Harmony supplied the big mail order catalogues like Sears and Roebuck. Wholesalers used the vintage Harmony acoustic guitars and electric guitar amps as part of their own line. Affordable in the early days and still to this day, they were called the student grade guitar, beginner acoustic guitars, or cheap electric guitars and all imported guitars were compared to them. Harmony guitars are making a come back for collectors and are finding a place for the used, vintage acoustic and electric guitars in the history of American culture. Here is a short history of the company.
The Early Years of Harmony Instruments & Discount Guitars; The Stella Acoustic Guitar
In 1892, Wilhelm J. F. Shultz purchased the top floor of the Edison building in Chicago. He had four employees and began production on two guitars; by 1894, he had over 40 employees and settled in a 30,000 square ft plant at 1738-1754 North Lawndale Avenue. In 1915, Harmony Guitars had over a quarter million dollars in annual sales and 125 employees, and accounted for half the guitars built in the USA every year.
In 1915, Harmony Guitars became the first and, for a time, the only manufacturer of the ukulele. Sears and Roebuck acquired Harmony in order to capitalize on the production of this very popular instrument. Harmony also made vintage instruments like mandolins, tenor banjos, and amps. By 1923, Harmony had an annual production rate of over a quarter of a million instruments.
In 1926, Jack Kraus succeeded Wilhelm Shultz as president of the company and along with Fred Gretsh; Hank Kuhrmeyer of Kay Guitars became the early captain of the great Chicago guitar manufacturers.
Vintage Harmony Hollowbody Guitars; Jumbo Arch-top; and Silvertone model Guitars
In 1928, Harmony introduced its first Roy Smeck Vita series guitar. The sound hole was shaped like a seal. By 1930, they introduced the Grand Concert and Hawaiian models and, within a year, claimed production of an awesome 500,000 instruments. In March of 1931, the Vagabond line was produced, then the Cremona professional guitar appeared. These guitars were Harmony’s most respected arch-top models.
In 1937, Harmony bought several brand name guitars from the bankrupt Oscar Schmidt, including the Stella Harmony guitar and the Harmony Soverign, which became the most popular of Harmony guitars. During this period, Harmony increased its line with the Harmony Valencia, Harmony Monterey, and more. In the 40s, flat-tops made from Mohogany, the Harmony Stella model and Birch (cheaper model) flooded the guitar market, along with the hollowbody arch-top.
By 1941, Harmony produced about 130,000 vintage acoustic and electric guitars out of the 250,000 American made guitars. From 1960 -1969, growth continued and Harmony purchased a 132,000 square ft. facility and had over 600 employees. It was then that imported instruments started to take over the guitar market, along with Martin and Gibson guitars which were the "High End" acoustic and electric guitars.
Acoustic and Electric Collectable Guitars; Discount Guitars; Cheap Acoustic Guitars; Guitar Amplifiers
The Harmony Guitar Company's huge inventory of vintage stringed instruments and amps was bought by a conglomerate and the factory equipment with its assets were sold at auction to satisfy creditors. Today Harmony Guitar is owned by Charlie Subecz, who launched a series of re-issues from the 50s and the 60s, like the Harmony Red Rocket and the Harmony Bobcat guitar, along with the Richie Valens Classic. Harmony Guitar continues today to produce quality guitars, being sold through the JC Penney Stores. Harmony's acoustic, electric and archtop guitars, Harmony hollow body electric guitar, Harmony Amps, and other musical equipment made by the company now are considered collectable all around the world and representative of Americana pop culture that is popular in Europe and Asia with musicians and collectors.
References
Rothman Guitars-http://harmony.rothguitar.com/
Broadway music Co. Harmony USA String Instruments
Harmony Guitar Database
Jim Galloway - Professional Musician/Published Songwriter for 30 yrs. With over 200 Articles in Recording/Music Buisness/ Resources/Vintage Instruments
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