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Possible Baldwin clone?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 5:34 pm
by wcookjr
So I found this guitar on eBay, but unfortunately lost the battle:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harmony-Guitar- ... true&rt=nc

Was too optimistic and banking on the reserve not being met so I could get it at a lower price, alas someone decided the guitar was worth $1500. Do y'all think I should have gone for it past $1500? The Buy It Now was $2000

To the main point:
In my sorrow, I found this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Mahogan ... 4897.l5666

It says it's one of the Harmonys made for Sears. Would this suffice as a substitute for the Baldwin 801cp? It does say it's solid mahogany instead of the spruce, but it does look like the H174 or 177 (even has a similar rosette to the 177). Anyway, y'all think it'd be worth it? After getting a bridge to fit a Prismatone and, God help me, finding a Prismatone I or II, and getting it all set up, about how much is it gonna run me?

Re: Possible Baldwin clone?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 5:37 pm
by wcookjr

Re: Possible Baldwin clone?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 5:47 pm
by PhilHunt
The H177 is a very close clone minus the rosette around the soundhole. The closest thing to a Baldwin 801CP is a Harmony H-174. A Baldwin has 3 rings around the soundhole, the H-174 has 2 rings and is the next best thing to a Baldwin minus no pickup. I wouldn't bother with other ones that had links to. The reason that Harmony sold for alot is because it already had a Prismatone II installed on it.

Re: Possible Baldwin clone?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 6:00 pm
by wcookjr
PhilHunt wrote:The H177 is a very close clone minus the rosette around the soundhole. The closest thing to a Baldwin 801CP is a Harmony H-174. A Baldwin has 3 rings around the soundhole, the H-174 has 2 rings and is the next best thing to a Baldwin minus no pickup. I wouldn't bother with other ones that had links to. The reason that Harmony sold for alot is because it already had a Prismatone II installed on it.


You think I screwed up in not goin for it at over $1500?

Re: Possible Baldwin clone?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 8:19 pm
by jay
Phil,
Is Sam still producing the Prismatone II?

Re: Possible Baldwin clone?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 8:24 pm
by wcookjr
jay wrote:Phil,
Is Sam still producing the Prismatone II?


Someone posted a message from him sometime last year saying he had a family matter taking up his time and he wasn't able to work on em like he wanted to. I tried emailing him yesterday to see if he had resumed, but haven't had a response

BTW: There are two H-173s on ebay, one in lesser shape for $75, the other in decent shape for $200

Re: Possible Baldwin clone?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 9:18 pm
by srgntschultz
I have a harmony you may be interested in. Whats your email address so I can send you some pictures? Thanks.

Re: Possible Baldwin clone?

PostPosted: Thu Jun 26, 2014 9:25 pm
by wcookjr
srgntschultz wrote:I have a harmony you may be interested in. Whats your email address so I can send you some pictures? Thanks.


wmc607@gmail.com

Re: Possible Baldwin clone?

PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 6:09 am
by bill park
Harmony made instruments for several vendors back in the '60s - including Baldwin, Fender, Regal, Silvertone, etc. Phil is correct, the Harmony H174 is cosmetically closest to the Baldwin 801CP, but the Regal F63 is also the same guitar (if not a cosmetic clone). There is one on Ebay right now for $75. I think Regal was distributed by Fender (but they were made by Harmony) and the F63 has an identical body, neck, and headstock as the Baldwin (but a different rosette and bridge).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261517610010?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I owned one of these for a short time - it's the same guitar as the Harmony 174/Baldwin 801.
Thanks,
Bill

Re: Possible Baldwin clone?

PostPosted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 8:13 am
by wcookjr
bill park wrote:Harmony made instruments for several vendors back in the '60s - including Baldwin, Fender, Regal, Silvertone, etc. Phil is correct, the Harmony H174 is cosmetically closest to the Baldwin 801CP, but the Regal F63 is also the same guitar (if not a cosmetic clone). There is one on Ebay right now for $75. I think Regal was distributed by Fender (but they were made by Harmony) and the F63 has an identical body, neck, and headstock as the Baldwin (but a different rosette and bridge).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/261517610010?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I owned one of these for a short time - it's the same guitar as the Harmony 174/Baldwin 801.
Thanks,
Bill


Would you say that Regal for $75 with those enormous repairs unmatched to the finish and the two cracks, or this H173 with a few small scratches and a headstock that looks like it was left out in the rain for $50 is a better deal? The Harmony also looks to have a straight neck with lowered action

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201117149839