Stratotone H44

Hi all !

Don't you just love these?

http://kilback.net/pics/h44s.jpg

I do. Iconic lil' guitars, hard to find these days.
I normally build my own designs (apart from some tele's obviously :) ) but since a Dutch luthier recently drew a very accurate plan of the H44/88 and H42, I just had to build one.

Wood: lot of variety there for the bodywings, they used whatever was available, two or more pieces for the wings. Main feature they all had in common: one piece neck through maple construction.

Some light weight leftover Sipo Mahogany for the wings

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05730Small.jpg

Neck through in the rough

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05844Small.jpg

and glued together

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05847Small.jpg

Bandsawed the body and made a template.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05857Small.jpg

Ready for routing:

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05860Small.jpg

and done...

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05863Small.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05869Small.jpg

I haven't succeeded in finding one yet, but a Stratotone is on my GASlist.
What does your version weigh? It's looking good!!

Made some more templates: for the headstock and the pickguard.

Freehanded the pickup up routing.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05874Small.jpg

Rounded the edges, still needs some ellbow grease

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05873Small.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05899Small.jpg

Prepared a RW fretboard, made a bridge... and most importantly: I got hold of an original DeAromond Rowe pu. Facebook can be a great thing. a far friend let me know he had one, it was dead though. Coincidentally he appeared to live nearby my friend Oigun (known around here I presume... :), by the way, vote for his TDPRI challenge tele now! :)
A day later Oi had it working

he's testing it here on that gorgeous tele he just finished


HLubrIVqjvg

and a couple of days later this was in my mail!

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05884Small.jpg

I haven't succeeded in finding one yet, but a Stratotone is on my GASlist.
What does your version weigh? It's looking good!!

can't tell yet, haven't done any neckshaping yet. But it will be lightweight anyway, these are tiny guitars.

and I cheated....

yes, there is a truss rod inside... original ones usually have a fix steel rod in 'm. Vintage correct is all good and well but an adjustable TR is weller ... :)

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05889Small.jpg


that's it for now

cannot continue: need frets and binding. I want to prepare the fboard fretted and bound before it goes on the neck (that has been routed to correct width already (because of neck through etc...)

I get a kick out of the prices they ask for them at guitar shows. Every vintage dealer has one on display for one or two grand. Nice build!

What is the scale and approximate total length & width... would like to see a pic next to a Tele for fun. PU sound pretty keen.

Nice, I've got my plan tomorrow ...

would build one to maybe ...


s.

That's a cool one. I also like the Kay sizzler which is a little bigger but the same basic concept. I've got a pickguard and pickups for that one. I started a drawing but that got shelved for a while.

at papalion:

here's a line up next to a tele and some other usual and unusual suspects

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05918Medium.jpg

scale is 25 1/4, length and width, have to check that out when I'm home.

at Stijn: really is a joy to build with such a plan, must say i've never done that before, but feels really comfortable having all the right measurments etc...

It's a lovable little guitar.

Helectrix...I love that little Supro Tele thing you have on the far left. To bad your in Europe cause I am gassing for that guitar. What a cool idea.
My girl friends in Belgium next week. Any cool clubs or fun spots she should see away from the tourist haunts?

Helectrix...I love that little Supro Tele thing you have on the far left. To bad your in Europe cause I am gassing for that guitar. What a cool idea.
My girl friends in Belgium next week. Any cool clubs or fun spots she should see away from the tourist haunts?

normally I'm not too fond of hybrids but that supro tele bastard came out really nice. here's a short sample i did after stringing it up for the first time. waiting for the lollar pu's that'll come in it.

AXP0SABVA6k

Belgium cool spots? taste the food! :) there's Brussels, Bruges, Leuven, Antwerp, Gent: big cities (to our standards) but fairly small and historically interesting centres. I like the Belgian coast area: Ostend, De Panne ... on a good day you can see the cliffs of Dover :)

Cool build, I love those old Harmonys too! This isn't one but is in the same vein. Planning on building one based on it someday.

Sweet project! Harmony's are amazing, especially the originals from Chicago. Damn that's hot. Did you find a Hershey bar pickup for it?

Cool!***searching for the LIKE button***

ah Oi, see you moved to Seattle, how's the weather over there:lol:

at Pelliparius: info on the pu in post #3 :wink:

Sun is shining overhere:cool: But it's still a bit chilly...

We should have a made in Chicago build. I have a variation of a Dual Tone that I've made for a while. I call it a Cool Tone...LOL.

For some reason I need one of these.
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=Kay+sizzler&hl=en&sa=X&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS391US391&biw=1254&bih=524&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&tbnid=nSK5FF5a6aySwM:&imgrefurl=http://www.zapbanana.com/index.php/shop/comments/vintage_1950s_kay_sizzler_black_sparkle_electric_g uitar_silvertone_harmony&docid=eifdpiTIlCUWbM&imgurl=http://www.zapbanana.com/images/sized/themes/site_themes/agile_records/images/uploads/084_thumb-400x300.jpg&w=400&h=300&ei=ULu3T8WcEOjK6gHLsvjOCg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=572&vpy=161&dur=1394&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=154&ty=93&sig=101588742225813934013&page=1&tbnh=161&tbnw=202&start=0&ndsp=11&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0,i:80

Cool build, I love those old Harmonys too! This isn't one but is in the same vein. Planning on building one based on it someday.

That's like the evolution of the lap steel to a guitar.... Jimi!

Thanks much, pics next to a Tele tell the story fine...scale is everything huh?

About the size of my old Supro... add a brass nut, ivory saddles some hvy strings tune to open E... recipe for Elmore James:)

for last years challenge 2011 I built a little guitar called a Steeler...just to have a pocket battleship of my own:grin:

wow, that must be one of the coolest Supro's I've ever seen!

My 2012 challenge guitar used an old DeArmond in the neck position:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/2012-tdpri-tele-build-challenge/317867-openg-capo4s-2012-challenge-build-thread-completed.html

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/521541_10101351362285990_4937231_67633597_29897371 4_n.jpg

This particular guitar is also Gibson scale length.

I also had the DeArmond wired up to another Tele I had built, in a similar manner to the way OiGun had it on his, and I must say that I liked it better on the other Tele. I guess it must have liked the Fender scale length better.

Most of the Harmony/National/Supro/etc guitars were 25" scale length. Which is conveniently found on the other side of the StewMac Fender 25.5" scale slotting template. :cool:

So I will probably do a DeArmond Tele with 25" scale at some point in the future.

I found it a little strange no one asked about the plans, or volunteered the information, so I did a little bit of searching. It is available HERE (http://javaca.eu/?page_id=44) :smile:. I'm not sure yet how much 17.50 euros is, or overseas postage, but it appears I'm about to find out :wink:. I have his free Longhorn plan and it is currently in use :lol:, more on that later :wink:



Dave

I found it a little strange no one asked about the plans, or volunteered the information, so I did a little bit of searching. It is available HERE (http://javaca.eu/?page_id=44) :smile:. I'm not sure yet how much 17.50 euros is, or overseas postage, but it appears I'm about to find out :wink:. I have his free Longhorn plan and it is currently in use :lol:, more on that later :wink:



Dave

yep, Jan Van Camp, luthier's name Javaca. wasn't trying to hide that info, but nobody asked :)

I've never built from a plan before but Javaca's plans look verrry accurate to me.

wasn't trying to hide that info, but nobody asked :)
LOL, I hear ya'

I've never built from a plan before but Javaca's plans look verrry accurate to me
I haven't built from a plan since I last used the metric system on one (built some tack & tape kayaks back in the day). I've found that to be a non-factor on the Longhorn (he posted that in the "Printable Templates" thread BTW). I simply printed out the parts and made templates from them. I'm making the 6 string version btw, after my former challenge build that is :lol:

I love H44s and H88s! Subscribed :cool:

update


4mm MOP dots and fretted

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05953Medium.jpg


binding, bit tricky: frets don't go over it, nor should there be nibs. so had to scrape it flush on the other side of the fretboard. Probably would have been better to glue the fretboard first, bring the binding to the right width and put it in place.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05955Medium.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05956Medium.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05958Medium.jpg

also made the pickguard

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05957Medium.jpg

I miss my old '59 Stratotone. It was somewhat different and had a semi-hollowbody. The non truss rod, but thick maple neck was as straight as an arrow.

It is closest to this model (a '60s Stratotone).

http://www.vintagesilvertones.com/forsale_silvrtn-1420strato.html

yep, Harmony made quite some hollow stratotone types. Maple neck deadstraight, yeah, though i'm not sure if one can call this an all maple neck :)

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/steelreinforcedharmonyneck.jpg

I went looking for a Stratotone a little while ago.
I figured...cheap Harmony...I'll get one for a couple hundred bucks.
Boy, was I wrong!

I have two, great guitars actually they have Holiday on the headstock
http://www.mijnalbum.nl/GroteFoto-78LLTA43.jpg
The one with the unknown white pickup sounds and plays KILLER!

stunning beauties, oi
those are hollow hollow, not, or semi?

Hollow as can be (multiplex)

yep, Harmony made quite some hollow stratotone types. Maple neck deadstraight, yeah, though i'm not sure if one can call this an all maple neck :)

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/steelreinforcedharmonyneck.jpg

Well that explains, probably, why my '59 neck was straight. Either that, or it was its impossibly thick, baseball bat appearance. Either way, I got used to it's feel and sound.

Don Mare found me a old H44 pickup on eBay for me and put it on my White Fender 50 Classic Esquire with his Stelly neck pickup Sounds great

yep, Harmony made quite some hollow stratotone types. Maple neck deadstraight, yeah, though i'm not sure if one can call this an all maple neck :)


http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/steelreinforcedharmonyneck.jpg

That's how the Valco/Supro necks are made. There is nothing there to repair really unless you have a milling machine. I have a broken one here that I epoxied back together, but I won't use it until I can machine a slot in there for a spline.

Neck nearly finished shaping, needs some final tweaking and sanding.

It will be a fat Fat neck. I like that on tiny guitars like this one.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05971Medium.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05994Medium.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC05995Medium.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06001Medium.jpg

I can tell that's going to be an amazing guitar. I was wondering how people adjust the neck? I had a perfect action on my '59 Statotone so I never had to have it taken in.

Is it like on a Martin where you bend the whole neck, with metal piece or hard ebony strip inside, thus getting it to an approximate bow for the string tension? I don't know how these things work but would it be like the tension on a bow and arrow?

What's with the stick figure tat?
Did one of your kids draw it?
It's awesome!

I can tell that's going to be an amazing guitar. I was wondering how people adjust the neck? I had a perfect action on my '59 Statotone so I never had to have it taken in.

Is it like on a Martin where you bend the whole neck, with metal piece or hard ebony strip inside, thus getting it to an approximate bow for the string tension? I don't know how these things work but would it be like the tension on a bow and arrow?

there's no adjusting the neck with a thick steel bar like in the supro in the pic above. mostly no need for but if the neck warps for one reason or another, well, more or less end of store. although you can sometime fix things with forced bending and heat.

I cheated on this one: it holds an adjustable rod ...


What's with the stick figure tat?
Did one of your kids draw it?
It's awesome!

yeah my daughter drew this when she was six, 10 years ago now ... :)

there's no adjusting the neck with a thick steel bar like in the supro in the pic above. mostly no need for but if the neck warps for one reason or another, well, more or less end of store. although you can sometime fix things with forced bending and heat.

I cheated on this one: it holds an adjustable rod ...



That's cool. I have an idea which I haven't brought to the USPTO yet, but I think you can add viagra to the wood, somehow.:twisted:

Love your site and your original designs, especially your Duchess bass! Where do you get those cool opaque white knobs (post#9)?

Love your site and your original designs, especially your Duchess bass! Where do you get those cool opaque white knobs (post#9)?

thx man

funny you should ask about those knobs: i suppose you mean these?

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/baby%20blue%20two%20tone%20thin%20king/DSC04601MediumSmall.jpg

they were made by a friend of mine who's quite known on this forum: Oigun

Starting to look like a Stratotone. Still in search for a pair of vintage correcte knobs and lil' tailpiece.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06018Medium.jpg

Hi all !

Don't you just love these?


Where did you purchase the plans from?

Where did you purchase the plans from?

Jan Van Camp, a Dutch Luthier I know. he recently finished this plan for H44and 42 (Newport). just mail him

http://javaca.eu/?page_id=44

You can usually find the Kay short trapeze tailpiece on ebay here in the states. I think Allparts still sells them too.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-60s-Kay-Harmony-Stella-Tail-Piece-US-madeNOS-/160752497857?pt=Guitar&hash=item256d9874c1

meanwhile I found an original H44 tailpiece.

Also found knobs, but they were a bit too expensive, so I'll go for repro's I got from ebay: they look fine to me ... and my wallet.

Some more primer coats. now in search for a good copper/bronze lacquer. haven't found it yet. If I don't find something acceptable, might go for a gold finish. I believe some were made with gold factory finish (and black pickguard).

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06037Medium.jpg

original H44 tailpiece has arrived, with slotted screws: happy with that!

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06039Medium.jpg

some color issues:

hard time finding a can with the right copper bronze color.

finally found this. test run was promising - compared to an original on the right.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/COLORTESTRUN.jpg

But after a couple of layers...naaah not wat I was aiming at. So wiped/sanded it all off and decided to go for the gold Montgomery Ward gold finish version.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06077Medium.jpg

Here again with an oldie on the right. gonna stick with this I think

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/COLORTESTRUNGOLD.jpg

Beautiful work.I had one of the gold ones. Found it on Ebay for $150. Sold it for $400 right before the prices went over a grand. I think the neck on most of the Stratos was poplar?

I have a tone of old Harmony parts-knobs, Hershey bar pickups, wiring harnesses, tailpieces, and knobs.

Gorgeous lustrous gold!! Me likey!

Beautiful work.I had one of the gold ones. Found it on Ebay for $150. Sold it for $400 right before the prices went over a grand. I think the neck on most of the Stratos was poplar?

I have a tone of old Harmony parts-knobs, Hershey bar pickups, wiring harnesses, tailpieces, and knobs.

OOH I'm all ears! Let me know when you want to "part" it:mrgreen:

Beautiful work.I had one of the gold ones. Found it on Ebay for $150. Sold it for $400 right before the prices went over a grand. I think the neck on most of the Stratos was poplar?

I have a tone of old Harmony parts-knobs, Hershey bar pickups, wiring harnesses, tailpieces, and knobs.

to my knowledge H42/44's have maple necks but wouldn't be surprised to find other woods: I guess Harmony had a policy to more or less use whatever was available.

And me too interested in old parts :) still looking for a set of period correct knobs for this one....

Printed a couple of decals, this is a trial. have to install tuners first, back order

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06092Medium.jpg

update

almost finished. polished yesterday. still waiting for the pu rivets that i ordered. need to rout the channel for the bridge nut. then fretlevelling etc...

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06132Medium.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06151Medium.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06158Medium.jpg

not a lot of interest in this build I see. Well it's finished now and here 's some pics anyway .

It's only when you build one that you realize how great this lil' guitar was designed. I love tele's for their effectiveness, simplicity and cool design; I have the same feeling bout these Harmony's.

Plays like a dream, very happy with the outcome.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06212Medium.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06180Medium.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06188Medium.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06191Medium.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06213Medium.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06194Medium.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06201Medium.jpg

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t94/barnnno/H44/DSC06184Medium.jpg

Very beautiful instrument; I was following your thread from the beginning and since I'm totally ignorant on such instruments, what's the switch for? Another high cutting control? Since I was in my teens I hated those italian guitars full of switches doing only scratches and noises (e.g. some Eko); anyway this guitar looks killer.
Not to bother you, can you let me know how you managed the neck-body angle if any?
TIA

Well, don't have a lot to add other than - that's beautiful and I want one! I'll add to my list of future builds. The colour you settled on is excellent ...and I want your Bassman too:razz:

That is so awesome! Hey, where's the video though? (hint...hint)

not a lot of interest in this build I see. Well it's finished now and here 's some pics anyway
To be fair, there is a lot going on in the Depot lately. Having followed it from the start, I gotta ask.............................where's the vid? :lol:

You've nailed it bro!!

Thx all!

... what's the switch for? Another high cutting control? ..

..., can you let me know how you managed the neck-body angle if any?
TIA

switch: bypass tone control

nope, no neck angle, just plain neck through construction



That is so awesome! Hey, where's the video though? (hint...hint)

I'll do a video asap, have to do some final setting up, lowering the bridge a bit, some fret fininshing etc.

That came out great!

Wow, I love it. Nice project in every way.

to my knowledge H42/44's have maple necks but wouldn't be surprised to find other woods: I guess Harmony had a policy to more or less use whatever was available.

Mine is "poplar", which is actually Liriodendron tulipifera, the Tulip Tree....

Thanks for this build thread...
Love those things!

No interest in this build? I'm sorry you're done with it!! Is that Firemist Gold?

Hey H,

I can't wait for a sound clip! I think I read somewhere that Ritchie Valens played one of these. Too cool. Thanks for the link for the plans.

Rob

Looks great sir nice work! Did you consider going without the truss rod like the originals?

thx all for the nice comments!

hooked up the electrics and she sounds fantastic! When oigun send me the pickup, I sticked it to another build I was working on (mahogany body with bolt on neck) to test it. I'm amazed by the difference in sound now that this pickup sits in this maple neckthrough guitar.

Wood and construction do matter definately.



In doubt whether I should radius the bridge nut according to the fretboard radius: plays fine now, but that would improve playablity. But with a straight bridge, it's just perfect for slide playing.

at Gerry B: It says just "Gold" on the rattle can, I checked out a number of different brands and this one seemed to match the color of the montgommery ward version the most.

at Swordfish: the originals do have a truss rod (non adjustable though). I didn't consider not installing a truss rod in spite of the very fat neck (not quartersawn). Once tried that on a tele like build: also neck way over an inch thick but after a couple of months starting bowing ...

I was under the impression that it was the later post 57 Stratotones that had the steel neck reinforcement not the H44 which they produced from 52-57.

It looks great- fantastic job!

Awesome work. Love, love the colour, yet I'm not normally a fan of gold, but it works fantastically on that beautiful gat.

That's a beauty , like kwerk said I am not a fan of gold either , but that guitar changed my mind.

Having owned an original I'm in awe of how close this clone looks.
I wonder if a 3/4 size gig bag would fit it??

Awesome work. Love, love the colour, yet I'm not normally a fan of gold, but it works fantastically on that beautiful gat.

thx kwerk

yep, strange how sometime colors work great on one model, and are hideous on another... fe. normally don't like blue guitars but pelham blue on a firebird or daphne blue on a strat: yummie!

I'm not a good youtube player, but this should give an idea of how she sounds.

sorry for the guitar being slightly out of tune . I tend to make clips too early. still need to dress the frets, lower the action, cut a decent nut and connect the pots and switch...

C7ECdRdRlD4

Wow that's freakin beautiful man!!! Make me one? ;)

No interest, are you kidding?
Great job and it sounds great. Love those pickups.

Sah.............weet! :smile:

Great!! Happy? (otherwise send it to me hèhè)

Great!! Happy? (otherwise send it to me hèhè)

verrry, that pu is here to stay :) amazed by the punch & volume of those tiny bars

really eager to play it through a small tweed amp

Your H44 build is awesome...I missed buying a H42 at a reasonable price...but love the guitar...I do a lot of wood working and building one is now my only opportunity... would you please direct me to where I can purchase a copy of the drawings?

Thanks...