I have a "Fender" badged Stella like the one I bought in 1969 for $29 USD new. When the Harmony guitar company was going under Fender jumped in to give them a contract to create a line of beginner guitars as a promo. I knew so little about guitars and felt I was a big shot because I had a "Fender". I had it for 8 years before it got damaged beyond repair during a move. When I went to replace it they were no longer available and the Harmony guitar company was gone forever. Decades later I saw one bolted to the wall of an Applebee's restaurant as part of their retro decor. I went home, googled it looking for this lost "Fender" guitar, and found one online. I bought it. It is in primo condition I love the sound of that aged solid birch axe. I've had several guitars come into my life Martins, Washburns, etc but bringing one of these back into my home has been a delight. I love it as much as I loved my first.
I recently Nashville strung that same axe. So cool! Im the same age as you. The only Harmonies I played back when were considered junk. We had a few in jr high in the music class that were decent. It wasnt until a few years ago I realized how great they play and that solid wood tone is something else you dont see much any more. I now have nearly 100 various Harmony guitars!
Hi! Just bought a Stella today and it is the same as your mother’s. It’s an H927. Your mother’s is the exact twin to mine in every detail that I can see (no stickers though!) Thanks for teaching me about my new guitar.
Just seeing this now, but I gotta comment. Cool video, the beginning with your mother's history with the guitar right down to very bittersweet end in which you pay tribute to your friend that appears to have tragically died way too soon. My history with Harmony guitars actually predates me, as it does for you. In my case, Dad was the guitar player, and he owned Harmony made guitars from at least the 1940s on through the 1960s. Dad was born in 1932, and his father played guitar as well. I have a picture somewhere of my Granddad playing a Regal "parlor" in the early 1920s, with his brother on banjo, but I digress. I also have picture of Dad in his late teens with his twin brother (also a guitar player, but he was on mandolin that day), showing him playing a really small Harmony-made Supertone (Sears brand name) model made in the 1930s known as "The Prep." I wasn't born until 1953, so I never laid eyes or hands on that guitar. Fast-forward to 1961, and Dad bought a Stella H929. I believe it was the first year that Harmony put a pickguard on them, that year it was a white plastic one screwed onto the top of the guitar. The headstock, if I recall correctly, had the star but not the name "Harmony" underneath "Stella." This was the first guitar I ever plunked around on. (It would be inaccurate to call what I was doing back then "playing.") A few years later, Dad bought a Harmony Archtone, the entry-level archtop, model #H1213. When I began in earnest to learn to play, that was the guitar I was using. (Oh, BTW, I'm left-handed, too, but I play "right.") After about 6 months or so, Dad bought an electric guitar, a used Harmony H19 Silhouette, for me to play, and my kid brother after me. I've owned two Harmony guitars of my own: one was a mid-1960s all mahogany flat top, #H165. That I gave to my grandchildren. The Harmony I still own (and will never sell or part with) is a Broadway H954 archtop. It boasts an "F-53" date stamp, so it's my "birthyear" guitar. Speaking of date stamps, I noticed that you follow the conventional understanding that says the "S" stood for "Spring" and the "F" stood for "Fall." Have you heard/read of the Chicago factory worker's claim that it meant "First" and "Second"? If you were aware of this, what reasons do you have for sticking with conventional wisdom?
I have one like your guitar in the beginning (down to the fret stencils). I bought it at Fanny’s House of Music in Nashville about 5 years ago. It has a slight bow and crack on the resonating side of the body. It’s playable (I play it). I’m considering having it x-braced and repaired, since it’s a little mojo machine.
I bought one just like that in unused condition for $100 bucks. It had been under the guys childhood bed since it was bought in 1972. I feel lucky even though its not a super high end guitar.
I have a "Fender" badged Stella like the one I bought in 1969 for $29 USD new. When the Harmony guitar company was going under Fender jumped in to give them a contract to create a line of beginner guitars as a promo. I knew so little about guitars and felt I was a big shot because I had a "Fender". I had it for 8 years before it got damaged beyond repair during a move. When I went to replace it they were no longer available and the Harmony guitar company was gone forever. Decades later I saw one bolted to the wall of an Applebee's restaurant as part of their retro decor. I went home, googled it looking for this lost "Fender" guitar, and found one online. I bought it. It is in primo condition I love the sound of that aged solid birch axe. I've had several guitars come into my life Martins, Washburns, etc but bringing one of these back into my home has been a delight. I love it as much as I loved my first.
one day you realized what would fill the void in your life, So you turned to face the night and yelled... STELLA!.... and... scene... CUT!
cut
I recently Nashville strung that same axe. So cool! Im the same age as you. The only Harmonies I played back when were considered junk. We had a few in jr high in the music class that were decent. It wasnt until a few years ago I realized how great they play and that solid wood tone is something else you dont see much any more. I now have nearly 100 various Harmony guitars!
I have the same guitar stamped S-72- ML. No foil label but stamped on the wood inside. So much fun to play.
Just came across this series. I love it thank you for the informative video
My first guitar in 1970 was a Stella Harmony. Like yours mine's gone forever. 😢
Love watching Mr.Jackson do his thing... really precessional,
Thank you sir!
Hi! Just bought a Stella today and it is the same as your mother’s. It’s an H927. Your mother’s is the exact twin to mine in every detail that I can see (no stickers though!) Thanks for teaching me about my new guitar.
I had this exact model - it was my first guitar. I bought it used with money I received for my 15th birthday. I had fun with it but I don't miss it.
Just seeing this now, but I gotta comment. Cool video, the beginning with your mother's history with the guitar right down to very bittersweet end in which you pay tribute to your friend that appears to have tragically died way too soon.
My history with Harmony guitars actually predates me, as it does for you. In my case, Dad was the guitar player, and he owned Harmony made guitars from at least the 1940s on through the 1960s.
Dad was born in 1932, and his father played guitar as well. I have a picture somewhere of my Granddad playing a Regal "parlor" in the early 1920s, with his brother on banjo, but I digress.
I also have picture of Dad in his late teens with his twin brother (also a guitar player, but he was on mandolin that day), showing him playing a really small Harmony-made Supertone (Sears brand name) model made in the 1930s known as "The Prep." I wasn't born until 1953, so I never laid eyes or hands on that guitar.
Fast-forward to 1961, and Dad bought a Stella H929. I believe it was the first year that Harmony put a pickguard on them, that year it was a white plastic one screwed onto the top of the guitar. The headstock, if I recall correctly, had the star but not the name "Harmony" underneath "Stella." This was the first guitar I ever plunked around on. (It would be inaccurate to call what I was doing back then "playing.")
A few years later, Dad bought a Harmony Archtone, the entry-level archtop, model #H1213. When I began in earnest to learn to play, that was the guitar I was using. (Oh, BTW, I'm left-handed, too, but I play "right.") After about 6 months or so, Dad bought an electric guitar, a used Harmony H19 Silhouette, for me to play, and my kid brother after me.
I've owned two Harmony guitars of my own: one was a mid-1960s all mahogany flat top, #H165. That I gave to my grandchildren. The Harmony I still own (and will never sell or part with) is a Broadway H954 archtop. It boasts an "F-53" date stamp, so it's my "birthyear" guitar.
Speaking of date stamps, I noticed that you follow the conventional understanding that says the "S" stood for "Spring" and the "F" stood for "Fall." Have you heard/read of the Chicago factory worker's claim that it meant "First" and "Second"? If you were aware of this, what reasons do you have for sticking with conventional wisdom?
Justo tengo esa parlor de tu juventud…con 60 años a cuestas.. su sonido me encanta. Y aspecto lookool 🤙🏼🎼
A friend of my grandmother's gave me her old Stella Harmony that I've been fixing. Mine says ML!
I have one like your guitar in the beginning (down to the fret stencils). I bought it at Fanny’s House of Music in Nashville about 5 years ago. It has a slight bow and crack on the resonating side of the body. It’s playable (I play it). I’m considering having it x-braced and repaired, since it’s a little mojo machine.
I bought one just like that in unused condition for $100 bucks. It had been under the guys childhood bed since it was bought in 1972. I feel lucky even though its not a super high end guitar.
Great channel! Is this guitar (h-6128) made of solid wood also?
good job young man
Thank you sir!
My wife and I own a Harmony Silvertone from 1967.
cool and interesting
I have 4 harmonies 1959 ,1963 and a 1974 classic
I was just given a guitar that looks like what you said your Mom had. Can you help me figure out the year? 5261H9128
Just picked one up for 12 bucks at a thrift store, kinda fun
That's what I'm talking about! Part of the fun is the bargain price...people trying to get over $100 for 'em ruins it for me
@@PinetopJackson yeah, i can agree with that. Going to give it to my friend to start learning on
I have the same Stella that you lost exact same model
Do you know what year that one is we both have or the one you lost?
i have got one... in napoli italy
Awesome! You should make a quick video with it!
I just bought that guitar today you're looking for that looks like your mom's let me know