JHale demo videos

[goshawk]

Maybe you've all seen them already, but I just noticed that Jeff Hale is putting up demos of different guitars on youtube. He has a number of different Eastmans, a couple of Heritages and (IIRC) a D'Angelico. They all seem to be about 6-7 minutes long -- just enough to cover the features and play a bit. Might be a handy reference...

Just took a look and they all seem to be available on the J Hale website, as well.

[derek]

Cool. Didn't know he was doing this now. Thanks for the heads up.

[carlescountry]

Very interesting Eastman El Rey Tutorial:

YouTube - Eastman El Rey Tutorial 101

[goshawk]

The El Rey demo is new since last night. You're right, very interesting. Since I have an ER-1, I was very interested to hear how they counterbalance them. I may need to send mine out.

[NSJ]

Jeff Hale is a good,honest/principled/knowledgeable guy, from my experience. I just called him recently about his El Rey 7 strings, which is the only guitar I would consider purchasing at this point.


I have to disagree with him about "you can never have enough archtops" though. I am perfectly happy with my jazz guitars of the 6 string variety, having got rid of/sold a bunch of 'em and kept only the few I enjoy playing. I gotta think if getting a 7 string is a viable option for me, right now, given my financial situation, and given that I've never played a 7 string.

[Steve Z]

+100 on Jeff as a trusted honest guy. Last fall I was in Wisconsin and stopped by his shop for an afternoon playing many different archtops and touring the new Raezer's Edge shop. Besides being a great archtop dealer, Jeff purchased the RE company after Rich's untimely passing. It was great seeing the same forms and plans that Rich used in his shop still being used in the RE shop to continue making the great cabinets.

Regarding the El Rey balancing, the mod he does to the guitar is a great improvement. When I was visiting his shop I mentioned to him that it was too bad that the El Rey was so top heavy. He quickly stated that I needed to try his weight balance modified El Reys... Wow! A balanced El Rey. I mentioned to him he needed to promote this mod on his website and eBay auctions, which he now does.

If you are looking for a new Eastman or other archtop, it would definitely be worth your time to call Jeff.

[msr13]

Jeff is a delightful person, and sure knows his stuff.

[goshawk]

Originally Posted by Steve Z

Regarding the El Rey balancing, the mod he does to the guitar is a great improvement. When I was visiting his shop I mentioned to him that it was too bad that the El Rey was so top heavy. He quickly stated that I needed to try his weight balance modified El Reys... Wow! A balanced El Rey. I mentioned to him he needed to promote this mod on his website and eBay auctions, which he now does.

Steve, to hijack my own thread, can you say a little more about the difference in feel in the balanced El Rey? My ER-1 is the guitar I play the most, but I play it almost exclusively sitting down (I'm a living room musician, nothing more). Right now, the balance when I'm resting it on my leg is perfect -- does that change much when Jeff adds the weights? And do you have any idea what he charges to retrofit an El Rey?

Thanks.

[Steve Z]

Originally Posted by goshawk

Steve, to hijack my own thread, can you say a little more about the difference in feel in the balanced El Rey? My ER-1 is the guitar I play the most, but I play it almost exclusively sitting down (I'm a living room musician, nothing more). Right now, the balance when I'm resting it on my leg is perfect -- does that change much when Jeff adds the weights? And do you have any idea what he charges to retrofit an El Rey?

Thanks.

I did not notice a difference in the balance of the El Rey while sitting, but I did notice a difference when standing using a strap. I don't remember the exact details of the mod, but I think Jeff mentioned that they use a bolt-type piece of metal with a threaded hole on one end. The threaded hole on the end gets screwed into the back strap pin inside the body. Nuts of various sizes/weights are on the bolt and changed out/moved back and forth to find the right balance adjustment for each specific El Rey. He stated that the added weight was very little, but when properly placed makes a big difference.

I am not sure what the cost is for the mod, but I would assume you would be on the hook for shipping both ways. Round trip shipping alone would likely be around $60, then add the fee for the mod (unknown). I would say that if you are happy with the balance of the El Rey in the sitting position and do not stand and play that the mod would not do much at all.


Cheers,
Steve

[goshawk]

Thanks, Steve.

[Steve Z]

I emailed Jeff Hale about the El Rey balance mod... for around (or less than) $200 including shipping you can have your El Rey balanced to allow for great comfort and playability if standing and using a strap to play.

Here is his email reply...

Hello Steve,

Thanks for your email and comments. I am most appreciative of the ‘thread’ on the forum site.

Yes we will balance your El Rey.

We must remove the pickups/controls, then install the counter weights and reassemble. Because of the absence of f-holes it is a time consuming job to ‘fish’ all of the components in/out. The charge for the entire job is $120.00.

I can help with shipping by emailing a prepaid UPS shipping label … our costs are likely to be less than those at a typical UPS Counter/Store. Depending on your distance from Hartland, WI, the shipping/insurance is around $30 to $45 each way.

The counter weights will add about 10 to 12 oz to the overall weight of the instrument, it works best if your El Rey has ebony caps on the machine heads … these save a couple of ounces as compared with the metal/gold caps. We also have ebony caps available for $30.00 per set.

Please let me know if this would be of interest. Please feel free to post this information on the jazz guitar forum.

Best Regards,
Jeff

Cheers,
Steve

[goshawk]

Thanks, that's good to know. I can't justify it right now, but I'm going to file the info.

[goshawk]

Some new Benedetto videos, including the Bambino -- the guitar my ER-1 wants to be when it grows up.

He plays it through a new Acoustic Image dual 8" combo amp. Oh my good goodness!! does that guitar sounds spectacular through that amp.

[carlescountry]

Nice guitar the Benedeto Bambino. But from what I hear on the youtubes, I almost prefer the sound of the Eastman El Rey Custom. I hope to see soon a review of the Benedetto Benny.

Moreover, in the last three youtubes of Jeff Hale, I think he plays through an Acoustic Image Ten2, combo with two speakers of 10".

[Steve Z]

Originally Posted by carlescountry

... I hope to see soon a review of the Benedetto Benny...

Here is the link to the Benny model video...

YouTube - Benedetto Benny AB.MOV


Cheers,
Steve

[carlescountry]

Thanks, Steve. What nice guitar!!!

[carlescountry]

New line of D'Angelico guitars redesigned by master luthier Bill Comins. I'm in love with the EX-SS!!! :

YouTube Video

The semi EX-DC:

YouTube Video

[msr13]

Originally Posted by Steve Z

Here is the link to the Benny model video...

YouTube - Benedetto Benny AB.MOV

That's pretty darn awesome! Hadn't realized their was a push-pull tune feature.

[Steve Z]

Originally Posted by msr13

That's pretty darn awesome! Hadn't realized their was a push-pull tune feature.

The push pull tone pot to split the pickup from humbucker to single coil works and sounds great. It is the same configuration as on my Bravo.

[goshawk]

The Bambino I demo'd had it, too. Very sweet sounding.

[msr13]

Originally Posted by Steve Z

The push pull tone pot to split the pickup from humbucker to single coil works and sounds great. It is the same configuration as on my Bravo.

Steve, what is your general review of the Bravo? It looks quite fantastic, and seems to compare quite nicely to the Sadowsky's. If you've already written something here, will you point me to the thread? Thanks.

[82Benedetto]

Originally Posted by carlescountry

New line of D'Angelico guitars redesigned by master luthier Bill Comins. I'm in love with the EX-SS!!! :



The semi EX-DC:

Attractive instruments, but I'm not floored by the tone or price.

[randyc]

Originally Posted by carlescountry

New line of D'Angelico guitars redesigned by master luthier Bill Comins. I'm in love with the EX-SS!!!

WOW! I don't get it - what has been "re-designed"? Does that mean imitated/copied, modified (or the ever-popular "reverse-engineered") ... why would one want to "re-design" a D'Angelico?

That's a creation that is valued by all discriminating jazz guitarists, representing the lifework of a distinguished artisan. One of the most desired instruments in the world for us older guys.

Have you compared an original D'A with this guitar? If so, please explain why this instrument can be compared with an original ... No offense.

Thanks,
randyc

[82Benedetto]

Originally Posted by randyc

WOW! I don't get it - what has been "re-designed"? Does that mean imitated/copied, modified (or the ever-popular "reverse-engineered") ... why would one want to "re-design" a D'Angelico?

That's a creation that is valued by all discriminating jazz guitarists, representing the lifework of a distinguished artisan. One of the most desired instruments in the world for us older guys.

Have you compared an original D'A with this guitar? If so, please explain why this instrument can be compared with an original ... No offense.

Thanks,
randyc

In my opinion it's a gimmick. They are still cheap laminates made entirely by machine and covered in a polyurethane finish.

d'angelico hasn't been "d'angelico" for years.....

Why Comins would put his name on these is beyond me...they sound exactly the same as the earlier imports...and by that I mean not very impressive...especially for the price.

[randyc]

I think you are correct '82. A response from "carlescountry" might calibrate the discussion.

[randyc]

Originally Posted by ingeneri

You guys need to chill a bit, nobody is "reengineering" John D'angelico's designs. These are solid and semi-hollow bodies designed by Commins with D'angelico appointments.'

Excuse me but that's NOT what the man wrote. Please refer back to the post to which our comments were addressed. I plead guilty to ignorance of the product but that's fairly common when discussing Asian guitars - thirteen new models get introduced weekly!

[randyc]

Of course you did - that was apparent from your chiding remark Different internet interpretations are not only possible but likely.

Cheers

[wizard3739]

I would also like to put in a good word for Jeff Hale. I have contacted him a few times about my Acoustic Image/Raezer's Edge/Sadowsky rig and he has always been been very helpful, candid and reliable with his answers. I have bought a few things from him and I believe he is probably the most knowlegable & honest guy I have ever dealt with for jazz guitar needs.

wiz

[82Benedetto]

Originally Posted by ingeneri

You guys need to chill a bit, nobody is "reengineering" John D'angelico's designs. These are solid and semi-hollow bodies designed by Commins with D'angelico appointments.'

I have an older Vestax NYL2 with a pressed top and poly-finish that is still, along with my Heritage Super Eagle, one of my favorite guitars. Sometimes the whole equeals more than the parts. The Japanese Vestax guitars were reportedly reverse engineered from a real D'angelico. It's got a great neck, lovely electric tone, and decent acoustic sound. I use it as my main practice axe at home, and for quiet duo and trio gigs. It was also less prickly when I was playing outside regularly last summer.

The D'angelicos are all now made in Korea. I don't have the same experience with them. But, I've played with two guitarists, including endorser Mark Mosley, who were musical monsters with fantastic tone.

You completely missed the point. The point was D'angelico hasn't truly been D'angelico for years now, and they are overcharging for the new guitars because it has Comins name on it.

And the Vestax guitars were never "reverse engineered." Show me D'angelico's that had pressed tops. The only thing the same is the name..it's all to make money...and I know because I'm friends with a player here who is endorsed by the company, I'm about 5 minutes from the "headquarters" in NJ, and the people who own D'angelico own Snapple.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but all of their guitars in recent history have been overpriced, and I assure you those guys wouldn't be playing them if they didn't get 'em for free.

[LaVonne]

I'm fortunate enough to live 2 hours away from Jeff's store. I bought an Eastman ar905 that he's currently trying to sell for me. I replaced it with a used Heritage Sweet 16 because I liked the neck better. Jeff is honest, friendly and very knowledgeable. He's a pleasure to work with.