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Another Harmony H174 thread - prismatone install setup

PostPosted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 10:12 pm
by albdamned
First of all, hey everyone. It's been awhile since I've trolled the Chet Board. I'm glad to see it's still kickin'.

I just bought a harmony H174. It's actually in transit but I'm already scheming. I have one of Sam Kennedy's prismatone pickups currently installed on my Kirk Sand. It's great but I'm thinking I'd rather have it on that harmony to go full on for the Reed tone. Tge old RMS saddles can go back on the sand bc the bridge wasn't swapped out. I'd love to have another prismatone but I'm not sure Sam is still making them.

So I have a couple of questions...

1) is anyone making bridges that will fit the prismatone or is it better to retrofit the harmony bridge?

2) can anyone recommend a luthier for the project? It'd be fun to also make the chop shop cutaway like on Jerry Reed's Baldwin 801. I'm in the New Orleans area and would prefer someone in driving distance bc expenses will be high if I have to ship two guitars round trip. Though it could be worth it if there's someone that has done a few of these and is interested. im sure the Harmony will also need a good setup. I'm looking for that low action Reed sound.

Cheers

Chris

Re: Another Harmony H174 thread - prismatone install setup

PostPosted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 11:50 pm
by jay
Phil had some of those bridges that held the prismatone. You might PM him and see if he has any more laying around.

Re: Another Harmony H174 thread - prismatone install setup

PostPosted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 12:18 am
by albdamned
Thanks Jay. Will do!

Re: Another Harmony H174 thread - prismatone install setup

PostPosted: Tue Sep 22, 2015 7:58 am
by alexjones
Chris,
I had Kirk Sand install my prismatone to a Harmony H-173. I also got the bridge from Phil - that was a while back though, I don't know if he has any more. I also had Kirk shave the neck down on my H-173 and now that thing is so smooth! It's such a sweet playing guitar. I think he charged me around $400 for everything, but yeah I know shipping sucks. But some things are just best left to someone who really knows what they are doing. Good luck, let us know how it turns out!
Alex

Re: Another Harmony H174 thread - prismatone install setup

PostPosted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 4:08 pm
by albdamned
Thanks Alex. Kirk is great. I'd be lucky if he wanted to take the work, and I'm sure he could properly re-install the old RMS system.

Re: Another Harmony H174 thread - prismatone install setup

PostPosted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 4:14 pm
by albdamned
Does anyone know if Sonny Thomas is still around and taking work?