H-He Hi-

made

info    updated 3/3/2010

Henner Hagenlocher

1992 to present

Started manufacture. "1992 in Hamburg Germany. Since 1996 in Spain Calle Guadarrama 1, 18009 Granada". ..the date of manufacture for your guitars...is " Inside the guitar written on the label" [Source: Henna, Granada guitars, email 24/4/2008]

Images courtesy of Guitar Salon International:

Hagstrom

1958-1983

Hagstrom was a musical instrument manufacturer in Älvdalen, Dalecarlia, Sweden. Their original products were accordions that they initially imported from Germany and then Italy before opening their own facility in 1932. During the sixties, the company started making electric guitars and later amplifiers. Hagström were the first company to mass produce 8 string bass guitars as well as the first to build a guitar/keyboard hybrid. In 2004 the brand was resurrected and is now in production in China.  [Source: wikipedia ]

Hagstrom reference sites

Biggest  http://www.hagstrom.org.uk/index.html

http://www.albinhagstrom.se/

http://www.hagstrom-vintage-guitars.se/

The Hagstrom Pages

http://www.algonet.se/~barke/hagstrom.htm

http://hem.passagen.se/awe/hagstromenindex.htm

Hagstrom Scandi

Dating Goya Hagstom guitars

http://goyaguitars.tripod.com/goya_serial_no.htm

Hagstrom reference books

Super Swede: Hagstrom Guitars 50 Years

Hagstrom guitar catalogs

1952, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1977 and more  http://www.hagstrom.org.uk/catalogues.htm

1968 http://www.carvinmuseum.com/guitarads.html

1966,68, 72, 75 http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/hagstrom66.php

1966, 1975 http://www.21frets.com/catalogs.html

Hagstrom guitar advertisements

http://www.vintageguitars.org.uk/advertisements/hagstrom

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Hagstrom

Images  - eBay

Hahl

1988 to present

"I started 1988 with my education at the workshop from a German master luthier. In 1989 I built my first own model . An acoustic Archtop witch now is called the "Jazz Supreme".  I run my workshop in a small village called Mudershausen in Germany.

I have a number code at the label inside of my guitars where you can find the year of building." [Source: Stefan Hahl, email 12/8/2008 ]

Images courtesy of Stefan Hahl:

Hahn Guitars

2007 to present

Made since "2007, Garnerville, NY, Serial number code: Year, Month, #built that month." [Source: Chihoe Hahn, email 22/7/2008]

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Hahn+Guitars

Haida Gwaii

1998 to 2002

Established by Greg Williams, (president) ,his brother Chris, Mark Vantaa, and Robert Bustos in 1998.

http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nr/ecd/ssd/col25_e.html

see Paragon

Haight

1990 to present

Norman D Haight, " has been building since 1989. Our showroom and shop are at our home in Scottsdale, Arizona. His label in each guitar includes the year the guitar was finished, a brief description of wood used, etc. and his signature. Serial numbers are sequential by year." [Source and images courtesy of Sharon Haight, email 18/7/2008 ]

Haight guitars at myspace

Halfling

see Ribbecke

Hascal Haile

1960s-1986

Hascal Haile (1906-1986) made guitars from the late 1960s Tomkinsville, Kentucky, USA.

http://www.wku.edu/library/kylm/exhibits/inhouse/ongoing/haile.html

http://www.gruhn.com/features/Haileatkins/AC1683.html

William Hall and Sons

William Hall and Sons ran a piano factory in New York.  Guitars were made for them by Ashborn.

Images (#3, 1853) eBay:

1992 to present

"I started to build instruments on a hobby basis in 1986 but since 1992 I build on fulltime professional basis. While my early production was splitted between lutes, acoustic guitars and classical guitars, since 1990 I build only classical and flamenco guitars. The instruments are always signed on the inside with my name, number, location and year. Three different labels has been used. The first 1987 - 1992, the second 1992 - 2001 and the third since 2001. Every instrument is numbered on every label and on the present label I sign also with my name." [source: Per Hallgren, email 30/3/2008]

Hallmark

1960s again in 1995

Imported and US made. Bob Shade and Bill Gruggett California, USA.  less than 1,00 original guitars built. [Source: Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide ]

http://www.hallmarkguitars.com/about/history/default.htm

Search at http://www.vintageguitar.com

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Hallmark

1993 to present

"I started building guitars in 1993. I only produced 2 or 3 instruments a year until 2001 when I started making guitars full time. You can find the year the guitar was made by looking at the label on the inside of the guitar. the first 2 numbers are the year and the second set is the number of guitars made up to that point. So a serial # reading 0241 means that it was built in 2002 and is the 41st guitar made." [Source: Kent Hamblin, email 22/3/2008]

Hamer

1974 to present

Hamer Guitars is an American manufacturer founded by Jol Dantzig in Chicago with his business partner Paul Hamer in 1973 originating in the Chicago area.  Hamer was acquired by Kaman Music in 1988. [Source: wikipedia]
Rick Nielson article http://www.flyingvintage.com/gcmag/rnielsen.html

Dating Hamer guitars

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/Eguitar/ElectricSerialization.pdf

http://www.hamerguitars.com/?fa=faq#serial

http://www.tokairegistry.com/tokai-info/guitar-dating.html#hamer

http://www.hamerfanclub.com/serial.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamer_Guitars

History of Hamer guitars

4 part article- search at http://www.vintageguitar.com

http://www.dantzig.com/pages/%20ToneQuest.pdf

Hamer catalogs

2003 Hamer Catalog

2005 Hamer Catalog

2007 Hamer XT Catalog

Hamer pricelists

2006 Hamer Pricelist

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Hamer

Dane Hancock

Dane Matthew Hancock is brother of Sean Hancock, and guitars are made at the same place, Mt Tamborine, near the Gold Coast, Australia.

Image: Guitar Salon International

Kim Hancock

Kim Hancock is the father of this Australian guitar making family. Mt Tamborine, Queensland

Image Great Guitars :

Hancock Guitars

1992 to present

Helmut Hanika

Guitars made in the Netherlands.

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Hanika

Image 1981 Helmut Hanika Bruunari:

Handmade guitars from the Philipines

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Harana

Harden Engineering

1999 to present

William Harnden, builds electric guitars and effects pedals in Chicago.

"I have been building guitars for about 10 years, but they were one off pieces. In the lat 2 years ago I settled on a standard design and we have had this model ,the "Switchblade" in production since then. All our guitars are handmade and so each one is unique. Our pickups are our own design and are handmade as well. At this point there have been 30 switchblades made and as of yet there is no serial #, however starting 2009 we will implement the numbering system as follows

xxxI or 31 in roman numerals,

We have received a great interest in our guitars which hearken back to the good old days when people actually made things in America!" [Source: Bill Harden, email 22/11/2008]

JT Hargreaves Basses and Guitars

1997 to present

Jay Hargreaves has been constructing bass guitars since 1974.

1980 Builder at Boogie Body Guitars, Puyallup, WA.

Aapprentice and assistant of Richard Schneider's from 1987 to 1997.

Acoustic bass guitars utilizing the Kasha/Schneider bracing.

Seattle, Washington. Image JTH Web.

Peter Harlan

"Peter Harlan Werkstätten" Peter Harlan (1889-1966) was a famous German musician and instrument builder. He worked at "Burg Sternberg" after the war.

Images and info eBay:

Harmony

 1892-1974 and current rebirth

In Chicago, 1892 Wilhelm J. F. Schultz and four employees began production on a modest scale. By 1915 Harmony had 125 employees. In 1916 Sears, Roebuck acquired Harmony in order to gain its substantial ukulele production. Harmony also made mandolins, banjo ukes, tenor banjos, and other instruments.
In February 1928 Harmony introduced its Roy Smeck Vita series-Standard, tenor, and plectrum guitars. In January 1930 the Roy Smeck Grand Concert and Hawaiian models were unveiled. In March 1931 the Vagabond guitar line was first produced, and in the following September the Cremona professional guitar appeared. In May 1939 Harmony bought several brand names from the bankrupt Oscar Schmidt Company including La Scala, Stella and Sovereign. During this period Harmony substantially increased its trade names to include Valencia, Monterey, Harmony Deluxe, Johnny Marvin, Vogue, and many more.
From 1961through 1969 Harmony continued to grow and as imported instruments began taking a larger share of the American market, the company was purchased by a conglomerate along with some other companies. There was heavy indebtedness, and the factory equipment and other assets were sold at auction to satisfy the creditors and they finally liquidated.
The current day Harmony is owned by Charlie Subecz. [Source: Harmony]
The best resources for vintage Harmony are http://www.rothguitar.com/ and http://harmony.demont.net/

Harmony guitar reference book

Harmony, The People's Guitar

see also
http://www.broadwaymusicco.com/Harmony25.htm

http://members.aol.com/warnold910/harmonythumb.html

http://www.geocities.com/harmonyvintageguitars/

http://www.angelfire.com/trek/hillmans3/hillgt01.html

Harmony Guitar reference books

Harmony, The People's Guitar

Harmony guitar catalogs
1959, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1973, 1974, and more awesome site!! http://harmony.demont.net/catalogs.php
This guy will email you a photo http://members.aol.com/warnold909/harmony.html
Examples
http://www.wietsesguitars.nl/pagina9a.html
http://www.vintagesilvertones.com/gallery.html
1962 Harmony Silvertone 1423L Jupiter http://www.myrareguitars.com/robergemay2007.html
Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Harmony

see Silvertone

Harptone

1893-1975

Made in Newark, New Jersey

http://www.acousticguitar.com/article/default.aspx?articleid=6038

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Harptone

Harrison

Douglas Harrison, Toronto Canada

Harwood

Harwood brand was introduced in 1885 by instrument wholesalers J.W. Jenkins and Sons of Kansas City, Missouri. Some guitars are marked Harwood, New York. Possibly built by Jenkins until 1905, then by Harmony. [Source: Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide ]

http://www.harpguitars.net/history/harwood.htm

http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Museum/Guitar/Antique/Harwood/harwood.html

http://www.minermusic.com/cc/grinch.htm

Inlaid engraved bone fret marker harpguitars:

see Clifford, Washington

Paul Hathway

1987 to present

Wanstead, East London

T Hauro

1970s to 1980s

Haruo Terada was the president of Terada Factory, Nagoya, Japan at the time of T.Haruo mfg. He tried to market their own model in the US, from Terada under the T.Haruo brand. We have since discovered all this. Read on and before on page 2 to find out how. But the mystery is solved. This is fact. Mr Terada never worked at Yamaha, but Terada was responsible for many MIJ models of Gibson, Gretsch, Fender and others in the 70s and 80s.. They still make Gretsch hollow body electrics there, among others.  [Source: Richard Anderson Kritmon, email 3/3/2010]

Distributed by Pennino Music Company in USA, (a small chain of music stores in Southern California in the 70's and 80s) [Source: smctek ]

http://www.smctek.com/THaruoGuitarPage.html

http://www.kritmon.com/T_Haruo_guitars.html

see Terada

Hauser Guitars

Jospeh Hauser

Herman Hauser I, II, III

1910s to present

The Hauser tradition commenced with Josef Hauser (1854 - 1939). Herman Hasuer I (1882 - 1952), son of Josef, became a legendary luthier.

Biography of Herman Hauser I

Historical documents

Guitar Salon Bio Herman Hauser

Labels as far back as 1913 have dates on them.

Image of Herman Hauser I courtesy of Guitar Salon International         Image courtesy of Classic Guitar:

Benjamin Havilah

Born in Poole Dorset in 1979,  son of a master shipwright in the Royal Navy, Benjamin Havilah studied classical Music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and later moved to Lincoln where he was trained by Master Lutiers', Roy Courtnall and James Lister. Winner of the Lucas prize for most innovative Guitar design in 2008.  [Source: eBay]

Hawkes Guitars

1994 to present

David Haxton

1994 to present

Seattle Washington

Hayden

Guitars made by Gibson

Images Chicago Music Exchange:

Electric guitars developed by Jim Burns and Bob Pearson for Dallas Arbiter, built by Shergold, England [Source: Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide ]

Search at http://www.vintageguitar.com

http://www.shergold.co.uk/hayman.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Hayman

see Shergold

Haynes

1865-early 1900s

John C Haynes Co Boston, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._Haynes_&_Co. Guitars and banjos

Also made Bay State brand guitars. [Source Vintage Guitar price Guide]

Hayotuk

Bernard Vachon, Montreal Canada

Haywire

http://www.haywirecustomguitars.com/28.html

Headway

1977 to 2000s
? current

Key dates sourced from Deviser website 2002 on internet archive.

1977 Headway started making acoustic guitars in Matsumotu, Japan

1981 Headway changed main products from acoustic to electric.

1991 Deviser founded in Matsumotu

2000 Headway starts making acoustics again

2001 Headway started Bacchus handmade series.

It appears that Deviser is the name of the sales and distribution company and Headway is the name of the factory.

Brand names include. Headway, Deviser, River Head basses, Bacchus electrics, Brian electric guitars and basses, Rider acoustics,

Other info

http://www.gakki.com/shop3/acouguit_headway.html

http://www.guitarsjapan.com/deviserinfopage.html

Headway catalogs

http://www.t-shiga.com/sub7-5-1-15.htm

http://jvguitar.com/bbs/zboard.php?id=gallery

http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_japanese_headway.htm

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Headway

Gakki

Heartfield

1988 - 1993

Heartfield History
Heartfield guitars were introduced in 1989 and were produced up to 1993 (approximately) in the Fujigen Gakki factory in Japan. Fender used the Heartfield brand name and started producing guitars for the Japanese market there. This resulted in guitars labelled "Heartfield", "Heartfield by Fender" and even "Fender". [Source: Heartfield Central ] 
Dating Heartfield Guitars
http://www.heartfield-central.com/html/dating.htm
https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/PDF/Eguitar/ElectricSerialization.pdf
1989 Owners Manual
http://www.fender.com/support/manuals/pdfs/instr_owners/Heartfield_Guitars_and_Basses_Japan_1989.pdf
Heartfield catalogs
http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_japanese_heartfield.htm

http://web.wt.net/~jsilva/hrtfld.html

http://www.heartfield-central.com/ includes forum

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Heartfield

A Harmony Brand

http://harmony.demont.net/brands.php

Heatley Guitars

1997 to present

Scott Heatley, British Columbia, Canada

Heerby

http://homepage1.nifty.com/strato_sunburst/guitar2.html

made by Kasuga

Heerby guitar 1979 catalog http://brochures.yokochou.com/guitar-and-amp/heerby/197x/en_cover.html

Eduard Heidegger

early 1900s

Austrian instrument manufacturer early twentieth century. Wind and stringed instruments.

Found on eBay:

The label inside reads: "Eduard Heidegger Linz Donau Austria" and several medals. Overall length is 93cm/ 36,5nches, the body has 46,5/ 18 1/4inches

Images eBay:

Heiden

1970s to present

Michael Heiden, Vancouver, British Columbia, USA

http://www.mandozine.com/resources/CGOW/heiden.php

http://www.mandolins.net/heiden.htm

Heit

Heit Deluxe

1967-1970

Heit was a brand name used by G&H importers of Lodi, New Jersey. [Source: Vintaxe]  Made by Teisco [Source: Vintage Guitar Pro ] The Heit Deluxe was only built from 1967-1970 [Source: Guitar for beginners]

Example

http://www.theguitarcollection.org.uk/gallery4/heit.html

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Heit+Deluxe

Images of Heit guitar eBay:

Hemken

1976 to presen

I began making instruments in 1976 and at my current location since 1989. Zygmunt Drive, Saint Helena, California, USA.   I make mainly carved instruments; archtop guitars and violins. There are dates on the label inside them and also there number." [Source: Michael Hemken, email 13/9/2008 ]

Hendrick

1982-

Kurt Hendrick made his first guitar for Billy Gibbons in 1982.  Early ones made in Austin Texas.[Source: Blue Book ]

Kurt Hendrick also designed the Epiphone E Series [Source: Epi Wiki] and is currently involved with Lag guitars. [Source: Music Trades 2010 ]

Hendrick guitar catalogs  (paid)

http://www.vintaxe.com/catalogs_american_hendrick.htm

Image Hendrick Generator Premier Guitar

Henkes & Blazer

Wilhelm Henkes & Rudolph Blazer, Tuebingen, Germany

Arthur Hensell

circa WWII

Arthur Hensell made guitars for Department Stores pre and post WWII.  Including "Barrington" brand for Baere & Son, and Hansell "Minerva" for R.S. Williams and Sons Co. Ltd.  [Source: Guitarsite ]

According to Folkway music Arthur Hensel was Toronto-based small-scale manufacturer of upper-mid grade department store instruments in the 1920's through 1940's.  Also made Reliance resonators.

Images Folkway Music

Image Hensel Artist Bonds Auctions

see Barrington, Minerva

Heritage

1985 to present

Heritage Guitar Company was formed by Gibson employees of the former Kalamazoo plant who chose not to go to Nashville when Gibson moved it's plant there in the mid 80's. [Source: Heritage]

Dating Heritage Guitars

http://www.heritageguitar.com/DateHeritage.htm

http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/heritage.html

http://www.kellyindustries.com/guitars/heritage_guitars.html

Heritage guitar catalogs

1989,93, 2006 http://www.heritageguitar.com/

Reviews http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Guitar/brand/Heritage

Heritage guitar forum http://www.heritageownersclub.com/forums/

Images eBay:

Heritage

Korean brand.

Antonio Hermosa

2006 to present

Budget acoustic/classical

Hernandes y Aguado

1941 to present

Manuel Henandez (1895 - 1975) and Victoria Aguado (b 1897-1982) became friends at a piano factory in Madrid. In 1941 after the factory closed they established their own business restoring antique furniture and pianos and started to dabble in guitar making.  Aguado retired from guitar making in 1970.  By 1975 when Hernandez died around 400 guitars had been produced. Marcelino Lopez started to make guitars (30 all up) for Hernandez from 1971 to 1975. [Source: Acoustic Guitar ]

Image: Kent Guitar Classics

Santos Hernandez

Images Classic Guitar:

Hernandis

1970-1980

Hernandis guitars were assembled in Japan by Tetsuo Kurosawa from Spanish components for Sherry Brenner, Chicago Illinois, USA. ? Some may have name Antonio Hernandis?  There is quite a lot of controversy about the value of these guitars.  The labels all quite clearly state where they are made.  Some examples I have seen have Brazilian back and sides so they could be great value.

Image 1970 Hernandis Guitar Label

Herold

http://www.fetishguitars.com/index/misc_de.html

http://www.blackguitars.com/gallery.htm

Herrnsdorf

Made in Germany

http://jazzgitarren.k-server.org/herrnsdorf.html

Hess

1872-1940

Klingenthal, Germany.  Acoustic and harp guitars, accordians. [Source: Vintage Guitar Price Guide]