Harmony H-22 Model Electric Bass Guitar (1967), made in Chicago, serial # 3914H22, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original grey chipboard case.
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. The H-22 was officially introduced in Harmony's 1962 catalog, it remained pretty much the same into the late '60's when the body design was altered to a double cutaway. This 1967-made bass 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 one has the later single-piece tailpiece unit, otherwise it is identical to earlier models. 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 "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-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 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.). Clean Clean Clean! This is a super nice all-original bass with very little wear and tear overall-a few tiny finish dings and scrapes and a bit of curly cord burn on the back and side of the lower cutaway horn, that's about it. All original finish and hardware, complete including oft-missing parts like the eccentric pickguard, rosewood finger rest, plastic strap buttons and lever "clunk" switch. A superb player, set up with older flatwound strings for the classic H-22 look and sound. Includes the hard-to-find original chipboard case. Excellent + Condition.
