Harmony #174

[Mattes1981]

Hello all,
finally after months of searching i sucessfully found a Harmony 174 on craigslist for 125 $
It was a really hard - and at one point i thought i would never get this one.
I contacted the seller on Craigslist at about 6 Weeks ago. He replied and told me that it would be no problem to sent it to germany. I was so exited. I asked him to pay via paypal, but he told me taht he has no account.
So we decided for bank-to-bank transfer. From this day on, he replied my mails only 1 time a week. I bugged him for his account data but he didnt contact me. At one point i thought this offer was a fake....and i told him to cancel our biz.
The he replied that he is very busy and has no time to reply
2 weeks later - still no account data. I contacted him the last time - and then he answered, that he will ship the guitar the next day... Still had no account-info from him at this time. 2 Days after he shipped i got the account data
correct and could transfer the money. Than everything went very fast: He Shipped it on Friday, 18th - on Monday 21st
the guitar arrived in germany. Yesterday i picked it up. I was very exited and a bit worried because i didnt know what i will find inside the case.
The H174 is in VERY MINT condition. Only 2 or 3 liitle nicks, no real damage or so. The top finish is in absolutly great condition. The tuners are very smooth. Action could be a bit lower - but my luthier will fix it when i get a Prismatone 2.
I´m in contact with Mr Kennedy for it.
I now Own - as you can see in the pictures - a H172, a H173 and now the H174.
The H172 is very smooth to play and has a very deep / rich tone. The H173 is beeter to play but the sound is very small. Not as good as the H172. In comparison with those 2 Models the H174 is top of the line. Very Very loud - sounds great unplugged. Can only assume how it will sound with a P-Tone
Im so happy to find one. My biggest THANK YOU goes out to Hendrik - here from the Board. He helps me so much to find one. He is a genius in researching....you won´t believe how many H173´s he found during this time.
My success to find the H174 depends on his work. THANK YOU again. I soon will record some samples for you and will post it here.
Now enjoy the pics of the 174 and my "Harmony-Family"
Matthias

[Mattes1981]

last pictures

[Roger Pratt]

WOW Very impressive indeed Matthias! Some really nice looking guitars for sure. Thanks for sharing with us. I look forward to some audio clips when you get it finished.

[AngusH]

Hey Matthias - that looks like a beauty and a bargain to boot! You'll love the Prismatone II - mine took a while, but it's more than worth the wait. Are you going to get the EQ as well? Depends if you want to cut a hole in the side of the guitar, I suppose, but it's very discreet.

I think you're right about the H173 - I don't have an H174 to compare it with, but it's not the loudest guitar. It may be my imagination, but I've had mine for about a month now and it definitely seems to have more projection unplugged than it did when I first played it - maybe it's not just new guitars that 'open up' over time.

Anyway enjoy - you've inspired me to keep looking for a nice H174.

Angus

[Hendrik]

I'm glad I could help you with finding your dream-guitar Matthias! You really have some impressive guitars there. They all look stunning for their age. You have to place them in order though .

[PhilHunt]

I never understood why they used metal rollers instead of plastic ones on the H-174. The H-174 is basically a Baldwin minus three things: plastic rollers on the tuners, a third sound hole ring, and a Primsatone pickup. Other than those minor things...it's basically a Baldwin 801CP.
If I ever came across a H-174, I'd chop that sucker to look like Reed's Baldwin, get someone to add a third soundhole ring, and slap a Prismatone on it.

[Mattes1981]

Hello all...!
To Be honest - i really forced and Speed up my Search for the H174.
The First One i Found - excuse me - hendrik Found it
Was from a guitar-Shop in the us. They wanted to have 300.00 USD.
But the Best thing: As i asked them what shipping would cost to Germany. They told me that shipping with FedEx would cost 600,00 $ - a steal
A few weeks later Hendrik Found a expired eBay-auction in Germany !!!!!
I contacted the seller anyway and guess what:
He told me that He has One more 174 at Home. I couldnt believe it. So i made an appointement and drive to him ( 200 km) When i arrived He Salutes me with Coffee and Cookies.
But i didnt want to have Cookies - i wanted him to open this guitar-Case.
He did, and i looked at another h173.
So i directly drove back home - without Guitar and cookies
If you now Look for a h173 on craigslist you'll find more than enough.
I think its more harder to find a 174, because more and more People starting to realize that the Harmony is basically a baldwin. Many sellers use this to push the Price up.
I was very Lucky - 125 $ is ok!
I will definetly want to have a preamp. I contacted Sam 2 weeks ago.
To Phil:
I am in contact with my Luther for the Cut !
Im Not kidding. He told me on the phone that He can do this but wanted to See the Guitar First.
I will keep you all informed about this "Project"
Matthias

[PhilHunt]

Matthias,
If you need the traced template from Jerry's Original Baldwin I can send it to you. It might help getting the chop correct.
Phil

[Mattes1981]

Hi Phil, you did Sent it to me 2 months ago

Only Problem is that its a compressed Picture - Not original size. Have to try out how to Print.
An original blueprint in original Size would Be Great.
But a Big THANK YOU to you anyway.
Matthias

[Texican65]

That is so cool Matthias. I've got a few H173s and H174s also.....I dont think the volume or tone has much to do with how the guitar was made...but how it was PLAYED over the last 30 years. One of my H173s I got hadnt been played in decades, it was in decent shape but souned HORRIBLE, it had a dull/dead tone, no volume. I have been playing the crap outta that thing everyday almost for a few years now....and WOW.......it has done a complete 180 degree turnaround.....it is booming loud, has a very crisp and bright tone.....it gets better and better the more you play it. One of the H174s I have is in mint condition.....but it was never played either and it is dead as a doornail. I'll need to play it and wake it up someday too. I plan to slap a prismatone II on it aswell. And....I recently cut one of my 173s on my bandsaw....and it looks pretty dang cool. I just cant figure out how to load pictures onto my computer. ANYWAYS.....cool find dude....I'm happy for you...you finally got your Baldwin.

Dow