« Samick HF650 »

A Samick HF-650 Artist Series, sunburst f-hole twin pickup. I had wanted a full size 3 in box for several years and most companies did not make one I could afford. I found this guitar At Jimmy Rogers Music in Seneca, S.C. It was love at first play. The only adjustment I had to make was to regroove the nut. I had an accident and hurt my first finger on the left hand. An excellent repairman redid it for me. I have added a Gold plated Bigsby Verbrato. I have been playing fingerstyle since I was 15. I am now 72. This Guitar outdid a Gretch Chet Atkins Tennessean in fingering and pickup sound and weight. I understand that Samick no longer puts their name on them. Greg Bennett, who now designs them uses a circled S at the headstock. Greg appeared for a concert at Phil's Music in Greer, S.C. and although he did not design this Guitar, he personally placed his signature on it. I would highly recommend this Guitar to anyone that can find a 1998 HF-650. I don't intend to let this one go. But it is the easiest fingering production model Guitar I have ever played.



I paid $500.00, got a hardshell case and a Guitar Strap but then the year was 1998 and as I mentioned above I purchased it at Jimmy Rogers Music company in Seneca, South Carolina.

The look, the quality for the money, the humbucking pickups and the ease in fingering it and to me it was affordable.

Sorry, but there is nothing that I dislike about this guitar. I did have to replace the 3-way toggle switch, but it was my fault not the Guitar construction.

I have owned this Guitar for 10 years and it looks and plays as good as it did when I purchased it.

I doubt these are made with the Actual Samick Name on the headstock at the present, so it will be come a collector's item in the days to come. I was told by the owner of Jimmy Roger's Music company that this would be the last Guitar made with Samick Artist Model on the headstock.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com