2021 Blazer & Henkes 000-18HS Shaded Dark
SN: 635. Friends, every now and then in this business something magical happens and the latest batch of guitars from Blazer & Henkes is just that – magical. I ordered four guitars three years ago and tacked on a fifth two years ago. So far this year three have arrived and, man, are they incredible. I don’t know whether it’s the elves in the forests of Tubingen or a supernatural full moon on harvest night. But the most likely explanation is that Rudi Blazer and Willi Henkes are at the top of their game – full on guitar-builder wizard status. This 000-18HS is Rudy and Willi’s favorite of the batch. The guitar is modeled after the 000-18HS that was the subject of a George Gruhn column in Vintage Guitar magazine. Martin’s records show that The Cable Piano Company of Atlanta Georgia special ordered at least three 000-18HS guitars in 1937. The H stands for “Hawaiian”. Played with a slide, generally on the player’s lap, the Hawaiian setups meant a raised nut and saddle and (typically) flush frets. Also 12-frets clear of the body and slotted headstock. Only one of these guitars, otherwise built to Style 18 specifications, has Style 28 appointments: herringbone trim, ivoroid binding top and back, zigzag back stripe and slotted diamond fingerboard inlays. (I’ve attached an article on this guitar). Blazer and Henke’s faithful reproduction of this guitar features a moon harvested spruce top and a standard (or “Spanish”) setup. The body of the 12-fret design has slightly more surface area on the top and back and many feel this is the key to the robust tone the slotheads are famous for. This one is no exception. It has a blend of power, clarity and complexity often found in a dreadnought yet the snap and sweetness of a 000. It’s one of the best sounding modern guitars we’ve heard. Some lucky devil snapped this one up just before my listing posted but I want to share the story and pictures with you, if only for a short time.
Top: Full moon harvested Alpine Spruce
Band & Sides: Mahogany
Bridge & Fretboard: Ebony
Appointments: Herringbone trim, zigzag back strip, diamonds and snowflake markers
Nut width: 1-13/16”
String spacing: 2-5/8”
Body width: 15”
Depth: 4-1/16”
Scale length: 25.4”
Case: Hardshell
Payment is by personal check or money order. Payment in full, including shipping and insurance, is required before shipment. Personal checks must clear your bank. Please specify preferred shipping method when you order the instrument and we will calculate the exact price for you.
We represent the instruments as accurately as we can. All instruments are shipped on 48-hour approval. If there is damage as a result of the shipping, please contact us immediately and we will deal with the insurance company. If the instrument is damaged in transit from you to me, then you are responsible for dealing with the damage and insurance. For refunds, all instruments must be returned in the same condition as we shipped them in.
All instruments are shipped on 48-hour approval. If there is damage as a result of the shipping, please contact us immediately and we will deal with the insurance company. If the instrument is damaged in transit from you to me, then you are responsible for dealing with the damage and insurance. For refunds, all instruments must be returned in the same condition as we shipped them in.