Harmony Electric 12

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Ridgegrass
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Harmony Electric 12

Post 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'.
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Ridgegrass
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Re: Harmony Electric 12

Post 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'.
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FRJ
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Re: Harmony Electric 12

Post by FRJ »

12 strings! How do they do it? They look too close together. ::woot::
What a good looking guitar. ::nod::
Joe
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Ridgegrass
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Re: Harmony Electric 12

Post 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
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btrwtr
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Re: Harmony Electric 12

Post by btrwtr »

Sweet looking Harmony!
If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.

Wayne

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Ridgegrass
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Re: Harmony Electric 12

Post 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'.
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1967redrider
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Re: Harmony Electric 12

Post 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. ::nod::
Pocket, fixed, machete, axe, it's all good!

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FRJ
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Re: Harmony Electric 12

Post 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'. ::tu::
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Re: Harmony Electric 12

Post 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".
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Gtrclktr-351
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Re: Harmony Electric 12

Post 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.
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Re: Harmony Electric 12

Post 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
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Gtrclktr-351
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Re: Harmony Electric 12

Post 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:
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KAPA Challenger w/Bigsby,  Truetone Bass
KAPA Challenger w/Bigsby, Truetone Bass
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WillyCamaro
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Re: Harmony Electric 12

Post by WillyCamaro »

Lovely ole gals guys. ::tu::
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Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
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Ridgegrass
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Re: Harmony Electric 12

Post by Ridgegrass »

Cool! another "TrueTone".

Hey Willie. ::tu:: John
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Re: Harmony Electric 12

Post 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 .
I buy roosters combs and farmers..........................................................jack knives [/b]

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Ridgegrass
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Re: Harmony Electric 12

Post 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.
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