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January 2000 |
Dear friends,
This is the first of what should become a perennial missive about Hill Guitar Company and other related things. It should provide some answers to frequently asked questions, let you know what new guitars are available, musings about motivations, desires and other states of mind, and some nice photographs as well.
This is largely brought into being by my business manager, Larry Darnell, and as a matter of fact, let me take this opportunity to introduce him. He is helping with all kinds of projects within the business, and taking some of the daily stuff off my hands, and the phone off my ear when it gets cauliflower. Larry is a big help, and he's the editor of this letter.
All in all, I like to write, and I look forward to seeing what we can do with this and to hearing back from you.
 Mateo Bellini |
You may or may not know that my Master Series is made in Mexico. I've worked for several years training a small group of guitar builders to work to my specs and standards. the instruments are then sent here for the final touches and distribution.
Well, now there is a "twin plant" here in Felton, California, just about 3 miles from my house. Once again, I'm training up a small group of guitar builders to work with me here to produce guitars to my specs and standards. This is great because the shop in Mexico is working so well that they hardly need me, so this way I get to once again be very involved in developing new models and the daily production of some wonderful guitars.
We're not going to be duplicating the same models that are being made down south, but rather coming up with new models and variations appropriate to our resources and style of working. The first run of instruments is a prototype new line of quilted maple guitars in 640mm string length, which brings me to the next topic...
THE QUILTED MAPLE/640MM GUITARS:
Our first guitars to come out of the California shop are a series of 640 scale quilted maple guitars. Ultimately the model will be designed after Torres, but for now I am using a Hauser as a model, which of course was itself based on Torres guitars.
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This initial run of guitars is in response to one particular custom order, but it's something I've done in the past, and I've been hoping to put something like this into production all along. It is a wonderful combination of design elements that belies some of the traditional assumptions about guitar making. The wood I'm using is visually spectacular - you won't believe your eyes. As far as using maple as a tonewood for classical guitars, although it isn't as dense as rosewood, it can make a very strong, rich and sensitive guitar. The same is true for the 640 scale. Somewhere along the line some people have arrived at the assumption that a longer string will produce more power, and conversely that a shorter string will make a smaller sound. Not necessarily true. |
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We've seen string lengths come down from their apex of 665mm in many of the Ramirez guitars from Spain, and now the standard is 650mm. Well, aside from the differences in left hand reaches, a 640mm scale reduces the overall tension of the instrument. This can actually allow the top of the guitar to move more freely. Yep, and when all that comes together the sound can be delicious.
Some of the best guitars I've ever produced are have been 640mm scale. Also we have some beautiful flamed maple 650mm scale guitars just going into finish. So check it out—these guitars will be be available mid to late January. List price is $2,950.00
Over the last year I've been collaborating with legendary guitar builder Robert Ruck on a new design model that I am thrilled with. The design includes a new bracing system and two acoustic ports in the upper part of the sides, all to the end of making a bigger, better sounding instrument. The woods are rosewood body with either spruce or cedar top, ebony fingerboard, Gotoh tuners. The soundboard is finished with French polish, the body with lacquer. They sound GREAT!
There is a full article about this in the latest Guitarmaking Magazine, which is also 
reprinted on my web site. Check the article out. The Ruck Model is now available as part of the Master Series, and some dealers already have them in stock. Check with your favorite dealer of Hill Guitars, or call us here and we'll try to direct you to your best source. The list price is $2,950.00.
THE CLASS AT AMERICAN SCHOOL OF LUTHERIE (ASL):
I'm teaching another guitar making class at the American School of Lutherie in Healdsburg CA, Jan 7—14. This particular class is sold out, but there are two more coming up in August and November 2000.
Last July we did the first hands-on guitar building class at ASL and believe it or not, after 7 days we (6 students plus me) had three completed guitars and three others quite near completion. We'll see what happens this time with 8 days and a little experience behind us. It's a guitar building boot camp, but it's very exciting.
I've completed a CD of solo guitar music entitled Pilgrimage. It journeys through an international mix of music by Bogdonovitch, Yoshimatsu, Domeniconi, Harrison, Scarlatti and Falu. It should be ready for public release by late January. Whew!
That's all for now. Keep in touch with the web site because we have a lot of cool things going on and we will be updating the site frequently. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Happy New Year 2000.
Kenny Hill
PS. please feel free to send us your comments, desires and questions. we'll be starting a Frequently Asked Questions page on the web site next month.
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