This guitar is in good condition with just a few minor bruises that are hardly noticeable, typical of general playwear. Additionally, it has had a rear pickup added by the original builder, enhancing its versatility and tone.
Island’s Forty-Four is a meticulously crafted reinterpretation of the small-bodied, single-pickup Harmony H44, a classic design from the '50s and '60s. Once overlooked for serious music-making, Harmony guitars have now gained appreciation thanks to artists like Dan Auerbach and Marc Ribot, who have created signature sounds with these vintage instruments. This resurgence has led to a reevaluation of Harmony guitars, with prices on the vintage market steadily rising.
Luthier Nic Delisle, the creative mind behind Island Instrument Manufacture, draws inspiration from Harmony, Silvertone, and other department-store guitars to craft his unique designs that stand out both sonically and visually. Despite being in his mid-20s, Delisle has established a reputation for creating guitars that are distinct from others on the market. Unlike the mass-produced Harmony guitars, each Island instrument is meticulously handcrafted in Delisle's workshop in Montreal's Mile-End, a neighborhood renowned for its vibrant independent music community.
The Forty-Four model from Island Instruments is a stylish reinterpretation of the iconic Harmony H44, famously used by Marc Ribot. Fresh off Delisle's workbench, this review guitar exemplifies how the once underappreciated design of the H44 can be transformed into a platform for innovative design improvements, breathing new life into a classic instrument.