Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $799
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
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Description
For those looking for a distinctive and versatile electric guitar, meet the Harmony Bobkat. This instrument captures the spirit of vintage American guitars while offering unique features that set it apart. Its vibrant Cherry Red Sunburst finish is a nostalgic nod to classic rock n' roll aesthetics, while the stock vibrato unit adds a special touch, allowing for a wider range of sonic possibilities. This guitar's rounded headstock, similar to the H19's, gives it a distinctive identity in contrast to the angular headstocks of the H14 and H15. With the Harmony Bobkat, you're not just playing an instrument, you're wielding a piece of history with a twist of modern innovation.
Key Features:
- Gloss Cherry Red Sunburst finish
- Stock vibrato unit for added sound versatility
- Rounded headstock shape, distinct from H14 and H15 models
- Part of the wider colorway of the H16 Color Kat
Product specs
| Brand | Harmony |
| Model | H17 Silhouette / Bobkat |
| Finish | Blue, Cherry Red Sunburst, Red, White |
| Year | 1963 - 1973 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Maple |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Tremolo Tailpiece |
| Color Family | Blue, Red, White |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Composite |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Offset Body | Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | SS |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
FAQs
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What kind of pickups does the Harmony Bobkat have?
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The Harmony Bobkat features a single-coil pickup configuration, providing bright and clear tones that are ideal for rock, blues, and surf music.
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Is the Harmony Bobkat suitable for beginners?
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Yes, the Harmony Bobkat is a great choice for beginners due to its comfortable double cutaway design and lightweight maple body, making it easy to handle and play.
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What is the neck profile of the Harmony Bobkat like?
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The Harmony Bobkat has a bolt-on neck construction, offering a smooth playing experience with easy access to the upper frets, ideal for both rhythm and lead playing.
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Does the Harmony Bobkat have a tremolo system?
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Yes, the Harmony Bobkat is equipped with a tremolo tailpiece, allowing for pitch variation and vibrato effects, perfect for adding expression to your playing.
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What are the finish options available for the Harmony Bobkat?
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The Harmony Bobkat is available in several finishes, including Blue, Cherry Red Sunburst, Red, and White, offering a range of aesthetic choices to suit your style.
Videos
The Surfrajettes
Shermy and Nicole's Vintage Harmony Bobkat Rundowns!
Reviews
PROS
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Lightweight and comfortable body perfect for extended play
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Short scale ideal for players seeking a compact guitar
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Unique, vintage aesthetic with a classic 60s vibe
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Gold foil pickups deliver exceptional sound quality
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Versatile tones from warm bluesy to bright and clear
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Perfect for slide and blues styles
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Retains excellent sound quality even after decades
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Great for players seeking a chunky neck and flat fretboard
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Fun to play and has a simple, badass look
CONS
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Often requires significant setup or repair out of the box
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Potential neck issues like twists or high action
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Tremolo and wiring may need adjustments or replacements
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Prices are climbing above reasonable market value
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Harmony Bobkat.
User experience
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Some owners find the short scale and thick neck surprisingly easy to play, especially after a professional setup.
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The goldfoil pickups are praised for their warmth and unique sound, making them ideal for slide and blues music.
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One owner noted that the guitar played perfectly without any fret buzz issues, which is rare for this model.
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Features and functionality
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The vibrato tailpiece is noted for causing pitch instability and is often criticized for its quality.
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Fully cranked 5-watt Fender Champ amps pair well with the Bobkat for achieving a desirable tone.
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The guitar features two volume controls and a switch that toggles between pickups, which can enhance tonal versatility.
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Value and pricing
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Current market trends show increasing prices, with some considering $700 high but not unreasonable for a clean model.
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Comparisons
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The Harmony Bobkat is less versatile and reliable than a Yamaha Pacifica, but offers unique vintage character.
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Build quality
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The bridge is non-compensated and tilted, which can affect intonation, especially beyond the fifth fret.
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Mods and upgrades
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Owners recommend replacing the floating jazz style bridge with a permanent or adjustable bridge for improved intonation.
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Adjustable arch-top guitar bridges, modified to fit, are suggested for better tuning stability.
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Owners have replaced the original wood bridge with a roller bridge to improve performance and sustain.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
In this user-uploaded photo from Whicdn, Ray Toro is seen playing a Harmony Bobkat guitar. The guitar's design is reminiscent of Ibanez Talman and Fender Jazzmaster models.
Sufjan Stevens is playing the Harmony Bobkat during his performance of Impossible Souls live from Ithaca in 2009.
Here, Steve can be seen playing a harmony bobkat throughout the video. This guitar was used throughout the recording of his latest album, and also make an appearance on several songs during his live shows.
I used other guitars besides Dean. I used a Marc Bolan Les Paul with PAF pickups in it and a Joe Bonamassa Signature with [EMG] 57 or 58 humbuckers. I also used my old skull Signature Dean and I used a Fender Strat for soloing. I also used a [Harmony] Bobcat Holiday guitar from 1964 that’s crazy. I found it at Guitar Center. I plugged it into a Mesa Boogie or some version of a Roland Jazz Chorus amp and it was really clean and it was like, “Oh, my god.” I used that on “Love Of the Damned.” I also used a Gibson Hummingbird.
In this photo, Leifsson showed his Harmony Bobkat with goldfoil pickups. There is also Fender Vibro King amplifier visible there.
Top left picture shows Kim playing a Harmony Bobkat at a Pandoras show. Top right picture may also have the bobkat.
"Rick mainly plays with the neck pickup for his rhythm sounds, then hits the bridge for his twang ‘lead’ parts. I asked if he breaks strings much as he really hits his guitar hard, but he says that due to the wooden bridge, that isn’t a problem.This guitar is pretty stock… original tuners and bridge. The only thing Rick has done is make a new scratchplate for it."
Mentioned in this June 5, 2018 Reverb.com interview.
"I'm always experimenting with different pickups, and especially in a Les Paul," he notes. "It's curious how, a lot of guitars—I was really into [Harmony] Bobkats, with the gold foil pickup—and I was thinking that pickup would sound so great in the Les Paul. Which, it does sound great, don't get me wrong. I did a lot of experimenting with it, a lot of the pickups, you take it out of the guitar and put it in another one because you like and you have to realise, you're changing the context," Reis says.
"Like, that pickup sounds good in that guitar, it's the two things working together. So Les Pauls, I've always kind of being looking for the perfect combination, but that said, I've realised there's no such thing, because even when you find it you get bored of it after a while," Reis continues.
Album Usage
The Harmony Bobkat has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Harmony Bobkat, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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