Hollow body basses were very fashionable in the mid 1960s. Gibson re-released the EB2 in 1964 (after a break of three years), with the two pickup EB2D coming in 1966. This was also the launch year of Fenders hollow body offering the Coronado bass. Guild put out the Starfire also in 1964, with their two-pickup version appearing in 1967. So the Harmony H27 was well placed amongst its competitors, offering one and two pickup models as early as anyone else. Production continued until at least 1972, but the heyday of this bass was most definately in the 1960s.
The H27 first appeared in the 1966 Harmony catalogue, along with a new solid body model the H25. The H22 had been available since 1961, and in many ways, the H27 was a deluxe version of the H22 (though more like 1969-1972 H22/1, which had the same double-cutaway body shape). Both models had the same 30 inch scale, laminated maple top, back and sides, rosewood fingerboard, De Armond 'Golden Tone' pickups (however the H27 had two to the H22s one). Other than the cosmetic differences of the shell pattern celluloid headstock, the H27 also had an upgraded metal bridge (to the H22s floating rosewood bridge)
The table below compares the H27 with some of its American-built competitors; the Fender Coronado, Gibson EB2, Guild Starfire, and Gretsch Country Gentleman. It is certainly cheaper than all the other semis, but of comparible price to a typical solid body, such as the Gibson EB0, or Fender precision
There were of course other brands worldwide making semi-acoustic electric basses at this time; Vox, Eko, Kent, Framus, Hagstrom, Rickenbacker to name but a few
Harmony H27 - Harmonys Fine Electric Guitars
"With DeArmond designed unconditionally guaranteed electronics - There are none better - in responsiveness - in dependability - in value"
1967 Ad for the following thinline electric guitars: H72, H72V, H79, H70, H74, H77, H78 and the H27 electric bass. |
Prices above come from the Harmony 1966 catalogue, Gibson price list 1-4-66, Fender price list 1-2-66, Guild price list 11-66, Gretsch price list 11-66
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