Harmony H22

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This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Page last updated Jun 03, 2026

Pricing and availability

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Price

Average Price: $2,500

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Harmony H22 is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Introducing the Harmony H22, a classic gem from the golden era of electric basses. Loved by bassists worldwide, this hollowbody bass comes with a flat back and front, providing a warm, resonant tone that's truly unique. Crafted meticulously, this model was indeed a game-changer when it was first introduced in 1961. Its popularity soared with the introduction of the double cutaway version, the H22/1, in 1969. The H22 continues to be a testament to Harmony's commitment to producing top-quality musical instruments.

Key Features:

Hollowbody bass with flat back and front
Produced from 1961 to 1968
Double cutaway version (H22/1) introduced in 1969
Known for its warm, resonant tone.
Testimony to Harmony's superior craftsmanship.

Product specs

Brand	Harmony
Model	H22 Bass
Finish	Sunburst
Year	1960s
Made In	United States
Categories	4-String Basses
Active / Passive Pickups	Passive Pickups
Active Preamp	No Preamp
Body Shape	Single Cutaway
Color Family	Brown
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Fretboard Material	Rosewood
Number of Frets	20
Number of Strings	4-String
Pickup Configuration	H
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Harmony H22 bass guitar?: The Harmony H22 bass guitar features a comfortable neck profile that is well-suited for players who enjoy a vintage feel, making it a great choice for those accustomed to 1960s-style instruments.
What kind of tones can I expect from the Harmony H22's pickup?: The Harmony H22 is equipped with a single passive pickup that delivers warm, vintage tones characteristic of the 1960s, perfect for genres like blues, rock, and jazz.
Is the Harmony H22 bass suitable for beginners?: The Harmony H22 bass is ideal for players who appreciate vintage instruments, but its straightforward design and comfortable playability also make it accessible for beginners looking to explore classic bass sounds.
How does the Harmony H22's scale length affect its playability?: With a 30-inch scale length, the Harmony H22 offers a shorter reach, making it easier to play for those with smaller hands or those who prefer a more compact bass guitar.
What is the body shape of the Harmony H22 bass guitar?: The Harmony H22 features a single cutaway body shape, which provides easy access to the upper frets and contributes to its classic vintage aesthetic.

Videos

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gearwire

Harmony H22 Bass Demo: World's Oldest Living Bass

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Harmony H22 Bass

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Reviews

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PROS

Unique sound reminiscent of an upright bass
Unmistakable vintage tone, especially in models from the 1960s
Treble boost switch for enhanced solo capabilities
Iconic batwing pickguard minimizes feedback and stands out visually
Lightweight design for comfortable playing
Gold foil Dearmond pickup offers a wide range of tones
Storied history in R&B and rock and roll
Wider fretboard provides a distinct playing experience

CONS

Hollow body design requires careful handling to avoid feedback
Vintage models may have wear and tear due to age

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Harmony H22.

Features and functionality

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The Harmony H22 has a switch that offers two tonal options through its single pickup: one deep and one bright, similar to the Fender Esquire circuit.
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Comparisons

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Harmony H22/1 is rarer than the standard H22 model and was played through a 64’ Fender Concert, the same amp used by Carol Kaye for famous recordings.
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Use cases and applications

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Acoustic guitar amps can serve as temporary bass amps since they are full range, functioning like mini PAs for the Harmony H22.
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The Harmony H22 is valued as a piece of history, with owners reluctant to sell their original 1962 models due to their vintage appeal and sound quality.
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Mods and upgrades

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The switch on the H22 works like tone knob presets, toggling through different capacitors akin to the Gibson varitone circuit.
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A Fender jack can be used as a replacement for the Harmony H22's output jack, ensuring functionality without distortion.
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Setup and maintenance

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The ground wire is integrated with a spring around the hot lead to reduce hum and interference, a detail crucial for maintaining sound quality.
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User experience

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Owners report the absence of humming or buzzing sounds, indicating reliable performance even without a bridge-to-tailpiece upgrade.
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Critic Reviews

Freshening up a 1962 Harmony H22 Bass - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

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Artist usage

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Pino Palladino

Bassist

Nine Inch Nails

Verified via Photo

In this photo we can see Pino's Harmony H22 bass behind John Mayer and beside Pino, during the 2010 Crossroads guitar festival.

Ben Shepherd

Singer, Bassist

Soundgarden

Verified via Photo

In the uploaded music video for Blow Up the Outside World by Soundgarden uploaded on YouTube, you can see Ben Shepherd using the bass at times like 0:46 and 1:39.

Tal Wilkenfeld

Singer, Bassist

Jeff Beck(band)

Verified via YouTube

In a performance at Paste Studios on March 4, 2016, Tal Wilkenfeld plays a Harmony H22 bass guitar without the pickguard, as seen in the Paste Magazine video.

Scott Shriner

Bassist

Weezer

Verified via Photo

In this photo, Shriner's Harmony H22 Bass can be seen next to his cup of coffee.

Still Woozy

Guitarist, Music Producer

Verified via YouTube

The bass is seen hanging behind Svens head on the wall.

Ginger Root

Singer, Bassist

Verified via YouTube

Ginger Root can be seen using the Harmony H22 from 0:35 on in the YouTube performance.

Tim Foreman

Bassist, Composer

Switchfoot

Verified via YouTube

The Harmony H22 can be seen throughout the video for Switchfoot's single "Native Tongue", though it is currently unknown if Tim will add it to his fleet of basses or if it's just a one-off for this video. It is the singlecut version compared to the picture currently on Equipboard, recognisable by the pickups and the distinct control layout, and the name is briefly visible on the headstock around 0:53

Ronnie Lane

Singer, Guitarist

Faces

Verified via YouTube

The story of Small Faces starts with a Harmony H-22, when Ronnie Lane went to the J160 Music Bar in east London looking for his first bass. He traded his Gretsch Tennessean with Steve Marriott, who happened to work there, for this bass and together they would eventually form Small Faces.

Ronnie's H-22 would take a lot of beatings, and the pickguard would go from white to black, and then be removed compleatly. In an interview for Beat Instrumental in may 1966, Ronnie states: "My Harmony bass has been through so much action – there were no Volume controls left and I had to turn the volume up and down with a pair of pliers. I’ve just bought another couple…. The old friend is being renovated".

The bass is clearly seen in an appearance on Colour Me Pop from 1968 around 0:43 in.