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#1
04-04-2008, 11:59 PM
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Played a Hodges Myrtle/Lutz Dread!
Earlier this week, I had the good fortune to meet one of our new AGF Sponsors, Ken Hodges, of Hodges Handcrafted Guitars. He brought with him an example of his work, a beautiful dreadnought in Oregon myrtle and Lutz spruce. I enjoyed talking with Ken - a great guy I would enjoy hanging out with - but of course I really wanted to see what was in that guitar case he had. Here 'tis: http://www.hodgesguitars.com/myrtle.html The pictures are nice, but really don't capture the 3-D like depth of the grain in the myrtle, nor the gentle bearclaw in the Lutz. This one is headed to the Newport-Miami festival later this month, and still had a few remaining touches to go, but it was easy to get a clear impression of its sound.
In a word: BIG! It's one loud guitar, whether with a light finger touch or a heavy pick. Oh, it can get soft, too, but even then the thing just projects! It filled a large room as if it were amplified. I had my Taylor 914 with me, and after a few minutes with Ken's guitar, I pulled mine out for comparison. Now, it's not a bad guitar at all. I love its tone and feel, but when I played it next to Ken's, I wondered what happened to the Taylor's sound. It was muffled by comparison - still nice, just a lot softer. We had only played a couple of tunes together before Ken had to be on his way and I had to get back to work. Too, too soon! Ken builds other styles, but I was impressed with this one, and with my new guitar-building friend. If you get a chance to talk with him or play one of his guitars, don't miss it! cotten
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Soli Deo Gloria 
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#2
04-05-2008, 07:09 AM
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Hi John,
Thank you for sharing your review of Ken Hodges guitar. We are all looking forward to a chance to play one of his guitars.
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#3
04-20-2008, 01:49 PM
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WOW somehow I missed this review the first time around. Thanks so much for the kind words and good review. It was a pleasure to meet you face to face and also to put one of my guitars in your hands to try out too!
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#4
04-21-2008, 06:01 PM
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I thought I'd add my two cents to this thread. A few months ago I obtained a Hodges dreadnought in African mahogany and Englemann spruce and have been absolutely thrilled with it. Just as the reviewer above, the thing I like most about this guitar is the clear, LOUD sound. It has nice & easy action, incredible sustain (I can't bring out this point enough), a very even tone from top to bottom, and looks fantastic. Ken has a large selection of woods and must have a great eye...the woods in his final products all look beautiful. You can see some previous builds here to see what I mean: http://www.hodgesguitars.com/Gallery.html
I own several guitars and can honestly say that since I got my Hodges I may have cracked the case on an electric a few times, but have not played another of my acoustics. I hope they're not getting jealous but I just can't help myself. 
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#5
04-21-2008, 06:20 PM
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I'm not surprised, Moody. I think Ken's guitars are going to become a lot more popular as more people get to play them. Thanks for telling us of your experience, and welcome to the AGF. You're among friends here.
 cotten
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Soli Deo Gloria
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#6
04-21-2008, 07:31 PM
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I'd like to say I played Hodges Guitar, but I can't play a guitar no matter who made it. I did see them. They were purty!
Aw, I can say this. I liked playing around with Ken and his side kick, Frank, at the Miami Guitar show. Ken and I became buddies on day one. I took him under my wing at the beginning of the show, but he was flying on his own before it was over! He had a great Myrtle wood guitar there. Hmmmm. I believe that one got sold! 
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******************** PSALM 95:1 ...let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation... "McKnight Guitars sing to your eyes before your ears ever hear them." http://www.mcknightguitars.com myspace.com/mcknightguitars facebook - mcknight guitars
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#7
04-21-2008, 07:53 PM
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Awwwww shucks Mary, you guys were too good to me
I really appreciate all of the advice you were able to put my way and also glad I FINALLY got to meet the two of you in person. What a great weekend with Paul Woolson sandwiched in between our booths! !I'll have to tell Mark that his new name is Frank
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#8
04-21-2008, 07:58 PM
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Thanks Moody for the chime in
I was wondering if any of my customers were on here I am thrilled to hear you saying that you are still loving the guitar. That was some of the prettiest mahogany I have ever seen. It made for a beautiful looking and sounding guitar and I was sort of sad to see if go. I'm just glad sombody got it taht actually plays it!
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#9
04-21-2008, 08:06 PM
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Quote:
 Don't tell on me!!!!!!!! Frank was on the other side of me. Or was that George? Or John? Or Paul? Or Ringo???? Who knows? Y'all look alike after a while!
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******************** PSALM 95:1 ...let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation... "McKnight Guitars sing to your eyes before your ears ever hear them." http://www.mcknightguitars.com myspace.com/mcknightguitars facebook - mcknight guitars
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#10
04-21-2008, 10:25 PM
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I am not a fan of dreads at all, but that one.... oh, if I had had the extra $$$$, I would have grabbed it in a second!! And, for some reason (did I mention I don't like dreads?) it was even comfy to play - which really shocked me!!
Myrtle and lutz - what a sound. And I don't mean the volume - the quality of the sound - it just sang off my fingers. It was one of three or four that I really wanted to take home with me... The others being the McKnight Diamond edition, one of the Parker archtops, and.... the "all English woods" by Lucas. I suppose there were other guitars that sang for me, but those were standouts... Each different, too. Now, to win that lottery...
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too many guitars and horses, too little time...
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