Here's an example of an important mandolin model in the history of popular music. Blues legends Yank Rachell and (to a lesser extent) Carl Martin, as well as Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, used the Harmony H35 (later renamed the H835) as a stage mandolin during their careers. You still see them today in the hands of pro musicians. The looks of the Batwing have, in my humble opinion, never been beaten. The block inlays, modified F-holes, exaggerated bass point, even the lovely gold foil pickup cover, all add up to a classic package. The original DeArmond pickup is loud enough to rattle the windows. Its tone is perhaps best described as "raw" ... listen to Rachell's Chicago Style album if you want to know what I mean. But for certain styles of music there's nothing better or more authentic. The Batwing may appear to be an acoustic/electric, but it isn't really: if you took off the top you'd see that everything north of the pickup is a solid block of wood, which tends to dampen the acoustic sound, but improves sustain and helps control feedback from the pickup. Best to think of the Batwing as "semi-hollow." Tone and volume knobs, adjustable bridge, bolt-on neck.
This H35 is in good shape, but has been played a lot, as indicated by wear along the neck. It has the ultra-cool die-cut 3-ply vinyl headplate, with the Harmony logo cut out of the top black layer and the white layer showing through. One control knob has been replaced, but everything else is original. There's a small side crack next to the endpin jack. It's stamped "F67" inside, indicating that it was built in the first half of 1967. But people don't stop making music after 50, and mandolins shouldn't either. Original chipboard case.
