H174 - Classic
Acoustic flatop
Other brands : H174 Classic was also sold as Baldwin 801 CP

Top of the line classic model

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All solid woods

9 comments | Add your comment !

• Michael Flory - 2005-11-17
  Many thanks for your posting of the database. When I was in high school my parents bought me a Harmony Model 174 (date-coded 1967). I remember their efforts to make ends meet, and I always assumed that the 174 was the economy model. I was very touched to learn, nearly 40 years later, that they'd bought me the top of the line. I've still got it and it still sounds good.
• Pat - 2005-12-09
  Me too: sounds great and after all these years my son is now playing it with a vengance. Thanks for the oppurtunity to comment on this guitar.
• Dawn Marie McCandless - 2007-09-15
  I found & bought a well used 1967 model. The poor old thing has a couple of cracks in the sides. One is in the waist from poor shipping service. The heel was lifted and the other crack starts there and runs down the shoulder. I glued things back together as best as possible. The finish has fine crackles all through it from heat, age or whatever it went through before. The fret board has an ever so slight relief in it from it's rough past. However, it is still an easy guitar to play. There is a slight indented scoop in the back side of the neck before the octave to make the grip easier. It is how the guitar was made. It makes playing the octaves a lot easier for my short fingers even though the strings are a tad high there because of the neck damage. The guitar has a wonderful deep mellow sound. You can feel the whole guitar vibrate for the longest time after it is strummed. The harmonics are beautiful. With the onset of arthritis I had given up a mid-line Brazillian made classical thinking I could never play a classical guitar again. Well, this guitar has given me new hope! The colors of the old woods are absolutely beautiful. For anybody owning one of these-the old woods are too delicate for steel strings. Do as the label says and use only good quality nylon strings!
• tarzi - 2008-06-23
  My father bought me a H174 in 1962 when I began classical guitar lessons. From the start it had a beautiful rich and mellow tone, and it kept getting better and better over the years. My father bought the best he could afford for me in those days, and he made the right choice. I've played that H174 up until the early 80s, when I stopped playing altogether - for no good reason. I gave it to a broke musician friend who needed a guitar. He promptly sold it... I am 63 now, and taking up the guitar again. Boy, do I wish I still had my H174...
• Jerry - 2008-08-13
  I acquired a '66 H174 that was rescued from somebody's attic. It was there for many years. I had to repair the bridge (the previous owner had removed the saddle and had the strings sitting directly on the bridge). Fortunately, it's still playable and sounds great!
• Grandpa Jimmy - 2008-08-23
  I have had my 174 since 1965. I had to replace the tuning pegs/machine heads back in the 80's and it has suffered a few cracks and smacks over the years. The darn thing still plays and when I get out my folk songs I can finger pick them like I used to. I have a 3 year old grandson who strums it now ( have it tuned to E) All the kids started out with this one first. Would not give it up now if I had to. I think the music store ripped me off because I paid $150.00 for mine and this page says it was worth $100.00 Oh Well, too late now.
• netspirit - 2009-06-19
  I just bought one online for $25. The guy I bought it from did not seem to know much about it.I was very excited to find out that it is a Chicago-made Harmony.I don't think mine was played much because its action was very high. I lowered it and it is more playable. It will never be a true concert classical guitar, but what a wonderful tone it has from the solid woods!
• Dow D. - 2010-01-11
  I just got me a 174 off Ebay. Super nice looking, definately taken care of. It's a '66 model, and I think it sat in the case for over 30 years....because....it sounds awful. It has no tone, it sounds dead. Nothing is clear or bright..just real dull and gutless. And the action on the neck is sky high...cant finger pick on it. This is pretty much the same guitar Jerry Reed used, without the 3rd ring around the sound hole and no prismatone...I've got to say that I am really let down. I've played laminate top guitars with better sound.
• Tom - 2010-02-17
  I recently found a H174 in a Goodwill Store. It had some problems long crack in the lower rim.It had obivously been dropped. After sealing the crack and putting on a new set of strings..all I can say is what a great guitar! When you play one of the basses the entire body vibrates and its extremely low with a very pleasant tone. I would like to have 5 more just like it.