Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Hohner Gruhn Design Acoustic


Sometimes you get what you pay for. And sometimes you get even luckier. I saw this guitar advertised on Craig’s List for $100. I had heard that George Gruhn, quite possibly the leading expert on guitars in the world, had done a few deals over the years to design guitars for various companies including Guild and Hohner. Hohner is known for their lower end guitars and I was a little skeptical upon seeing the ad for this one. However, at the time I had decided I needed a “campfire guitar” as I had been lucky enough to acquire some really nice acoustics, but that left me with the dilemma of what to take over to someone’s house for a cookout or to the beach or camping. Not gonna take the brazilian Franks to the Indian Princesses camp out.

I emailed the person selling the guitar and then never heard anything back. My theory about Craig’s List is that the flakiest people on the planet sell their stuff on there. They don’t answer emails, they flake on appointments with no warning. It’s usually a disaster. Literally about a month later I got an email from a girl saying she had just checked her email and wanted to know if I still wanted the guitar. Really? You listed something on Craig’s List for sale and then didn’t check email for a month? I was wary but I made an appointment to go check out the guitar. It was quite a hike to get there and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I went up to the door and rang the doorbell. I was expecting a girl and what I hear next sounded like a drunk old dude. “WHOOIZIT?” Uh, the guy who is here to see the guitar? “The guitar?” Yep, the guitar. “Yer here to see the guitar? YES, THE GUITAR. “okaycomeonin.”

He points me in the direction of the guitar and explains that his 16-year old daughter owns it, but she went to dinner. Of course she did. She made an appointment and then she went to dinner. I check out the guitar while step-dad explains that he works on a boat and is gone for months at a time. He looks like he’s been drinking for months at a time. The guitar seems nice...very simple but nicely made. And it’s in PERFECT condition. I comment on this and he said that she bought the guitar four years ago and then put it in the closet and never played it. An actual closet classic. I tell him I’ll take it and he says, “Okay, that’s $200!” I said no, it was only $100. He busts out with a huge “I’M JUST FUCKIN’ WITH YA!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHA.” Holy shit, just get me out of here.

I give him the $100 and hope to just get out the door. He continues to ramble about what a good deal I just got as I politely close the screen door behind myself. I get home and realize that I did just get a smokin’ deal. I hung on to the guitar for a couple of months and kept pulling it out and playing it a little. A really nice guitar, especially for a C-note. In fact, it was such a sweet little guitar that I couldn’t bring myself to take it to a campfire! I made the decision that someone else should own this guitar that will appreciate it and take care of it. I post it back on Craig’s List for $200, which is still a good deal, but also makes me a little profit. A guy (and his girlfriend) answers my ad, comes to my office to pick it up, and we started talking. His girlfriend looks REALLY familiar, but she’s 20 and I’m 47 and they live 50 miles away...surely I don’t know her. He asks what kind of music I play and, when I mention my band’s name, his girlfriend’s eyes light up. She says “I’ve seen you play before...more than once!” Turns out she works with one of our singers, and to make a long story short, ended up singing in her wedding a couple of months later accompanied by her boyfriend on the Gruhn Hohner guitar. At the wedding he told me that he actually prefers the Gruhn to his $2000 Taylor.

So, there are many reasons to say I wish I had that one back. But given the circumstances I’m glad that it found a good home with someone who appreciates it.

26 comments:

Geronimo said...

Good story about the Hohner. Decades ago, George Gruhn unwittingly bought a pre-WWII Martin, which turned out to have been stolen from folk artist Gamble Rogers. Gruhn contacted Rogers, who went to Nashville to collect the guitar.

The two became friendly, and collaborated later on the design of a F-series Guild. Guitar #100001 of the series went to Rogers. I now have that guitar, and it's not going anywhere. Gruhn is truly a larger-than-life figure in 20th century guitars.

Anonymous said...

got one of these. had it around ten years. seems to get better with age. the sound is much better than alot of more expensive guitars.ive a takamine also and this sound pretty lame comparad to the hohner. always on the look out for an extra one.

Anonymous said...

Got one of these at an antique mall for $45 about ten years ago. I'm always thrilled with the tone and playability. An absolute sleeper!

Unknown said...

Hey ! I own the same guitar which I bought something like 15 years ago. My guitar dealer told me at the time that I couldn't get a better value for money. I paid the equivalent of $450 for this new guitar in France (Guitars are usually almost twice the US price here). It's been so easy to play. "Love at first touch". I've tried a few ones since but never felt that comfortable within minutes, so no offers please. No way I'm gonna get rid of it.

Anonymous said...

My ex-wife bought me one of these for my 23rd birthday in 1993. I think it had been sat in the shop for ages. What Attracted me to it was the Jumbo shape and the colour of the wood finish on the top. This guitar has been a big part of my life since then and I will never part with it. With constant use it has picked up a few knocks here and there, but that's just character. It has a wonderful slim neck and is indeed very playable. Glad to see that it's becoming a cult classic!

sean said...

I'm not sure my Hohner is a Gruhn, but I got it for $25 at a garage sale and it sounds UNBELIEVABLY great: I've had it up against vintage 50s Martins and it outsang them in timbre, projection and range - its an HG26 (or 28-can't quite read the #)

Sean said...

I should add that its from the late 70s or up to the mid-80s

Jaimie Muehlhausen said...

the Gruhn Hohner guitars say Gruhn on them very clearly. And were made in the 90s or 2000s.

JASON MELEK said...

Just got one! My god is this a Honer! The best deal I ever found. This guitar (F1 JUMBO) looks better than the mid priced Taylors and Martins, sounds just as good as well. It doesn't have that annoying low end the Gibson jumbos do its more balanced. the neck is thin like a taylor but not as wide of a fret board.

Anonymous said...

The Hohner Gruhn D-1 is a sweet guitar! Finally found one used in great condition after spotting in a shop years ago. Could not let it get away this time. Pick one up if you ever see it and hear this rare one sing. Definitely sounds better than Taylors.

Unknown said...

How much is it Jo

Jo said...

I think its great although there are 2 things that honk out: the pick guard has bubbles as though the plastic has been melted? Maybe due to exposure to sunlight air trapped underneath tried to escape and expanded under the pick guard? And also there is a millimeter crack in the top between the sound hole and the fretboard. I don't know how you can get a crack there whereas I would think the longer veins would be more vulnerable to drying out and cracking? Is there a way i can send you pictures if you're interested? I was going to try to sell it for $250 and then work my way down the price curve?

ccozic said...

Wow, what a great story. Would love to get my hands on one of those Gruhn Hohners!

Unknown said...

Just passed mine by George Gruhn. He said they were made in the '80s in Korea by Pearless for Hohner. I was surprised when he said my F-1 had laminate sides and back with a poly finish. I'm guessing the tight Sitka Spruce top is responsible for the awesome sound.

Anonymous said...

I have had a Hohner Grunn for about 4 years.

I looked for a long time for a really playable guitar and found this in a guitar shop in Wales UK. It is by far the best guitar I own by far.

Anonymous said...

Had a d1 for twenty years from new . Got it straight from the hohner wholesale for 150 quid . It's an everyday play and go to guitar . I've got a 2000 grand Stonebridge that sits in the case . It's not as good sounding as the Stonebridge but plays really well .

Mick the music man said...

I must have got one of the first of these gruhn design guitars i am sure it was in the late eighties and i paid about £150 (without case) a lot of money at the time. very interesting reading all the comments about this model. I was wondering about the value as you dont see many about. cheers.

Unknown said...

@Mick the music man... Maybe you should ask Mr Gruhn himself how much he values it.

JohnnyRotten said...

Hey out there.... I don’t usually blog and I’m not sure if this is still active as it appears that it’s been a while since anybody wad about these Hohner Gruhn guitars.
So in my efforts to also look for a “campfire guitar” as a back up and alternative to my beautiful 2010 Taylor 814ce that I am just about to also take possession of, I come across this guitar advertised as a Barrington Acoustic. No tag labels in the guitar and no other markings indicating that it’s a Hohner, I decide that regardless of whether it’s a vintage prized Martin or not, this thing appears to be a beauty beyond belief and certainly worthy of the small investment that I’ve paid for it.
Have any of you ever seen this same model or know any of its history....Barrington Gruhn inlaid into headstock? It would be nice to know more about this and it’s history so that I can fully appreciate it throughout my ownership....
My only other concern is about the very low action on this guitar and if you know if there’s any ability to make adjustments to the neck on these guitars so I can get this action back to where it needs to be?
Here’s a few photos to give you a peek : (ugh, can’t figure out how to attach any photos to this comment )

Mick the music man said...

i have a hohner gruhn design guitar which is over 30 yrs. old i have never been able to find out its value. would appreciate any comments as regards prices. cheers.

Unknown said...

Picked up a Hohner Gruhn Designed D2
back in 2005 while living in Vista,Ca.
I purchased it from a guy on Craigslist who had too many guitars and didn't really want to part with it. But figured it would be a great starter for someone interested in learning to play the guitar. I've played it nearly every day for the last 15 years and when it comes to playability, durability, tone, and a price of $225. Nothing can match it. I've named her "Guenevere". Oh there are better guitars, just like girlfriends and wives that come and go but something's in life come around and stay awhile. Her and my musical journey have a ways to go. So happy she found me.

Anonymous said...

I own a Hohner Gruhn Design F 1 and I'm much more enthusiastic about the guitar than it was thirty years ago. With every new guitar that I bought in the years that followed, I came to appreciate the Hohner Gruhn more and more. It has a wonderful sound and develops a great timbre year by year, the neck is straight and allows very low action. Many guitars have come and most gone in the thirty years. I wouldn't want to do without my Hohner Gruhn Design, it has an equal place with my Gibson L-00 and my Martin CEO 7 - 12.
It's so crazy: despite the three-part neck and laminated back and sides, this guitar is on par with ten times more expensive guitars in terms of sound and playability.
The quality of the materials and workmanship too.
Sometimes you find one offered for sale, but the price is so low, usually around 250. It's really crazy.

Unknown said...

I found this guitar for 50 bucks! No strings, saddle or pins. I knew it was solid mahogeny w Spruce top so I rolled the dice. Blew me away! Sounds like my Martin D15 on the bottom end but the top strings were a bit brighter. Incredible sustain!It was first year (91)so I believe it was USA made. I will NEVER sell, going to the grave with me!

Anonymous said...

Like everyone else on this site, I LOVE my Hohner Gruhn D2! Bought it from a bandmate for $200 about 15 years ago, my first folk guitar. Sadly, it's size has become challenging for my arthritic right shoulder, so I just bought a slightly smaller guitar (for 10 times the price) that accommodates my shoulder and still sounds good.

Anonymous said...

I've read this article before & decided to post my thoughts. I purchased mine a D1in the early 90"s. One of my friends who owns a number of acustic guitars over 2,000 sterling commented she ranks with them all. Nigel has played her since I first purchased her. Oh & I also have a bubble under the plastic

Rick VK said...

I bought a mint D-2 model a couple years ago, having never seen or heard of such a guitar. It’s an absolutely delightful guitar. I was surprised to see it and not know it, because I have over half a century of experience as a luthier specialized in repair and restoration, so I’ve really seen a lot of stuff from the worst to the best. I worked with a friend in his shop in Victoria, Canada, and he remembered George Gruhn haunting the bluegrass festivals offering people unheard of holy grail instruments sold out of a funky old car that he didn’t even bother to lock, because it was guarded by a large rattlesnake sunning itself very conspicuously on the rear deck! He was a hobby herpetologist and very competent snake handler who knew how to safely enter the car. That’s gotta be my favorite Gruhn story. Apparently people didn’t trust or believe him at first, but when they saw things like early D-45 Martins he started getting their attention and respect! I’ve written to his shop three times about this Hohner and gotten nowhere so far. I bought it purely because of the name on the headstock inlay, and went with the assumption Gruhn would never design a crappy guitar, and I was right! It’s like a kind of hybrid guitar based partly on an old Gibson, with the round shoulders and little rectangular bridge, and I recently saw a prewar Gibson called a D-35 that was a new model to me, and it really does look like it could be the inspiration for this guitar. The neck and fingerboard are perfect, and I mean as clean and smooth as anything I’ve seen at any price, and even with its plywood body it’s got a sound that blows away everyone who tries it. It’s hard to find anything out about these, and of what little information is available is mostly referring to the jumbo model, but this so-called dreadnought model is a real sleeper to watch for and grab if you see one! I have a friend who’s a really skilled player and uses an old Martin OM that’s probably worth over twenty grand, and he played this thing for a few hours and said he likes it every bit as much as the old Martin and thought the neck might even be a little better. The person I got it from bought it new locally in the late nineties in a different store from where I was working. I paid $400 Canadian for it and I think it’s a steal at that price.