I was NOT Expecting This! - The SURPRISING guitar from Harmony
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ส.ค. 2024
- Guitars that can genuinely surprise me don't come around that often, but this one did!
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This Harmony was not what I was expecting - but in a good way!
Enjoy :)
Guitar info/link - sweetwater.sjv.io/VmbAdA
very clean lines & love the bridge pickup particularly. What amp did you use?
Hopefully you an get a hold of their amps too test. The Harmony 6 look great in that blue wrap with vintage white look for a classy look and the 8418 mini amp looks cool to have on a desk by the computer for recording
Thanks Darrell! 👍😁
Makes me want to give my 1950's Harmony Acoustic a tune up!
My Stepfather gave it to me in 1969 to take lessons on. 👍
The action was a bit tough for 8 year old hands! 😬
Hope you have a Nice summer Eh!
Mike in San Diego. 🌞🎸🚀🖖
It's pretty bro
These are made by Heritage Guitar and are really nice.
Good to know. Thanks for the info.
I was wondering if they were because the address is the same as Heritage and the webpage look similar but they have a added name Vista Musical Instruments. I am interested in their amps. The amps look nice and the retro mini amp would look great on a desk for recording
I was not aware of that; nice!
Kalamazoo, Michigan 😎
@@srwaite7 The old Gibson factory.
That guitar is beautiful, has that 50"s retro feel. Love it!
I purchased the Harmony Comet about 8 months ago and it is one of my favorite guitars. Made in Kalamazoo with Heritage at the old Gibson plant and have much better quality control than any Gibson I have purchased at 1/2 the price. The fit & finish and overall quality rivals other USA made guitars costing 2~3 times as much. The Harmony is a superb guitar for the money and very comfortable to play.
Play authentic - play Heritage.
@@erickleefeld4883 Harmony is made by Heritage.
Looks and sounds terrific! Great color shape and overall aesthetics and craftsmanship. Kind of a hybrid of a Gretsch, LP Special, and a Tele. I’ll have to put this on my G.A.S. wish list.
I have a Harmony Comet, which is their semi-hollow body and I love everything about it. They are made in the former Gibson factory, yet a third of the price of a new Gibson.
When Darrell showed the back of the headstock, my first thought was.......are these made in the Gibson factory??
These have been around for a few years now. They were re- surfaced after being out of business for many years and are absolutely incredible instruments that are far more affordable than any competitors.
Some unrelated company made some VERY serious (down to making molds of parts and bodies for exact replication) reissues back in the 2000's. Only proof I know of is some NAMM 2008 videos and one demo video of the Ritchie Valens model
Wow! Im glad to see harmony making guitars of this quality. My first guitar was a harmony acoustic that was very difficult to learn on, probably made late 60's. thanks for sharing
Same, late 50's Harmony given to me at age 8 in 1969!😁
I still have it. 🥰
Now if only I would have kept the 2 1969 Camaros I had! 😥
Mike in San Diego. 🌞🎸🚀🖖
Yeah; I’m like 99% sure it’s a completely different company. I think the defunct brand was purchased by a corporation who then set up new production. But yeah; it’s nice to see some quality stuff from them.
These are made by Heritage now.
Hi Darrell, great to see a uniquely spec’d guitar which ticks all the boxes. The blue colour is infectious with colour changes under lights. Great review. Cheers ✌️🎸
The Tim Pierce video about these is great..and he integrated it in context Wirth a song, the mix, and a lesson.
Wow, so impressed and happy to see another great demo!
My very first guitar was a Harmony double-cut hollowbody electric, circa 1971. Avocado green! Also available that year in Harvest gold, just like electrical appliances of that era.
I passed it on to my nephew and it now resides with my brother-in-law who keeps it as a memento.
This model is light-years beyond my first guitar! Didn't realize Harmony was still in business.
My first guitar was a Harmany Rocket. I got it in 1989 for $65 with a gibson Amp. Wish I still had it.
@@ButterbeanThe I know the feeling!
Love your channel Darrell! Tell me, what are the main reasons you consistently knock on the smaller "dime" sized pots? When you use quality pots with good tapers, the size really doesn't matter. In fact, open up most high end amps, there are good chances you'll find the smaller pots because of space considerations. Again, many quality effect pedals use small pots with little impact on audio quality.
I can't speak for Darrell, but for me the smaller pots usually aren't very smooth and/or are tough to turn. You are right that quality pots are made in all sizes, but for me it's always been a feel thing when I go to work the volume or tone knobs. Seems like the larger pots are made with guitars in mind while the smaller ones are made for a broader use of application. Just a guess, but that's the difference I notice.
I've wondered about that too. From an electrical standpoint, most passive pickups don't generate much more than 1V peak to peak. The power requirement for potentiometers for that small of a signal would be very low (dime size pots are more than adequate). The value of the pots and the tone capacitor are going to make a much bigger difference in tone than the physical size of the pot.
Holy crap. Those tones are incredible.
These have been on my radar since Harmony was relaunched! Me likey!!
The gold pick up detail on the pups reminds me of one of my first guitars I got back in the mid 70s. It was a 60s Harmony Rocket electric hollow body. A neighbor gave me that and an EKO strat copy when the moved. One night in the studio I got pissed about something with it and smashed it off a column and trashed it. I was young, a little drunk and regretted it as soon as it shattered. I really loved that thing. Nice to see some new stuff, I am going to have to try one out.
Thanks Darryl I've been waiting for you to review the Harmony USA Kalamazoo made guitars, being that I purchased the Harmony model "Juno" with gold foil p-90 pickups 3 months ago and I must say that I'm very satisfied and happy with it. This review assures me even more so that I made a good choice.
You influence me greatly whenever I purchase guitars and guitar related equipment. You are without doubt my #1 guitar reviewing TH-cam podcaster.
I'm thinking about purchasing a D'angelico baritone guitar in the near future. Would love to see you review it.
Btw... you're guitar playing is always phenomenal and highlights extraordinarily well the features no matter what guitar you're reviewing.
Keep up the good work! 👍🏿
My very first guitar was a 1988 harmony strat. I miss that guitar!
Do you want mine? I’ll make you a deal. Probably not worth the price of shipping, though.
So many guitars with beautiful colors.
The fact that Darrell was expecting the body to be "three to four pieces laminated together" for the $1,500 price point says a lot about how the industry has changed the last five years or so. I bought a brand new American-made Fender Strat (with custom shop pups) for $900 in 2014 and now we're shocked to get a decent guitar anywhere under a grand. Unless you're willing to buy one of those Chinese-made guitars that are all over Amazon or sites like that it's a tough time to be a musician.
@@stopdrunkdriving1061 Nobody is hyping junk and the asian guitars are cut on the same machinery as american guitars. Guitar building is not rocket science and if a guitar feels good, plays well and sounds good it doesn't matter where it is made or what is on the headstock. Hell, there has never been a better time for musicians! 🎸🤘
It’s a sum of both of your arguments.
Agreed the quality for price has MASSIVELY dipped at the mid/upper end.
But the lower end market has improved it’s consistency, and the 90% of factors that matter to a well functioning instrument are easy to produce.
So the bottom end of the market has gotten more expensive and better quality. And the upper end of the market is more expensive and worse quality.
It’s a poor time to be a guitarist because the dream instruments are out of reach for most people now. And the stuff we would have seen for 600-800 quid pre-covid is now 1500 (previously entry premium)
It’s a great time to be a guitarist because affordable instruments are much more consistent and actually usable. Some punching above their price points!
It’s mostly just a different time to be a musician.
I would argue the worst change is a lack of shops and music culture present in (from my perspective) the uk. Forced to buy online and live a rarified existence.
@@Tiptronics I hear you👍 Especially your last point is so true! Where i beg to differ, is 'dreamguitars'! Not everyone considers the same guitars as dreamguitars and, out of experience, i have been disapointed having dreamt of a guitar ( being quite obsessed...) and when i finally got a hold of one could not feel it or bond!
@@gearViewmirror sure - but what are the chances that your dream guitar is going to be a 350 quid instrument?
A majority of people, myself included, would dream of a custom “big brand” guitar. Or even boutique and luthier - anything you pick as dream guitar worthy - top shelf highest quality - will be over 2k minimum now - heading towards 4-5 k with some of the big brands.
By all means you do you - but if we took a poll of all guitarists, money no object, you would see data skewing towards fender, gibson, PRS - with other brands trailing.
So there is no need to disagree with my point just to have something to add.
I’m not saying you NEED a dream instrument, and i’m not even talking about satisfaction level when you get there (if you struggle to afford it, your mind will be on the money, people’s purchase satisfaction is based in value, the value return on a premium instrument is low, and thus the “disconnection” and inability to enjoy)
The point is - for most people, the guitar they dreamed of - if even mildly a western made instrument - is now out of their reach.
All good points but I counter by pointing out that late 90s Mexico fender Strats are good gits getting vintage and can be had all day long for like $500
Used Gibson SG Special with mini buckers are around $8-900.
Until guitar companies can give a reasonable instrument for a reasonable price Id buy used…… Joe Bonnamassa buys up the old ones with $$$$ he makes shilling cheapo epiphones….
Thats ehy this Harmony seems a breath of freash air in todays climate
I will be checking these out. Thanks Darrell
Nice to see the Harmony name back in business even if just for nostalgic reasons. I own a Harmony Opus Jumbo acoustic, a model that never saw the marketplace. Top end construction and sounds like a Gibson Hummingbird. I snagged it at a store in Ann Arbor in '81, the owner just coming back with 30 of them at auction, for just over $300 w/ case. A steal to be sure. This Thinline sounds excellent. Glad there's an American Made component to the production. Great review Darrell
Love your reviews. I always learn something. This time I learned that $1300 is a reasonably priced guitar.😮
I did not know that!
Yeah not for me, thanks.
That's not reasonably priced.
You mean $1500
@@ricotinez
Nope: $1300 at GC & MF. Today.
@@GorgeousRoddyChrome Neither of those retailers carry the Jupiter Thinline. GC has the Jupiter for 1300. This video is about the Thinline.
Funky bridge…that threw me.
Thnx Darrell for all the work you do. Awesome come back
I've seen much more expensive popular brands with the same hardware and electronic issues and much less precision on the neck. I appreciate your honesty.
~ you overlooked a spec...neck radius 🤔
I have the Harmony Rebel and it head stock dives too but I still love it.
my juno as well. just use a cloth strap and no problem!
Would love to have one. But, Harmony's prices are a little much for me. I got my diangelico for 800. So I'll be fine without for a very long time.
Wow! Darrel, very nice find, & from an underrated American Co. I'm genuinely pleased that I caught this upload.
I was on Harmony website and found the Jupiter Phat Cat Edition. This guitar is really great! Please show this guitar in your video.
😊🤘
These new Harmonys are a stupidly good value given the specs. I have a Comet and the hype is real!
I agree. I got the original Jupiter a couple of years ago and compare it to the similar price point American Pro telecaster. The harmony is built of arguably better materials, with a nitro finish to boot.
@@ghalston5641 Reviewers also kind of ignore the Mono bag in their reviews, but that should be emphasized. That's a $250, best in class, soft case, not a flimsy gig bag. So, really, it's a $1250 guitar, an even crazier good deal!
I have a Juno and I absolutely love it. It's simple, but people don't need as much as they think.
Looks nice, but 1100 and 1500 are very different numbers for me...
PRS S2 Vela made in USA, same price range. Not saying it is better or worse but there are other guitars made in the USA in this Price Range.
Love the design, the minimalism
That middle position sounds so dreamy!
My first acoustic guitar, 1976, was a Harmony from Sears: $40. It was my *only* acoustic guitar until I got a Sigma Martin in 1984. Intonation wasn't adjustable and lacked much to be desired, so I had to play it weirdly to keep things in tune. But I made it work. It's in neglected shape today and not really worth salvaging. Still can't believe it was so cheap, though, or that I did my best with it for so many years. I recovered some old cassette recordings a few weeks back and, honestly, it's amazing what I could do with that old junky guitar.
I want one of these Harmonys so much. My hitchhiking companion in the 90s was an old Harmony Sovereign that had a beautiful voice. Poor thing cracked in half on the bus from Portland to Minneapolis in the middle of winter. My first good acoustic was a 60s Gibson, probably made in the same factory that these Harmonys are now made in. I just can't decide between this and the red Juno.
Cool, did not know they were presently made for real.
Return of the classic
Sounds great! Great playing!
I saw when harmony kind of relaunched itself and was really digging the guitars. My first guitar was a harmony strat copy and it was on loan to someone when their house burnt down, so I am seriously considering saving up for one of these knowing it will be a good guitar.
Around this price point, maybe akin to Reverend (locking tuners, high end parts), but they make their guitars overseas and do final QC and setup in Ohio.
Darell such a nice smart guy.
Wow that’s bang for the buck and really nice looking.
Seems almost too good to be true! Now I want to buy one!!!
Hmm I like it. I have superlight guitars and for my disability, they are perfect
old gibson factory line owned by heritage who makes these. got a lil rocknroll heritage in em probably still one old guy in there from the gibson era
Sounds like a Strat/Tele combo
Harmony guitars are the frankenstein monster but in a good wey. I have the rebel and it have everything i love from gibson and fender in one guitar. Bolt on neck, mahogany body, tele saddle, simple electronics, those gold foil pickups etc. Its like they design guitar especially for me.
Hi Darrell,
Please do not use reverb for tone check.
From my experience, reverb is needed to compensate something different...
That's a nice tone out of that guitar!
The pickups and line has been designed by Edwin Wilson (ex Gibson Custom Shop head)
I have a Harmony rebel and it is one of my favorite guitars in my lineup!
I think harmony and heritage are related in some way like ownership or something but i could be wrong
Would like to see a comparison between the Harmony and, say, the Gibson Studio, which is around the same price. How about an overall discussion of quality, tone, playability and value vs brand name. What is the value of, perhaps, a poorer quality Gibson or Fender compared to Harmony or even Sire?
I really like your reviews-ok I'm biased-just got one myself-but PLAY THE THING-ROCK IT OUT and show how much it growls! If this was from the big 'G' would be twice as much, and not the same level of QC!
I* enjoy your playing better than any other demo guy on the tube
Harmony!
I like the color. If the give it to the Comet and bind the F holes that’d be sweet
Looks like a telecaster and an LP had a kid! Looks cool! Too bad they couldn't put a truss rod adjustment wheel at the bottom of the neck as up at the headstock, with no convolute at the joint, there a weak point where the neck meets the headstock due to the deep route for the truss rod... I will say it sounds fantastic on all switch positions and fit and finish seem pretty flawless! Thanks for sharing!
I think they are excellent guitars but the $1.5k price tag just makes them IN the correct price range.
They are not cheaper than one would expect, given the specs.
I guess harmony is the only my sponsor in the channel remaining
I've really been wanting to try a Harmony. They are like a hybrid of a Danelectro, Gibson and Fender. I think they've very cool, and different.
Looks and sounds fantastic
Love that design
Heritage are superb and expensive. This one sounds GREAT. Made in Michigan?
They should adjust/reduce the chamber to avoid neck dive. Other than that cool guitar.
Love this guitar. Sounds and looks great. I want it.
$1,400 isn't exactly a bargin brand ... it does seem to be a nice guitar, but nothing I'd rush out to spend $1,400 to get one.
It's a nice guitar for the money, Darrell, but I'm just taken aback by the new PRS NF-53 & PRS Myles Kennedy T-Style guitars. The set of narrow field deep dish humbuckers on the NF-53 are designed to produce a powerful Tele single coil sound without the distortion. The guitar sounds and looks fabulous! 😻 I'd love to see you review at least one or both of these great guitars from PRS.
The double cut semi hollow is my favorite guitar....
He is right i cant believe that it looks like a guitar and plays like a guitar my mind is blown
Great tones! I love it........Sal : )
Verrrry nice.. Looks great
There is no way my wife is going to let me get all these sweet guitars you show off !😂
Loose the wife,
nice tone man
Darrell is like Vanna White he just loves to spin guitars and be like "Voila!"
Nice. Love the color.
Thats a nice n clean design, does the scratch plate act as access for the pickups? Love the no rings approach, truly stunning guitar.
Nicely done as ever sir.
Very nice guitar...Agufish said they were made in the old Gibson factory by Heretage. Is that a fact?
I watch all your videos. Really enjoy tem. Don't comment enough I'll work on that. Just wanted to say thx. Haveva great weekend
Hope you have a great weekend too!
Looks and sounds great and nice video as usual. I just don't understand why anyone needs a top glued to the guitar. Is it to charge more? The work is unnecessary in my opinion. Take care
Maple is common....looks nice if grain is visible (incl flame, etc.)....and if thick enough, supposedly brightens tone in a good way...supposedly.
it is a chambered body. the only way to do that is have a top, or a back!
Really beautiful guitar but I don't care for the sound of the pickups. Thanks DB 😎👍💯🎸🎸
Cool guitar! Kind of gives me a Danelectro vibe.
The best upgrade is the mini humbucker in the neck. Although the regular humbucker of the solid body is to die for. Solid body weighs only 6,93 lbs. Theres no reason to chamber imo
Hi Darell, thank you very much for this great review, have you checked the harmony amps like the H620 wich is very cheap and seems to be very good? Thanks again!
It must be me the anesthetic seems bland to me for so e reason I can't explain it. Maybe a bigsby and a Pearloid guard would help?
I like the regular Jupiter but the colors suck, thinline has a nice cherry red I like
Nice review but I really wish you would include the nut width in your videos. Big hands = wide nuts!
Just when I said no more guitars every guitar company comes out with the coolest models I have seen.
Bigsby would correct the neck dive and in the process, sell me a gee-tar!
Love your reviews. Do you ever do esp/ltd guitars???
Man you have to check out SZ guitars , they are made in Argentina and they are totally Unique !
1500 dollars on their website- not sure about reasonable 😅
don't be so surprised. I've had a Harmony Master from 61' for about twenty yrs. After resetting & straightening the neck, fret crowning, and repairing several cracks along f-holes, it has become my main acoustic jazz & folk guitar. Don't know what modern Harmony guitars are like, but they've been around since 1892. Must be doing something right
Looks like Les Paul and Tele...had a Love child....Very nice best of both DNA....😎
There is a couple people left who made the 59 Gibson's possibly and they are making these
Did you mention the neck shape and fretboard radius? I must’ve missed it if so.
Killer guitar. I got all excited for a minute... esp with you saying it's a super affordable guitar. Then I clicked the Link. LOL Looks like $1,500 bucks ? Not what I would call a super affordable guitar... especially in today's environment of budget guitars. I'm sure it's killer. But I'm out. I can' justify spending that on a guitar.
All I heard was that it is affordably priced in view of the high quality it offers. Even if the words "super-affordable" were used, that would just be subjective opinion. I have friends that never spend over $500 for a guitar and others that would NEVER spend that little. Choice is a good thing my friend, let the prices fall where they may.
For a USA made high quality guitar, it’s a decent price.