Finally got a Hallmark!!

mad_dog

Joined: Sep 23, 2008
Posts: 349
Montclair, NJ

Posted on Oct 11 2022 08:48 PM

A 65 Custom. Just traded into it today. White, with tortoise guard, white p/u covers. Been wanting to try one for years. Well worth the wait. Outstanding pickups, and a superior trem setup, which stays in tune.

Fine instrument. And luckily not too heavy.

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Tqi

Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins

Posted on Oct 12 2022 04:41 AM

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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 15:37:52

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dannylectro

Joined: Aug 18, 2008
Posts: 360
Orange, CA
United States

Posted on Oct 18 2022 04:50 AM

mad_dog wrote:

A 65 Custom. Just traded into it today. White, with tortoise guard, white p/u covers. Been wanting to try one for years. Well worth the wait. Outstanding pickups, and a superior trem setup, which stays in tune.

Fine instrument. And luckily not too heavy.

I like my Hallmark Custom too but I find it heavy versus a real Mosrite.

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Johnny_Alien

Joined: Jul 11, 2007
Posts: 66
Harrisburg, PA
United States

Posted on Oct 18 2022 08:26 PM

mad_dog wrote:

Fine instrument. And luckily not too heavy.

Congrats!! I am looking to get one as well but the weight has made me hesitant. How heavy is "not too heavy" on the one you bought.

Last edited: Oct 20, 2022 18:22:52

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Samurai

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2141
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine

Posted on Oct 19 2022 12:01 AM

Tqi wrote:

Pics or it didn't happen. >:(

Yep. I also may write that I found lost Dick Dale strat on Flohmarkt in Mannheim.

—

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

New Single is out!

https://waikikimakaki.bandcamp.com/album/rhino-blues-full-contact-surf-single

Waikiki Makaki

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

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DrakeSequation

Joined: Nov 22, 2016
Posts: 77
PNW

Posted on Oct 19 2022 12:08 AM

Johnny_Alien wrote:

Congrats!! I am looking to get one as well but the weight has made me hesitant. How heavy is "not too heavy" on the one you bought.

I wonder what the actual weight of the Hallmark 60/65’s are compared to Jazzmasters? I have two Hallmarks and they are my favorite surf guitars and they are heavy, but not prohibitively so. I had an “excellent” Mosrite years ago and I do not remember it being as heavy or as large as my Hallmarks.

—

Makai

Last edited: Oct 19, 2022 00:09:21

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Johnny_Alien

Joined: Jul 11, 2007
Posts: 66
Harrisburg, PA
United States

Posted on Oct 19 2022 07:16 AM

I had an Excellent Mosrite as well and I seem to remember that being one of the lighter Mosrites that I have had. Jazzmasters seem to float in the 8-8.5 lb range and I know that many Japanese Mosrites are in that range as well. I have seen many Hallmarks listed for sale that were 9.5 lb and over.

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mad_dog

Joined: Sep 23, 2008
Posts: 349
Montclair, NJ

Posted on Oct 20 2022 06:40 PM

Tqi wrote:

Pics or it didn't happen. >:(

Alrighty then. Here's a not great pic in the music basement:

Took awhile to get the setup right. The original strings from Hallmark were still on the guitar. It was little played, just sat in the case. Action too high on the bass side, too low on the treble side. With way too much relief. The p/us were also too high. (They're quite powerful, so no need to have them up that close IMO.)

Took two tries to get the relief right. I thought I had to pull the neck. PITA. The first pass at adjustment, that's what I did. Still too much relief. Second pass, I just unscrewed the neck p/u from the body, with strings loosened, elevated over the fretboard.

Changed the strings too, and got the action right. It's now a truly slick player. Very low action. No dead spots anywhere. Feels and plays so much better than when I got it.

These p/us are excellent. Backing them down some improved clarity in the bass. The trem is outstanding, maybe the best I've ever played. Holds tune with no problems.

I'm much impressed by this guitar. It's a little heavier than I prefer, but not that bad. Feels about 8 1/2 pounds. (I don't have an accurate scale, so cannot check.) Well worth the wait to try out my first Hallmark. This guitar sounds great!

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DrakeSequation

Joined: Nov 22, 2016
Posts: 77
PNW

Posted on Oct 20 2022 11:23 PM

mad_dog wrote:

I'm much impressed by this guitar. It's a little heavier than I prefer, but not that bad. Feels about 8 1/2 pounds. (I don't have an accurate scale, so cannot check.) Well worth the wait to try out my first Hallmark. This guitar sounds great!

Yes. Hallmarks really are great. I have Fenders that cost more than twice as much but I do not think are as good. Hallmarks sound particularly good with flatwounds.

—

Makai

Last edited: Oct 20, 2022 23:24:38

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Tqi

Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins

Posted on Oct 21 2022 02:25 AM

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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 15:36:45

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mad_dog

Joined: Sep 23, 2008
Posts: 349
Montclair, NJ

Posted on Oct 22 2022 11:17 AM

Playing this one alot through various amps. These pickups are a bit picky. They're powerful, with a big low end. Doesn't seem to work with every one of my amps. Too bassy through a DV Mark Micro 50 CMT SS head and 1x12 cab. That one was a surprise, as every other guitar I have sounds so fine through that rig.

One tube amp here that always sounds so good is a Magnatone Varsity non-reverb. It's OK with the Hallmark, but not great. Whereas the '68 SFDR behind the Hallmark in my picture, that's a whole other thing. Rehoused in a 1x15 cab, now using a 12" alnico speaker via a converter ring. The 65 custom sounds ridiculously good through this amp. Huge, wall-shaking sound. I have a feeling it's the cab size and speaker.

Last edited: Oct 22, 2022 11:18:27

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mad_dog Joined: Sep 23, 2008 Posts: 349 Montclair, NJ	Posted on Oct 11 2022 08:48 PM A 65 Custom. Just traded into it today. White, with tortoise guard, white p/u covers. Been wanting to try one for years. Well worth the wait. Outstanding pickups, and a superior trem setup, which stays in tune. Fine instrument. And luckily not too heavy. Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Oct 12 2022 04:41 AM - Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 15:37:52 Top
dannylectro Joined: Aug 18, 2008 Posts: 360 Orange, CA	Posted on Oct 18 2022 04:50 AM mad_dog wrote: A 65 Custom. Just traded into it today. White, with tortoise guard, white p/u covers. Been wanting to try one for years. Well worth the wait. Outstanding pickups, and a superior trem setup, which stays in tune. Fine instrument. And luckily not too heavy. I like my Hallmark Custom too but I find it heavy versus a real Mosrite. Top
Johnny_Alien Joined: Jul 11, 2007 Posts: 66 Harrisburg, PA	Posted on Oct 18 2022 08:26 PM mad_dog wrote: Fine instrument. And luckily not too heavy. Congrats!! I am looking to get one as well but the weight has made me hesitant. How heavy is "not too heavy" on the one you bought. Last edited: Oct 20, 2022 18:22:52 Top
Samurai Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2141 Kiev, Ukraine	Posted on Oct 19 2022 12:01 AM Tqi wrote: Pics or it didn't happen. >:( Yep. I also may write that I found lost Dick Dale strat on Flohmarkt in Mannheim. — Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine New Single is out! https://waikikimakaki.bandcamp.com/album/rhino-blues-full-contact-surf-single Waikiki Makaki https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin Top
DrakeSequation Joined: Nov 22, 2016 Posts: 77 PNW	Posted on Oct 19 2022 12:08 AM Johnny_Alien wrote: Congrats!! I am looking to get one as well but the weight has made me hesitant. How heavy is "not too heavy" on the one you bought. I wonder what the actual weight of the Hallmark 60/65’s are compared to Jazzmasters? I have two Hallmarks and they are my favorite surf guitars and they are heavy, but not prohibitively so. I had an “excellent” Mosrite years ago and I do not remember it being as heavy or as large as my Hallmarks. — Makai Last edited: Oct 19, 2022 00:09:21 Top
Johnny_Alien Joined: Jul 11, 2007 Posts: 66 Harrisburg, PA	Posted on Oct 19 2022 07:16 AM I had an Excellent Mosrite as well and I seem to remember that being one of the lighter Mosrites that I have had. Jazzmasters seem to float in the 8-8.5 lb range and I know that many Japanese Mosrites are in that range as well. I have seen many Hallmarks listed for sale that were 9.5 lb and over. Top
mad_dog Joined: Sep 23, 2008 Posts: 349 Montclair, NJ	Posted on Oct 20 2022 06:40 PM Tqi wrote: Pics or it didn't happen. >:( Alrighty then. Here's a not great pic in the music basement: Took awhile to get the setup right. The original strings from Hallmark were still on the guitar. It was little played, just sat in the case. Action too high on the bass side, too low on the treble side. With way too much relief. The p/us were also too high. (They're quite powerful, so no need to have them up that close IMO.) Took two tries to get the relief right. I thought I had to pull the neck. PITA. The first pass at adjustment, that's what I did. Still too much relief. Second pass, I just unscrewed the neck p/u from the body, with strings loosened, elevated over the fretboard. Changed the strings too, and got the action right. It's now a truly slick player. Very low action. No dead spots anywhere. Feels and plays so much better than when I got it. These p/us are excellent. Backing them down some improved clarity in the bass. The trem is outstanding, maybe the best I've ever played. Holds tune with no problems. I'm much impressed by this guitar. It's a little heavier than I prefer, but not that bad. Feels about 8 1/2 pounds. (I don't have an accurate scale, so cannot check.) Well worth the wait to try out my first Hallmark. This guitar sounds great! Top
DrakeSequation Joined: Nov 22, 2016 Posts: 77 PNW	Posted on Oct 20 2022 11:23 PM mad_dog wrote: I'm much impressed by this guitar. It's a little heavier than I prefer, but not that bad. Feels about 8 1/2 pounds. (I don't have an accurate scale, so cannot check.) Well worth the wait to try out my first Hallmark. This guitar sounds great! Yes. Hallmarks really are great. I have Fenders that cost more than twice as much but I do not think are as good. Hallmarks sound particularly good with flatwounds. — Makai Last edited: Oct 20, 2022 23:24:38 Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Oct 21 2022 02:25 AM - Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 15:36:45 Top
mad_dog Joined: Sep 23, 2008 Posts: 349 Montclair, NJ	Posted on Oct 22 2022 11:17 AM Playing this one alot through various amps. These pickups are a bit picky. They're powerful, with a big low end. Doesn't seem to work with every one of my amps. Too bassy through a DV Mark Micro 50 CMT SS head and 1x12 cab. That one was a surprise, as every other guitar I have sounds so fine through that rig. One tube amp here that always sounds so good is a Magnatone Varsity non-reverb. It's OK with the Hallmark, but not great. Whereas the '68 SFDR behind the Hallmark in my picture, that's a whole other thing. Rehoused in a 1x15 cab, now using a 12" alnico speaker via a converter ring. The 65 custom sounds ridiculously good through this amp. Huge, wall-shaking sound. I have a feeling it's the cab size and speaker. Last edited: Oct 22, 2022 11:18:27 Top

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Finally got a Hallmark!!