The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi ive got a Hilo 625 comming my way soon, it will need som TLC but I have luthier friend who is a wizard. From what ive read the Hilos vary in quality, can anyone give me a report on this particular model?



Arne

The Hilo is back form the doctor, new nut, bridge, fretmarkers, tuners (same as original) 2 holes in back fixed 1 bracing fixed.

after reading the forum and reading about how crap this guitar was supposed to be, my hopes where not high, but I have to tell you this guitar sounds fantastic, and i will post a recording to prove it.

Looking forward to the recording!

Fred

I have seen a few Hilo's over the years. Most of the problems I see are from human issues more than luthier issues.

I can't wait to hear you play it.

Arne, glad you weren't disappointed! Do you know when your Hilo was made?

I Have no idea about what exact year/date, there is a serial number , anyone know how to date them by serial number?

Fred Kinbom wrote:Looking forward to the recording!

Fred

but not what i had planed: go to www.skage.com to hear ....

Ouch!!! That's too bad..

But having said that - totally disregarding the tragedy of it all - that mp3 is one of the funniest I've heard...

Steinar

good recording. I can clearly hear the sound of the string's sudden slack hitting the top wood. a very distinctive sound.
ouch indeed..

...and in glorious 24bit stereo... guess its back to the luthier

Ouch indeed. These guitars are usually very lightly braced and work best with lighter strings than you'd use on other squareneck guitars. I hope your luthier has no problems repairing the damage!

The guitar is pretty light stringed, ( elexir 013 ), the top didnt give at all, the wood in the bridge did... i goofed up when i tried to tune it up to an open G

there's a recording of a banjo tail piece snapping off at the end of song i believe on a jerry douglas with AKUS album. that is THE funniest instrument malfunction audio EVER!

Arne Skage wrote: i goofed up when i tried to tune it up to an open G

I could be wrong but I think it was the bridge, it didn't sound like you were even close to being tuned up yet. To me it sounded like you still had some cranking to do to get it in GBDGBD.

That is unfortunate..........I would have had instant lyrics if I was playing that. But my album would need one of those "EXPLICIT LYRICS" stickers

Having a guitar fail is always tragic. I had heard of a bakelite neck breaking on stage during a show. I suspect that the neck had some cracks that finally gave-way. Hopefully yours can be rebuilt OK.

When I heard that break I actually got queasy. Seriously.