Product: Hopkins S-1 Performer
Price Paid: US $500
Submitted
02/09/1999
at
06:46am
by
Anonymous
Features
:
6
Handmade in the USA, 25.5 in scale bolt on maple neck with an ebony fretboard. Figured Walnut top and back with a basswood center. Strings go through the body like a tele has one Pickup, A Seymore Duncan Screamin Demon, and a volume knob. The knob is push pull so you can select the coil tap for the Duncan. Cast Housing Gotoh tuners (3 on each side) All the hardware is black. Even though there is only one knob and pickup you don't miss the others (If your looking for a solid rock tone).
Sound
:
10
This guitar can do everything from driving Grunge,to punk and metal. I wouldn't suggest using it for swing or ska, the pickup is way too aggressive, but it really stands out in the punk area. I use a danelectro Daddy-O overdrive with a Laney AOR 50 amp, its a tube amp, kinda noisey, but the conbimation is awesome. This is a very bright sounding guitar, but walnut is a very porous wood, and it really brings out the resonance
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
7
The action is a little High, but it has 11's on it, so its kind of a necessity The top and back are both bookmatched, with a cherry accent stripe inlayed into the joint at the back and running down either sid of the neck on the top. THe Neck joint is rounded and very comfortable, each bolt has its own grommet, and these are recessed into the body, Its kinda like an Ibanez neck joint. The Oil Finish on this really brings out the figure in the Walnut.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
THis guitar follows the "keep it simple" motto. THe body is solid, and the neck is graphite reinforced. Its got straplocks, so that department is covered. The Body is not unlike an LP double cutaway, but a little smaller and more rounded. A solid instrument.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
I don't own it, I played the prototype, and all of my criticisms, mainly about action were taken generously, and I found that it had been corrected.
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
I know the one of the owners of this fledgling company, so I get to play it anytime I want. When they go into full production I understand that Other models will come with different options (pickups, Bridges, electronics etc.) So they do intend to cater to a more diverse crowd, but this is one of the best straight up rock guitars I have heard. If you're looking for something unique (and from what I hear not unreasonably expensive), this is definitely worth investigation.
