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PSA: Nik Huber Rietbergen

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Montelovesco Veteran HFCer

Montelovesco

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Surely a piece of art and craftsmanship. But who among us mortals will take that thing out for gigging?

carfish7 Veteran HFCer

carfish7

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Um, what guitar "from the 50's" does this supposedly "look, play, and feel" like?

It is beautiful - why the need to make up some BS about it being anything other than a thoroughly modern axe? Nostalgia? Wealthy Boomers the only one's able to contemplate popping for one? I don't get it.

django49 Veteran HFCer

django49

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Having played one (a different one) next to some really nice guitars, including one ES-335, a higher end PRS Hollowbody and several Hamers, I would say without much hesitation it is one of the best sounding guitars I have ever had my hands on. (The looks ain't too shabby either!)

It is clear that it is intended to capture the 335-vibe, but there are too many differences to make it a direct comparison. It has a longer scale, solid wood top and back and really choice woods all around. Not to mention one of the best levels of fit and finish I have ever seen. The design is pretty much taken from the Huber Dolphin (the single cutaway) rather than a clear attempt to duplicate a Gibson ES.

I was told by the owner of one nice and collectible original ES-345 that the Reitbergen "totally kicks its ass". And it is one of a handful of guitars (two of them Hamers) that made me consider letting loose of my blonde 335. But every time I get close, I stop. There IS a big difference. As in the case of the Collings, which makes a similar guitar available with either solid woods or bent plywood (335 style), some people much prefer the plywood model, as it is more authentic to the ES-335.

As someone told me a while back (yeah, he WAS trying to sell me a Huber----And succeeded) a person can do an extended search through the higher end Gibsons (think Custom Shop Les Pauls or 335s) to find one that "speaks to you". Or you can check in with this cat from Germany who will deliver a guitar that, in looks, feel, sound, will be like a "50 year old friend right outta the box". Some people say they are as good as "almost all the vintage ones, and better than most of them". Not being an expert (and 20 + years away from my last 50s Les Paul) I would be hesitant to say that myself. But, having played something like 15 Hubers now, I would caution against getting too close. They are damn hard to set back down. I mean like contemplating selling body parts good.

But I am nuts, so what do I know? (Hey Conorb, what is your reaction to playing a Huber over here a couple times?)

Now how many people will spend five figures on a Reitbergen and haul it down to a tawdry bar for a local jam is a question I cannot answer. Like a lot of high end guitars (you know the usual suspects) I am sure many will be in mint condition 20 years on as the owners will NOT take them out lest they diminish their value. Sad, that. My original Dolphin is now my go to guitar----and it goes pretty much everywhere I go. (It cost a fraction of the asking price on this Reitbergen, so there is that). But it does so many things so perfectly that it is almost a part of my left arm.

And one of the prime reasons my totally pimped out Talladega Pro mostly stays at home.

veatch Veteran HFCer

veatch

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I have to agree that i don't get the "looks ... like those of the 50s". I haven't gotten to play a Rietbergen yet, "plays and feels" might be fair - i dunno. No dealers in this area, so i may never get to try one, and it's probably a good thing. That's more than i spent on my last car...

I will say that i have seen a lot of "trans-black" guitars done very poorly, finish wise. The looks of this one hoestly makes me a bit weak in the knees. And i think the back looks even better than the front. Nik does good work, period.

Oh, and for what it's worth, yes, i do gig my Dolphin - it gets probably about half of the gigs. But as django said, the Dolphin i have cost a fraction of the Rietbergen...

Edited because i have no idea how to spell Reitenbergen.

cmatthes Veteran HFCer

cmatthes

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Nik makes great guitars, but for $12k, you'd think you'd get a halfway decent top. That one wouldn't be a 10 Top at PRS on a bad day...

django49 Veteran HFCer

django49

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This one a wee bit better?

REITFRONT_zpsd998f8af.jpg

REITBACK_zps5dee13cf.jpg

I know a guy.......... ^_^

Disturber Veteran HFCer

Disturber

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Those does not really scream 'rock me' do they.

Talk about furniture guitars.

I'd take a Gibby 335 any day.

hamerhead Veteran HFCer

hamerhead

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90% of the cars I've owned didn't cost that much. Gig it? Not in my nieghborhood. And I live on the right side of the tracks.

Boomerang~Junkie Veteran HFCer

Boomerang~Junkie

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Both stunning guitars - I like the blonde much better. Its beautiful and IS hard to beat. As deep as your bench is with fine guitars, saying this is one of the nicest playing guitars you've ever held is about as good an endorsement as you could ever want, Nik should be pleased.

Overcoming the price tag on those is another story - but you are dealing at the exotic, rare Ferrari level of guitars there.

coolfeel Veteran HFCer

coolfeel

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Nik makes great guitars, but for $12k, you'd think you'd get a halfway decent top. That one wouldn't be a 10 Top at PRS on a bad day...

^^^ This. That top doesn't move me at all. And yes, Hubers are all the rage...

django49 Veteran HFCer

django49

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PS.......One Hamer that might make a person think of going 335-less. Also a fraction of the cost of said Huber.......

NewportCOFront_zpse7e2e011.jpg

NewportCOBack_zpsa0032c55.jpg

gorch Veteran HFCer

gorch

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I'm not believing this vintage original for five digit k prices. It still needs a quality amp and a player to recall the sound. I mean the real sound. Playing from the heart etc. For that price I think it is to much of a regular guitar copy on fancy wood and painting. However, a Ritter would offer more art for almost half the price. Those guitars are not played at all. Which is a shame. They sure sound great.

Or buy Jol's Crow instead...

django49 Veteran HFCer

django49

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Of course, once you convert from Euros you get above $8300. Not sure, but I think there is some sort of import cost when it gets to North America(?)

I am sorta partial to one with a redwood top, such as the one Willcutts has in stock.

http://willcuttguitars.com/nik-huber-guitars/nik-huber-rietbergen-standard-tiger-eye-burst-601

But Huber DOES make some nice charcoal ones that are also appealing.

Case in point, even if not the best I've seen......

http://eddiesguitars.com/Nik-Huber-Orca-charcoal-burst/

None of the above stand a chance of moving in my direction, ya understand......Fun to look though.

veatch Veteran HFCer

veatch

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Hah... I didn't even notice it was Euros. I need a better job or worse taste in guitars...

(Even in dollars, I couldn't afford it...)

ArnieZ Veteran HFCer

ArnieZ

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The Music Zoo has one in stock listed at $7900. I played it unplugged for a few minutes. Nice guitar, did not move me, might have been my mood that day. My expectations were exceedingly high. I did not inquire about the price that day. Final judgment reserved for future date.

ArnieZ

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