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Topic: Harmony Harmolin short video |
Tim Toberer
From:
Nebraska, USA
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Posted 10 Jan 2024 6:50 am |
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I have been trying to find a video of one of these in action for quite awhile. Finally I found a competent musician showing what these are capable of. I wish it were a better quality video, but it sounds great!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CWObOiDrRVx/ |
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scott murray
From:
Asheville, NC
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Posted 10 Jan 2024 1:27 pm
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wow, never heard of these. amazing how much like a steel it sounds
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1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster |
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Dan Kelly
From:
Boston, MA
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Tim Toberer
From:
Nebraska, USA
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scott murray
From:
Asheville, NC
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Posted 11 Jan 2024 9:00 am
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so this contraption of 2 knee levers and a palm pedal on a guitar dates back to the 30s??
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1965 Emmons S-10, 3x5 • Emmons LLIII D-10, 10x12 • JCH D-10, 10x12 • Beard MA-8 • Oahu Tonemaster |
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Dan Kelly
From:
Boston, MA
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Posted 13 Jan 2024 4:33 am
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Yeah Scott! It seems this re-writes what most of expected was the historical time line of the Pedal Steel.
I am surprised this thread is not generating more discussion. I think it is a neat development.
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blah, blah, blah.
Hey You Kids! Get Off My Lawn!
blah, blah, blah. |
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Tim Toberer
From:
Nebraska, USA
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Posted 13 Jan 2024 7:18 am
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I have done some research on the web about the origins of the pedal steel and this guitar is probably earliest commercially availabe pitch changing device. I assumed they were not very functional, but this video proves otherwise. I remember seeing a 7 string Stella guitar on reverb that had some kind of pitch changing device that had been removed, but I can't find any reference to it it anywhere. I tried to find the old listing, but can't. Maybe I imagined it?. Here is is a very good reference to the development of the pedal steel. No mention of the Harmolin, but it covers most everything else.
https://cdr.lib.unc.edu/concern/dissertations/0r967514v?locale=en
I have a feeling there was lots going on behind the scenes, but getting a product to market, especially during that time, must have been daunting. I can only imagine the conversations that were taking place... In San Francisco at the Hotel St Francis The Harry Owens Royal Hawaiians had a summer residency. That puts Freddie Tavares, Paul Martin (Grauenhorst)/Antony Freeman and Alvino Rey in the same city in the early/mid 1930's. All playing swing and Hawaiian music which was all the rage then obviously. During this time Freddie was already designing and building tube amps. I have to think that his genius is involved in the earliest development of the instrument. Ernest Tavares's guitar was not built until 1946, but I believe the idea and design was conceived much earlier. Here is an article that details Reys and Martins close friendship.
https://www.newswise.com/articles/tracing-early-pioneers-of-steel-pedal-guitar |
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Justin Wierenga
From:
Michigan, USA
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Posted 13 Jan 2024 8:41 am Harmolin
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That is indeed me playing!
Was a really cool instrument to have.
My buddy who is a talented luthier currently owns it.
Sorry for the low fi cell phone vid recording!
I got it from a guitar show in Grand rapids MI. |
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Tim Toberer
From:
Nebraska, USA
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Posted 14 Jan 2024 11:06 am Re: Harmolin
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| Justin Wierenga wrote: |
That is indeed me playing!
Sorry for the low fi cell phone vid recording!
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Thanks for making that little video! My interest in these Harmolins is was what led me here. It was at least 5 years ago when I came across one on Reverb and the rest is history. I am now building my 3rd acoustic pedal steel... Totally hooked! I think when these came out, the tunings and playing styles hadn't evolved enough to take advantage of the functionality of these instruments. For some reason they didn't catch on. I would imagine, they are difficult to play and I would much rather have pedals, but hearing you tear it up was a big thrill for me. Thanks again! |
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