Here's an example of an important mandolin model in the history of popular music. Blues legends Yank Rachell and (to a lesser extent) Carl Martin, as well as Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones, used the Harmony H35 (later renamed the H835) as a stage mandolin during their careers. You still see them today in the hands of pro musicians.
     The looks of the Batwing have, in my humble opinion, never been beaten. The block inlays, modified F-holes, exaggerated bass point, even the lovely gold foil pickup cover, all add up to a classic package. The original DeArmond pickup is loud enough to rattle the windows. Its tone is perhaps best described as "raw" ... listen to Rachell's Chicago Style album if you want to know what I mean. But for certain styles of music there's nothing better or more authentic.
     The Batwing may appear to be an acoustic/electric, but it isn't really: if you took off the top you'd see that everything north of the pickup is a solid block of wood, which tends to dampen the acoustic sound, but improves sustain and helps control feedback from the pickup. Best to think of the Batwing as "semi-hollow." Tone and volume knobs, adjustable bridge, bolt-on neck.
     I have a number of Batwings for sale. I've had to give them names to keep them straight:

1. 
   S65

   Carissa. S65. $450. Here's an H35 that was purchased new in 1965 and, from the looks of it, played every day since then. There's heavy wear along the bass edge and another spot of wear near the bridge. The neck and frets also have significant play wear—but there's no string buzzing or dead frets. The tuners and 1-piece bridge are replacements, but the rest of the hardware is original, and it's ready for another 40-plus years of playing.
        Die-cut vinyl headplate with script Harmony logo in white, and a truss rod. Stamped "S65M MADE IN USA" inside, dating it to the second half of 1965. Lot number 1970. Gig bag included, or upgrade to a hardshell case. Add a strap, see more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. $450 plus shipping.
    
   
2. 
   F67

   Gina. F67. $725. This H35 has a lot number of 0097 and is labeled F-67-M MADE IN U.S.A., meaning it was built in the first half of 1967. It has survived pretty well, although it does have some chips and scratches along the edges, a surface crack on the back, a small crack in the pickup housing, and a small gap in the back binding at the tailpiece.
        It has the die-cut 3-ply vinyl headplate with the cut-out Harmony logo. The Harmony logo pickguard is no longer installed; instead it has a plain black one. The bridge appears to be a 2-piece with the posts and thumbwheels removed and the saddle and base glued together. All other hardware is original; the chrome tailpiece cover has a significant amount of oxidation covering almost half its surface.
        An endpin has been added. A leather strap attaches there and has also been riveted together around the narrow part of the headstock, just above the nut and underneath the strings, so its installation is more or less permanent. Gig bag included, or upgrade to a hardshell case. Add a strap, see more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. $725 plus shipping.
   
   
3. 
   S-69

   Iris. S-69. $650. This H35 has a lot number of 2872 and is labeled S-69 MADE IN U.S.A., meaning it was built in the second half of 1969. It has only minor playing wear and is in very good shape overall—with the exception of a crack in the bass F-hole, which has been solidly but somewhat indifferently repaired.
        In all other respects, Iris offers everything you could want in a Batwing. It's fully original apart from the added strap buttons at the tailpiece and bass horn, and has a truss rod, the die-cut 3-ply vinyl headplate with the cut-out Harmony logo, and the matching logo on the pickguard.
        Gig bag included, or upgrade to a premium gig bag or hardshell case. Add a strap, see more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. $650 plus shipping.
   
   
4. 
   No date

   Jacqueline. No date. $550. This H35 has had some work done! It arrived with no pickup and some loose binding, but my luthier has done his magic and installed a high-quality repro of the original DeArmond pickup by Curtis Novak. Binding has been glued down; you'll spot some obvious binding cracks along the bass side.
        Apart from the pickup and control knobs, Jacqueline appears to be all original. The finish is a single shade of brown, rather than sunburst. Die-cut 3-ply vinyl headplate with the cut-out Harmony logo. No truss rod. Oddly enough, the rosewood fretboard has a zero fret, which is not something one suually sees on Batwing e-mandos.
        Gig bag included, or upgrade to a premium gig bag or hardshell case. Add a strap, see more photos, call 425/772-0231, or for more information. $550 plus shipping.