The Airline H78 Thinline was built for the Montgomery-Ward company by Harmony from 1965 to 1972, as a re-branded version of the Harmony H78. Indeed, it seems that the only difference is the head plate and logo!
Harmony, purchased by Sears-Roebuck in 1916 and owned by them until 1940, was at one point by volume the largest guitar maker in the USA, which also meant in the world.
Harmony
Here’s a fun bit of history – an SS Stewart Model 44 solidbody electric guitar in metallic Gold finish, from 1955! SS Stewart was founded in 1878 in Pittsburgh, and became a prominent banjo builder. Stewart died in 1898, and in 1904 his sons sold the company to B&J (Bugellsein & Jacobson).
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MORE →The Harmony Comet Semi-Hollowbody in Trans Red represents the very first semi-hollow electric guitar in our lineup of cherished musical instruments, inspired by the original Harmony H72 of the ’60s. This double cutaway guitar has an immaculately carved genuine mahogany top and back for warm, well-rounded and acoustic-like tone. The addition of a center block minimizes feedback, and the long-tenon set neck construction increases sustain.
This Harmony Jupiter in a cool Champagne nitrocellulose lacquer finish is a retro solidbody guitar built in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Jupiter marks the return of what was at one time of the world’s largest instrument manufacturers. The Harmony Jupiter’s classic looks and well-rounded tonality make it a perfect match for any style or genre.
The new Harmony Silhouette offset solidbody electric marks the return of what was at one time of the world’s largest instrument manufacturers. Here we’re looking at a new offset body Harmony Silhouette in a lightly metallic Slate nitrocellulose lacquer finish on the body, while the neck has a natural clear coat. It uses a bolt-on neck construction, with the contoured body built of Alder and the neck of Maple.
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MORE →Here’s a lovely piece – from the early 1930’s, an SS Stewart Model 4024 archtop guitar, built by either Regal or Harmony and sold through Buegeleisen and Jacobson, owners of the Stewart brand. The SS Stewart company, named for Samuel Swain Stewart was a major producer of banjos between 1878 and 1904, and was bought by B&J (Buegeleisen and Jacobson) a few years after Stewart’s death. Over the years, B&J shifted to producing mostly guitars with the brand, had many companies build the actual instruments including Chicago Musical Instruments, who also built Harmony, Kay, and Silvertone brands.
This instrument has sold
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