Huss and Dalton DS

This is a Huss and Dalton DS Custom. I've had it for about 10 months, so the newness has definitely worn off. I'm used to it, it's used to me, and it's my favorite acoustic guitar. It's a typical slope dread with adi spruce top, mahogany back and sides and Gibson-style dark red sunburst. It has vintage-style Waverly tuners. Huss and Dalton is known for incredible sunbursts, and this one is no exception. Unique features for this model include maple binding on the body and neck and small snowflake inlays on the fingerboard. It has a great neck - not too beefy like a Martin dread, but still enough meat to grab and to help the guitar resonate. It's a beautiful guitar and just a little fancy with the binding and the inlays. In other words, it has exactly what you would want in a boutique slope shoulder dread - everything that made the old Gibsons great, plus a couple of subtle extras to make it unique. I give it an 8 here for two reasons. First, there's a limit to the features you truly need for a vintage-style acoustic, and second, I don't like the case. Huss chooses a not-quite-to-of-the-line TKL case for their high end guitars, and they should take it up a couple more notches for a guitar of this quality (think the Collings custom case with the big fat leather handle or the Martin Geib-style case).

This is the guitar I will never sell. I also have a Collings D1AV Varnish and a Collings 01ASB. The 01 is balanced and articulate and a little sweet. The D1A is a full throttle monster with a big dose of old Martin plus the attack and mids of a big Collings. Both of these are fantastic guitars, but they have limited uses. The DS Custom is the best of all worlds - gorgeous, sweet, wide tone for picked solos and flatpicking (but without the edge of a square dread); rich and balanced for strumming with a pick or fingers; and full and articulate with plenty of bass for finerpicking. Also, the adi top on this guitar loosened up faster than on any guitar I've had. More than anything, it sounds very musical.

Like all Huss and Dalton guitars, pretty much flawless, which shows you can make a beautiful guitar with an ultra thin finish that still has plenty of vibe right out of the factory.

It's lighter than a Collings, but I'm sure it's as well-built as any guitar being made today. I have no reason to doubt it will last forever (or forever to me) if properly taken care of and humidified.

Top notch. This guitar came with a cheap-looking, fake tweed case. I called Huss and Dalton and asked if they would ship me a black case if I shipped this one to them. Not only did they agree, they ordered the black case from TKL and shipped it to me first so I wouldn't be without a case. All I paid was the shipping to get the original case to them. That kind of trust, flexibility, and responsiveness wins customers for life.

Other than the relatively unimpressive case, I can't say enough good things about this guitar. As I mentioned, it had vibe and felt played in from day one, and it's just a sweet, musical-sounding instrument that feels like it has a lot of songs in it. I highly recommend it - it's expensive, but not as expensive as many others, and I feel it's worth every penny.

I just got the DS Custom with Adirondack Spruce top and EI rosewood back and sides. Waverly open nickel tuners, maple binding on the neck and body.

This thing sounds beautiful. I first heard one of these at the Guitar Shop in Washington. I found that Mandolin Bros had one slightly used. I spent two hours in the small production luthier room at Mandolin Bros, playing every collings, scgc, breedlove, lowden, and other H+D. This guitar is the one. I had brought my 1977 HD28 Martin in with an eye toward trading, and A/B'd it with that and several other guitars. I left my 77 Martin behind, 30 years of history, with no reluctance.

The others capture the quality of this sound very well, very balanced, complex, and responsive. Like what you imagine that a great old j45 slope shoulder would sound like, but it never does. This guitar is the sh*t, period.

Perfect set up by the original dealer, Rudy's (the card was left in the case) and by Mando bro's. I might take the action down at some point just a hair, but for now, it is fine.

I don't feel like this guitar is a delicate thoroughbred, but having something I love so much is a bit nerve wracking. I think it is sturdy, but I will be babying it like crazy, and won't take it to gigs. Stan at Mandolin bro's hates strap buttons inserted into the heel of the guitar. He says put the strap on the neck...good enough for Woody Guthrie, its good enough for him.

Huss and Dalton are great, very responsive and personal. I bought it used, so I don't get the lifetime warranty.

Been playing for 40 years (yikes!). I have owned all kinds of guitars old and new. My only real good acoustic before this is the one that I traded for this one, a 1977 HD28 Martin. I also have some archtops, and other mutt guitars.

Gloss finish, sitka/rosewood
Slotted peghead
14 fret
2004 model

Boomy and loud--great for strumming. A lot more mids and volume than my Martin jumbo (j-18).

Impeccable in every detail. I bought in through the mail from a shop in the midwest and it had some buzzing when it arrived. I emailed Tim at H&D and he said "Send it on over to us and we'll set it up for you." Within 10 days I had it back with shop specs and new strings--all for $15 postage.

I've played this out many times, indoors and out (even in a slight sprinkle).It's no longer pristine, but it's a player that will hold up over time.

Not only did I get great service (see above), I was also invited to take a tour of the shop in Staunton (which I did). Old fashioned craftsmanship, old fashioned service.

People buy vintage guitars because they are well made--not because they are old. H&Ds are well made with the best materials available, and are NEW. I'm currently thinking about getting a OO-sp model. If you haven't heard one, check them out.

Slope Shoulder Dreadnaught
14 frets to neck
Ebony fret board and head plate.
Solid Mahogany Back And Sides ? gloss finish
Solid Red Spruce Top ? dark sunburst gloss finish
Maple Binding: back and front of body and fret board
Wavery tuners (originally chrome but I replaced them with a new set of Waverly?s: chrome with ebony buttons ? really looks great with the fret board and head plate.

The sound/tone of this guitar is what sold me (that and the fit + finish). It is just the sweetest, richest and most resonant guitar I have ever played, with full warm lows and a bright clear high end. I have a LR Baggs pick-up in it (installed byy Steve @ Andersson's Guitar Gallery in frisco, TX) that just sounds wonderful through any amp/P.P. system I have plugged it in to.

The aesthetics of this guitar are just astounding! First time I saw it on the wall it just called to me. With a dark, very tight sunburst over the red spruce top it is just a thing to behold. The mahogany on the back is dark, but with a finish that still allows you to enjoy the grain. The body and neck are bound in maple, which gives it a ready nice look ? like old j-45 that as picked up a nice patina. It is simple has the nicest fit and finish of ANY guitar I have EVER seen. I have been unable to find a single flaw or blemish anywhere on it and the beauty of it doesn?t diminish over time. If you can?t tell, I just love this guitar. The ONE issue I have with this guitar, and all H + Ds I have seen is the case. For a guitar in this price range I would expect something a little nicer (a little more tasteful). The case is a TKL with that fake tweed exterior with an overwrought ?Huss and Dalton? scrolled across the top. It also has a totally plastic pull on the storage compartment - tacky. It is not a bad case structurally, it's just ugly. I have a geib style TKL case for my Martin omc-28m that is just great. My daughter thinks it looks like an old mans hat! I just HATE it, it is an abomination! I hate it so bad I ordered a new case from Cedar Creek Cases (took 13 weeks to receive) but now I?ll have a case worthy of this fine guitar. I give this guitar a 10, in spite of the case.

I have played this guitar out a couple of times and it has done fine, no need for a back up. This is a very well built guitar and I can?t image having any trouble. I do baby it: in the case if it?s not in my hands and always keep tabs on the humidity. Hardware it first rate: Waverly tuners, bone bridge and nut. Very dependable, always in tune.

I have had no contact with H + D, sent the registration card in - that's it. Lifetime warrenty.

I have been playing for 20 years, but only got serious about two years ago. Finally started lessons. I also have a Martin omc-28m, John David Scott 3/4 om, '38 Gibson L-30. If this was stolen: first would come the retribution, then I would get another one immediately. I think the thing I love most about this guitar is that when you are playing it you can just FEEL the mahogany resonating against you, more so than any guitar I have ever played this thing feels alive. I saw this thing hanging in the store and played it each time I went in for probably six months ? I finally took everything I had, four guitars: a Martin om-18v, Gibson J-45, Reverend Club King HB and Fender Stratocaster in Bad Boy Blue and traded them all for this one guitar. I have never regretted

Huss and Dalton DS Custom (12 fret/ 24.9 scale)
Born on February 27, 2006 -- Found my arms on March 3, 2006 via Music Folk in St. Louis, Missouri
This DS has the standard features as listed above and on their website, with Indian rosewood back and sides and Sitka top
Serial Number: 1737

IMO: I can't stand fancy pants Mother of Pearl all over a man's guitar. Yet, for $3,000+ you want some bling. I feel like Jeff Huss read my mind w/ this rig. The curly maple binding and whitish/greenish rosette give this guitar a significant and obviously special appearance - it's undeniable, but it's not in the least bit precocious.

I'm not a great bluegrass picker. Nor do I finger-pick Brazillian rhythtms. I play emo acoustic music - lavish covers of Elton John and Elliot Smith, along with my favorite old Whiskeytown and Uncle Tupelo country blues rockers.

THIS GUITAR IS EXACTLY WHAT A GUITAR SHOULD BE!!!

When I play it hard, it gives me 110%; when I play it soft, it comes down like a feather but sings, sings, sings!!! The night I bought it, I couldn't go to sleep. I played d@mn near till my fingers bled. The next morning I noticed I had developed sideways callusses - the tips of my fingers were too sore, so I had to roll them to the side to keep playing, thus creating new sideways callusses. The tips of my fingers look like a Dali painting. My wife won't let me touch her!

Seriously though . . . I didn't know it could be like this. It was extremely hard for me to part with the cash and I was looking for any reason to beat myself up over it. Man, if this guitar was stolen, I would sell my car and hock my Mesa Lonestar to replace it. I just didn't know it could be this good.

Sometimes I wonder if I got a fluke - like, it's too good to be true. I played a H&D DS standard 14-fret before this and it sounded great, but my goodness, this 12-fret custom is hands down the best guitar I have ever played. It blew away every Collins and Martin on the wall.

It's a $3,000+ guitar! Action and fit are perfect. I will say a note about 12-fretters . . . don't knock it till you try it. First, the sound is better - that's pretty much universally accepted. But the comfort factor is where it's at - I don't ever want to go back to 14s.

I was nervous the first couple times I went up to hit a G on the 10th, but on this guitar . . . forget about it . . . it's like butter. Every note rang true like a songbird.

Don't know about this one.

Frankly, I'm scared. I aint never owned anything so nice. I called Jeff Huss and we spoke about humidifiers, but I was so nervous that I forgot to ask him about the relative humidity of Staunton, Virginia.

I'm scared I'm gonna mess it up somehow. I keep it cased with one of them tampon looking humidifiers in the hole.

I polished it up with some hi-end furniture polish the other night. I had to do some major scrubbing to wipe it all off, and I was worried that I might have chosen the wrong product. But that thing took all I could give and boy doesn't she shine. I can't harldly stop looking at her.

I was able to get a call to Jeff, and he sent me an email with some info. But I feel so close to this guitar that I want more - and I think it's warranted.

I think they should send you a little note about your guitar - let us know what number it is (is it 1 in a million?)\. How about giving us a picture of it getting boxed up. I don't know something.

How about some care instructions. Here, I'll write them for y'all: This guitar was built in XX% relative humidity. Put a humidifier in the case or guitar (either a damp sponge in a Tupperware container or a store-bought humidifier) and keep it at XX% relative humidity.

There's nothing in it's class or above it's class that can touch it. Period.

Play a DS-12 with rosewood and sitka and you'll know what I mean. Every guy in the shop, every man who lends an ear all know what I mean. There aint nothing close to it.

14 Fret Slope Shouldered Dreadnought with Red Spruce Top. Similar to a Gibson J-45 but with a longer scale length.

This is a well appointed guitar, as one would expoect at this price point. Mine cme with a nice sunburst, maple binding, Waverly tuners, bone nut and saddle, etc.

Mine model number is a DSA, denoting that the top is Red Sprice rather than Sitka.

I was looking at a lot of vintage Gibsons. I love the J-45 sound, but because I tend to play in groups with other instuments, I need more volume. To my ear, the Huss and Dalton represented the perfect balance between tome and volume.

The set up was great when I bought it. The spacing of the string at the saddle is a littel wider than most guitars. This is something I like a lot because I can player a little closer to the soundhole and get a fatter tone. The sting specing is also great for fingerpicking.

The guitar seems well built, and has a lifetime warranty.

I sent an email to the support askign what kind of guitar polish I shouls use, and the response was polite and prompt.

A great guitar. It was expensive, but you get what you pay for. In my opinion, this looks and sounds better than some more expensive slope shoulders offered by othe makers.

New slope shoulder dreadnought, similar in appearance to Gibson J-45
Solid sitka spruce top, with a plastic tortoise-pattern pickguard.
Top is slightly convex with a 25 foot radius.
Solid mahogany sides and back.
Quartersawn mahogany neck.
Ebony fret board, with abalone inlays. Ebony laminated headstock with abalone Huss and Dalton logo on the top.
Full bound in maple
14 frets to the body,
Gloss finish over a sun-burst top.
Waverly tuners, adjustable truss rod, full compensated bone saddle,
bone nut. No electronics

I like to play classical and ragtimefinger style, blue grass and folk rock. Overall Very nice sound. Very good sustain. You can hear harmonics on each fret from the third on up.

Strings sound good up and down the neck. The bass has a nice punch when played agressively, but overall very well balanced.

Overall, I found the tone very nice, open and complex. I visited two guitar stores before I made my purchase decision. After I first played the guitar at a local guitar shop, I visited a national chain where I played every Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Laviree and Guild within $500 of the price range. Some nice guitars, but nothing inspirational. I returned to the the local store where I eventually bought the guitar and played six different Martins and ten different Taylors all in the same price range, and I kept coming back to the Huss and Dalton DS. I also played a H&D OM. I liked the DS better. You have to be careful of string choice though. At the guitar store they had a house brand phos-bronze in light gauge. I put a set of Elixir Nanoweb lights on it when I first got it. The tone was not nearly as nice. I am currently playing Daddario EXP mediums (what H&D recommends) or straight phos-bronze lights. With either the tone is great. The mediums are better for blue grass.

You also have to be somewhat conscious of where your right arm rests on the lower bout. I found that I could "close" down the tone, by resting my forearm too heavily on the top even at the edge. This may be obvious to some players, but this is the first guitar I have owned that had such an open tone.

Overall the tone is beautiful, it has definitely inspired me to take my playing to the next level.

Action is low and playable. No string rattle for agressive finger style and moderate strumming. Some string rattle when strummed very aggressively. The neck has a subtle V-shape, different than my old acoustic, but I really enjoy it. It fits nice in my hand.

While this may sound like hyperbole, the fit and finish is perfect.
Everything is perfect. For example, the saddle while fully compensated is polished and flows from one string to the next in a continuous smooth rib. The neck is perfectly straight.
As a woodworker and occasional amateur luthier, I am in awe.

The guitar was at the local guitar store for at least 3 months. After I bought it I saw an internet posting from someone who played it in June. It was also a favorite of the guitar store staff. So it had some hours behind it when I bought it. Some scratchs on the pickguard, but the finish looks solid and no structural problems that are apparent.

It appears that it should be reliable, but time will tell.

Just had one contact with the company. I called and asked about their recommendation for string gauge and manufacturer. They were friendly and helpful.

The guitar has a life-time limited warranty which covers manufacturing defects. The local guitar store, Stutzman's, provides life-time of adjustments. I bought my previous guitar from Stutzman's and I have dealt with Stutzman's for six years; these people are wonderful. So while I do not know much about Huss and Dalton, the people and Stutzman's speak very highly of their product and approach to guitar building. I am not worried about customer support.

I have been playing seriously for six years, but on and off for fifteen years before that. This is the forth acoustic that I played (I also have an electric telecaster knock-off). My other guitars have been in the $600 price ranges so this is my first guitar that cost more than some of the cars that I have driven. So I while I was entranced by its tone and captivated by its appearance (the slope shoulder guitars are very comfortable to play) I did spend a lot of time playing other instruments. This is definitely a guitar to consider. Its tone and size works perfectly for me. If it were stolen or lost I would look to a Huss and Dalton again. I would like to hear what this model sounds like with rosewood back and sides.

1999, Huss & Dalton Model DS. A sloped shoulder (1930's Gibson style) tobacco sunburst dreadnought guitar. Sitka Spruce top, Honduran Mahogany backs and sides; ebony fret board; waverly tuners; wood binding. This guitar is beautiful to behold and a dream to play.

Great for bluegrass picking, strumming folk-tunes, and finger picking.
Does well in open tunings too. Having a big mellow sound, the guitar sounds like it is forty years old; similar sounding to an old or modern day Gibson Jumbo but superior to both in every respect. Lots of bass, does not do as well as my Santa Cruz OM when capoed. You won't be disappointed.

Caution, this is the 2nd Huss and Dalton instrument I have owned. The first, same model but with a gorgeous (more so than the one I have now) Meranti (like mahogany) back and sides. The first guitar was one of the first hundred Huss & Dalton built, and those guitars were finished with a finish that had major problems, Not the fault of Huss and Dalton so I was told. Anyway, the 1st guitar began to develop a cloudy film on its surface due to the finish never drying properly. And when I tried cleaning it with guitar polish the film only got worse. After about a year of not playing the guitar because of the problem and being frustrated I contacted both my Dealer and Huss and Dalton directly. Huss and Dalton offered to fix the guitar free of charge, which they didm but six months after I got that problem fixed the guitar started to dry out and the bridge pulled. Really angry at this point I called Huss and Dalton and asked for a new guitar or my money back. They refused, but again offered to fix the problem free of charge. My dealer, however, offered to exchange the guitar for another Huss & Dalton (the one I own now), same model but with different wood on the back and sides. Well, the new one while not as beautiful as the 1st is lighter in weight and sounds much much better. This one has also been properly finished, so I need not worry.

The current guitar is exceptionally playable.

See above comments, I am careful to use a guitar humidifier inside the instrument during winter months so as to avoid the bridge from pulling. The finish on the current instrument is all that the finish on a $3,000 should be.

See comments above. I bought this guitar with some money I had inherited from my grandfather who died a few years ago. Needless to say, the guitar - for me - was instilled with a lot of sentimental value. When the first one began to have problems I became very frustrated and was dis-satisfied by the fact that Huss and Dalton would not replace the guitar. However, they were friendly and responsive to my complaints, just didn't do what I wanted. I am happy with the Huss and Dalton I have now, but that is thanks to my long-time dealer. I am unsure as to whether I would purchase another one for this reason alone. In general, their instruments are far above average.

See comments above. The Huss and Dalton I now own is a beautiful, immaculately built, and wonderful sounding dreaghtnought guitar. It definitely captures that old timey sound of Jimmie Rogers, the Carter Family, Doc Watson, etc. I own several other boutique guitars, including a Santa Cruz, rosewood, OM and a Breedlove. Both guitars are great, but they do different things. The OM has a smaller box and so more of a machine gun like attack. The Huss and Dalton is mellow and more rounded. Because of the issues I raised above I would be hesitant to buy another Huss and Dalton. I like the one I've got now alright, but I feel that Huss and Dalton should have made it right and given the opportunity they did not, in my opinion. When you pay $3,000 (and I know there are many more expensive guitars out there), but when you pay that much, it should be 100% right.

When all is said and done Huss and Dalton are building some of the best steel string guitars in the world. Only Collings (one of which I will some day own) impresses me more, Santa Cruz equally.