Hanson Chicagoan - good trade? experiences?

[Ree Fungorio]

Hey fellow slutz,

I have been trying to sell a mint J Mascis Jazzmaster for awhile and I'm not getting the $800 I want but today got an offer for a trade for a black Hanson Chicagoan. I'm really intrigued by the Chicagoan; I love bigsbys and I love mini HBs even more. To my eyes the styling is beautiful.

Hanson Guitars

Anyone have any experience with the Chicagoan or any of their other models? I can't find a lot on the web but what I have found is generally favorable. If anyone is an owner or has played one of these guys I'd really appreciate it if you could briefly recount your impressions.

I know a used one isn't worth $800 but it seems my JM isn't either. However I would gladly trade a good guitar I don't play for a good guitar that I will play. Thanks in advance if anyone can spare a few minutes.

Cheers
Ree

[norton]

Don't own, but I have played on both their solid and semi-hollow guitars. They were really nice guitars. Looked like quality wood choices, not too heavy etc... Good hardware and tight quality control and setups.

Nice guitars. I don't know who is making them for Hanson in Korea, but they do an awesome job....and look to be very consistent. Maybe shine?

[AndyFromDenver]

I dunno. What did the j mascis cost new? I saw it was a squier. It looks cool and I am a big fender fan. I think you'll have to try before you trade. Alternatively if you just upgraded the hardware (bridge maybe pickups and nut) and had a very pro set up on the jazz it could be a better guitar, and going on looks it slays the Chicagoan IMO. That (chicagoan) kind of looks cheap (seriously no offense to anyone intended)

[Ree Fungorio]

Well I went ahead and did a "tryout" swap but I'm pretty sure I'm going to keep it. I thought the same as Andy (and no offense taken!) that it looked kind of cheap from photos but in my hands now it's really a nice guitar. It is, like anything else, subjective but I think it's nice-looking. Cosmetically everything is perfect, the setup is just fine (although I will probably lower the action a little) and the mini-humbuckers sound fantastic through a Savage Macht 12. The center block adds some weight to it so it's heavier than a 335 or similar but the set neck and solid center block feel very solid and tight. Can't find a "Made In" sticker but I am sure it's Korean, although their site says they set them up in USA somewhere. I can't find any flaws in the craftsmanship and all the hardware is high quality and those pickups...wow, they're good.

I've bought a few used guitars with Bigsbys that have a f***ed up spring in them for some reason but this one is right and it feels normal and stays in tune as well as any bigsby can. I think I will change the nut which I believe is nylon or something but that's it. It looks like a jazz guitar but the miniHBs and the center block give this guitar insanely clear articulation without being thin or nasally at all. Very solid rock guitar and it really does have some sonic similarities in my mind to a LP deluxe or even a 70's SG Special with miniHBs. Anybody thinking about one of these PM me for more info if you want but I'd highly recommend one of these. I swear I don't work for them but I'll keep talking for some free shit!

The Jazzmaster I traded was one of the high-er end fenders that they were selling for $1300 or thereabouts but it was just useless to me because I didn't like its electronics at all and didn't want to gut it. I paid $800 for it new when a music store was closing and then I later had it for sale at $800 for several months with no takers. It's "feature" was a separate circuit that was just both pickups full on, bypassing the tone and volume. Even J Mascis says in a youtube video that he puts a pencil eraser in the switch so he doesn't switch to that circuit accidentally. Good endorsement. Using the regular circuit was icepick-in-your-ear trebly on the bridge pup so basically one usable tone that's not even that good. I think it was a good trade because I don't collect guitars to look at em and even though it was really nice it just sat.

Sorry for the length here, but I just want to say thanks for the info and it's awesome to get feedback so fast around here.

Happy NY y'all

Ree

Edit: oh yeah I was thinking about this guitar in comparison to a $600-700 Gretsch and I think it blows the gretsch away. Plus a roller bridge which always bugged me about the gretsches...

[Ree Fungorio]

Andy I think the Squier version was cream colored maybe? I do remember seeing one too. This one was purple sparkle like this one:

Fender J Mascis Jazzmaster Electric Guitar at AmericanMusical.com

[AndyFromDenver]

Originally Posted by Ree Fungorio

Andy I think the Squier version was cream colored maybe? I do remember seeing one too. This one was purple sparkle like this one:

Fender J Mascis Jazzmaster Electric Guitar at AmericanMusical.com

aargh Ree!! That purple sparkle looks soo cool!!!
Your right though guitars are meant to be played. I'm glad you like your new axe!! I want a 335 style guitar too. Gonna keep saving until a cheap one comes to Craigslist.

[Ree Fungorio]

Originally Posted by AndyFromDenver

aargh Ree!! That purple sparkle looks soo cool!!!
Your right though guitars are meant to be played. I'm glad you like your new axe!! I want a 335 style guitar too. Gonna keep saving until a cheap one comes to Craigslist.

Yeah, I admit I bought it for the looks more than anything at the time. I'm taking a shine to the Hanson, though, and it has a cool deep metallic black finish that looks midnite blue at an angle. Normally I dislike gold hardware but on here it looks kinda sexy.

I got an email reply from the guy who owns (or runs) Hanson in the US, John Pirruccello, and he said they're made in Indonesia in the same factory they make Lakland basses and the pickups were wound in Korea. He is the owner or president of Lakland (I think). He said that he most likely set the Hanson up himself before it went out. Pretty impressed by his questions and comments on the Chicagoan; I get the impression he's passionate about them and guitars in general.

I can snap a few closeups of the appointments if anyone's curious, it's fully bound and done quite nicely. Good luck on your search for a 335 Andy, the good ones are becoming scarce and expensive (I'm one of those guys who hate any gibsons younger than I am )!

Peace,
Ree