DiPinto Hellion

I got the gloss black Hellion with a set neck. Speaking with Chris DiPinto, apparently there were some models where the set neck was sculpted so that it had more of a neck-thru-body look and feel. Mine doesn't have this, so it's a little blockier at the neck joint, but it's pretty stable.

Korean made, with all of the standard features described in the previous reviews. I'll add that the frets appear to be jumbos, and that there was a cable included in the package as "case candy". The case is indeed a solid piece of equipment in and of itself.

One minor gripe...I found myself accidentally hitting the pickup selector with my gut while playing. I might need to adjust my strap length to compensate for this.

I like alternative music mainly, so that includes a variety of different guitar tones. The pickups in this one seem to have significant crunch, and they get great sustain (although this is probably due to other factors too).

It'll be a little limiting when trying to go for just a pure clean tone, but I think I'll be able to compensate with my amp settings.

This guitar was set up perfectly, even better than the brand new Gibson Firebird I just purchased. The intonation was actually right on the money, which is somewhat rare in my experience. The string height was just right as well.

All knobs and moving parts seemed to be working smoothly and the guitar was very clean right out of the case.

This guitar should withstand live playing, although I did find that the pitch would drop a little when trying certain "stage moves"...a little surprising for a set neck but it could also be tension due to my strap.

The finish is solid, and the strap buttons seem solid as well. The guitar is very light, but gets an incredible amount of sustain. This is probably the best feature, in my opinion.

I haven't had to deal with repairs, and unfortunately I didn't get any details on a Warranty for the guitar, but I must say that Chris DiPinto was amazingly helpful on the phone and very responsive with my order. I'm so impressed by the design and manufacturing of this guitar, I am looking forward to my next DiPinto.

The guitar is very light, but gets an incredible amount of sustain. This is probably the best feature, in my opinion.

I don't know if they're still available, but I would definitely want a replacement if I lost this guitar. Of my 20 or so guitars, I'd rank this one in the top three...coming from a long-time Strat fanatic.

I should definitely have asked Chris about a warranty, just to protect myself and my investment. I'm a 20-year player, but have also seen some amazing opportunities for investing in the guitar market, and the Hellion will satisfy both my playing and collecting interests.

This guitar features a mahogany body with a maple neck. 2 SJL distortion pickups. Chrome tuners, V tail piece, and chrome tune-A-matic. Comes with Hardshell flight case( the biggest and baddest I've ever scene). It also comes with regular strap buttons. I do recomend getting strap locks.

This guitar sounds great. The SJL distortion pickups sound clear and have a nice crunch to them with out gettting all muddy with high distortion levels. This guitar resonates like it would be semi-hollow, but it's not. The angled headstock adds to the sustain which is also awesome. The toggle switch is a three-way and it's located on the high side of the guitar making it really easy to switch pick configuration.

The action is incredible. Better then what you would find on some really high end custom shop guitars. Nice thin neck that plays super fast and clean. Not sluggish at all. It has 22 frets which you can reach easily. The finish is absolutely perfect. The neck joint is invisible, even though it's a set neck. This pece also has seven layer binding on the body the nck and the headstock. Which is really awesome. Again, a feature you would find on a hig end custom shop guitar and probably pay good money for it too.

This is a solid, reliable guitar that would fit any application. The design is very unique. It blows The Randy Rhodes out of the water. It's definately a metal looking guitar. When people see it, their jaws drop. It's cool to pull it out at shows without letting people see it before you play it.

Dipinto Guitars are one of the best companies I've ever dealt with.

My favorite guitar. Playability, design, sound, look, and value.

Made in Korea. Set Mahogany neck, 7 layer Mahonany Binding for the bady, Ebony fingerboard, with koo stars inlay. Two passive SJL humbuker pick ups, it is a Korean company. i called Dipinto and ask them about those p ups, they said it cuz they are probably a only company that makes silver pick ups, they use them cuz they are pretty good and match the guitar. i have a white Hellion with chrome harware.two volume one tone knobs, tune o matic tailpeice. I call it Batman, cuz the V shape body looks like a batwing, or may be a Devil's wing? who knows, its hella sexy tho...

i am goin to install Seymour Duncan SH-1n and SH-6b to replace the SJL pick ups...but as for now...donn't realli like tone. i thought that pick up don't match up the guitar's full potential. so i believe the SD's will...there is just no gain to my guitar, and the clean tone sounded like a mexican fender...

can't realli play on my lap, not as comfortable as my fender o my esp...but better than any other V shaped guitars tho..the neck is smooth, action was great, don need much adjustment, and the ebony fingerboard def. feels different than Rosewood. great balance, flowless finish. well i bought it online...but there are few minor damages..DON EVER BUY STUFF OFF MUSIC123.COM, they sell u the ones that are on display in the store, so it's slightly damaged...

i have giged with this guitar, it def. draws more attention than our lead singer..hehe..dunno if thats a good thing...play great onstage...delivers killer live performance...it is not a guitar made to be kept in the studio all day...

music123.com suks, the price isnt that great, the quality certainly don't match...musiciansfriend.com and americanmusical.com are the two best yet...although music123 is the only shop online that has the Hellion

overall. this is a great guitar with great spec with a great price. think aobut it, a Mahogany bosy and neck, set neck, Ebony fingerboard, two humberkers, sexy lookin...if this guitar was made by Gibson...it can go EASILY over 2,000 even 3,000...just cuz it was made in korea so it's "cheaper" but i am tellin u all. if u have hte rite pick ups (i dunno if the seymour duncan i got is the perfect ones, i am still experiencing the sound) the rite set up to use this guitar's full potential...it would deliver a sound that is just as good as a US Gibson...garuanteed!! i donno if this guitar is like the previous guy said it is...like its all custom designed nad custom quality?? may be it is harder to find and will get harder...i dunno...if htat is the case...than i am the luckist man EVER!

2003 DiPinto Hellion..designed by Chris DiPinto, made under his strict specifications in Korea. 2 Humbucking pickups, 2 volume and 1 tone controll. Tune'o matic bridge that locks in position....Guitar is black with 7 layer white and black binding. Gold hardware and pickups....rosewood neck with really cool star in circle inlays...
the guitar is flawlwss, really easy to play and very comfortable to hold even on your lap...I have a Gibson Flying Vee that is not as easy to play as this guitar...it has a batwing shape that fits your leg easilly....well balanced....

I play blues mostly with single coil Telle's and Asats...but this humbucker guitar really brings home the tone....Playing thru Fender amps...DRRI, Supers and Vibro-King....great bluesy tone...relatively quiet about like a Gibby....

Fit and finish are flawless...paint is great, no streaking anywhere...really hard to do in an all black guitar....action is great from the store and needed no setup at all....intonation is perfect..it's the first guitar that I ever bought that didn't require set up...I have over 100 guitars....not a newby to this stuff....it has a straight thru neck that is actually invisible....as if it were on piece with the body....

I will definately gig with this guitar....it holds tune great and I would never coinsider a backup for this one....I always gig with 2 anyway...but this one will be the humbucker I will use...besides it's a great looker...one of a kind....

Chris and Sophie are great people and really are very concerned with thier customers....they have a really cozy shop that makes ya feel like ya are home....he is a great luthier and can do any repair that you would ever need...in fact he is an inventor sooo he can do things ya never even thought of....try him...he loves suprises and always gets into what he's doind...great service and customer support...a real honest guy...Sophie's great and is very friendly too....

I've been playing over 40 years and do blues...always did always will...his guitars are great looking and great sounding....if lost or stollen...I'd be in jail cause I'd take out the sob that took it....I'd replace it instantly...if I could get one....remember, these are custom guitars and hopefully after the word gets out...they'll be hard to get....think about it...custom design, custom shop quality for a fraction of the CS price....ya know, after 40+ years of guitar playing and buying..I've seen things and trends come and go...but some day...DiPinto guitars will be very, very collectable....get one now while ya still can afford it...it won't last at these prices.....