Donnie - Posted - 03/14/2017:  10:21:17

I got a 1969 Harmony Bat Wing Mando in a trade; it has a Spruce Top and (as usual) Birch Back & Sides. I put a K&K Definative Pick Up on it and I gotta say, it's really cool, especially for Jazz, Swing and Blues. I put 0.10's on it for a little more brightness and playing ease. I know it's not worth tons of money per investment, but it adds to my sound arsenal.

Mandodennis - Posted - 03/15/2017:  09:21:27

Nice!!!

I happen to have two of the Harmony batwing (H8025 ?) mandolins on the shelf. I like the body shape. I bought them both between 1970-72 as road instruments after realizing how much abuse my vintage mandolins were subjected to on stage. One is the acoustic model and the other is the electric model with the DeArmond gold foil pickup.  Both have held up nicely over the years.  They play quite well.  The acoustic sound is not particularly loud and the tone isn't the best but that's not why I got them - the price was right.  Other than the tuners (easily replaced) and some issues with shrinking bindings/headplates they have proven to be a good investment.  It seemed to be a reasonable choice back in the day - good enough for Led Zeppelin to use on stage.  I've always thought the back/sides were made of maple. 

Have fun with your batwing.

Dennis

kimmattis123 - Posted - 03/15/2017:  18:50:22

I bought mine new in 1971 and i still have it.   It is a unique looking thing.  Sound is OK, not loud. My big problem was the 'A' strings.  They always went out of tune- every time- drove me nutz-  I solved the problem by putting on D' addario FLATTOPS .These have  wound 'A' strings.  Plays much better now.  I'm glad to see I'm not the only guy to buy one to play rock.  The early 70s were the golden age of rock mando.  My goal was playing Rod Stewart's 'Maggie May'. Gotta love the mandolin ending.   Zep was good too, as was a number of British bands that used mando on a few songs.  My brother borrowed it and tried to put on a pickup.  He hacked the pickguard beyond recognition while dropping water on the orig. chipboard case.  I have a new case for it and stuck a strap button the the top cutaway [ I'm sorry I did that now. ] But I used it for bluegrass for years.  I now have a new handmade 'A' model so the old 'wing doesn't get the workout it once had.

Mandodennis - Posted - 03/15/2017:  19:38:38

quote:

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Originally posted by kimmattis123

 

I'm glad to see I'm not the only guy to buy one to play rock.  The early 70s were the golden age of rock mando.  My goal was playing Rod Stewart's 'Maggie May'. Gotta love the mandolin ending.   Zep was good too, as was a number of British bands that used mando on a few songs.  

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Just to be clear, I did not buy the Batwings to play rock.  I was a folkie, dang it!!!!   

But yeah, we did do the "Maggie May" thing on occasion.  I love the mandolin and button box sound, must be my Irish genes showing. We had to use a melodica for the reed parts until I could afford a proper accordion. A few years later another group, also from Philly, picked up on that sound.  "And we danced, like a wave on the ocean, romanced. We were liars in love and we danced ...."

But yes, the electric Batwing can rock.  Which my son figured out when he went off to college.  He ran off with the Batwing.  I thought it was gone forever.  However since getting a degree and earning a salary he has his own F and A model mandos.  My Batwings have been re-united.

I know Harmony made a lot of mandolins but I am always amazed at how many of the Monterey and Batwing models survive intact and still play well.  I may own nicer mandolins but I've gotten my smiles out of the Harmony mandolins.  Well worth what I paid for them. 

Lots of rock tunes have had mandolin bits in them. Should we run a list?   And a few even have Mandocello.

Dennis

Jim Yates - Posted - 03/15/2017:  21:46:06

I saw one appear in the music store where I used to teach.  I immediately phoned my friend Jimmy Bowskill ad told him about it, knowing it would suit him perfectly.  The next day when I went to work, it was gone.  The boss said, Jimmy Bowskill came in and bought it yesterday.



Here's Jimmy with his friend and former English teacher Dan playing an old Stanley Brothers tune.

youtube.com/watch?v=nTEDTsIvv6A

Jim Bowskill's Yank mando on our couch

 

Donnie - Posted - 03/16/2017:  08:45:05

the K&K Definitive Pick Up (cute 9 volt pre amp), played  through my  Fishman Loud Box is too cool! The only problem with the Pre Amp is it only runs on the battery, so you have to unplug it during a break or make sure you put in a fresh battery every time you use it.

Edited by - Donnie on 03/16/2017 08:48:08