HARMONY GUITARS AUSTRALIA
Established in 1892 and considered one of the world’s most beloved musical and guitar-making companies, Harmony is remembered by many guitar players as their first instrument in their lifelong voyage into music. There was a point in time when Harmony Musical Instrument Company was actually the biggest musical instrument manufacturer in the USA, mass-producing smaller acoustic guitars, violins, banjos and mandolins.
Up until around the middle 70s, Harmony Guitars produced more musical instruments than any other musical instrument company in existence, and today we honour the Harmony Musical Instrument Company legacy with a rejuvenated lineup of guitars that are inspired by history but designed for the future.
HARMONY GUITARS EARLY YEARS
Harmony guitars have always been capable of good workmanship, but the company never set out to compete with manufacturers like D’Angelicos, Gibson, Gretsch or Fender Guitars. Harmony-built guitars were designed for first times players' at affordable price points. Saying that Harmony-made guitars were often played by game-changing musicians. To name a few, Howlin Wolf, Elmore James, Elvis, Big Joe Williams, Ritchie Valens, The Stones, The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach, Small Faces and many others.
At that time, Chicago was a leading manufacturing town due to its location and railroad lines, and also because it's near to the Mississippi River, letting Harmony distributed across the entire country.
By 1915 Harmony Musical Instrument was the world's largest ukulele manufacturer - and in 1916, was purchased by retail giants SEARS to take over the Ukulele market. By 1930 Harmony was making over 500,000 instruments each year across guitars, banjos and mandolins. In 1940, Harmony's head, Kraus had a dispute with SEARS management, and he left the company. But cleverly, he then bought ample stock to independently renew the company. A new era in Harmony's history began and between 1940 to 1975 Harmony sold a crazy 10 million guitars, with a massive range of products.
Many of the electric guitars made from the 50s to 60s came with three DeArmond pickups, including DeArmond Custom gold foil humbuckers pickups, most with individual volume and tone controls. For the money, these were quite lovely instruments with their own distinctive sound from how they were built and the unique pickups they used.
One interesting fact, when Fender was attempting to move into the acoustic guitar market, the first acoustic line in their catalogue was actually made by Harmony, just with Fender on the headstock. In 1975 Harmony Guitars sold the name, and closed their doors.
HARMONY GUITARS TODAY
There are more than nostalgic reasons to consider picking up a new Harmony guitar, In 2018 Harmony was re-launched by a Singapore-based company called Band-Lab Technologies, and Harmony Guitars are still being produced in America at Kalamazoo, Michigan. Harmony instruments have never been better to play or quality-wise, so it's no surprise we’ve seen a resurgence and lots of Aussie guitar players picking them up!
CURRENT HARMONY MODELS
Beautifully made in Kalamazoo Michigan, these double cutaway guitar feature premium timbers, sort after nitrocellulose paint, locking machine heads for reliable tuning, and absolutely amazing sounding pickups. Inspired by the past, and designed for present players who want something a little different, Harmony guitars are here to stay. All of the Harmony range also comes with a MONO Vertigo bag!
The Harmony Rebel features genuine mahogany, famous for its deep and warm sound qualities, and has a stunning neck finish, which has been specially sourced for this guitar. A “C” Shape Neck Profile and neck material is used, as a favourite with professional and beginner guitarists alike, this C shape neck profile offers all the versatility you need for any playing style. Harmony has worked hard on every feature, even the fret size is enjoyable for players of all skill levels.
With a contoured body, every section of the Harmony Rebel guitar is crafted for superior comfort and playability. Some Harmony fans see this as the perfect guitar for so many styles. With one master volume pot and one master tone pot, and a 3-way toggle switch with an orange drop capacitor, the tonal possibilities are immense. You can get in phase sounds, and out of phase sounds.
Much sort-after Nitrocellulose Lacquer body finish gives deep hues and a stunning glossy sheen that ages beautifully. The guitars will age its lifetime and your playing. Premium Hardware includes a custom half-bridge with perfectly compensated saddles. This takes your tone to another level, while the custom cupcake knobs reflect Harmony's iconic history.
Harmony Gold Foil Humbuckers have been custom-voiced and hand-wound, our pickups deliver precise, articulate and well-balanced sound. The professional’s choice, a MONO Vertigo case comes free with every Harmony Rebel.
Harmony Silhouette Electric Guitar
Made in Kalamazoo Michigan factory, with many features of the Harmony Rebel, the Harmony Silhouette guitars feature superb timbers, nitrocellulose paint, locking machine heads and brilliant sounding, versatile pickups. Like all of the Harmony range, the Harmony Silhouette also features a MONO Vertigo bag!
Harmony Jupiter Electric Guitar
Harmony has an extensive history in guitars manufacturing, dating way back in 1892. The Rebel, Jupiter and Silhouette models are all American made in Kalamazoo Michigan, featuring fantastic timbers, nitrocellulose paint, locking machine heads and amazing-sounding pickups. The Harmony Jupiter also comes standard with a MONO Vertigo bag!
The Harmony Juno is what we all imagined a small body, parlor style guitar would be — compact with a resonate feel, vibe and sound. Electric parlor guitar designs don't get much sweeter, and the Harmony Juno comes in a number of guitar finish options. It's the perfect electric guitar for the couch or travelling, with its warm, well-rounded and acoustic-like tone - circa. 1935 HARMONY parlour guitar. It has a genuine mahogany body, is lightweight, perfectly balanced sitting or on a strap and comfortable in your hands. With a pair of hand-wound gold foil P90 pickups, the Harmon Juno has warm, rich harmonics that sing with clean, or overdriven sounds.
HARMONY GUITARS MELBOURNE
If you're looking for a Harmony Rebel, Harmony Silhouette, Harmony Jupiter or convenient size Harmony Juno, just head down to Coleman's music in Melbourne CBD or Lynbrook to try one - or order online for fast, free delivery to your door in no time!
