Harmony Ukulele from Chicago Any Good?

My grandfather passed away and I really wanted his ukulele to start playing so I inherited it. It's a Harmony from Chicago nice condition and he probably bought it in the 40's or 50's I'm guessing. Seems like a nice ukulele but not sure, either way seems like a good one to start on and it has emotional value to me even if it's not that great. Anyone know about these?

Hello and welcome to UU.

Harmony made a ton of them but they are usually very playable ukuleles! Some are higher end than others. Harmony uke's overall were an economy uke but again, that doesn't mean you can't play and enjoy it a great deal! Post a picture as I always like seeing vintage ukuleles!

Since it was from your family, it will always be valuable. New strings and and adjustment to the tuners if need be (adjust by turning the screw on the tuner) and it should be up and playing just fine. If you haven't played ukulele before, get a clip on tuner, and you are good to go! Here is a page with good info. about Harmony ukuleles. http://www.catfish1952.com/harmony.html

You may want to try Aquilla strings to bring out some volume. Enjoy!

Ya thanks, good to know about the Aguilla strings also. I'm looking forward to getting into playing it.

I have heard several Harmonys and they all sounded pretty decent. If I had one, I wouldn't be getting rid of it any time soon.

I have one from the 50's that is very playable. I put Aquilla's on and it sounds pretty loud. I hope that in the past it was played better than it is now, but we have fun.

I've also got a 50's Harmony with Aquilas and it's a good little player. I've found it sounds a bit better when tuned to D (ADF#B), that was the prefered tuning when those were built.

My first Uke was a 1950s Harmony my father-in-law gave me last Thanksgiving. Birch, plastic fretboard, "ADF#B" and the notes on a treble clef painted between the sound hole and the bridge (in red), and red painted "binding". The plastic tuner buttons are starting to crack, and I don't dare tighten the screws any more.


But I put washers betweent he buttons and the wood, and changed out the strings to Kala Reds (to match the red paint) and it has a nice little sound, and looks the nuts! Won't stay in tune longer than one song, but that's why you take a break between songs, right? (g)

All that being said, I now have two ukes I will never part with - The Harmony, and my Sceptre. In the event you decide not to keep the harmony, talk to me. I'll tell you why you should keep it.

Vintage Tuners

kenikas said:

I've also got a 50's Harmony with Aquilas and it's a good little player. I've found it sounds a bit better when tuned to D (ADF#B), that was the prefered tuning when those were built.

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Hello, I have a vintage Harmony that is missing one of the black tuners with silver color screw. My uke has the red scrolled label so I think it's from the 30"s. Any idea where I can get a replacement vintage tuner?

harmony1 said:

Hello, I have a vintage Harmony that is missing one of the black tuners with silver color screw. My uke has the red scrolled label so I think it's from the 30"s. Any idea where I can get a replacement vintage tuner?

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I found them on eBay.

I've had a couple of Harmony ukes.


I got this one, with a plastic fret board, at a flea market and it was quite playable. I've since given it to a kid who showed some interest.


This one, a Roy Smeck model, also has a plastic fret board. I keep it around for my grandson to play. Not the greatest tone, but it's also quite playable.