Hallmark guitars, does anyone have any personal experience?

In Japan, Mosrites are very popular. Their brand-name is 'Firstman'. Good guitars, but not really like the originals. The aptly named Hallmark 'Sweptwing' was the only guitar offered by the short-lived company in 1967 (closed in '69). Ventures bassist Bob Bogle came up with the 'off-set arrow' swept-wing design. The Ventures (and Johnny Ramone!), are more known for their name-sake model Mosrite. (aka the 'Model 88', or 'Exellent 65'). I've personally never seen anybody gig with a 'Sweptwing'. The luthier you're mentioning is Bob Shade of Maryland. He makes copies of Hallmarks: the 'Vintage' $895, or 'Custom' $1000-1100. Not sure about the Ed Roman ones, Conklin would make one; also expensive. Standel didn't make a Sweptwing copy. Hallmark was originally headed by ex-Mosrite man Joe Hall (not jazzman Jim Hall). He used to work for Rickenbacker, then made the Hallmark Co. on Derby Street in Bakersfield/ Arvin, California. The 1967 ad calls it the 'Pro Model', and '(about $265 West of the Mississippi)'. It was first introduced as a semi-solid version,"the Electric Acoustic", then as a solid-body (looks like Korina Mahogany). Colors were Natural or Cherry Burst. There was also 12-string basses, and double-neck versions. There were only 30- 40 Hallmarks made ("inc. at least one double-neck"). So, buying an original would be pretty expensive. You could build a Sweptwing with parts ala Warmoth etc. A 'top-loading' Stratocaster body could be cut down to the reverse tapered shape. A 3/3 'stock bolt-on (maple/rosewood 'board) Gibson scale, 22-fret neck, and stop-tail (or Bigsby top-bolt trem) would be simlar. The Hallmarks used custom aluminium hardware, '0-fret'(bad idea) and twin single 'Hi-Fi', 'Hi-Output' pick-ups. You could also buy the Mosrite/Nokie Edwards Ventures/Mark I bodies and build. Guitar companies like Eastwood make copies of these. USA Fender is a better guitar overall.

Hallmark Guitars

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RE:

Hallmark guitars, does anyone have any personal experience?

This brand sells clones of the original Mosrite brand from the 1960s as played by the Ventures. Jim Hall evidently was an associate of Semie Mosely. Their stuff is fairly expensive and I think is imported, otherwise they would say made in USA on their website. But they are around $2000 less that...

Hallmark guitars are made in Korea, but the hardware is USA made. Everyone who has played them seems to love them. I'd hope they'd be great players at the price, but they are a bit pricey for a Korean made guitar, even if it does have American made hardware. Even if money wasn't an object, I have problems with buying a guitar I haven't played.

xx

Captain Jack is right, I would never buy a guitar I didn't play first.

Roman does not have a very good reputation in the industry.

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only a troll would give a correct answer a thumbs down.