Harmony H-22 Electric Bass Guitar (1971)
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Item # 9895
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Harmony H-22 Model Electric Bass Guitar (1971), made in Chicago, serial # 4280H22-1, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, hard shell 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. This particular bass is a very late example of the H-22 from 1971, the next-to-last year of production. There is one major change from earlier models, a double-cutaway body in place of the earlier singlecut style but the rest of the design remains pretty much unchanged. Other minor variations are the sunburst finish has a bit more red in it than 1960's examples, and there is a second wooden "tug bar" added above the pickup.
The very lightweight flat-topped fully hollow body features one excellent sounding DeArmond pickup down by the neck. This is controlled by tone and volume knobs and a tone-modification two-position "Klunk" switch, a dubious addition at the best of times and not doing anything on this bass. The neck is round-backed comfortable, with a 30" scale dot-inlaid rosewood fingerboard and -- unlike many budget basses -- a truss rod that actually works. The bass's most distinctive cosmetic feature is the large white plastic off-center "batwing" pickguard, which gives it an unmistakable look
The H-22 was the model used extensively in the mid-late 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. This late double-cutaway example is a much rarer find than the fairly common 1960's models, as by 1971 it seemed like a somewhat "dated' design. In recent years the H-22 has become a much 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 3/4 in. (40 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.).
This bass is overall well preserved and has received a recent overhaul to ensure it is a first class player. The fingerboard has been trued and refretted and the truss rod replaced so playability is as good as it gets. All parts are original and complete except for the strap buttons and some minor internal wiring. The pickup and electronics are the original components; only the "klunk" lever switch looks to have been rewired several times and is not functional. As originally wired this only acts as a tone control bypass at the best of times, so it does not really affect the bass in any useful way.
The body finish has some minor loss from chipping loss around the body and headstock edges and neck pocket. There are some small dings and scratches to the finish overall and minor "curly cord burn" spots on the back but no serious play wear. The upper edge of the headstock has most of the finish chipped off, and there is some "hanger burn" on the lower edges from sitting too long in a rubberized yoke. While not cosmetically perfect this bass is a truly excellent player and a nice example of the rarer final version of the H-22, probably the most sought-after of vintage "budget" basses. As a bonus it comes in a well-fitted high-grade modern hardshell case. Excellent Condition.
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. This particular bass is a very late example of the H-22 from 1971, the next-to-last year of production. There is one major change from earlier models, a double-cutaway body in place of the earlier singlecut style but the rest of the design remains pretty much unchanged. Other minor variations are the sunburst finish has a bit more red in it than 1960's examples, and there is a second wooden "tug bar" added above the pickup.
The very lightweight flat-topped fully hollow body features one excellent sounding DeArmond pickup down by the neck. This is controlled by tone and volume knobs and a tone-modification two-position "Klunk" switch, a dubious addition at the best of times and not doing anything on this bass. The neck is round-backed comfortable, with a 30" scale dot-inlaid rosewood fingerboard and -- unlike many budget basses -- a truss rod that actually works. The bass's most distinctive cosmetic feature is the large white plastic off-center "batwing" pickguard, which gives it an unmistakable look
The H-22 was the model used extensively in the mid-late 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. This late double-cutaway example is a much rarer find than the fairly common 1960's models, as by 1971 it seemed like a somewhat "dated' design. In recent years the H-22 has become a much 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 3/4 in. (40 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.).
This bass is overall well preserved and has received a recent overhaul to ensure it is a first class player. The fingerboard has been trued and refretted and the truss rod replaced so playability is as good as it gets. All parts are original and complete except for the strap buttons and some minor internal wiring. The pickup and electronics are the original components; only the "klunk" lever switch looks to have been rewired several times and is not functional. As originally wired this only acts as a tone control bypass at the best of times, so it does not really affect the bass in any useful way.
The body finish has some minor loss from chipping loss around the body and headstock edges and neck pocket. There are some small dings and scratches to the finish overall and minor "curly cord burn" spots on the back but no serious play wear. The upper edge of the headstock has most of the finish chipped off, and there is some "hanger burn" on the lower edges from sitting too long in a rubberized yoke. While not cosmetically perfect this bass is a truly excellent player and a nice example of the rarer final version of the H-22, probably the most sought-after of vintage "budget" basses. As a bonus it comes in a well-fitted high-grade modern hardshell case. Excellent Condition.