Page 1 of 1
Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2022 2:02 pm
by Ridgegrass
Son just bought this 1967 Harmony electric 12-string from my buddy Rux's legacy collection. Sweet and rare old guitar in perfect playing shape. Some of you may know that Jimmy Paige's iconic intro to "Stairway To Heaven" was recorded on a Harmony 12. My son, Mark, has a Tom Petty tribute band called
"Don't Back Down" and plays a lot of twelve. Check them out on the web. Anyway thought maybe some of you guitar jockeys might enjoy seeing it. J.O'.
Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2022 11:50 pm
by Ridgegrass
Mistaken on the "Stairway" intro. Further research reveals the song was written on a Harmony 1260 acoustic and the twelve string leads were on a Fender electric 12. Sorry. J.O'.
Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2022 12:45 am
by FRJ
12 strings! How do they do it? They look too close together.
What a good looking guitar.

Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2022 1:14 pm
by Ridgegrass
Joe, They're actually 6 double strings, fretted as pairs. Hitting the low and high notes together givess the guitar that characteristic ringing sound.The first four, E,A,D,G are octaves, i.e. a low and a high of the same note. The last two, B and E are just two strings of the same gauge respectively. So it's like playing a six string on a wider fretboard. (Rough drawing) Hope that explains it. Probably find a better pic on the web.Some famous 12 string players: John Denver, The Byrdss, Leo Kotke, Glen Campbell, Tom Petty. J.O
Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2022 6:21 pm
by btrwtr
Sweet looking Harmony!
Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2022 6:29 pm
by Ridgegrass
Thanks Wayne. My son is loving it. He has a Rickenbacker and likes the Harmony as well or better. (New girlfriend syndrome) O'.
Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2022 10:59 pm
by 1967redrider
Very cool, J.O'. Not to detail this thread, but when are you thinking about doing another knife show at the winery? Herb and I are game.

Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2022 2:27 am
by FRJ
Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Fri Jul 22, 2022 1:14 pm
Joe, They're actually 6 double strings, fretted as pairs. J.O
Thank you for that, J.O'.

Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2022 9:20 pm
by Ridgegrass
Red; Glad you asked. Owner shooting for 9/11. noon-5pm. Going to have a blacksmith on hand and trying for some antique farm equip. and tractors.
Stay tuned. J.O".
Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2024 5:48 pm
by Gtrclktr-351
Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Sun Jul 17, 2022 2:02 pm
Son just bought this 1967 Harmony electric 12-string from my buddy Rux's legacy collection. Sweet and rare old guitar in perfect playing shape. Some of you may know that Jimmy Paige's iconic intro to "Stairway To Heaven" was recorded on a Harmony 12. My son, Mark, has a Tom Petty tribute band called
"Don't Back Down" and plays a lot of twelve. Check them out on the web. Anyway thought maybe some of you guitar jockeys might enjoy seeing it. J.O'.
That is a beautiful Harmony 12. I‘ve kinda got a thing about the old Chicago made Harmony guitars.
Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2024 9:15 pm
by Ridgegrass
Me too, love the Archie, beautiful finish. Here are a few of mine.( Hope I'm not repeating here, probably.) Sorry for the sideways shots, computer does what it wants.
1. A little Kay Classical in mint shape, $5 in a junk store
2. A "Tru-Tone" from Western Auto stores (Kay-made). Great tone and action, an exceptional instrument. $59.95 new in the '50's.
3. My '69 Sovereign, another great one.
4. '53 Kay C-1 bass
Keep Pickin', John
Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Sun Mar 10, 2024 9:56 pm
by Gtrclktr-351
Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2024 9:15 pm
Me too, love the Archie, beautiful finish. Here are a few of mine.( Hope I'm not repeating here, probably.) Sorry for the sideways shots, computer does what it wants.
1. A little Kay Classical in mint shape, $5 in a junk store
2. A "Tru-Tone" from Western Auto stores (Kay-made). Great tone and action, an exceptional instrument. $59.95 new in the '50's.
3. My '69 Sovereign, another great one.
4. '53 Kay C-1 bass
Keep Pickin', John
My other two “vintage” department store instruments:
Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:20 am
by WillyCamaro
Lovely ole gals guys.

Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Mon Mar 11, 2024 11:50 am
by Ridgegrass
Cool! another "TrueTone".
Hey Willie.

John
Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2024 1:36 am
by wlf
I regret never seeing Petty in concert. I'm gouing to check him out on Youtube.
I can't hardly chord ,but I'd like to have my Guild D- something back, I bought in 1969, that I traded for rent .
Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:11 pm
by Ridgegrass
Was the Guild red? a D-35. Nice guitars, bringing good $$$ now.
Their band is excellent. They did play in Charlestown, WVa last year or so.
Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Mon May 20, 2024 11:52 pm
by Gtrclktr-351
Ridgegrass wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2024 9:15 pm
Me too, love the Archie, beautiful finish. Here are a few of mine.( Hope I'm not repeating here, probably.) Sorry for the sideways shots, computer does what it wants.
4. '53 Kay C-1 bass
Keep Pickin', John
My son would trade me for that Kay upright.

Re: Harmony Electric 12
Posted: Tue May 21, 2024 12:33 am
by Ridgegrass
Gtrclk:
It's a sweetie, everybody who comes here to play says they enjoy it. The metal strings are 12-14 years old, given to me, used, by my bass player when he changed his. We had a guy named Dave Mansbridge in Annapolis who set it up for me about 20 years ago. He was an absolute expert, did acoustic basses only. I play some bass myself but my hands aren't in shape for it. It's easy for me to do an hour the way he set it up. Glad you like it, Thanks. John O'.