Hahn Guitars-Model 228 Telecaster

[blues54]

I'm not really big on posting things but I had to review this guitar to let people know how amazing these Tele's are.


Features:
This guitar was built in late 2007 for the 2008 NAMM Show

21 Frets I believe they are nickel frets. 6105 Medium Jumbo, Body is a 2 piece swamp ash.

Standard 3 way Tele style control, 1 Volume, 1 Tone 2 Pickups:
Neck is a Duncan Antiquity 55 Telecaster, Bridge is a Duncan Custom Shop Handwound 5/2

2 Piece Swamp Ash Body very lightweight (7lbs, 2 oz), Neck is a gorgeous one piece maple quartersawn. 100% Nitrocellulose Finish in Molly Green, paper thin. Very light gloss body, high gloss on the neck

Hardware:

This is one of the categories where Hahn Guitars really differentiates itself from other builders.

The Bridge is a Hahn Stainless Steel decoupled, with Hahn Compensated Brass Saddles, Hahn Stainless Steel Neck Plate, Hahn Stainless Steel control plate, Hahn Brass Flat Barrell heavy knurl knobs, Polished Aluminum jack can/plate. Chihoe Hahn builds all of these. They are all amazing 1st class quality.

Tuners are Kluson/Gotoh vintage style.

This all comes in a beautiful G&G Vintage style cream colored tolex case.

Sound:
My musical style is traditional and modern blues, occasionally classic rock. This guitar fills the bill for a stinging or roaring telecaster.

Amps - I have a Swart Atomic Space Tone, Fender 60th Anniversary Woody Pro Ltd., completely modified Class A Crate Vintage 30 in a hand-built dovetailed joint point cab with a Celestion V-30 speaker, modified Fender Blues Jr. with a Celetion V-30 speaker.

Effects: Xotic BB pre-amp, Swart Atomic Boost, Maxon OD808, BK Butler-Tubeworks Tube Driver, Boss DD6 delay, Ibanez AD9 delay, Vox Union Jack Wah Wah, Danelectro Chorus.

Guitar has amazing rich bright thick tone across all spectrums. This will produce any kind of Tele sound you want or need and then some that you didn’t think were capable from a Tele style guitar.

Action, Fit, & Finish:
The guitar was set up ok. Considering it was schlepped across the country for the NAMM show, played and displayed there it played very well.

The pickups were set up correctly.

The guitar did need a setup upon return home and some of the frets needed to be tweaked but this could have been from expansion and contraction of the neck wood with multiple trips. I had my local luthier set the guitar up the way I like it. It plays magnificently.

Reliability/Durability:
I have played out with this guitar and got many comments about what kind of Tele was that you were playing.

The hardware is all hand made by Chihoe Hahn himself. The quality oozes from this guitar. The Nitro finish which is partially resonsible for the way this guitar sounds has already started to check in the coolest vintage sort of way.

I always play gigs with multiple guitars for tonality changes but if I had to play a gig with just this guitar it would be no problem.


Customer Support:
Chihoe Hahn has been accessible and he returns all calls and e-mails the same day. I paid to have the guitar setup the way I wanted it.

I’m not worried about the warranty. I’m absolutely certain if I need anything Chihoe Hahn will backup his work for years to come.


Overall Rating:
I have been playing for over 37 years. I own 2 Tom Anderson's and a Custom Shop Fender Strat. If this guitar were lost or stolen I would hunt the person down to ends of the earth and make him pay.

Just the way the guitar plays and resonated is amazing. I just recently played a friend’s John Suhr Antiqued Tele and an original 58 Tele on the road for a business trip, this guitar kills them both. I hate to have to put it down.

Buy a Hahn guitar. It will be the best Telecaster style you will ever play. Of course you can buy an original Tele from the 50's and pay more than a nice car or in some cases a small house but they might not sound as good and be as reliable as this guitar.

[BroadMaster]

Originally Posted by blues54

I'm not really big on posting things but I had to review this guitar to let people know how amazing these Tele's are.
Buy a Hahn guitar. It will be the best Telecaster style you will ever play. Of course you can buy an original Tele from the 50's and pay more than a nice car or in some cases a small house but they might not sound as good and be as reliable as this guitar.

<edit for brevity>.

1st and foremost, W_E_L_C_O_M_E to the forum! Great first post blues54.
That guitar sounds great in your verbal description, ......... ummm.... where's the pics?

[blues54]

Originally Posted by BroadMaster

<edit for brevity>.

1st and foremost, W_E_L_C_O_M_E to the forum! Great first post blues54.
That guitar sounds great in your verbal description, ......... ummm.... where's the pics?

They will be coming soon when I have 3 or 4 of the Hahn guitars to post.

[Dan German]

Sounds great. Can't wait to see pics. Just one thing: I checked out the Hahn Guitars website (not much there, it's new) and he says "the tone is absolutely clear, but it is not analytical." Can this be true? Is it not even a little bit analytical?

[Axis29]

Originally Posted by blues54

They will be coming soon when I have 3 or 4 of the Hahn guitars to post.

I'm sorry, but this sounds like marketing to me...

Mr Hahn's guitars have been talked about on this site a few times before. And he seems to be gaining a decent reputation, if I recall correctly.




If I'm reading you incorrectly, than I'll apologize, but it just sounds like you've got a sales pitch going.

[Arlo]

I took a picture of them at the NAMM show. I actually sat down and talked to Mr. Hahn and played a couple of different ones. These are some seriously nice guitars. Everything about them was well done. The paint and the hardware and playability of his guitars were 1st rate.

I am not too crazy about the boat neck profile that seemed to be common on most of the ones at the NAMM show. I am sure if you requested a profile to your liking he would accommodate your order.

Chihoe is a very nice person as well.

I do not know a lot about this but I couldn't help asking him one question. I think most of us from the TDPRI would have wanted to know.

I asked him about Mandy's husband Danny's guitar and how all of that worked out. He told me that he personally finished the guitar for Dan and tried very hard to correct the problems created by his then partner.

It is important to note that they are no longer business partners.

I couldn't help but wonder if he is concerned that this incident will dog him. It is a shame that he seemed to be caught in the middle of such a negative thing and if his efforts gave Danny some consolation from the experience I would say he is a decent stand up guy.

Disclaimer: I have never spoken to Danny about his feelings or reactions about all of this. Except in the thread that was started here on the TDPRI. And I have no idea if indeed he did actually get his guitar. I am just telling you what our conversation was and that according to Mr. Hahn he did complete the deal. If this is indeed the facts then INMO he has gone above and beyond considering he had nothing to do with this from the start from what I understand. I just thought this was an important issue and should be addressed.

I hope it doesn't bring up bad memories for anyone.

[blues54]

Originally Posted by Axis29

I'm sorry, but this sounds like marketing to me...

Mr Hahn's guitars have been talked about on this site a few times before. And he seems to be gaining a decent reputation, if I recall correctly.




If I'm reading you incorrectly, than I'll apologize, but it just sounds like you've got a sales pitch going.

1st of all I'm not big on these forums. I think they have a place and a good way to share and exchange ideas about gear, (guitars, amps and stuff) and life 101 in the musical world of guitars.

Too many people like to hear themselves pontificate and think they need to make a comment about anything, whether they know anything about said subject or not. I'm 53 and I started playing when I was 10 and with the exception of about 5 years have always consistently played out. I have seen a lot of gear in my years. Seperate from playing I am a student of guitar and gear. What I mean by that is I have studied and read numerous guitar and amplifier books seperate from your ususal guitar mags to be knowledgable, educated, and have hands on practical experience in something I have loved since I was very young. If anything I'm more passionate about playing and gear now than ever before.

I have over 25 years of high level professional sales experience as a salesperson, sales consultant, manager and sales leader in my profession. If what I posted sounds like a marketing and sales pitch I would say its more of a problem for you. You already apoligized if you interprerted it that way and thats cool.

These guitars are the bomb. I have seen very few builders over the years who get it right. Chihoe Hahn just get's it. For my opinion Chihoe Hahn gets guitar building like Michael Swart gets amp building and for me thats very special. In both cases it makes me want to play more and more and more, and that's not such a bad thing.

I hope you get a chance to play some of his guitars you will see what I mean. Thanks for the concern.

[MandyMarie]

Aren't they amazing?! Chihoe is seriously one of the nicest, most straight up individuals I think I've ever met in my entire life. The guitar Arlo is speakin' of is sitting about four feet from right now and Danny & I have to take turns gigging that one because we fight over it like cats and dogs!







We love, love, love it...light as a feather, the finish is absolutely killer, sounds great, plays even better - we couldn't be happier with it and I can't stress enough how cool of a guy Chihoe is. I'm lookin' forward to summer NAMM like a kid at Christmas just so we can hang out with him

I'm dyin' for shots of yours - please post 'em when you get the chance!

[ibobunot]

Originally Posted by Axis29

I'm sorry, but this sounds like marketing to me...

If I'm reading you incorrectly, than I'll apologize, but it just sounds like you've got a sales pitch going.

Originally Posted by blues54

I have over 25 years of high level professional sales experience as a salesperson, sales consultant, manager and sales leader in my profession.

.....

[Arlo]

Hi Mandy and Danny,

I am very relieved that you posted this cause I was worried about opening old wounds. And I had no idea of knowing how you felt after all of that mess. It is great to know you are happy and all is well.

I agree 1000% with you! Chihoe is a stand up guy and one of the nicest folks to take on this issue and resolve it after all Dan went through.

I am glad to see this subject being aired publicly. Chihoe's reputation should not be considered anything but excellent.

As far as a sales pitch let me add my two cents. Hell yeah! I would buy one you will not be disappointed folks. He is a class act with a fantastic product.

I wish him well with his building and selling endeavors.

[MandyMarie]

I don't know blue54 from Adam but they really are nice guitars - I'm proud of mine too

Arlo, yepp, Chihoe really stuck by his word even when he didn't have to in the least! Not getting what was ordered from Jay was disappointing but getting a guitar from Chihoe was the best thang ever...that was a guitar put together with a whole ton of heart and love!

[mowcheeba]

I have seen some really nice Hahn guitars over at TGP. Not many
pictures on his website yet, but from what I can tell they look
to be superb.
Anyone know how much they are, more or less?

[Elliot Easton]

I saw them at the winter NAMM show, played it upside-down for a few minutes (I'm a lefty), and immediately knew I had to have one. It just spoke to me. I should have mine in the next few weeks. If you know Telecasters and have a lot of experience with this type of guitar, you will quickly "get it". Chihoe is a very gifted builer.

[d-rock]

good to see some new posters here. WELCOME Elliot.

Mandy's photo of the guitar looks flawless. The finish seems to be the perfect color.

[maestrovert]

i, for one, am more than pleased that Mr. Hahn went waaaaay out of his way to make things right for Danny after Mr. Monterose shafted him (an' Jay still owes him that Tele to my way of thinkin' !)....no one of us should ever have any qualms about doin' business with an honorable man, as Mr. Hahn has proven himself to be....

Welcome Aboard Elliot !

[Arlo]

Chihoe sent me an email this week and told me his new web site is up and running.

www.hahnguitars.com



He used a quote from Tim Wallis, Solon Smith and yours truly (TDPRI) members.

www.hahnguitars.com/Players.html

These guitars are well built indeed and worth a checkout.

I also was informed Mr. Hahn will be at the summer NAMM show in Nashville (Nashvegas as Kim likes to call it) this year.

I will be there with Bill and Becky Lawrence as well so make sure if any of you go to stop by and say hello to Chihoe and Bill.

[Flat357]

What sort of outlay are we talking about for a Hahn guitar ?

[mertzy]

Flat357 - Destroyallguitars has them for just under $3K and up.

Elliot - I see you're quoted on the Hahn site, could you post a review when it comes in? I would be very interested in your opinion considering the number of guitars you've owned including some custom jobs from the Fender CS.

[Tim Wallis]

Originally Posted by Arlo

He used a quote from Tim Wallis, Solon Smith and yours truly (TDPRI) members.

www.hahnguitars.com/Players.html

As soon as I picked up one of Hahn's geetars at the NAMM show, I was really impressed! Also, he's a nice guy (sup w/dat lol?). The guitar I played... played like butta (that's butter for you crackers out there). The man knows how to build a sweet T style!

The only thing I'd change (here comes the shameless plug).. would be,, at least one of his guitars needs Timara B&G Stringbenders and a Timara String Drop on 'em LMAO.

If ya'll get a chance to play one of his guitars, I think you'll like it.

Tim Wallis

www.GuitarTim.com

[Elliot Easton]

Originally Posted by mertzy

Elliot - I see you're quoted on the Hahn site, could you post a review when it comes in? I would be very interested in your opinion considering the number of guitars you've owned including some custom jobs from the Fender CS.

Sure, I'll do that once I've had some time to really play it and check it out.

[Tele295]

Hey EE - good to see you again. I see you're still into the "honest" guitars. ;) I got worried when I saw the signature SG (although the one I played was a really nice axe)

[austintele]

They look like super guitars.