RJ, thank you for sharing so much! I've been so amazed with your playing every since I heard your "Swart demo Hallelujah" rendition. It was truly amazing and inspired me to this day along with what you're doing here. Listening to you makes me want to play better 🤙
Such tasteful playing in all of your videos, no matter what style you are jamming. You pick the perfect songs and techniques to demonstrate each guitar you demo. Just incredible.
Wow R.J. Not even in my dreams have i ever played that well, loved the Tom Petty best, was phenominal!! Thank you for posting my favorite youtube videos!
The 65C has a bolt on neck? Hallmark is now introducing this model in gloss black. I just ordered the 60C (set neck) in three tone burst. Nice playing! I'm gonna have to keep coming back to this video for some visual tutorials...
I have one of these. I always wanted a Mosrite . . . until I played one. Not my cup of tea, sorry. Pencil thin necks with "fretless wonder" frets. Hallmarks have a much better neck contour and frets. Nice P-90 pickups. My only negative would be the roller bridge. I think they'd be better served with a regular tune-o-matic. BTW: what's this guy playing through? Nice tone!
Finally received my Custom60. I've had nothing but trouble trying to adjust the string height. When I received it the height of the strings at the heel was set at almost 3/8". As soon as I lowered it I got significant string buzz. I have managed to finally reduce the buzz (not entirely), but there's only so much lower that the strings will go before the buzz comes back. No, it's NOT the roller bearings, et cetera. The guitar this guy is playing looks to have the sort of action I'd like, but there's no possible way to achieve that on my guitar. Any suggestions? Also the string spacer has a significant gap under it.
I adjust both the neck and bridge to get the action as easy as possible. For metal or rock a little fuzz doesn't matter because it's normally not heard. Either put your neck on a flek machine which will probably cost 250 to 300 or spend money on a higher end model. I bought and Epiphone black beauty led paul used for 350 and has better action then my jackson 24 fret. In fact I took the Epiphone to get a burstbucker installed in the bridge position and the tech said that the guitars action was to die for. slightly higher end models at 650 and above is normally where you can only get good flat necks
Thanks for your response. As I indicated, I was finally able to get the neck adjusted to at least a somewhat acceptable point by readjusting the relief and then the string height. However, I do not believe that one should have to accept any buzz at all when paying over a thousand dollars for an instrument. And the very idea of sending out an instrument with an almost 3/8's inch height adjustment at the heel of the neck is beyond belief...at least by my standards. I have a Washburn jazz box that has the best neck of any guitar I've ever owned, and I've owned just about every worthwhile guitar there is at one time or another in my 70 year life. The action is superb, and has absolutely no string/fret buzz at all! That guitar only cost me $550 (which included the case). I've had it now for almost 15 years. I've never had to make a single adjustment other than to lower the already low strings ever so slightly (I like'm low). This Hallmark has a plethora of other issues...stripped wood threads (six in all - four of which are in the tuners), frets that need milling, intonation problems, sloppy workmanship (string separator not properly installed), EXTREME feedback issue (no shielding, or something - I haven't gotten around to addressing that issue yet), et cetera. What Hallmark is doing is selling polished t**ds. I will eventually get around to fixing all these issues, but I shouldn't have to, not for that price and hype. You are right in suggesting that often times cheaper guitars, or guitars that don't get the recognition they deserve are better instruments than the hugely hyped ones. I just managed to snag a dual pickup, 1970/'71 Gibson Melody Maker for $500. It came (as a part of the deal) with an old Silvertone/Danelectro guitar and 15 watt Ampeg amp (what a deal!). I am completely rebuilding the guitar. It had some corrosion issues and other age related concerns. So far so good. Thanks again for your input.
@@philipnicholson4843 If I was you, I'd seriously rethink that idea. I did not relate all the other issues I had when dealing with either the guitar, or with the company itself...just sayin'
the very next thing im gonna do is go to the hallmark site and buy a guitar. R.J hope your getting something from Hallmark for this demo, you just sold them a 3ts 60s cus
R.J. Aside from your crazy good playing and being able to play a variety of guitars, I would appreciate your opinion if you can give it. Which do you prefer in tone, build and playability. Hallmark 65 or Eastwood Sidejack?
TheOldFlyguy The million dollar question I've been trying to answer myself. Hallmark is slightly less expensive and seems to be a bit closer to the original (plus that silky tremolo). Eastwood is much more Fenderish from the specs, and has no zero fret. The rest are pretty similar; woods are the same, dimensions are about the same as far as the body. Hallmark is assembled in the USA with Asian (Korean?) parts, and the Eastwood is Asian as well, if that matters to you. If you want modernity, Eastwood. If you want the original, Hallmark. Hope it helped, but nobody talks about these things! 😥
Thanks. I'm most likely going for the Hallmark. I got to play one briefly and like it a lot but wondered about the Eastwood. Problem is R.J. makes ANYTHING sound good. Haven't had a lot of experience but it seems Eastwood in general is a step down from Reverend. Thanks again
TheOldFlyguy Glad to hear it! I think Hallmark really does Mosrite justice, and Eastwood is more suited to Airline (except the fact that they use humbuckers in them; gross). By the way, how did the neck on the Hallmark feel? What would you compare it to?
From what I remember a little wider than a strat but very comfortable. On the thin side but not shredder thin. The action was very low and not a fret buzz to be found. I regret not buying it now. I also see they go for a 1K for both the 60 & 65. The only real difference in the 65 is its a bolt on. The other thing I remember is how good it sounded with gain. Even though the pickups look like P90s they are not. The are single coils that are on the hot side. The other good thing is used I see they still get close to 1K which is a great for resale.
TheOldFlyguy Thanks! You just so happened to describe exactly what I've been looking for. Love my G&L Legacy Strat, but she's over ten pounds (heavier than my friend's LP) and I've been craving a Gibson scale. Short arms, huge hands, the great problem. Nice talking to you, man! Take it easy.
Hello R.J. , how does the action feel? I know Mosrite had low frets, how does the Hallmark compare ? Also is the fretboard wider or narrow like the Mosrtie. Thanks
I asked for specs from Hardly Ramone, he told me that the neck width is 1.580" at the zero fret (Mosrites are 1.560 or 1.550 at the zero fret,) so they're wider. He also told me that the neck tapers up in depth from the 0 fret to the body, starting around 0.800 thick. Comparably, my Mosrite's 0.860" from frets 2 - 12. As for frets, I've heard that they're supposed to be taller. How high, I don't know. Hallmarks also have potted pickups.
love your guitars reviews., I have a question, since you have played both guitars (Eastwood Mach II and Hallmark Johnny Ramone signature) witch one you liked the most.. in looking on getting one of these two.. Thanks!, Your playing is real awesome
Hallmark quality, fit, finish, pickups far exceed any thing from Eastwood. Stick with these pickups rather than their HBs and you cannot go wrong. The trem on these is fantastic too.
Based primarily on your playing, I believe, my wife has invited me to purchase one of these. Being of Mosrite vintage myself, I might just do that. Thanks RJ!!
+TimmyV I'm not sure right now about _Hallmarks,_ but my 1966 Mosrite doesn't have an angled headstock; it's more like a Fender headstock which is set back from the neck but not angled.
This brought me to tears. Everything I love about a 50's pop vocal on the guitar. You sir, are an artist.
RJ is my favorite guitarist...
RJ, thank you for sharing so much! I've been so amazed with your playing every since I heard your "Swart demo Hallelujah" rendition. It was truly amazing and inspired me to this day along with what you're doing here. Listening to you makes me want to play better 🤙
Could listen to your "demos" all day long. This is absolutely amazing guitar playing.
Such tasteful playing in all of your videos, no matter what style you are jamming. You pick the perfect songs and techniques to demonstrate each guitar you demo. Just incredible.
superb and tasteful
R.J, you put on the best demos I see on UA-cam. I really enjoy your videos.
I agree with you whole heartedly,, “D”. I am amazed and thrilled when I hear R.J. Cover these tunes. Such taste and class is rare, it seems.
Could listen to this tunes all day long! Amazing stuff. The guitar is amazing but R.J. could play anything and it would sound amazing.
as always, simply stellar playing!!!!
Beautiful looking and sounding guitar.. But OUTSTANDING playing! You're a HELL of a player man!
Wow R.J.
Not even in my dreams have i ever played that well, loved the Tom Petty best, was phenominal!!
Thank you for posting my favorite youtube videos!
stunning playing. that vibrato sounds fantastic.
Another Class act. Lovely to watch n hear.
Awesome playing and great tone too!
I liked this video so much I bought one of these guitars (actually the Custom 60 with the set next). Best guitar I ever owned.
Can you please record a few solo albums of all these great standards??
That did rock!
Very nice!
There is not a better made guitar than the Hallmark.
Sounds great!
Excellent playing and tone -- so nice! Do you mind saying where you got the backing tracks? I would like to purchase both of them. Thank you!
Que buen demo 😊 y que buen guitarrista! 😊🎉
Nice !
Nice one!!
The 65C has a bolt on neck? Hallmark is now introducing this model in gloss black. I just ordered the 60C (set neck) in three tone burst.
Nice playing! I'm gonna have to keep coming back to this video for some visual tutorials...
I have one of these. I always wanted a Mosrite . . . until I played one. Not my cup of tea, sorry. Pencil thin necks with "fretless wonder" frets. Hallmarks have a much better neck contour and frets. Nice P-90 pickups. My only negative would be the roller bridge. I think they'd be better served with a regular tune-o-matic.
BTW: what's this guy playing through? Nice tone!
Try a Bigsby bridge. Straightforward and don't tone suck
Sorry, but those aren't P90s; they're not long enough. They're similar, though.
Can you describe the neck on a Hallmark please? I have heard that they are also on the thinner side. Maybe not as much as the mosrite...
i want one !
Excellent guitar playing... But I'm still asking, how have you managed to get the action on your guitar so low without having string/fret buzz?
Finally received my Custom60. I've had nothing but trouble trying to adjust the string height. When I received it the height of the strings at the heel was set at almost 3/8". As soon as I lowered it I got significant string buzz. I have managed to finally reduce the buzz (not entirely), but there's only so much lower that the strings will go before the buzz comes back. No, it's NOT the roller bearings, et cetera. The guitar this guy is playing looks to have the sort of action I'd like, but there's no possible way to achieve that on my guitar. Any suggestions? Also the string spacer has a significant gap under it.
I adjust both the neck and bridge to get the action as easy as possible. For metal or rock a little fuzz doesn't matter because it's normally not heard. Either put your neck on a flek machine which will probably cost 250 to 300 or spend money on a higher end model. I bought and Epiphone black beauty led paul used for 350 and has better action then my jackson 24 fret. In fact I took the Epiphone to get a burstbucker installed in the bridge position and the tech said that the guitars action was to die for. slightly higher end models at 650 and above is normally where you can only get good flat necks
Thanks for your response.
As I indicated, I was finally able to get the neck adjusted to at least a somewhat acceptable point by readjusting the relief and then the string height. However, I do not believe that one should have to accept any buzz at all when paying over a thousand dollars for an instrument. And the very idea of sending out an instrument with an almost 3/8's inch height adjustment at the heel of the neck is beyond belief...at least by my standards.
I have a Washburn jazz box that has the best neck of any guitar I've ever owned, and I've owned just about every worthwhile guitar there is at one time or another in my 70 year life. The action is superb, and has absolutely no string/fret buzz at all! That guitar only cost me $550 (which included the case). I've had it now for almost 15 years. I've never had to make a single adjustment other than to lower the already low strings ever so slightly (I like'm low).
This Hallmark has a plethora of other issues...stripped wood threads (six in all - four of which are in the tuners), frets that need milling, intonation problems, sloppy workmanship (string separator not properly installed), EXTREME feedback issue (no shielding, or something - I haven't gotten around to addressing that issue yet), et cetera. What Hallmark is doing is selling polished t**ds.
I will eventually get around to fixing all these issues, but I shouldn't have to, not for that price and hype.
You are right in suggesting that often times cheaper guitars, or guitars that don't get the recognition they deserve are better instruments than the hugely hyped ones.
I just managed to snag a dual pickup, 1970/'71 Gibson Melody Maker for $500. It came (as a part of the deal) with an old Silvertone/Danelectro guitar and 15 watt Ampeg amp (what a deal!). I am completely rebuilding the guitar. It had some corrosion issues and other age related concerns. So far so good.
Thanks again for your input.
@@zenmeister451 Sad to hear, I was going to pick a Hallmark up. Now re-thinking the decision :(
@@philipnicholson4843 If I was you, I'd seriously rethink that idea. I did not relate all the other issues I had when dealing with either the guitar, or with the company itself...just sayin'
Why is it that this guitar looks the same as a Hallmark custom 60 ? Is the heading wrong ?
the very next thing im gonna do is go to the hallmark site and buy
a guitar.
R.J hope your getting something from Hallmark for this demo, you just sold them a 3ts 60s cus
Do you have backing track and tabs available for this?
R.J. Aside from your crazy good playing and being able to play a variety of guitars, I would appreciate your opinion if you can give it. Which do you prefer in tone, build and playability. Hallmark 65 or Eastwood Sidejack?
TheOldFlyguy The million dollar question I've been trying to answer myself. Hallmark is slightly less expensive and seems to be a bit closer to the original (plus that silky tremolo). Eastwood is much more Fenderish from the specs, and has no zero fret. The rest are pretty similar; woods are the same, dimensions are about the same as far as the body. Hallmark is assembled in the USA with Asian (Korean?) parts, and the Eastwood is Asian as well, if that matters to you. If you want modernity, Eastwood. If you want the original, Hallmark. Hope it helped, but nobody talks about these things! 😥
Thanks. I'm most likely going for the Hallmark. I got to play one briefly and like it a lot but wondered about the Eastwood. Problem is R.J. makes ANYTHING sound good. Haven't had a lot of experience but it seems Eastwood in general is a step down from Reverend. Thanks again
TheOldFlyguy Glad to hear it! I think Hallmark really does Mosrite justice, and Eastwood is more suited to Airline (except the fact that they use humbuckers in them; gross). By the way, how did the neck on the Hallmark feel? What would you compare it to?
From what I remember a little wider than a strat but very comfortable. On the thin side but not shredder thin. The action was very low and not a fret buzz to be found. I regret not buying it now. I also see they go for a 1K for both the 60 & 65. The only real difference in the 65 is its a bolt on. The other thing I remember is how good it sounded with gain. Even though the pickups look like P90s they are not. The are single coils that are on the hot side. The other good thing is used I see they still get close to 1K which is a great for resale.
TheOldFlyguy Thanks! You just so happened to describe exactly what I've been looking for. Love my G&L Legacy Strat, but she's over ten pounds (heavier than my friend's LP) and I've been craving a Gibson scale. Short arms, huge hands, the great problem. Nice talking to you, man! Take it easy.
I absolutely cannot rely on Your demos- You could make a tin can and twine sound like magic ✨
i'm kinda itching for a Hallmark, i hope Bob still makes them
Wow...what else can i say??? Never bored watching him for hours...
You're an excellent guitarist, R.J. You get some great tone out of that Hallmark! 👍👍👍
Well played, my friend!
I love the hell out of my 60 Custom. Just a fabulous looking and sounding guitar.
Keep the awesome demos coming!
Hello R.J. , how does the action feel? I know Mosrite had low frets, how does the Hallmark compare ? Also is the fretboard wider or narrow like the Mosrtie.
Thanks
I asked for specs from Hardly Ramone, he told me that the neck width is 1.580" at the zero fret (Mosrites are 1.560 or 1.550 at the zero fret,) so they're wider. He also told me that the neck tapers up in depth from the 0 fret to the body, starting around 0.800 thick. Comparably, my Mosrite's 0.860" from frets 2 - 12.
As for frets, I've heard that they're supposed to be taller. How high, I don't know.
Hallmarks also have potted pickups.
RESPECT! Fantastic playing!
This is like David Gilmour became a Heartbreaker.
Mike Campbell is the American Gilmour
Now playing this for the 3rd time in a row. You've got it going on!
love your guitars reviews., I have a question, since you have played both guitars (Eastwood Mach II and Hallmark Johnny Ramone signature) witch one you liked the most.. in looking on getting one of these two..
Thanks!, Your playing is real awesome
Hallmark quality, fit, finish, pickups far exceed any thing from Eastwood. Stick with these pickups rather than their HBs and you cannot go wrong.
The trem on these is fantastic too.
This I call guitar play proficiency! Great player, beautiful tune!
Awesome! I'm curious about Hallmark customs, how much does it weigh?
Based primarily on your playing, I believe, my wife has invited me to purchase one of these. Being of Mosrite vintage myself, I might just do that. Thanks RJ!!
I think u may be the only guy with a wife that actually wants you to buy gear.
What you think of the vibrato system compared to another well known one?
I actually prefer Mosrite style and Duesenberg vibratos , over Bigsby.
NICE "MOSRITE" copied styling!!! Sounds Great, too!!! I Like the "Zero-fret"!!!, and Vibrato!!!
Nice guitar work. you woul;d get more out of your playing by using your pinkey for fretting and not have to work so hard playing.
@R.J. Ronquillo are you using any overdrive pedal for the distorted sound? Nice sound, as always!
Absolutely killer guitar playing...I am damn jealous...LOL.
UDGE sound WONDERFULL solo , heavy respect from France Sir !
Just saw this 6 years late. Would love a class on how you approached this.
Excellent stuff, perfect sound and playing!
Wish these had the Fender floating tremolo from a Jaguar/Jazzmaster.
Hallmarks roller tremolo is very nice on my stradette. Looks to be the same on these.
What's in the tone chain? That's a beautifully authentic sound
Excellent as always Sir! Thank You.
RJ you are a hero a big sensibility very nice
I dig the tones, and the tasty chops. well done.
nice playing. mosrite guitar?
Such a great player, thanks R.J
Fantastic playing and tone RJ!
good sounds,nice feeling......
Waves of awesomeness ~~~~~ !
Does that guitar have an angled headstock? I notice it doesn't have string tension bar on the headstock.
+TimmyV I'm not sure right now about _Hallmarks,_ but my 1966 Mosrite doesn't have an angled headstock; it's more like a Fender headstock which is set back from the neck but not angled.
Aces!
Nice!
saludo!
Это круто!
Fantastico!
This actually sounds damn good. Most Mosrite copies suck.
acceptable.
So well played 🎉🎉❤