Hallmark 60 Custom vs. 59 Custom

[chunners]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a Mosrite clone. I've owned a Sweptwing before and am convinced that Hallmark is the way to go when it comes to Mosrite clones.
I've read through the other post on Hallmarks and most, if not all, seem to be regarding the 60 Custom. A friend of mine has a 60 custom which I've used at a gig with my honky tonk band....GREAT guitar.

Question: What is the difference between the 59 custom and the 60 custom? The 59 looks just fantastic. I realize it has a sidejack and a different headstock ...but other than this what's the difference? I'm thinking that the extra $600 bucks might be worth it for the collectability (cool) factor....but I'm not sure because the 60's a great guitar as well. Is there a difference in the pickups or tone?

I would appreciate comment from anyone who owns a 59 custom. Pictures if you have them would be great. Although the Hallmark sight is nice...it's kind of funky when it comes to photos of the 59. Thanks....

Christian

[101Volts]

I don't own a Hallmark but I know the vibrato/tailpiece is different from the 60 Custom.

Austin

[Strat-o-rama]

Chunners,
I don't think anyone has taken delivery on their '59s yet. You have pointed out the primary differences, but may also want to look at the bridge; more primitive non-roller, and the vibrato tailpiece is larger than the '60 and made of aluminum. The different size, material and bridge may contribute to some sonic differences??? We'll have to wait and get a report from someone who will have both the '59 and the '60.
The main appeal of the 59, for me, is the cool factor...it is inspired by the design BEFORE it became The Ventures model, and there is nothing else like it.

[LOSTVENTURE]

I would also ask you to note that the 60 Custom can be intonated where the 59 can not. And, that is one solid bridge on the 60.
Just my two-cents. I have absolutely no problem with the 59 but I am sensitive to my guitars intonation.
Even though my second favorite guitar is a Baja tele with the stock 3-barrel bridge, so ...........
Don

[chunners]

Thanks for the comments so far. It figures no one has taken delivery yet on the 59...otherwise there would have been some comments about it. I was under hte assumption they we're ready to ship when ordered.
I'll have to wait for some comments...I'm not going to have the money for a month or two anyways....by then there might be some.
Thanks.

Christian

[MWaldorf]

I've got a 59 Custom bridge on my custom Gruggett/Hallmark. I don't have any intonation issues with 10 gauge roundwounds and super low action. I like the flip mute - even though it's more of a dampener than a full on mute. It's no replacement for palm muting, but I find it useful. Tone-wise I think the solid one-piece bridge has a brighter sound than the roller bridge, especially on the initial attack. I use the vibrato alot and I haven't had any issues with tuning stability or string breakage. The bridge was initially a bit "creaky" when I used the vibrato, but running a sharpened pencil through the slots put enough graphite on there to fix that problem.

As for the question of is it worth the additional cost? Well, I think the collectibility and coolness factor are key to any value proposition, and that's a personal choice. I'm not sure if Bob has any plans of selling the bridge by itself but it would be a cool mod to a 60 Custom.

Here's my guitar with the 59 bridge:

[jfine]

Another difference is that the 59 has white/black/white three-ply binding like the original Mosrites--the 60 has single-layer binding. I have a 60 coming--I had some concerns regarding the one-piece bridge, otherwise, I might have gone for the 59. I'm glad to hear that Mel's not having any trouble with his, though, and wow--that's sure a cool guitar! As people get their 59's, I hope they'll post their impressions.

[ElTwang]

Yeah Mel, it's so cool! Superb picture there.

[brutus]

Hey Mel, why the vibramute vibrato and not a Hallmark one?
Man, that is one nice guitar!

[MWaldorf]

Hey Mel, why the vibramute vibrato and not a Hallmark one?
Man, that is one nice guitar!

The vibramute is on there because I had a spare and I think they look really cool.