HARMONY STRATOTONE

This Page Dedicated To Michael Summers from The University of Melbourne in Australia

1964 Harmony Stratotone owned by a true Stratotone fan, Michael Summers

The First Stratotone Model Made In 1953

H44

"This three quarter sized Stratotone was the very first Stratotone and was a solid body guitar. It was Model H44 and was gold in color. Very rare and valuable. It was introduced in 1953 and continued unchanged through 57. In 1958 the Stratotone went hollow body".......Rodger

Mercury & Jupiter Models

These models do not have a solid body, but they have no F holes or other sound chamber passage. At a glance it does appear to be solid. But pick one up and WHOA! This suckers hollow! They had no tremolos but did have DeArmond pickups.

"I just found the Jupiter model in sales literature. I can verify that it was introduced in 1958 as Model H-49. It continued unchanged through 1963. Does not appear in my copies after that. It is essentially a "Mercury" model H-47 with a second pick up and a "blender circuit" added. It was called a "Deluxe Stratotone" guitar. "Jupiter" was it's model name."

"F. Leghorn" foghorn.leghorn@prodigy.net

(Thanks for clearing this up Rodger)

Great example of a 2 pickup black Stratotone.

Nice 3 Pickup Model!

Recent email to me....

On the Stratotone page, The "Nice 3 pickup" model has to be a variant of the
Kay 161 Thin-twin aka Jimmy Reed model. It is the first time I see a 3
pickup version of it, but the "lipstick"-like pickups, the pickguard and the
cutaway are that of the Kay 161.

It may be a Kay, does anyone know?

Technical Tip

Guard the side of your guitar with your life, when it has the jack is located there. This is a very weak point on most Harmony guitars! To avoid damage, use a right angle cable end, never a straight plug. Also, loop the cable through your strap as stress relief. If your guitar already has damage, consider relocating the jack to the face of the guitar.

Hi, all at Broadway Music. Have finally installed the stratotone pick guard you made for me and I thought you might like these 3 pictures of my early Stratotone guitars and amps.

Picture #1

The copper strat is a 1953-57 model H44, the first Harmony Stratotone. The amp in the same picture is a Harmony model #200. 1950 was the last year for this 6 tube amp.

Picture #2

The Black, 2 PU Stratotone is a model H 88 and is dated March 1956. It represents Harmony's 2nd generation of Stratotone and was made from 1955-1957. The little black amp is Harmony model H-8418. It is a 3 tube amp and looks to be from the 40s or 50s.

Picture #3

The same two Stratotone guitars posing together.

Enjoy the pictures and thanks for the great work on pick guard.

Rodger Foghorn. foghorn.leghorn@prodigy.net

Hey Stratotone Fans
Check This Out
What Is It? Who Made It?

The Story.....
I recently purchased a solid one piece electric guitar that almost looks an feels post to pre-WWII. I may be wrong. I sent pictures to Gruhn who flatly stated it was a 1960's Harmony student guitar made in the US. I have since found catalogs showing all production models from '58 to 1965. There is no such guitar--not to mention the fact that student guitars are are all bolt-on necks. It does however somewhat resemble a 1958 stratus with a more narrow body. This one seems to be either a set neck or made entirely from one piece--fat neck just like a classical guitar neck. Any guesses would be appreciated. Next is Gruhn's response.

Thanks, Philipp Gawenda

From Gruhn Guitars....

Below is a copy of the appraisal you requested. The original is being sent
to you via postal mail.

Best wishes,
Gruhn Guitars

June 2, 2003

I have examined the attached emailed digital photos of the instrument
described below, but have not seen the instrument itself. Below is my
estimate, based on these photos, of the instrument's value; however, it is
not possible to judge from photos alone the exact state of originality and
need of repair, so my appraisal is only accurate insofar as the photos are
representative of the actual condition of the instrument.

We certify that the guitar described below is, in our opinion, a Harmony
Stratotone made by Harmony of Chicago circa 1960.

Description: This instrument has no serial number and the peghead logo is
missing. The instrument is finished in a metallic gold colored lacquer
which has slight green discoloration on the back of the neck and the edge of
the body. The electronics and pickup are said to be in good condition,
however, the jack is said to have been missing and the owner installed a new
replacement. A ground wire appears to have been attached to the tailpiece
on the outside of the guitar. This would not be original. This was a
relatively inexpensive student model guitar at the time it was made,
however, the Stratotone model is capable of providing a good blues or
rock-n-roll sound.

My Opinion.......

I love Gruhn Guitars, but in this case I differ with them, I think we may have a prototype and possibly a competator of Harmony. Frankly, I don't know! Please help solve another mystery! Email Phillip if you can identify this guitar!

Most Stratotone models had a nifty "space age type", atomic decoration on the headstock and pickguard.

This sunburst Stratotone represents one of the most popular versions of the Stratotone.

Stratotone guitars were many a players first guitar! The picture below is a priceless picture from years gone by!

Mike had no way of knowing this back in 1962, but in Liverpool, the Beatles, a then unknown club band, used to have several players who used Harmony Stratotones sit in with them on some of their sets. I have heard from one of these Stratotone players, who had the fortune of picking with them!

This Guitar is Owned By John Flynn from Roslindale, MA U.S.A.

He mailed pictures of his entire collection to me.

They are scattered throughout the site. See how many you can find!

Hey I know its a Danelectro, but it is a distant cousin to the Stratotone!

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