Harmony H306C 112 Combo

This is an all tube, hand wired amp, with the date 12-62 stamped on the transformer. It has two independent channels that each have two inputs, and a volume and tone control. The amp also has foot-switchable tremolo that has speed and modulation (depth) controls. It was made before channel switching and effects loops were even thought of, and no headphone jack. As a result of the simplicity of the amp, it sounds very transperant and airy, with nice depth. I was looking for a practice amp for the house, and this fits me to a tee. I wanted a handwired, tube rectified (5Y3),6V6 powered amp with tremolo, and here is is. Since the tremolo is foot-switchable, it's an added bonus. I only use this amp in the house to practice and it is just the right size. It puts out about 12 watts, and breaks up beautifully once you get the volume past 5. It has more than enough power for practicing in the living room or kitchen, but not enough to gig with, but that's fine because I have another amp dedicated to that task. There are no features that I wished this amp had, and none that I don't use. It doesn't have reverb, but that's ok by me since I'm not a huge reverb fan, and this amp doesn't need it.

I am currently using an Epiphone Sheriton ll, with the original pick-ups in it. This guitar works very well with this amp. I use the guitar to shape the tone coming from the amp, and there really isn't a sound that I can't get. I play blues, classic rock, country, and a little hillbilly, and can get any of these from this little gem. If you wanted to play heavier styles of music either use a dirt box, or look else where. This is real old school amplification, designed to do one thing: amplify your guitar, and the signal that you put into it. And this amp does exactly that: what you put in is what comes out! This amp also works extremely well with pedals. I use a Boss DD-3, and a Boss OD-3 with this amp, and they sound wonderful. Tried most of the other Boss overdrive pedals and the OD-3 worked the best. This amp is one of the quietest tube amps that I have ever used or heard. When It is on all you can here is the hum of the power, and a small degree of hiss that is negligable. Will be great for recording. Although there may not be many sounds in the amp, the one sound that it does have is amazing. The tremolo is fantastic, and can get so deep that you're swimming in a guitar sound that seems to come from everywhere. When you get the amp wound up the overdrive is very musical, and usable. I have been looking for that seamless transition between claen and dirty that 6V6's are legendary for, and finally found that sound in this amp. Believe me I've been through a LOT of amps to find this sound, and now have finally got there. Once you get the amp turned up the drive is nice, but there is a bit of a dead spot between 5-6 where the distorted sound is a little muddy, but if I turn it up to 7-8, it just sings. The sustain and compression are perfect for the way that I play.

Here's the deal in this category: when I bought the amp 6 months ago, it had the original tubes in it, and the original Jensen C12-R speaker, and it worked fine. The power tubes were RCA Blackplates, and the rectifier was RCA as well, with 2 Westinghouse 12AX7's in the pre-amp section. There was an RCA 6SH7 tube for the tremolo circuit that is still working and still in the amp. I replaced the power tuber with Electro-Harmonix 6V6's, a Groove Tube 5Y3, and Groove Tube 12AX7's in the pre-amp section. (Believe it or not, the old Westinghouse tubes were quieter, and have those put away for recording) I also put in a re-issue Jensen C12-R, and have the original speaker put away to keep safe. Had my tech go through the amp and he found nothing wrong with the amp at all. Even the filter caps were up to snuff, and did not have to do any repairs to the amp at all. There is no bias on the output tubes, as the bias is regulated by the tremolo circuit. So is it reliable: YES. I would use and take this amp anywhere and not worry about it at all. Every time I plug it in, it fires up and works fine, and sounds great. It has never failed on me, and if I was in a situation where I HAD to take one amp that I had to rely on this would be it. Hands down ! If it can run for over forty years on original equipment, what does that say?

Harmony has been gone for a long time, so I don't think I can expect any support. But with the simple nature of the circuit, any qualified tech could work on it with ease. There is also a schematic on the back plate of the amp. Nice idea. Also the tube sockets are marked, so even a novice could change them.

I have been playing guitar for close to 35 years now, with 10 of those playing for a living. I am currently in a three piece band that plays pretty much every weekend. I only have the one guitar because I love it and can't find anything else I like nearly as much, and have a Traynor YCV-40 2X10 that I use for gigs. (great amp by the way) I have been trying to find an older amp that 'fits' me and my style for a number of years now and just got frustated. Tried lots of old Fender amps (deluxe (3X), Princeton, Twin, Pro, Super '93), and a lot of the newer Fender amps.(HR Deluxe, Pro Junior,Blues Junior), and just couldn't get the warm sound that this amp pocesses. If you want to get that 'old' sound you need to get an amp that is hand-wired to get THAT tone. If this amp were ever lost or stolen would try to find another, but that is becoming increasingly difficult these days. I love just about everything about this amp. I cleaned her up and it looks great except for the stain on the grille. I would have to rip the box apart to get the grille out, and am not about to do that. The amp has a cool look, bluish grey tolex, grey grille, and original leather handle. Can't honestly think of anything that I hate about this amp, and love the simplicity of the amp (doesn't need 19 knobs to get a sound) , and the TONE and timbre of the amp. I have looked at just about every small powered amp the the mucis stores carry where I live, and have not found anything even close to this in it's price range. Just to give you some perspective on prices where I live, Princeton's go for up to $1000.00 (no shit!) Sometimes you'll see a Champ for $400, but that's crazy. I know that the old Fender amps are very desirable and sought after, and that is why the market is the way that it is. The circuit in this amp is very close to a tweed deluxe, and that is the sound that you get. The two channels do work together so you can get different sounds that way. (plug into channel 2 and adjust the volume on the other channel to get more drive)I have tried stacking the channels and it gets real 'stinky'. I know that it's not a 'this' or a 'that', but it is what it is, a GREAT amp. This amp is the same as the H306B,with the only difference being the speaker type. The B has a Jensen P12-R, while the C has a Jensen C12-R. I have heard them both, and prefer the ceramic speaker in this amp. All I can say is that if you want a great amp without having to get a second mortgage, this may be worth looking at. So if you see one grab it and enjoy. You'll never hear anything like it!