Catch of the Day: 1954 Harmony H-20 Consolectric Steel Guitar

1954 Harmony H-20 Consolectric Steel Guitar

Harmony was primarily known for building well made, moderately priced instruments that were inspired by the work of builders like Gibson, Martin and Fender. But this steel guitar/amp/case combo was all their own design. Dubbed the Consolectric, this six string-steel was the lid of its own case which also contained its own little amplifier. I think this would actually be a pretty good idea for a practice rig, or for a guitar to take along to low-volume jam sessions. I’m not sure that tiny amp would be loud enough for much else. This example was built in 1954 and while it’s all there, it is in need of a little TLC. The amp works but the pickup on the steel doesn’t. The main problem with an item like this is that the cost of repair usually exceeds that cost of finding one that doesn’t need the work, so inexpensive vintage guitars like like this can sit around for years before being fixed. Poor little things. Still, at $295 this Harmony Consolectric might be a good project for a fledgling repair person to learn a few pickup repair tricks on. If you would like to give this great little steel guitar a home and get it back on its legs, you can arrange for an adoption from the fine folks at Olivia’s Vintage Guitars.