie Lane's #1 bass in the Small Faces was by 1968! Very Good + Condition.