In Memoriam: Harry Fleishman
We’re sad to share the news that luthier Harry Fleishman has died. The instrument designer and builder was reportedly battling cancer.
Fleishman became interested in music at a very young age and played in bands by age 13. “For a while, during the late ‘60s, I was an in-house songwriter at a music publisher in Hollywood,” he wrote on his website.
He built his first instrument – an electric upright bass – in 1969 and began designing his own instruments to combine his love of music and art. As such, Fleishman’s designs always pushed the envelope.
“Over the next few decades, I developed the voice of my guitars and began experimenting with new shapes, multi-wood tops, multiple soundholes, asymmetry, and unusual bracings as I refined the voice of my instruments and sought new voices,” he wrote. “The aesthetic elements fell into place as a means of interacting more playfully with the instrument visually.”
We featured his “Big Bass” as a Bass of the Week back in 2020, but he also crafted bowable electric upright basses, the Bassic IV headless model, and many more.
In addition to his own handcrafted instruments, he created designs for Fender, Jackson, Akai, Avian Guitars, Bedell Guitars, Breedlove Guitars, and more.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Harry Fleishman.
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
Sad to hear of Harry Fleishman’s passing. My condolences to his freinds and family.
Gila Eban
Sad to hear of Harry Fleishman’s passing. My condolences to his friends and family.
Gila Eban
Very sad to hear, belatedly, about Harry’s passing. Being based in the UK, I never met him but we corresponded over a number of months by email about a guitar-building project of mine, inspired by one of his designs – The Ovoid Guitar. He very graciously and generously gave me his blessing and support to develop this instrument which I’ve just finished. I’m very sad that he won’t be able to see and hear it. I’m every proud of it and I hope he would be, too.