Harmony H-22 Model Electric Bass Guitar (1962), made in Chicago, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body. maple neck with rosewood fingerboard.
One of the 1960s' finest bass bargains, the Harmony H-22 "Hi Value" Electric Bass retailed originally at $99.50 and was the Chicago company's first bass guitar offering. The H-22 was officially introduced in Harmony's 1962 catalog, it remained pretty much the same into the late '60s when the body design was altered to a double cutaway.
This 1962 bass is from the first year of production and features a lightweight flat-topped fully hollow body mounting one excellent sounding DeArmond pickup down by the neck. The neck itself is thick but comfortable, with a 30" scale dot-inlaid rosewood fingerboard. This 1962 bass has the early-style block rosewood tailpiece, covered by a chrome handrest (that incidentally was originally designed for Gibson steel guitars in the 1930s!).
The bass' 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 "klunk" switch that works with the tone control for instant tone modification from dark to "baritone".
The H-22 was used extensively in the mid-1960s 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 1960s, the H-22 has recently again become a much-used and sought-after item with new generations of players discovering its quirky charm, extremely easy handling, and excellent sonic qualities.
Overall length is 44 1/2 in. (113 cm.), 15 5/8 in. (39.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 2 in. (5.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 in. (762 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
This bass is nicely original with some general wear and remains a very good-playing example. The only hardware alteration is new strap buttons (originally rather fragile plastic), and the wooden tailpiece block is a very clean repro, and it is actually hidden under the cover anyway! Overall the bass shows some moderately light play wear, with small dings and scrapes overall; the most notable finish loss is to the back of the neck and headstock edges. Two of the tuner shafts are a bit bent but fully functional. The neck feels nicely played-in with much of the color coat worn through but the sealer intact. This is a very good player's example, newly refretted, making this one of the best-playing H-22s we have had. Excellent - Condition.
