Hallmark H60C USA Handbuild

[Bob Shade]

Hello guys!

Thought I would share one of our latest builds for Bob Irwin the owner of Sundaze Records.

Bob purchased one of our 59 Customs and loved the guitar with the exception that he wanted a new Hallmark 60 Custom with a huge V profile on the neck. Not a usual order from a Mosrite or Hallmark guy, but we aims to please, so we built this new H60C with a big boaty V neck. One of the fingerboards I got from Joe Hall that was sitting around from the early Hallmark days, and the body is made of basswood on this one with a side jack.

I decided to use multiple bindings and make it 5 ply rather than single or 3 ply so it is extra fancy. I really dig 5 ply binding.

So here are some images:













Bob

[Sarah93003]

Beautiful!! I love the binding!

[MWaldorf]

That's a beautiful guitar - nice choice on the 5-ply binding.

Who did the build?

[GattonFan]

The binding is a very nice detail - would probably look good on the headstock, too, a la the Gibson ES-355, etc.
Dennis

[Strat-o-rama]

Wow! Is that ever NICE!
Love everything about it, except Bob's fat V-shaped neck profile

The binding is a very cool extra touch.
BTW, no one mentioned the sunburst. Very Semie-like use of three colors on the body, neck and headstock.
Bob, who did the finish?

[Bob Shade]

Hey Mel, this one was given to our custom shop Bakersfield boy Billy G. It may be the last one. Bill's health is still up in the air. Bill finished it as well just like he did at Mosrite and Hallmark in the 60's. We shall see, Bill has built alot of guitars for Hallmark since our rebirth and he wants to continue but is due for surgery soon. We love Bill and will see how he does after the surgery.

Peace out, Bob

[dubtrub]

Now that you brought it up, I called Bill Gruggett at the hospital last night. He is going home today. He said that he had quit building guitars before because he was too sick from the chemo treatment. After he was off chemo he started building a few guitars, however the cancer has come back and he will be undergoing surgery soon. He said he will not be building anymore guitars and that he is just going to take life easy for as long as he can. I told him everyone on the forum was wishing him well. He was very appreciative for the phone call and the best wishes from everyone.

[Sarah93003]

Thanks for that Danny. I am sure it was appreciated.

[stl80]

That guitar is just gorgeous.
Jim

[Veenture]

What a stunner, one of your best, Bob! I like the headstock shape; slightly more robust than the standard H60C.
Bob Irwin is a lucky man and it could turn out that he is the owner of a last Gruggett-built Hallmark but I hasten to add that I would not wish it, for the sake of Bill of course.
I wish Bill well. Thank you Bob, for sharing!
-Paul