Part1 - Full build of a Harmony Stratotone style electric guitar

[@jblassio]

Ritchie Valens is smiling at you from heaven!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Wow what an honour that would be. C

[@BAGHEAD1995]

I keep coming back to this build series. Such a great guitar. Much better made than the originals for sure!.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks so much. It’s a big face and I play it more than most of the others. It’s a real highlight

[@jimoverly5386]

At the age of 8, in the late 1950s, got my first guitars, harmony sovereign, followed by a harmony stratotone. Today, i have 6 vintage harmony guitars. I've had gibsons and fenders, but, none were vintage. No problem with harmony!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

They are remarkably playable.

[@James-fu8fj]

I still have my harmony Staten I got it well my mom bought it for me. I was in third or fourth grade I think third grade yeah it’s great guitar

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

I’m a fan of them. It’s a nice shape.

[@ianmcglasham]

This is fantastic. Do you remember setting up my guitar years ago Chris? It is still the best guitar setup I have. There is nobody better!'love this series. I know how much you care about the details no matter what the instrument you are working with.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks Ian. Was that really ‘years ago’? My how time flies.

[@barrystevens3550]

Just watched your first video. WELL done young man. good pace, content and delivery. I made my first guitar in 1959, the neck was so thin I had to convert it to a bass! Will look for pic. Love to you.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks Barry your opinion matters to me very much. Hope to meet up with you very soon. Even if it is ‘accidental’. Nudge wink. C

[@bishlap]

the original Harmony is a pretty guitar, looking forward to seeing the end product of your master craftsmanship.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

I could say skip to the last episode, but you would miss so much TJ. It’s still my fave build of 22. C

[@sosugarplumfairy]

Thanks for these videos. It could be longer! Greetings from Spain.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks for watching! There are seven episodes to get through Francisco.

[@RicksPuppets]

I enjoyed this series! Thanks much.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Thanks Rick. Please give my Telecaster series a look. Please subscribe if you can. C

[@pauldunn4874]

How do I get you to build one like this for me?

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

As a good friend of mine says… There is nothing in life that cannot be achieved by the liberal application of truly eye watering amounts of cash. C

[@pauldunn4874]

@@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking depending on how eye watering. I may be keen, what’s the best way to get in touch?

[@robinleebraun7739]

Plywood is in many ways superior to solid wood. For acoustic guitars, the solid wood has properties that make it better, but for electric guitars, the plywood is more stable, can be just as esthetically pleasing, and is far easier to work with. That’s why they used it. Probably much more economical too. And I dare you to find a real difference in sound with identical scale length, pickups, bridge structure, tuners, nut material, neck and frets, and electronics. Of course those guitars that used plywood would also have inferior everything else.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

We could argue at length about the pros and cons of plywood in guitar making. It certainly has its place and but in acoustic guitars it's a mixed blessing. Having bought the 59 harmony, repared it and copied it with tone woods, I can faithfully report that the difference in brightness and sustain are truly huge. That said, should I build a semi acoustic I would consider laminating rather than carving. I'm all for new materials and experimentation.

[@mrlongtree]

Got to disagree, I really like block inlays.

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

Not really a disagreement is it. It’s just a preference. I really like block inlays, but on this guitar the dots felt a bit more old school and block inlays are a bit more work. You can put block inlays on yours and make a video about it. I look forward to it. Big love. C

[@1959LP4U]

It seems that you had (have?) two Stratotone guitars as the one at the start of video is different from the one shown in your shop, yes, no? In any case love your builds and video series!!! Just discovered you and subscribed!

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

I did a Stratotone build as my first video project. I bought one to restore but ended up copying it instead. I still plan o restore it. That will include a pickup coil rewind.

[@1959LP4U]

@@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking My comment refers to the guitar shown @ 0:27 compared to the one hanging up @ 1:43 as they have different bridges, tailpieces, finishes and pickguards. Or is it the same guitar that you started to restore and had made changes to?

[@chrisreynoldsguitarmaking]

@@1959LP4U it’s the same guitar. I began a restoration of it and got diverted from the build by the lack of winder for the pickups.