Why Hallmark guitars are all I use now

HiHo

Joined: May 03, 2016
Posts: 4

Posted on Jan 16 2024 07:43 AM

I have 3 Hallmark guitars, all great. I played one the other day and wondered, at random -- does anyone know what the stock strings are? Gauge and brand?

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revmike

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3804
North Atlantic
Canada

Posted on Jan 16 2024 07:59 AM

You should email Bob Shade. He is great at responding to guitar questions.

—

Canadian Surf

http://www.urbansurfkings.com/

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taijiguy

Joined: Mar 27, 2006
Posts: 210
Newington, CT USA
United States

Posted on Jan 16 2024 08:55 AM

GHS 10-46.

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Surfadelphia

Joined: Sep 04, 2017
Posts: 431

Posted on Jan 16 2024 03:07 PM

Actually, GHS 10-46 Reinforced Boomers. The reinforced ball ends on the plain strings really prevent string breakage that emanates from the Mosrite style vibrato.

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Surfysonic

Joined: Oct 17, 2009
Posts: 523
Walkersville, MD
United States

Posted on Jan 17 2024 10:17 AM

I bought D'Addario NYXL1149 Nickel Wound Electric Strings -.011-.049 Medium 25-Pack (reinforced ball ends) for my Hallmark 65 Custom (with custom aquaburst finish) and now use these strings for all my guitars. No issues with the strings having owned them now for over a year now.

—

The doofus formerly known as Snorre
Surfysonic on YouTube
World Famous Philistines: 2014 - 2015
K39: 2013 - 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv9JADQ4ukw

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onemeanstrat

Joined: Jul 11, 2024
Posts: 1

Posted on Nov 09 2024 07:42 PM

Heres some of my collection from over the years. Bob (Shade) installed the bug with my first Hallmark, the Red Baron. There was no looking back after that and I found myself playing these more than any of my other guitars. There isn't anything better for surf and early classic rock. Smooth as glass tremolos too.

Last edited: Nov 09, 2024 19:46:16

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beatcomber

Joined: Jun 30, 2019
Posts: 140
Massachusetts, USA
United States

Posted on Nov 11 2024 01:38 PM

In case anyone’s interested, after being unavailable for a few years, Hallmark has begun taking preorders for the Custom 60 (set-neck, body binding) and the brand new 12-string model. Preorders for the Custom 65 (bolt-on neck, no body binding) will be starting next week.

Bob told me that he had needed to take a break (and almost sold the company!), and had also been having QC problems with a vendor. He’s since started using another vendor and the quality will still meet his high standards.

Bob also told me that these will be featuring the updated “Nokie Tone” pickups, based on the hotter 1963-64 Mosrite pickups and voiced to nail that gnarly “Live In Japan 1965” tone.

The price has only gone up by $50 (!): $1050.
To get in your preorder, you will have to send Bob an email.

—

THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod.
CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake!

Last edited: Nov 11, 2024 13:46:33

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Surfadelphia

Joined: Sep 04, 2017
Posts: 431

Posted on Nov 11 2024 03:18 PM

Real curious about the neck specs on the 12 String.

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AgentClaret

Joined: Jan 30, 2024
Posts: 129
United States

Posted on Nov 11 2024 06:42 PM

Man, those are cool! How much does a custom 65 run? And do they do colors like surf green or daphne/sonic blue?

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N0_Camping4U

Joined: May 03, 2012
Posts: 336
Galveston, Texas

Posted on Nov 16 2024 08:45 PM

Omg. I was coming here to ask if Bob has ever made a 12 string. No way. My old roommate owned one of these and I'd always loved it. Very tempted by a 12. Anyone know if he sells all of the ingredients and unfinished neck and body so I can paint and assemble and save a few bucks?

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beatcomber

Joined: Jun 30, 2019
Posts: 140
Massachusetts, USA
United States

Posted on Dec 02 2024 03:28 PM

AgentClaret wrote:

Man, those are cool! How much does a custom 65 run? And do they do colors like surf green or daphne/sonic blue?

Bob told me there will be a $50 price increase, so that means $1049.

—

THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod.
CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake!

Top

HiHo Joined: May 03, 2016 Posts: 4	Posted on Jan 16 2024 07:43 AM I have 3 Hallmark guitars, all great. I played one the other day and wondered, at random -- does anyone know what the stock strings are? Gauge and brand? Top
revmike Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3804 North Atlantic	Posted on Jan 16 2024 07:59 AM You should email Bob Shade. He is great at responding to guitar questions. — Canadian Surf http://www.urbansurfkings.com/ Top
taijiguy Joined: Mar 27, 2006 Posts: 210 Newington, CT USA	Posted on Jan 16 2024 08:55 AM GHS 10-46. Top
Surfadelphia Joined: Sep 04, 2017 Posts: 431	Posted on Jan 16 2024 03:07 PM Actually, GHS 10-46 Reinforced Boomers. The reinforced ball ends on the plain strings really prevent string breakage that emanates from the Mosrite style vibrato. Top
Surfysonic Joined: Oct 17, 2009 Posts: 523 Walkersville, MD	Posted on Jan 17 2024 10:17 AM I bought D'Addario NYXL1149 Nickel Wound Electric Strings -.011-.049 Medium 25-Pack (reinforced ball ends) for my Hallmark 65 Custom (with custom aquaburst finish) and now use these strings for all my guitars. No issues with the strings having owned them now for over a year now. — The doofus formerly known as Snorre Surfysonic on YouTube World Famous Philistines: 2014 - 2015 K39: 2013 - 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv9JADQ4ukw Top
onemeanstrat Joined: Jul 11, 2024 Posts: 1	Posted on Nov 09 2024 07:42 PM Heres some of my collection from over the years. Bob (Shade) installed the bug with my first Hallmark, the Red Baron. There was no looking back after that and I found myself playing these more than any of my other guitars. There isn't anything better for surf and early classic rock. Smooth as glass tremolos too. Last edited: Nov 09, 2024 19:46:16 Top
beatcomber Joined: Jun 30, 2019 Posts: 140 Massachusetts, USA	Posted on Nov 11 2024 01:38 PM In case anyone’s interested, after being unavailable for a few years, Hallmark has begun taking preorders for the Custom 60 (set-neck, body binding) and the brand new 12-string model. Preorders for the Custom 65 (bolt-on neck, no body binding) will be starting next week. Bob told me that he had needed to take a break (and almost sold the company!), and had also been having QC problems with a vendor. He’s since started using another vendor and the quality will still meet his high standards. Bob also told me that these will be featuring the updated “Nokie Tone” pickups, based on the hotter 1963-64 Mosrite pickups and voiced to nail that gnarly “Live In Japan 1965” tone. The price has only gone up by $50 (!): $1050. To get in your preorder, you will have to send Bob an email. — THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod. CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake! Last edited: Nov 11, 2024 13:46:33 Top
Surfadelphia Joined: Sep 04, 2017 Posts: 431	Posted on Nov 11 2024 03:18 PM Real curious about the neck specs on the 12 String. Top
AgentClaret Joined: Jan 30, 2024 Posts: 129	Posted on Nov 11 2024 06:42 PM Man, those are cool! How much does a custom 65 run? And do they do colors like surf green or daphne/sonic blue? Top
N0_Camping4U Joined: May 03, 2012 Posts: 336 Galveston, Texas	Posted on Nov 16 2024 08:45 PM Omg. I was coming here to ask if Bob has ever made a 12 string. No way. My old roommate owned one of these and I'd always loved it. Very tempted by a 12. Anyone know if he sells all of the ingredients and unfinished neck and body so I can paint and assemble and save a few bucks? Top
beatcomber Joined: Jun 30, 2019 Posts: 140 Massachusetts, USA	Posted on Dec 02 2024 03:28 PM AgentClaret wrote: Man, those are cool! How much does a custom 65 run? And do they do colors like surf green or daphne/sonic blue? Bob told me there will be a $50 price increase, so that means $1049. — THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod. CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake! Top

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Why Hallmark guitars are all I use now