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h44 project.

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by h44 » Fri May 22, 2015 12:30 pm

This is my latest guitar project. It is a fairly intact harmony h44 stratotone. The electronics, tuners, tail piece, and pick guard are all right. I needed to replace a pot, and make a bridge and nut. If I can figure out how to work the pictures on this site, I will document the process.
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IMG_20150508_164048.jpg
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by h44 » Sat May 23, 2015 9:24 am

Here is the bridge I made for it. The angle is not correct as far as a copy goes, but it intonates well, with the bridge being perpendicular to the neck
Attachments
IMG_20150517_162539.jpg
Last edited by h44 on Tue May 26, 2015 1:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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by h44 » Sat May 23, 2015 9:27 am

Here is the head stock in as-received condition.
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IMG_20150518_094604.jpg
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by h44 » Sat May 23, 2015 9:30 am

I tried to match the paint, which is clearly not original, and then made a stencil of the logo. I'm not sure it will stay this way. I would probably prefer to replicate the original metallic copper, if I knew how.
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IMG_20150521_204611.jpg
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by Phizix » Mon May 25, 2015 8:48 am

Welcome to the site and Nice job! That one was definitely worth a restoration. These harmonys are great sounding and fun to play guitars.
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by h44 » Mon May 25, 2015 4:30 pm

Thank you! Yes, this guitar is worth the effort to me. I love the sound and it plays great. A neighbor of mine needed a few bucks, and I was in the right place at the right time. I had restrung it for him a few months ago, and kind of fell in love with it then. Best hundred and eighty bucks I've ever spent.
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by h44 » Tue May 26, 2015 1:20 pm

The original Jack plate had been lost and replaced with a 4 screw metal plate. I made this one based on pictures I saw on line. The metal one is higher quality, but this looks a lot more original.
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IMG_20150526_151459.jpg
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by h44 » Fri Jun 05, 2015 9:13 pm

You might have noticed that one tuner shaft did not match. When I got this guitar, it was missing the gear and screw for one tuner, the d string. I found a spare that worked in my collection, (from a fender villager I'm waiting to feel inspired to work on) but it did not match. I ordered a set on eBay, thinking that I would just use the gear and screw, but when it came in, it did not fit. The gear meshed perfectly, but did not fit the tuner shaft, and the shaft that came on the eBay set was oversized, too long and to thick. I cut it down, and then chucked it in the drill press ands took it down to the right diameter, as well as carving out the"waist"that the others have.
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IMG_20150605_161455.jpg
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by opotable » Sun Jun 07, 2015 8:51 am

well done, i like to hear about the normally priced harmonys. :wink:
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