Harmony
Since 1892
Harmony was founded in 1892 in Chicago, Illinois, and grew to become the largest musical instrument manufacturer in the world by the mid-20th century, producing hundreds of thousands of guitars annually. Sears Roebuck sold countless Harmony guitars under the Silvertone name, putting instruments in the hands of generations of American musicians. After decades of decline and dormancy, Harmony was revived in 2018 by BandLab Technologies with USA manufacturing at 225 Parsons Street in Kalamazoo, Michigan—the historic former home of Gibson Guitars. The new Harmony delivers retro-modern designs with professional-grade construction and distinctive Gold Foil pickups.
134
Years in Business
10M+
Guitars Sold
$10M+
Annual Revenue
Complete Harmony Guitar Guide
Comprehensive buying guide, price analysis, model comparisons, and expert insights to help you understand everything about Harmony guitars.
Harmony Price Overview
Harmony covers a wide range of instruments from entry-level to professional models. Typical used prices vary by condition, series and year. Higher-end USA models and limited editions retain value better than mass-market lines, while rare or vintage pieces often command significant premiums.
When evaluating value, consider originality (pickups, hardware), structural condition (neck, frets, finish) and documentation (serials, receipts, setup reports). Price dispersion across platforms is common; local stores offer service and inspection, whereas online marketplaces provide broader selection and price transparency.
For detailed buying advice, model comparisons and condition-based pricing, read the full guide linked above.
Market Overview
Average Price
$850
+6% vs last year
eBay Listings
900
Active listings
Sold This Month
180
+5% vs last month
Price Range
$50-$2,500
Current market range
Data sourced from eBay, Reverb, and Guitar Center used listings
Harmony Timeline
Harmony Founded in Chicago
Founded in Chicago, Illinois, beginning as a small musical instrument manufacturer.
Sears Roebuck Investment
Sears Roebuck acquired a majority stake, making Harmony guitars available through the Sears catalog and kickstarting mass adoption.
World's Largest Manufacturer
Became the world's largest musical instrument manufacturer, producing hundreds of thousands of guitars annually from the Chicago factory.
Silvertone Branding
Sears sold Harmony-made guitars under the Silvertone name, becoming the most common first guitar for a generation of American musicians.
Gold Foil Pickup Era
Produced guitars with distinctive Gold Foil pickups that became coveted for their unique, chimey tone—later inspiring boutique pickup makers.
Chicago Factory Closes
The original Chicago factory closed as competition from Japanese imports and changing market conditions ended the Harmony era.
BandLab Technologies Acquisition
BandLab Technologies acquired the Harmony brand and intellectual property, beginning plans for a full revival.
Kalamazoo Revival
Harmony relaunched with USA manufacturing at 225 Parsons Street in Kalamazoo, Michigan—the historic former home of Gibson Guitars—with the Jupiter, Rebel, and Silhouette models.
Standard Series Expansion
Expanded the Standard Series with new finishes, pickup options, and the Jupiter Thinline semi-hollow model.
Phat Cat P90 Options
Introduced models with Seymour Duncan Phat Cat P90 pickups alongside the signature Gold Foil Humbuckers, expanding tonal range.
Complete Harmony Product Lineup
Harmony: From Chicago catalog guitar to Kalamazoo craftsmanship—reborn since 2018
Standard Series Electric
USA-made retro-modern instruments
Single-cutaway Gold Foil at ~$1,499
Semi-hollow Gold Foil at ~$1,699
Double-cutaway at ~$1,499
Offset design at ~$1,499
P90 Variants
Seymour Duncan Phat Cat equipped models
P90-equipped single-cut at ~$1,499
P90-equipped double-cut at ~$1,499
Harmony Amplifiers
USA-designed tube amplifiers
50W combo amplifier
20W combo amplifier
5W tube combo
Vintage Harmony (Pre-1975)
Original Chicago-made instruments
Vintage archtop electric
Semi-hollow classic
Legendary flat-top acoustic
Sears catalog versions
"Harmony: From Chicago catalog guitar to Kalamazoo craftsmanship—reborn since 2018"
Model-Specific Buying Guide
Each model has unique characteristics that affect both tone and value. Here's what to look for when buying specific models.
Modern Standard Series Guide
Kalamazoo Craftsmanship
Modern Harmony guitars are built at 225 Parsons Street in Kalamazoo—the same building where Gibson made guitars for decades. Mahogany bodies, nitrocellulose lacquer, and set-neck construction at $1,499
Gold Foil Signature Tone
Harmony's custom Gold Foil Humbuckers produce a unique chimey, articulate tone unlike standard PAF-style humbuckers. They clean up beautifully and grit up with character—the brand's sonic identity
Jupiter vs Rebel vs Silhouette
Jupiter (single-cut) for blues/rock warmth, Rebel (double-cut) for versatile access, Silhouette (offset) for indie/alternative character. All share the same build quality and pickups
Vintage Harmony Guide
Catalog Guitar Culture
Vintage Harmony guitars represent American music history—millions were sold through Sears catalogs. Original Rockets, Stratotones, and Sovereigns range from $200-$2,000 depending on model and condition
Gold Foil Pickup Value
Original Gold Foil pickups from 1960s Harmony guitars are highly prized. Complete guitars with working original pickups command significant premiums over refitted instruments
Playability Caveat
Vintage Harmony guitars were built to a price. Expect high action, questionable intonation, and minimal adjustability. Many are better as collectibles or decorative pieces than daily players
Used Harmony Buying Guide
Two Distinct Markets
Used Harmony means either modern ($900-$1,200) or vintage ($50-$2,000). Modern Harmony guitars are well-built professional instruments. Vintage models vary wildly in condition and playability
Modern Used Value
Used Standard Series at $900-$1,200 are compelling—USA-made, nitro finish, Gold Foil pickups, set-neck construction. Comparable to Gibson or PRS quality at 40-50% of the price
Vintage Authentication
For vintage models, look for Chicago, Illinois manufacturing labels. Serial numbers help date instruments. Original Gold Foil pickups, original finish, and functional electronics significantly increase value