Hamer echotone thoughts...or am I senile

[tamader74]

Just picked up a korean version...335 styled, stud tail,dot marker,tobacco 'burst. Duncan designed 'buckers (had to remind the seller designed,Not Duncan exact) Had no way to plug it in,But, I've been around the block a time or 3, buy most of my 'gits on feel and vibe...electronics can be..eh..change 'em. he tossed in a HSC.I tossed him $200.00,Now,I'm old,sick,tired and bald...got the 'git home,plugged 'er in to my blues jr....And now I'm afraid I can add senility to my list of issues!!!,This thing sounds and plays...awesome!!! (gotta give it up to MOST korean made guitars...COME ON NOW! ) Heck,Samick makes more 'gits than anybody in the world a year,in Korea (and other places) than any other co.(just don't say so on the headstock) Got epi.,washburn see the 'S' in the serial number ?,anywho.am I senile,or am I ...O.K.,and these are some goooood sounding 'gits for price/value...your thoughts....Please

 

[sjaustin]

I have a Korean Echotone that wouldn't let go for three times what I paid for it, and I paid more than you did. It has been my main guitar for a few years now. I also play into a Blues Junior. Add some mid-gain overdrive, and you can do a lot of damage with that axe.

The Duncan Designed pickups are surprisingly decent, but I am getting ready to put some DiMarzio PAFs into it, and I can't wait to hear how it sounds then.

 

[CitizenCain]

Check out the scale length on your guitars. I've heard the Korean models had a slightly longer scale than is usual for a Gibson copy, around 25 1/4"

That could account for a lot of the tonal differences these guitars seem to enjoy.

 

[endzone]

I have the same tobacco burst MIK Echotone as you have. I replaced the tuners and nut and installed some '57 Classics pickups and put a Bigsby on it. I am in love with it, as it is such a quality built guitar. I gigged with a Gibson 335 and bought the Echotone as a backup. After two years of not using the 335, I sold it. I can't tell you why, but the Echotone just makes me smile. It does everything the Gibson did, but it just has more mojo. It made me want to play it.

 

[lamenlovinit]

I'm old too. I remember "I'd never play a japanese guitar". We've already passed the point where "I'd never play a Korean guitar" was something worth saying Yes indeed there are some great guitars coming out of some great factories outside the US.

 

[straightblues]

I had one and put a lot of dollars in upgrade into it. I think it sounded and played almost as good as it was stock. Don't waste money on upgrades. Love it for what it is, a great value guitar.

 

[Rama]

I had one along with a nice Gibson 335...of course I A/Bd em and the damn Echotone was the one I enjoyed the most...that sorta messed me up..

..so what did I do??

I sold the Echotone


Then my world righted itself and my expensive Gibsons reighened supreme again..

 

[bek]

Not an Echotone, but i just picked up a used Korean Epi Dot, with VintageVibe Charlie Christian (P90-type in a humbucker size/shape) and push-pulls for series/parallel and in/out of phase, and I'm just pretty amazed. Set up by a pro, but still, it just plays so well and sounds so good. I could see myself selling my Tele and a couple other guitars, becuase of this modest, highly competent instrument.

 

[Guitarzandstuff]

I believe the Echotones were 25 1/2" scale... I'm almost positive. Perhaps thats the difference?

Played one a wilie ago and it was really nice.

 

[tamader74]

Thank's folks for the input,after a whole lot of a/b ing today,and looking for flaws,yes the nut is going to get changed,can't knock that..had a ton of new, U.S., Jap.,fender,gibbys,and so on,that had that coming...The tuners...yea,they could be better...But,what's cool about that is I bought about 2 years ago a NOS set of DOUBLE ring,green schaller deluxe tulip tuners from the 70's,that had not been installed..I thought at the time...Hey,I'll buy these up for a hundred...I'll have a use for these someday...WELL,Today's the day...I figure this 'gits worth those tuners...counting the 'git and case, tuner cost, nut replace...I'll have more than 300 bucks into a pretty good ol' 335 copy that I can PLAY,instead of 2-3 k.into something,that yes I can play..But,most certainly will drive up my busch light tab also...I'm from the old school of take care of your possessions/tools and they will take care of you...No,I don't like buying aged,roadworn gear...no, I don't like newer 'gits with character...I WANT to be the character to give it patina...and the only surefire way to do that....is time, this 'git is cool,if it falls over develops the need for a "headstock" repair ( I've seen some great repairs...But,the guitar ain't the same) I'll pull those new vintage tuners, rob some other parts...Cry...give it a good burial,and go searching for another...so,we've covered the nut and tuners...found out I don't need further medication...Now lets keep the input coming...This one has an awesome neck,the feel and the fretwork is...excellent, How do they ware?

 

[Spider-Man]

What is the neck shape like on these? I'd like a big fat neck on a 335ish guitar. So many of the imports have skinny necks.

 

[tamader74]

Mine/this one isn't FAT But, not skinny..I too like large (fender large) necks...This is more modern 'c' But,excuse this quote more "refined" gibby/guild feel

 

[tamader74]

10 days....and still...the honeymoon ain't over

 

[Spider-Man]

10 days....and still...the honeymoon ain't over

Good to know. I'll have to take a serious look at one of these down the road when I'm ready to get a 335ish guitar.

 

[gill]

I have one and its a love/hate relationship thing. Plays great set up with 11's, swapped the pickups to cream Carvin Holdsworth pup's, but still the least played guitar I own.I probably need to adjust the pickup heights. Maybe I'm just not a 335 guy though I always loved the look .

 

[rust_in_peace]

The Echotones are GREAT guitar. I kick myself for not picking one up when they were $300 new. IMO, they are a better guitar then the Epi Dots that I've played.

 

[tamader74]

...Reviving this post for soul man....Maybe others can shed some more light for him, Tom...

 

[mike shaw]

I love my EchoTone! BTW, mine has a 24 3/4" scale length.

 

[sshan25]

Had one a few years ago. Put a set of Seth Lovers in it. Nice guitar but I couldn't bond with the long scale neck.

 

[wolfmancharlie]

you guys who absolutely love the echotones aren't alone.I've been playing for a long time and my China made Echotone is one of the best guitars I've ever played. I paid almost double for mine but it was worth every penny. My pickup covers say Hamer on them but they have usa made SD pups inside.I've had my Echotone for 6 years or so and its not going anywhere.Still would like to change the tunners but they.re not broke.