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Average Price: $1,195

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

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Standard

High-end

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Description

The Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar embodies the perfect blend of vintage charm and modern playability, catering to both seasoned musicians and aspiring guitarists. Crafted with precision, this electric guitar features a solid body construction that ensures durability and a resonant tone. Its design draws inspiration from the classic era of rock 'n' roll, offering a nostalgic feel while delivering contemporary sound quality.

Equipped with premium single-coil pickups, the Stratotone delivers a crisp and clear tone, making it a versatile choice for various genres, from blues to rock and beyond. The comfortable neck profile allows for smooth playability, whether you're strumming chords or bending notes on a solo. The guitar's hardware is robust and reliable, ensuring tuning stability and consistent performance during gigs or practice sessions.

For musicians who value both aesthetic appeal and sound quality, the Harmony Stratotone stands out with its sleek finish and meticulous attention to detail. This guitar is not just an instrument; it's an invitation to explore your musical journey with style and confidence.

Key Features:

  • Solid body construction for enhanced durability and resonance
  • Premium single-coil pickups for a clear and versatile tone
  • Comfortable neck profile for smooth and easy playability
  • Reliable hardware ensuring tuning stability
  • Classic design with a modern sound quality

Product specs

Brand Harmony
Model H44 Stratotone
Finish Copper
Year 1953
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape Single Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar
Color Family Brown
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Number of Frets 20
Number of Strings 6-String
Pickup Configuration S
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar like?

The Harmony Stratotone features a set-neck construction with a comfortable, vintage-style neck profile, making it ideal for players who enjoy a classic feel and ease of playability.

What kind of tones can I expect from the pickup on the Harmony Stratotone?

The Harmony Stratotone is equipped with a single pickup configuration that delivers warm, vintage tones, perfect for blues, rock, and early rock 'n' roll styles.

Is the Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar suitable for beginners?

The Harmony Stratotone, with its simple design and vintage sound, is suitable for beginners who appreciate classic guitar tones and aesthetics, though it might also appeal to more experienced players seeking a retro vibe.

How does the Harmony Stratotone compare to other vintage-style electric guitars?

The Harmony Stratotone stands out with its unique single cutaway body shape and set-neck construction, offering a distinct vintage tone and playability that is characteristic of early electric guitars.

Does the Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar have a solid body?

Yes, the Harmony Stratotone features a solid body construction, contributing to its robust tone and sustain typically associated with vintage electric guitars.

Carter Vintage Guitars

Carter Vintage Guitars

Harmony Stratotone played by Joey Landreth

Video thumbnail for Harmony Stratotone played by Joey Landreth by Carter Vintage Guitars

Harmony Stratotone played by Joey Landreth

Carter Vintage Guitars

Carter Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for Harmony Stratotone Reissue Guitar Demo by drowninginguitars

Harmony Stratotone Reissue Guitar Demo

drowninginguitars

drowninginguitars

Video thumbnail for Harmony StratoTone Electric Guitar by Global Auctions

Harmony StratoTone Electric Guitar

Global Auctions

Global Auctions

Reviews

Owner Insights

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

Mods and upgrades

  • Original dual concentric pots can fail; consider replacing with jazz bass 250k tone/500k volume pots for improved functionality.

    Source
  • Installing an ABR1 bridge improves intonation, enhancing the guitar's playability.

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Build quality

  • Older pickguards may crack and shrink significantly, necessitating replacement to maintain the guitar's integrity.

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  • Korean reissues include neck-through construction, which is a notable feature as these may have been the first neck-thru electric guitars.

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Use cases and applications

  • Its lightweight build makes it ideal for carrying around frequently, such as between classes or for mobile performances.

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  • The original fixed truss rods on the Stratotone often led to warping, making the guitar popular for slide playing.

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  • Recommended pairing with a Fender Champ 600 5-watt tube combo amp to enhance touch sensitivity and dynamic playing for beginners.

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User experience

  • Original electronics may have odor and rust issues due to age, potentially impacting performance and requiring replacement.

    Source
  • Some owners find the Korean reissue plays exceptionally well, with a notably warm tone that enhances its appeal.

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  • A first-time electric guitar buyer discovered a hidden gem; initial non-functionality led to a budget-friendly purchase and rewarding restoration experience.

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Features and functionality

  • "Hershey Bar" pickups, similar in concept to gold foils, are praised for their unique tone when paired with suitable electronics.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The original Harmony Stratotone predates the Fender Stratocaster, contradicting assumptions that it was designed as a copy.

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Other

  • Tom Waits is a notable musician who plays an H44, potentially increasing its desirability among fans.

    Source
  • The guitar's striking appearance with a large headstock and block inlays is a highlight, making it visually appealing and unique.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Pickup adjustment is non-standard; side screws don't lower pickups as on typical guitars, posing a challenge for precise height adjustments.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 8 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Dan Auerbach uses Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar

Dan Auerbach

Guitarist, Keyboardist

The Black Keys

...
Verified via YouTube

"Dan's next guitar, chronologically, would be this one, another Harmony. It's a StratoTone. It's obviously had a lot of work done to it too. It has different tuning keys; I made new knot for it. Dan's dad deals antiques, and one of his cohorts or accomplices in the antique business gave Dan this guitar. But it didn't have any parts at all. It didn't have any tuners, no pick guard, no pickups, no Bigsby or anything. I think it had that [white] switch. Anyway, he said 'I want to make this work,' and so I got a set of Lindy Fralin pickups. This old Bigsby I think I had in my shop already. I made that pickguard. I was able to figure out, well it was pretty obvious, when you take the pickguard off its bright red underneath there because this awesome two-tone burst used to be a three-tone burst, like many from around maybe 1962 or whenever this is from - that era. The red on many sunbursts just dissipates, it just comes out, it just disappears like a three-tone stratocaster a lot of times becomes over time. So I just copied the image and made a pickguard to fit it. I put these Fralins in, the Bigsby on. Nothing really fancy. He plays this one in open-G tuning. For right now he's only playing it on one song, 'Run Right Back,' which is on the new record. Although he recorded a few of the other songs in that tuning, he's transposed them to standard just for ease. But this one particular song has that powerful open-D on the bass string and it has to be in that tuning to make it and be effective. It's heavy duty, and it's got a pretty heavy-duty sound as well because those are P-90s, they just crunch as they should," says Dan Auerbach's guitar tech about the Harmony StratoTone Electric Guitar.

See how John Dwyer uses Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar

John Dwyer

Singer, Guitarist

Thee OhSees

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Dwyer can be seen using a Harmony Stratotone guitar with an added humbucker in the bridge position. Was once smashed over the head of venue owner Dan Burkes during a Hospitals show as seen in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gj1SSoWWhA&t=19s.

See how James Bay uses Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar

James Bay

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Instagram

In this Instagram photo, James Bay shows off the headstock of a Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar, and his caption implies it's the guitar he's going to play that day: "Today's mighty axe #steelreinforcedneck" (posted April 2014)

See how Mike Campbell uses Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar

Mike Campbell

Guitarist

Fleetwood Mac

...
Verified via YouTube

"StratoTone. This is tuned down a whole step. This is a backup for that Les Paul just in case he does anything or it breaks up," says Mike Campbell's guitar tech about the Harmony StratoTone.

See how Dallas Green uses Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar

Dallas Green

Singer, Guitarist

Alexisonfire

...
Verified via MusicRadar

Dallas Green: “I found that it works perfectly for two songs in the set, Wasted Love and Killing Time. With the sound of these gold foil pickups, it just makes perfect sense for them. This also gets capo’d, on two or three, and then it’s also used in standard tuning.”

See how Brian Jones uses Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar

Brian Jones

Guitarist, Keyboardist

The Rolling Stones

...
Verified via Photo

Brian with Harmony Stratotone (Jupiter model?). Brian played this at the Marquee. Stratotones were very popular in England at the time. Harmony made good, but inexpensive, guitars. Keith had a Harmony Meteor.

http://www.angelfire.com/rock3/sixtiesfish/guitars/brianjones.htm

See how Marc Ribot uses Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar

Marc Ribot

Guitarist

Asmodeus

...
Verified via YouTube

In the live performance video "Devushki Poyut" by Auktyon, Medeski, and Marc Ribot, Ribot can be seen playing a Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar.

See how Steve Winwood uses Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar

Steve Winwood

Singer, Guitarist

The Spencer Davis Group

...
Verified via Photo

This article states that Steve Winwood used a Harmony Stratotone, saying "Steve is also quoted as playing a Stratotone variation."

See how Steve Turner uses Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar

Steve Turner

Guitarist

Mudhoney

...
Verified via Berkeley

Mentioned in this February 1992 Guitar Player interview, as archived on this Open Computing Facility fan page.

While old Fender Mustangs are his main paramour ("I'm used to them - that was the first guitar I had"), Steve cultivates a modest collection of rarer birds, naturally coveting mod '60s models. "I like Harmony guitars a lot," he says, "the Harmony Rocket, the Harmony Stratotone. Real low-level guitars. Mark and I seem to have a lot of Hagstroms between us. Also, I'd love to have a Mosrite Ventures-type solidbody and a Gretsch DuoJet solidbody." When grilled about his "dream guitar," Turner unearths a real prize: "I really like the Gretsch Astro-Jet, is pretty cool looking - like an SG pulled and stretched." Steve's amp aesthetic is way groovy too. "I've got a pretty old Fender Super Reverb. It doesn't even have a master volume or anything. And I've got smaller things like an Ampeg Portaflex. You can flip the top up and carry it like a suitcase." Turner is particularly proud of his most recent amp dig-up, called the Excelsior. "I bought it at a store that mainly sells accordions. Some accordion player had it in his basement for 20 years. I have no idea where it was made, but the store that sold it to me sold it to this guy 20 years ago!"

See how Chris McQueen uses Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar

Chris McQueen

Guitarist

Snarky Puppy

...
Verified via Photo

The Harmony Stratotone can be seen in this photo of Chris' Forq recording setup.

See how Dave Brock uses Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar

Dave Brock

Singer, Guitarist

Hawkwind

...
Verified via MusicRadar

“[...] Then I got a Harmony Stratotone and I bought an old Dynacord echo unit and a little Vox amplifier. I got the echo unit and used to sit at home plonking away on the Stratotone - I played that guitar for quite a few years in the 60s."

See how Will Cullen Hart uses Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar

Will Cullen Hart

Singer, Guitarist

The Olivia Tremor Control

...
Verified via Neutralmilkhotel

In several photos from the 1990s, Will Cullen Hart can be seen playing a Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar, as shown in images from the Neutralmilkhotel archive.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Harmony Stratotone Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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