Hallmark 60's Custom

[Strat-o-rama]

Thanks Johnny.
As Bob Shade gets things more finalized, please keep us up-dated.

[PhilTIki]

Hello all, I double checked inventory yesterday and found we still have 2 of the sunset sparkle 60 customs left.

Wow. Looks like the J Mascis is going on eBay today. I REALLY want one of those.

Thanks for the update.


Tiki

[surfing-matze]

Tataaaaaaaa !

Since yesterday I'm in the Hallmark-Gang (if there is one )...
It's a pearl white Cutom 60, which came out of the fine alligator case. It looks fantastic and feels very very nice.

I played it yesterday in our rehearsal room. First impressions were:
- oh I need heavier strings (i usually play 12 flats - it is set up stock with I guess 9s)
- oh what great sustain & playability
- oh what a great sound

I had some probs to hit the strings the way they sound always good, cause i'm not used to the 9's on it and my attack is too hard for these . It responds soooo directly - I think I have to get used to it first to get the best sounds (or should I say to sound even better).

Maybe some of you have some advice, how to set it up right for a mostly Jazzmaster-player like I am (string gauge, PUP-hight, ...) ?

pearl white Greetings
Matze
ps. I'll try to post a pic these days

[MWaldorf]

Congratulations Matze! Try setting up the Hallmark with 10s. Yes, it's lighter than the 12s you're used to, but part of the joy of these Mosrite-y guitars is how well they play with light strings. It took me a bit to get used to coming from a Jaguar with 13s, but I'd say to give it a bit of time before moving up to 12s and you'll find be pickin' like Nokie in no time!

[GattonFan]

Congrats! I have the same (pearl white w/tortoise pickguard) guitar - gotta love them.

[surfing-matze]

thanks you ! I'll play this evening all the time, I guess...

@ gattonfan - I also had the pic of yours in the "Gattonfan-collection-thread" in mind, when I ordered mine

@ Mel - do you think 11s might be also ok for the Hallmark ? (this step wouldn't be too big)

Matze

[Strat-o-rama]

Welcome to the Hallmark Gang, Matze. Like Mel suggested, try tens. Mine is strung with 10's, and it feels perfect. Notice in the case there is a second tremolo spring. If you go to the heavier strings, like 11's you may need to change the spring. After you play it a while, it will spoil you as you learn to use a lighter touch.
I just used my 60 Custom in a recording session for some buddies who are putting together some Roots americana meets early Sun Records style country/swing/rockabilly originals. I was asked to play electric guitar on a couple of tracks (they want me to do more after the first of the year),and I tracked my parts a few weeks ago. They were very impressed with the tone of the Hallmark. It was not the typical tele or Gretsch type tone, yet still in that twangalicious ballpark.
Enjoy!

[ElTwang]

That's good news matze. Post some pics or, heck, even a YouTube video. I know that you guys do that from time to time. Congrats!

[MWaldorf]

Matze,

Not to get "Zen" about things, but I feel that to some extent you alter the guitar to your tastes and to some extent you alter your playing style for the guitar. Isn't that part of the excuse of having multiple guitars - they sound different, they emphasize different aspects of your playing style, etc?

For me, moving from my offset Fenders to Mosrites really openned up my playing style. I've been playing Jazzmasters and Jaguars with heavy gauge flatwounds for fifteen years, so picking up a Mosrite with roundwound 10s was very different - I don't pick as hard and I can play with more hammer-ons and bends. I find that the high output pickups more than compensate for the reduction in metal mass of the strings. I still sound and play like me, but with a bit more finesse; perhaps you could say that in the spectrum from Dick Dale to Nokie Edwards, I've moving a step in the direction of Nokie-san.

Whichever way you decide to go, I'm sure you'll enjoy your Hallmark!

Mel

[Strat-o-rama]

Mel said:

"Not to get "Zen" about things, but I feel that to some extent you alter the guitar to your tastes and to some extent you alter your playing style for the guitar. Isn't that part of the excuse of having multiple guitars - they sound different, they emphasize different aspects of your playing style, etc? "

Exactly! That's what i was trying to imply, but you said it better!