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. I have too many of these to keep straight, so I've started giving them names. This H35 is Gina. It
has a lot number of 0097 and is labeled F-67-M
MADE IN U.S.A., meaning it was built in the first half of 1967. It has survived
pretty well, although it does have some chips and scratches along the edges,
a surface crack on the back, a small crack in the pickup housing, and a small gap in the back binding at the tailpiece.
It has the die-cut 3-ply vinyl headplate with the cut-out Harmony logo. NOTE: Although it is pictured with a Harmony logo pickguard, it NO LONGER HAS ONE; instead the pickguard is a plain black replacement. I'll have to get some new photos up. The
bridge appears to be a 2-piece with the posts and thumbwheels removed
and the saddle and base glued together. All other hardware is original; the
chrome tailpiece cover has a significant amount of oxidation covering almost
half its surface.
An endpin has been added. A leather strap attaches there and has also been
riveted together around the narrow part of the headstock, just above the nut
and underneath the strings, so its installation is more or less permanent.
Gig bag included, or upgrade to a hardshell case.
