The Harmony H22 bass is one of those instruments that made history. Despite being a budget model, it was a great guitar. Soundwise it was comparable to the Gibson EB2, or Epiphone rivoli, but available at a fraction of the cost.
1960s budget guitars were very much better than the mass-produced budget offerings of today. The H22 featured a laminated top, back, bolt-on maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and is only really let down by its cheap looking plastic knobs, and too-small guitar style tuning pegs. The electronics feature a passive DeArmond pickup, volume and tone controls, and a 'bass enhancer' switch that really makes this instrument rumble. The Harmony company was based in Chicago illinois where the H22 was manufactured. The company was disbanded in 1975, having produced thousands of instruments for itself and other companies. Played By (amongst others) Ronnie Lane (Small Faces, Faces), Muff Winwood (Spencer Davis Group) and many more. Ronnie also used an Epiphone Rivoli, and the more expensive Harmony H27, yet still can be seen playing the H22 throughout the 1960s. |
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