Harmsworth and willis

Henrik

Hi folks

first time poster from Scotland. I'm an old and experienced guitar player whos now venturing into the world of Django. i dont want to spend tons of cash on a guitar to find i just havent got it for Gypsy jazz. I have been offered a Harmsworth and Willis Petite Bouche with slight repair for £300. Trouble is i cant find anything on them, ie the website is down, i've tried contacting through email and phone....nada, zilch. Anyone help?

littlemark

Not a good sign thus far. I've never heard of the brand. So I wouldn't buy it hoping for much resale value. Try it if it plays well, not much harm in buying it.

crookedpinky

Hi there Henrik. I'm from Scotland too and I have some information on Harmsworth & Willis for you. They were hand built in the Phillipines by a relation of Mike Harmsworth and they were imported into the UK in small batches by Mike and his business partner Nev Willis. I think they ran the business for about 8 or 9 years and they were quite simply fantastic guitars for the money. I've owned 2, an oval hole and a d hole. I only sold them because I had accumulated too many. For £300 it's a no brainer - for me at any rate. Good luck.

stuology

Agreed £300 is a steal. Very decent guitars in my experience

Henrik

Even with a repair?

stuology

Depends what the repair is but if it’s a slight one as you said then yes it’s good value.

Bones

Hows the tone, volume and playability?

guitarmike

On the video JIMMY IS BACK we see his manager giving him a guitar made by Harmsworth and Willis.

He tries the guitar in parking lot and then we see him playing it in concert.

Henrik

Any thoughts?

Repaired crack shows up from some angles and not others. It is reinforced inside with cleats

crookedpinky

I'd buy it even with the repaired crack.

Henrik

What would a guitar like this cost new?