Metal body Multi-Kords

[Eric Watts]

Curious about the Harlin "Kalina" cast aluminum body guitars. Does Anyone have pictures of the undercarriage of any of these??

Have several wood versions like You see a lot of. But the all metal ones are hard to find. Just wanting to se how the molds were made for the guitars. I bet temp changes would really cause some tuning issues.

[Michael Lee Allen]

I've had both wood and metal body Multi-Kords. As to the metal body ones I've only seen the standard single neck four pedal version. And only with the black fiber "drum case" material carrying case if that survived. Mechanics were identical to the other Multi-Kords. No photos survived multiple cross-country moves and multiple replacement computers. They were heavier than the wood version so that was probably why not many were made. The target market back then was students so light weight and portability mattered. The only plus to the metal ones was metal tuner and changer covers that would not break or shatter when the instrument went into the case upside down. ALL Multi-Kords should have had those covers made of metal instead of brittle plastic. There was a tuning issue with the metal bodies in temperature changes. In old Chicago buildings with radiator heat a Multi-Kord would be totally out of tune overnight while a Fender 400 standing next to it would be still playable. I don't know the time frame the metal cabinet versions were built. There are so few that it wasn't long before they were dropped. Multi-Kords were always made in small batches so there is all kinds of variety in the pickups, knobs, and trim. I wouldn't even try dating them other than "pot codes" as Harlin, their dealers, and distributors used the same "cut sheets" as illustrations for many years, changing only the text and prices.
MLA