These Budget Guitars and Basses Sound Shockingly Good

Posted on December 9, 2025 by Sienark

Glarry Semi-Hollow Thinline, Hohner HW200 & Huntington PJ Bass

Most guitar and bass players assume that good tone starts at hundreds of dollars — and that only big-name brands can deliver. But I’ve found that some affordable guitars and basses can punch way above their price tag, offering tone, playability, and fun that more expensive gear sometimes can’t.

In this article, I’ll break down three of my favorites: the Glarry Semi-Hollow Thinline, the Hohner HW200, and my trusty Huntington PJ Bass. Each has its own personality, and all prove that cheap guitars and affordable basses can still inspire real playing.

“I purchased each guitar or bass in Chicagoland during the years 2023-2024 for under $75.” – Shoshin Guitarist

Glarry Semi-Hollow Thinline – Lightweight, Resonant, and Fun

Here’s my red Glarry. It’s the first “real” guitar that I ever purchased.

The Glarry Semi-Hollow Thinline is often overlooked because it’s inexpensive — but that’s a mistake. This guitar has a semi-hollow body that gives it natural resonance and airy tone, perfect for blues, country, and the old-timey folk songs that I play.

Why it stands out:

  • Light, balanced body for comfortable playing
  • Semi-hollow construction adds natural sustain and shimmer
  • Affordable platform with upgrade potential

If you’re hunting for a cheap guitar that sounds way better than it should, the Glarry Semi-Hollow Thinline is a sleeper pick that delivers on both tone and fun.

My red Glarry was the first “real” guitar I ever purchased (late in 2023). I purchased it for $60 from a used guitar store in my neighborhood, Rare Birds Music on N. Milwaukee Avenue, in Chicago, IL. Nice people. (Tell them Richard mentioned them on his website.)

Yes, the Glarry was cheap at $60 asking. I didn’t even negotiate. I just bought it.

“But what I didn’t know is that my Glarry Semi-Hollow Thinline had been professionally set-up with new strings by an experienced guitar technician. I think it’s better to buy a USED GLARRY with a pro set-up than a new one that will need that setup.” – Shoshin Guitarist

Note: Photos courtesy of Glarry website at this location.

The Glarry Semi-Hollow Thinline is often overlooked because it’s budget-friendly — but that’s a mistake.

Stock pickups are simple, but the body and construction do most of the tonal magic. With a small upgrade, it easily could become a versatile, expressive instrument.

Sometimes I daydream and think of buying an identical Glarry Semi-Hollow Thinline but replacing the humbucker pickup at the bridge with a P90 pickup. Maybe one day I will do it.

Hohner HW200 – The Student Workhorse

I purchased my Hohner HW200 from a store in Florida via ShopGoodWill.com, long distance. TEN BUCKS. It arrived via FedEx in a Chicago snowstorm with a 1 inch opening for 10 inches on its lower bout. Yikes. But some hardware friends fixed it for me. Yikes again.

Broken Hohner HW200 shown below.

But my hardware friends glued the lower bout together, and I still liked the guitar.

  1. Purchase Price. $10
  2. Shipping and Taxes: $40
  3. H & B True Value, Store Repair: $10 (amazing).
  4. New strings and minor set-up one year later: $30
    • Tom at Midwest Buy and Sell on Irving just west of Austin in Chicago did a great job. After Tom’s minor setup, the Hohner HW200 sounds and plays like a much more expensive guitar.

Note: These two above photos came from Chat GPT. Source unknown.

The Hohner HW200 is a ubiquitous, “find it anywhere” guitar. Often forgotten, it delivers solid performance without fanfare.

“OK, let’s not get too excited about this guitar. But I love it. The Hohner is my practice guitar when I wake up in the morning.” – Shoshin Guitarist

Why it’s special:

  • Solid neck and body give excellent sustain
  • It’s a concert size 7/8 guitar
  • Great for travel.
  • I don’t care if it gets bumped around a bit.

Best for:

  • Waking up in the morning.
  • Travel
  • Nice first, inexpensive acoustic guitar.

It isn’t flashy, but its durability and personality make it a go-to for anyone looking for serious tone on a budget.

“Just remember, my Hohner HW200 arrived from Florida with a split lower bout in a Chicago snowstorm. My hardware store fixed it for me. And that crazy, durable guitar, has worked fine for 18 months. My Hohner HW200 is a survivor.” – Shoshin Guitarist

Huntington PJ Bass – Affordable Bass That Holds Its Own

Switching to electric bass in our discussion, the Huntington PJ Bass is a surprising gem in the budget world. Combining the classic Precision + Jazz pickup setup, it delivers versatility and punch that many more expensive basses struggle to match.

This is my “sleeper bass”. By that I mean it was a lucky purchase on Chicago’s FaceBook Marketplace for only $50. Came with its own bag, sitting in the bag since about 2008, almost 20 years. It needed no setup and the strings weren’t rusty, actually good for almost 20 years old. Played like a dream. Gorgeous in my opinion.

This is what my Huntington PJ Bass looked like on Facebook Marketplace in April, 2025.

Here’s my Huntington PJ Bass in my basement office.

Note: There is absolutely no trace of this PJ bass on the Internet. Lots of Huntington precision basses, normally called a Supro Pro Bass. But no Huntington PJ basses.

Why it shines:

  • Mine is beautiful.
  • P/J configuration lets you cover a wide tonal range
  • Solid, balanced feel makes it playable for long sessions

Best for:

  • A great beginner bass.
  • Players who want a bass that adapts to multiple genres

It’s easily my practice bass. Could it hold its own in a band. Well, I don’t know if that’s true. I can say that I reach for my Huntington PJ Bass often among my four basses that I own.

Special Thanks to Inspector H.C. Lee for my Huntington PJ Bass

This is a snapshot of the back of the headstock on my Huntington bass. If I had to guess, H.C. Lee worked as an inspector in a Chinese, Taiwanese, or Korean guitar factory. Thank you H.C. Lee for a job well done inspecting my Huntington electric bass.

Which One Should You Pick?

Each of these instruments shines in a different area:

Guitar/BassStrengthsBest Use
Glarry Semi-Hollow ThinlineResonant, airy tone, it’s a light guitarClean/blues/indie
Hohner HW200Smaller than a huge dreadnaught, affordable, nice sound, cheapGreat student guitar, nice vacation guitar
Huntington PJ BassPretty, nicely balanced, good soundsA beginner bass student. Perhaps you could gig with it.

All three are instruments that inspire playing — the ultimate goal of any guitar or bass.

Why Budget Gear Can Be Better

Cheap instruments often encourage experimentation. You play more, try new tones, and stop worrying about scratches. The result? You play better and enjoy it more.

The Glarry, Hohner, and Huntington show that affordable doesn’t mean disposable. They prove that playability, tone, and inspiration can come at any price point.

Sometimes, budget guitars and basses encourage creativity. You play without fear of scratching them, you experiment with tone, and you just play more. These instruments — the Glarry Semi-Hollow Thinline, Hohner HW200, and Huntington PJ Bass — show that cheap doesn’t mean disposable, and playability and inspiration aren’t tied to price.

Final Verdict

If you are a beginner guitarist or bassist, if you see any of these on sale or second-hand for under $100, grab them. My three were purchased during 2024-2025 for $75 or less.

They won’t impress with logos or shiny finishes, but they will make you want to play, which is what really matters.

For affordability in Chicagoland or beyond, buy a setup used guitar/bass.

  1. Setup by a pro, not an amateur.
    • I am not buying from some guy/gal that knows how to re-string a guitar/bass badly. Not good enough for me.
  2. A pro-setup guitar/bass will sound as good as it will get, immediately.

Sometimes, the best musical experiences come from instruments that surprise you.

The Shoshin Guitarist is an Advanced Beginner Guitarist/Bassist

Shoshin is a Japanese word that means “beginner’s mind”. It means, whatever your skill level, approach your craft, your learning, with a “beginner’s mind”.

For now, after 2 years of playing guitar in retirement, I am an advanced beginner guitarist. I can play lots or songs decently, having fun.

I am also a beginner bassist of one year. Lots of fun.

So perhaps as an advanced beginner guitarist and beginner bassist, just perhaps I can give you the advice of what I have learned in two years. Hope so.

Have a moment to spare? Leave a comment and tell me about your great budget guitar or budget electric bass.

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Purchasing a Hohner HW300 Guitar – A “Poor Man’s” Martin

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Sienark

Actually, I purchased a Hohner HW300G TB guitar.

For background info read Is the Hohner HW300 a “Poor Man’s” Martin D15M ?

Finding the Truth about the Hohner HW300 Series

After 36 hours of too much research and ChatGPT I think I learned something about the Hohner HW300 Series.

  1. Mahogany Laminate. The Hohner HW300 series are laminates. Can I prove that???
    • My eBay seller, a knowledgeable person, clearly said in text that the Hohner HW300 and its variants all have laminate mahogany tops. Period.
  2. Any Hohner HW300 G just means it’s a color variant.
    • I had thought that without the G it meant a solid top. My research said no.
    • Lots of research indicated the G just means the guitar has a paint.
    • For example, I purchased a Hohner HW300G TB which just means a color variant of Transparent Blue (supposedly very pretty).
  3. Indonesia made versus China made Hohner HW300.
    • These guitars were made in Indonesia first and then China.
    • The Indonesian Hohner was possibly made by Cort in that country. There’s just a hint of that probable rumor on the Internet. Personally, I give it 80% but that’s my guess.
    • Chinese Hohner’s on the Internet often do NOT have a marking in the sound hole. Sometimes you can find Made in China on back of headstock.

So after way too much research, I decided that the Hohner HW300 series always had a mahogany laminate top (it’s not a Martin). Okay, I am about 90% sure.

I also decided that the “G” in the model name just meant a color variation beyond wood color. Hohners without the “G” just meant they were a natural wood color, kind of.

And finally, I found hints that Indonesian Hohners were better than Chinese Hohners for the HW300 series. This is not an insult to my Chinese guitars 🙂 But ultimately it’s quality materials, adherence to specs in production, and QC on the guitar factory floor that controls final Hohner HW300 quality.

I will gladly purchase a set-up Hohner HW300G variant if the price is right.

Can a $50 Hohner Guitar Compete with a “Poor Man’s” Martin D15M

Most likely, the answer is “no”.

But for $50 on eBay plus $35 shipping and taxes it was worth a try. I sure do like my Hohner acoustics (Hohner HW200 and Hohner HW400).

Why did I Purchase Hohner HW300G TB from Pennsylvania

I searched Chicago’s Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp around Chicago, IL USA first. There were a few on Facebook Marketplace but they looked beat up and were overpriced.

I also found Hohner HW300 guitars at ShopGoodwill. It’s a great organization but buying a guitar long distance can be dicey. My Hohner HW200 arrived from Florida a year ago with problems. Ultimately, ShopGoodwill doesn’t comment on the quality of the guitar. So I did pass on the three guitars I found immediately that all seemed affordable.

Then I found an eBay seller from Pennsylvania.

The Hohner HW300G TB from Pennsylvania

Then I found the cheapest Hohner HW300 on eBay. $50 plus shipping.

OK, cheap helped. But he was an established seller, good record, with 16 PICTURES of the Hohner, and he answered my eBay questions with dazzling speed and a positive nature.

“The Pennsylvania seller on eBay had 200 ratings with 100% positive feedback. He sells musical instruments and accessories, that’s it. Wow.”

Here’s what it looked like in a few pictures.

First, the initial photo. It doesn’t show much it’s so dark. But it’s the start. If it were me (amateur photographer) I would have tried both flash and natural light. I do see an interesting wood coloring on the fretboard I hadn’t noticed originally 🙂

Looks pretty doesn’t it? I especially like the pick guard. After some research I think it may be more greenish blue than dark blue. We shall see.

You can see this label with clarity. I wish everyone took clear photos of model names from the sound hole.

This Description was especially clear. The seller is a no nonsense guy. Excellent condition, prettier than the pictures. Works for me.

Waiting for FedEx Delivery of a Hohner HW300G TB

“Baby, it’s cold outside.”

Yes, wintertime in Chicago, IL USA.

I am glad this Hohner is shipping inside a decent soft case that comes with the $50 sale. I should receive it today or tomorrow, in the cold on my Chicago front porch.

My FedEx shipment from Pennsylvania to Chicago made great progress until it hit Chicago and suburbs. It was stuck in the 60638 zip distribution center for 2 1/2 days, but it finally “moved” elsewhere.

My guitar “skidded” 8 miles west to another distribution center. Well, at lest FedEx is tracking something 🙂 Hopefully my guitar.

UnPacking my Hohner HW300G TB from Pennsylvania, USA

All I can do is wait and hope it arrives safely, unaffected by the cold. I also hope my FedEx colleagues are as careful as I was when I worked the loading docks of UPS 50 years ago (yikes).

When I receive it, I will place the box in a warm place, unopened, so it can “warm up” a bit in my warm bungalow before I open it. I learned that on YouTube. – Shoshin Guitarist

When my Hohner arrives I’ll do an initial blog post on its shipment and initial playing.

Thanks for Visiting Shoshin Guitarist Today

Glad for your visit. Leave a comment if you have time.

And be Shoshin in learning guitar. That means have a “beginner’s mind” for everything guitar/bass related. Life also 🙂

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1956 – The Ultimate Gospel Rockabilly Blues Jam: Million Dollar Quartet

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Sienark

December 4 is the anniversary of the 1956 jam session known as the Million Dollar Quartet.

I should be practicing guitar, but blogging about guitar is the next best thing.

A Walk in Chicago’s Cold with the Million Dollar Quartet

When I found a one hour YouTube video on the Million Dollar Quartet I knew I had to take a Chicago walk. It’s one hour and six minutes long. Walking a mile in 15 degree Fahrenheit Chicago weather flew by with 4 great musicians.

The Big Four in the Quartet

Here’s the four great ones:

  1. Elvis Presley
  2. Jerry Lee Lewis
  3. Carl Perkins
  4. Johnny Cash

Gospel Rockabilly Jam Session

I was shocked to discover that 80% of the recording is Gospel.

And of course it’s rockabilly style, with a dash of blues here and there.j

What was the Common Musical Language for the Million Dollar Quartet?

Gospel. This was 1956. It makes sense, these were Southern men born and bred.

  1. Elvis Presley – Tupelo, Mississippi
  2. Jerry Lee Lewis – Ferriday, Louisiana
  3. Carl Perkins – Tiptonville, Tennessee
  4. Johnny Cash – Kingsland, Arkansas

Read the list below to understand this better.

Read the 20 Songs; its Mainly Gospel Music

Just remember, they are jamming. Just picking songs, singing, without any sheet music. Some songs last 30 seconds, some last several minutes.

Wow.

Here are the songs. I think it’s a good practice list for me in the future.

  1. You Belong to My Heart
  2. When God Dips His Love In My Heart
  3. Just a Little Talk with Jesus
  4. Jesus Walked That Lonesome Valley
  5. I shall not be Moved
  6. Peace in the Valley
  7. Down by the Riverside
  8. I’m with a Crowd but So Alone
  9. Farther Along
  10. Blessed Jesus (Hold My Hand)
  11. As We Travel Along on the Jericho Road
  12. I Just Can’t Make It By Myself
  13. Little Cabin Home On The Hill
  14. Summertime is Past and Gone
  15. I Hear a Sweet Voice Calling
  16. Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong
  17. Keeper of the Key
  18. Crazy Arms
  19. Don’t Forbid Me
  20. Too Much Monkey Business
  21. Brown Eyed Handsome Man
  22. Out of Sight, Out of Mind
  23. Don’t be Cruel (1)
  24. Don’t be Cruel (2)
  25. Paralyzed
  26. Don’t be Cruel (3)
  27. There’s No Place Like Home
  28. When the Saints Go Marching In
  29. That’s When Your Heartaches Begin
  30. Softly and Tenderly
  31. Is It So Strange
  32. That’s When Your Heartaches Begin
  33. Brown Eyed Handsome Man (for a 2nd time)
  34. Rip It Up
  35. I’m Gonna Bid My Blues Goodbye
  36. Crazy Arms
  37. That’s My Desire
  38. End of The Road
  39. Black Bottom Stomp
  40. You’re The Only Star In My Blue Heaven
  41. Elvis

In the last minute, they say goodbye. I think I heard Elvis say, “G’night y’all.”

What Can we Learn from the Million Dollar Quartet?

  1. How to jam without an ego.
    • If there’s another jam out there with 4 musicians as great as these, leave a comment.
  2. Gospel music mix tape.
    • I think I will spend time learning some of these old-timey songs.
  3. Get some Rhythm.
    • How can you not get more rhythm listening to this one hour recording.

The Next Supergroup: 32 Years Later the Traveling Wilburys Formed

The members were as follows, quite a super group.

  1. Bob Dylan
  2. George Harrison
  3. Jeff Lynne
  4. Roy Orbison
  5. Tom Petty

This is perhaps the song that started the group: Handle With Care

From 1988 until 1990 they hung together and produced two albums. The second album (oddly named Traveling Wilburys Vol. 3) was released after Orbison’s death.

Visit Wikipedia to Learn More about That Special Day

Visit Wikipedia for its great write-up about the Million Dollar Quartet.

Celebrate and Play “The Million Dollar Quartet Album” Today

You can also purchase your own copy of the album. The Internet will help you 🙂

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Guitar Jam with Others to Learn More

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Sienark

One day I will find catchy titles that get more visitors. One day…

Guitar Jam with a Friend and Learn More about Music

Tom comes over once every two weeks to jam with his singing and harmonica. I play acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and today I played electric bass.

What Did Tom Learn about Music Today

First of all, Tom’s played guitar since he was a teenager but then morphed into more harmonica playing and singing.

As for me, I have played guitar for 2 years and bass for 1 year.

This is what Tom learned today.

  1. Tom liked the song “Red Dirt Road”.
    • Amazing, he had never heard it before. But his genre is blues and folk.
  2. Playing Harmonica to “Red Dirt Road” was “REVELATORY” per Tom. Big words from a smart guy 🙂
    • Tom came to realize that playing a country song meant no “7ths” or something like that. All major notes? He loved it to death.

What Did Richard (Shoshin Guitarist) Learn about Music Today

Today I started on electric bass with Tom playing harmonica amped through a Fender G-Dec v3 30. I was using the Justin Guitar App that serves up many songs for guitar with chords shown. It carries you along.

This is what I learned.

  1. Tom’s Advice. Play the song WITHOUT the Band. No voice, minimal band.
    • Tom just wanted me to play bass so he could play melody with harmonica over the song.
    • I was hesitant to try, it was new for me.
    • But it worked great.
  2. Play with Bass root notes, just keep the rhythm. Nothing fancy.
    • It was lots of fun.
  3. Bass is all about “Keeping Time”.
    • Nothing fancy, just keep the time and tap your foot.

What did we learn together?

Tom and I both learned we could jam with my electric bass and his harmonica. My paid subscription to the Justin Guitar app worked wonderfully. I even caught Tom exploring it when I took a break. Thanks, Justin Guitar.

We also learned that we didn’t miss my Orange Crush 12L for amping harmonica. The Fender G-Dec v3 30 opened up new doors of experimentation on amping harmonica.

Tom and I both learned that he enjoyed playing Country and Western songs. Apparently it’s a new genre for him. Good to know.

Why Does Music Jamming with a Friend Matter?

You can only learn so much playing by yourself on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, or electric bass.

If you play music with others, keep your mind open to new ideas, you will learn more about your instrument and playing with others.

So jam with a friend, colleague, bunch of people whenever you can do it. Just keep it a little structured 🙂

Thanks for Visiting Shoshin Guitarist Today

Yes, Shoshin is a Japanese word for learning with a Beginner’s Mind. Thanks for visiting today.

So today, I learned a lot.

Guitar jam with a friend today.

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Fender G-Dec v3 30 for Harmonica

Posted on December 3, 2025 by Sienark

My friend Tom asked, “Where’s the harmonica amp?”.

I had sold the Orange 12L amp that he uses when he comes over to jam.

So I plugged his harmonica into the Fender G-Dec v3 30 amp.

The Fender G-Dec v3 can Amp Harmonica – Beautifully

The first setting on the Fender G-Dec is this one shown below.

I was shocked and so was Tom that the amp was amping the harmonica in Very Distorted mode. That’s the 00 preset on the amp. Tom didn’t like it, but the sound was a revelation.

“Guess what, my Fender G-Dec v3 30 can amp a harmonica in the same voice as it would a guitar. Very cool.” – Shoshin Guitarist

So Tom Liked the the James Burton1 #24 setting. It emulates a BlackfaceCln amp. (Of course, Tom knew who James Burton was. He was a lead guitarist for Elvis Presley for 8 years.)

See the amp setting below.

Good Things Happen with the Fender G-Dec v3 30

Realize, I could have plugged in my electric guitar while Tom played harmonica. This Fender amp can do that.

You want the v3 version of these amps. The older versions had trouble with the dial choosing amp sounds after a while. Bad dial component.

So let’s see if any Fender G-Dec v3 30 amp owners find this blog post and leave a comment.

Thanks for visiting Shoshin Guitarist today. Shoshin is a Japanese word for learning with a beginner’s mind. It means being open to new things, like a Fender G-Dec v3 30 amping Harmonica.

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Is the Hohner HW300 a “Poor Man’s” Martin D15M ?

Posted on December 2, 2025 by Sienark

Hohner HW300 Demo from Russia and Mikhail Lisov

This demo is enough inspiration for my Hohner journey.

Is the Hohner HW300 a “Poor Man’s” Martin D15M

Obviously, the Hohner can’t duplicate what the Martin does. Do a ChatGPT or Grok (AI search) and it will sum up the differences between the Hohner HW300 and the Martin D15M.

But the Hohner HW300 has its own fan base claiming it has a very good bang for buck with its all mahogany sound versus some spruce or spruce laminate top.

I un-seriously tried a Hohner HW300 at a local music store but found it a bit muffled in sound. But did I have my hearing aids on at that moment? Did I use a pick so the guitar could ring out. Or was I playing a “laminate” Hohner HW300G ?

At any rate, here’s my journey to find a Hohner HW300 with a pure mahogany top, no laminate. I will be glad to find a “poor man’s” Martin D15M.

I Like Hohner Guitars and Wanted a Hohner HW300G Made of Mahogany

I own 3 Hohner acoustics currently and traded two other Hohners to others.

But I wanted a Hohner HW300 made of mahogany. Some call this guitar a “poor man’s” Martin D15M.

Jake Wildwood, Vermont Luthier, Didn’t Like the Hohner HW300G

Jake’s famous on the Internet for repairing guitars, mainly acoustic. Here’s his blog post on the Hohner HW300G. He played a great demo but his blog post indicated to me that he thought the Hohner HW300G was a run of the mill guitar.

And Jake’s opinion is valuable, so I kept researching the Hohner HW300

“But I was confused, Jake thought the Hohner HW300G was ordinary but useful. So, why did other people like this guitar so much?” – Shoshin Guitarist

There are 3 Types of the Hohner HW300 and Solid Top is the Key

  1. I studied listings of the Hohner HW300.
  2. I read reviews of the Hohner HW300.
  3. I used AI (artificial intelligence) with ChatGPT, Grok, and Google as sources.

“I was less confused when I learned there are three types of Hohner HW300 guitars for sale used on the Internet.” – Shoshin Guitarist

Here are the 3 types of Hohner HW300 guitars.

  1. Hohner HW300G. Laminate mahogany top.
  2. Hohner HW300. Solid mahogany top.
  3. Hohner HW300CM. This is the “Countryman” model, also with a solid mahogany top.

AI with ChatGPT and Grok were Very Helpful with Understanding this Hohner Guitar with 3 Variants

(Both ChatGPT and Grok “scrape” Internet content with marginal attribution or credits given. I am quoting both ChatGPT and Grok with as they say, “attribution”.)

ChatGPT Summary.

Grok Summary.

My Hohner HW300G Summary

If you have read this far, you know this is the laminate mahogany top version of this HW300 series. Made from 2005-2015 in Indonesia or China.

Jake Wildwood was correct when he wrote on his blog:

So even though I found a beautiful red wine Hohner HW300G on an auction site for possibly $60 shipped, I don’t want it. Beautiful but a utilitarian all-ply mahogany guitar.

My Hohner HW300CM, Countryman Summary

There is some minor debate on the Internet as to whether the Countryman Hohner had a solid mahogany top or an all-ply mahogany top. Seems like it varied. So it’s a risk if you buy one. It would be depressing to buy an HW300CM only to find out it had a laminate top. Too risky.

Let’s not forget this Grok summary of the HW300CM:

I immediately found a possible $60 buy and ship Hohner HW300CM on an online auction site. But the back of its headstock showing it’s old-fashioned tuners was a bit odd. Very odd considering the guitar was made 10-20 years ago.

So I believe buying a Hohner HW300CM is a bit risky. It may or may not have a laminate top. Also, the tuning heads look a little strange, old-fashioned.

My Hohner HW300 Summary

“This is the Hohner that I want in this series. Obviously the other two aren’t good enough. After all, I am looking for a “poor man’s” Martin D15M.”

I want to find and to purchase a Hohner HW300. Or, if I can find one locally in Chicago, I want to try it out. Here’s why.

  1. Solid Mahogany Top.
  2. Good Tuner.
  3. Nubone or Graph Tech nut.
  4. Scalloped X-bracing.
    • The other two Hohner variants have X-bracing.
  5. Made in Korea.
    • I have enjoyed my two Korean guitars (a Hohner HW400 and a Peavey Strat Style Tele).

The Used Market Values the Hohner HW300 the Most

See the table below for the HW300G, HW300 and the HW300CM in that order left to right. The Hohner HW300 used market value is circled in purple below.

No Thanks: I don’t want a Hohner HW300 with Heel Joint Crack

Of course, I quickly found an black HW300 for $15 + $15 in shipping, subject to other bidders.. Black, looked great. Only one problem, the guitar neck heel had an unexplained finish crack. That discouraged me from buying it.

I would show you the picture but it’s copyrighted so I don’t want to break the law.

My Search for a “Poor Man’s” Martin D15M: Hohner HW300

Well, at least I am better informed in my Hohner HW300 series search. And so are you.

I found a used Martin D15M on Guitar Center today in great condition for $1129.99 with a 10% discount (I like my Guitar Center in Highland Park, IL. Ask for Aaron as of November 2025.)

But I’m trying to find a diamond in the rough Hohner HW300 in Chicagoland or an online auction site. Facebook Marketplace would be nice so I could test the guitar. We shall see.

So What Does a Martin D-15M Sound Like?

Visit Eric David to hear him discuss and play a Martin D15M. He calls it a “simple guitar”. I’d love it but it’s around $1700 new in the U.S. So for now, I’ll settle for a good Hohner HW300 if I can find one. Scoot to 2:00 (end of two minutes) in the video to hear him play. Or listen to the entire video. Awesome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaUFYu3vl84

Let’s Finish to Listening to Jake Wildwood Play a “Cheap” Hohner HW300G

Jake is a professional luthier in Vermont, USA. Even though he’s not a big fan of the cheaper Hohner HW300G (the Hohner HW300 or Hohner HW300CM is better), he plays it well.

If I can find a Hohner HW300, I’ll be a happy Hohner guitar enthusiast.

Thanks for Visiting Shoshin Guitarist Today

In case you’re wondering, Shoshin is a Japanese word meaning “beginner’s mind”. Every day with guitar, bass, amps, and blogging I learn something new. I have always approached learning with a Shoshin attitude.

Back to the Poor Man’s Martin…

I will keep searching for a good looking, good playing Hohner HW300.

When I find my Hohner, I’ll see if the Hohner HW300 is a “Poor Man’s” Martin D15M.

More to come on this topic, one day. Thanks for visiting my blog; please leave a comment.

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Practice Guitar when you Wake Up in the Morning

Posted on November 29, 2025 by Sienark

Grabbing my Hohner HW200 acoustic is the 2nd or 3rd thing I do every morning after I wake up. I am playing guitar within 10 minutes of waking up. Love it.

Five Great Reasons to Start Doing This

  1. Fresh start to the day.
    • It’s a good way to start your day.
  2. Reaffirms yesterday’s practice.
    • Many times I learned something about guitar/bass before I went to sleep. Then I practice it during the morning. For example, I watched Florian of Hi-Guitar
  3. Opens pathways to new learning.
    • I was guitar picking, not my specialty. But then I found a new way to place my right hand that made finger picking easier, and plectrum picking easier.
    • I finally got a strap for my morning guitar, the Hohner HW200, and it immediately was easier to play. Guitar necks are supposed to float not be supported by your fretting hand.
  4. No excuse not to play guitar or bass.
    • I believe that if you start the day with guitar/bass, you have a better chance of practicing later in the day.
  5. Play a happy song.
    • The day starts well and will go better.

Over 700 Days of Waking Up and Practicing Guitar

I have done this for over 2 years. I am convinced it has made me a better guitar player. I am just an advanced beginner, but I have fun playing both guitar and bass.

It’s such a good habit I may buy an acoustic bass so I can play either acoustic guitar or acoustic bass just after I wake up.

But I have Young Kids so I Cannot Wake Up and Play Guitar

Maybe that’s true.

But if you think it over, you might find a way to work guitar/bass into your morning routine with the kids. Personally, I think they will “understand” and give you 10 minutes of time to play guitar.

I Learn Something New Every Morning on Guitar

  1. Today I learned that a cold basement sharps out my Hohner HW200. I had to tune it down which is rare. Normally I need to tune it up because it’s flat.
  2. Need a good 10-15 minute practice routine to make “guitar wake-up” useful.

What did you learn on guitar or bass this AM ?

Comment, if You Wake Up and then Play Your Guitar or Bass

I’d love to read your comments on this topic.

All I can tell you is tomorrow morning I will wake up, and play some guitar.

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The Yamaha FG-160 Stole My Heart at Guitar Center Today

Posted on November 26, 2025 by Sienark

Today is Tuesday, 11.11.2025.

Let’s get to the point:

“The 50 year old Yamaha FG-160 shocked me with its lows, trebles and highs. It stole my heart.” – Shoshin Guitarist

Driving to My New Guitar Friends: Guitar Center, Highland Park, IL

I drove 20 minutes from my northwest side Chicago bungalow north on Interstate 94 and then the Edens to Lake Cook Road in Highland Park. 20 minutes at 60 miles an hour, 20 miles to my favorite Guitar Center in Highland Park, IL.

Sold Two Amps to Afford my Inbound Kustom HV30 Amp

Guitar Center gave me a very generous cash offer on my Orange 12 and Peavey Vypyr VIP-2. Thanks guys. I was surprised at how much they gave me for my amps 🙂

But while Aaron (good guy) of Guitar Center estimated my amp values I wandered into the acoustic guitar room.

Don’t You Love Humidified Acoustic Guitar Rooms at Music Stores?

Gosh, I love humidified guitar rooms, warm and cozy.

Aaron my GC guy told me that the used acoustic guitars were in the back of the room. I walked past the expensive (to me) new acoustic guitars: $2000 here, $1000 there, $499 there. But finally I found the used guitars, perhaps half a dozen of them.

Love at First Play with the Yamaha FG-160

I think I tried a few other “cheaper” under $250 acoustic guitars. Then I tried the Yamaha.

“The Yamaha isn’t pretty. I picked the pretty guitars first. But she sure can sing low, treble and a little bit of high notes. That low E came from somewhere deep. I don’t think the song Deep River Blues ever sounded as good as it did on the Yamaha.” – Shoshin Guitarist

I sat on a “music stool” chair, folded my right leg over my left to prop the guitar, and the Yamaha seemed to sit nicely in my lap.

The guitar felt good in my hands. The neck felt good, not too big, but big enough. I looked at the action at the 12th fret and it was nice and low. Yes the Yamaha looked like it was 50 years old. Let’s play it and find out how it sounds.

  1. I played my G, Em, G, C, D and G riff.
  2. I played a treble riff from Proud Mary.
  3. I think I played or picked Ode to Joy.

“I don’t think I ever played an acoustic guitar with such strong lows, bright mids and decent highs. I played thinking, do I really need another acoustic guitar?” – Shoshin Guitarist

Then I played other guitars in the warm, humidified acoustic room at Guitar Center in Highland Park, IL. But then I returned to the Yamaha FG-160 one last time.

“I played the African-American song “Deep River Blues” that involves some lower notes. I don’t think I ever heard Deep River Blues sound so good on an acoustic guitar. Beautiful deep low sound.” – Shoshin Guitarist

Aaron the Guitar Center associate entered the room.

Richard: Aaron what do you know about this guitar?

Aaron: We have had it for 30 days and tomorrow it’s going on sale.

Richard: Why did it sit for 30 days without going on sale?

Aaron: We always wait 30 days on a trade-in to make sure the guitar or amp wasn’t stolen (law or ordinance).

So I left the room knowing I really liked the Yamaha and it was going on sale the next day for $179. “Fish or cut bait” (fisherman speak for catch the fish or go home).

Sat in GC Parking Lot Researching the Yamaha FG-160

We all do this, don’t we. On a possible physical sale in a store, we sneak away to research the item on the Internet, outside the store.

  1. It’s a Jumbo, bigger than the dreadnaught. Strange, it didn’t feel bigger than a dreadnaught in my lap. It fit right onto my lap.
  2. Not a solid spruce top but sure sounded great. Apparently triple layers but not the cheap laminate technique of current days but an older layering technique involving spruce.
  3. Built in the mid 1970’s in Taiwan (they do good work in my opinion).
  4. Jake Wildwood, luthier in Vermont, likes this Yamaha a lot. If Jake Wildwood likes it, that’s a big recommendation.

Drove Home but the Yamaha was On My Mind

I drove the 20 miles south to my home in Chicago.

I called Aaron at Guitar Center in the early evening while I walked a chilly Chicago November walk of 1 miles. A bit of negotiating with helpful Aaron. Thanks Aaron.

He gave me good prices on various trade-ins of musical items.

Most importantly, he agreed to put the Yamaha on hold for me until next week. Thanks again.

What will I Trade for the 50 Year Old Yamaha FG-160 ?

I decided to trade-in the Epiphone DR100 for $80 but keep my Fender Mustang LT25 amp.

Trading the Epiphone DR100. It was my first acoustic guitar that I purchased for classes at the Old Town School of Folk Music. When I played it with a pick in the used guitar store I knew it was mine. Wow, great sound. I call the guitar “Boomer”.

But it’s always felt a bit big for me, perhaps in the body and the neck. It served its purpose. But I am trading it in at Guitar Center for $80. And I’m getting an even bigger jumbo guitar: the Yamaha HG160.

Return Visit to Guitar Center in Highland Park, IL to Purchase the Yamaha FG160

I actually came to purchase a used Kustom HV30 amp and the Yamaha FG160.

I decided against purchasing the Kustom amp because it wasn’t any better than my used one at home.

But I gave the Yamaha FG160 it’s final check before purchase.

Yamaha FG160 Final Assessment before Purchase at Guitar Center

  1. Fritz Card. This business card size device allows me to check string height.
    • The Yamaha was NOT high action. Good for me.
  2. Worn frets. Often, a 50 year old guitar will have worn frets and fretboard.
    • The frets were decent, perhaps could use a polishing, one day.
    • Fretboard itself was fine. GC hadn’t oiled it but that would be my problem, later.
  3. Bridge. Looks great to me after 50 years.
    • It passed the paper or business card test. I couldn’t slip a business card into the lower part of the bridge. That means the bridge is NOT lifting. Good thing.
  4. Belly budge. None detected. This is the belly above the sound hole. No obvious “belly” that I could see.
  5. FORGOT TO TEST TRUSS ROD.
    • I forgot to try the truss rod. I hope it’s not stripped. That’s an old lesson I learned on a cheap Chinese electric bass.
  6. BOTTOM PIN STRAP IS LOOSE. Not a big deal.
    • The GC guitar tech said “No Service” on used guitars.
  7. NECK NEED A RESET?
    • Again, the GC guitar tech said he couldn’t tell without looking inside of it.
    • To me, the neck seemed fine and wasn’t twisted.

Played the Yamaha HG160 and It Still Sounds Great

And, it’s comfy.

And YES, it Comes with its own CASE

Wow. That was awesome. It made the purchase even better.

Purchased the Yamaha FG160 for $179 plus Tax and Drove Home

I was pleased and the 20 miles southward flew by as I went home.

I’ll do an at home review in another post. I will call it the Yamaha FG160 Review.

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Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster Review

Posted on November 20, 2025 by Sienark

My Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster Review on YouTube

Since you came for a review, here’s my YouTube video.

PLEASE: I do hope you stick around and read the rest of the blog post. Thank you.

Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster on Facebook, $50

Here is the photo of the Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster from Facebook Marketplace in Chicago, IL USA. It was October, 2025.

I liked her the moment I saw her on Facebook Marketplace.

I have named her Dakota. It suits her. Also, she is Dakota Red which is a Fender color.

Dakota the Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster Looked Even Better in Person

I met the seller in front of his Chicago apartment building on a busy street. Joel was his name and he was barely 20. I followed him up 20+ steps to his 2nd floor apartment.

The red Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster was laid flat on his dining room table. I picked her up.

Positives:

  1. Gorgeous red.
  2. Light.
  3. Neck straight as an arrow.
  4. Fritz Ruler indicates the “action” is just below high. I can live with that.

Neutral:

  1. Frets a little spikey but OK.

Negative:

  1. The guitar input jack was very loose, I was worried the Mini wouldn’t play.

I tuned up “Dakota” which took a minute or two. Then I plugged the red Mini Strat into my Orange Crush 12 to see how it played.

Upon Purchase, the Fender Squier Mini Strat Played Wonderfully

I used my Orange Crush 12 for amplification rather than the cheap amp that came with the purchase.

Even with wearing only one hearing aid, the Mini sounded great.

I played my usual riffs:

  1. G, Em, C, D, and G
  2. Ode to Joy riff
  3. Deep River Blues
  4. Proud Mary Riff

I Offered $40 for the $60 Dollar Guitar, Bag, and Cheap Amp

The loose guitar input jack was loose. I didn’t know if I could fix it easily or if it needed a new part. Consequently, I offered the Seller less for the 3 items. I think the Seller knew that was fair. I am pretty sure he knew the guitar input jack was loose but didn’t declare it in his Facebook Marketplace listing.

I have done this twice. When an offered guitar doesn’t work properly, I explain the problem and offer less. I offered $40 for the previously agreed $60. The Seller countered for $5 more.

Yes, the Facebook Seller agreed to $45.

  1. Fender Squier Mini Strat
  2. Road Runner case for 3/4 electric guitar
  3. Cheap Traynor amp

Testing and Minor Adjustments to the Mini Later that Evening

Let’s start with something very positive about Dakota, my grandson’s red Fender Mini.

“I played the Fender Squier Mini Strat for easily 30 minutes. It was wonderful. I had headphones plugged into my Old Faithful amp as I used the Peavey Vypyr VIP-1.

For me, the Fender Squier Mini sounds were every bit as good with headphones as my 3 other strat styled guitars: Jet JS300, Jet JS400, Harmony H80T.

I hope my grandson likes it as much as I do.”

Fender Squier Mini Strat Adjustments

  1. Tested truss rod. It works fine, just testing to see if it was stripped. It was fine.
  2. Two strings buzzed. I raised up 2 x 2 screws on the bridge for two strings that were a little too buzzy on the frets.
  3. I tightened the guitar input jack (loose bolt) so it’s firm, no longer loose as purchased. Hurray.
  4. I tightened the 12 tiny Phillips head screws that hold the tuners in place.
    • I have read somewhere that this can help keep the guitar better tuned. We shall see.

“This was a delightful 45-60 minutes with “Dakota”, the red Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster for my 5 year old grandson. Tomorrow I will clean “Dakota” and test the cheap amp that came with the purchase.”

First Day with my Fender Squier Mini Strat

“Dakota, the Mini Strat is a “baller” of a guitar. Can a 74 year old guy say that??? I have played, testing Dakota on different amps (Roland Cube GX40 and Fender LT 45) and she flat out plays. Unless you were an advanced guitarist you wouldn’t know you were playing a $45 Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster. Awesome.”

Basic Second Day Setup on Dakota the Squier Mini Strat

Set-up is too fancy a word. Let’s just say I am adjusting the Squier Mini to play better.

  1. Clean the body.
    • Nomad Tool Set. I brushed down the Mini and used the small wiper to get into the tiny places to clean it.
    • Alcohol Prep Pad. I used this to wipe what looked like paint chips. It was just smudgey stuff that the previous owner never cleaned. Cleaned up great.
    • Dunlop 65. I used this to clean and polish the guitar.
  2. Cleaned down the old strings. At best, 1 1/2 years old. Not brand new, not original strings from 2011.
    • I used a product called The String Cleaner to run up and down the guitar neck cleaning the strings.
  3. Tighten the two strap button screws. One was a little loose in my opinion.
    • Small Phillips screw driver was all I needed.
  4. G String still buzzes a bit; too low.
    • I raised the bridge screws as much as I could, still buzzing.
    • I loosened all strings and then gave the truss rod a 1/4 turn counter-clockwise to bow the guitar neck slightly.
    • It worked, no more G string buzz.
  5. Perhaps put the nice Green strap on the Red Mini. Done.
    • Looks like a tiny Christmas tree 🙂
  6. Play out loud to compare headphone sound with “out loud” sound.

Should I Put New Heavier 10’s on the Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster

So far I am undecided.

In playing for 30 minutes today, I didn’t notice an immediate problem with the Mini going out of tune.

Should I Put New Strings on Dakota the Fender Squier Mini ?

The strings are at least 1 year old, maybe more.

Supposedly, stringing with 10’s or 11’s on the Fender Squier Mini Strat will give it greater tuning stability.

Should I Install New Tuners on the Squier Mini Start ?

I think I will play it for a few days to test or learn Dakota’s Mini tuner stability. If the guitar seems to have trouble holding tune, then I will decide if new tuners are necessary.

I know what it sounds like when a decent little 3/4 electric guitar goes too flat after a few songs. That’s why I sold my 2017 Epiphone Les Paul Special Express. I couldn’t depend upon it to stay in tune for at least one session.

Although I am leaning towards putting fresh 10’s on the Dakota Mini so that it’s a totally fresh guitar for my grandson (and me).

Multi-Amp Sound Test for the Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster

I guess it’s time to record the Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster and prove its wonderful sound.

I will do my test with probably with the Roland Cube 40GX for cleans and the Fender Mustang LT25 for a variety of sounds.

Second Day with my Fender Squier Mini Strat

Fixes for Tuner Slippage on my Mini

  1. Bone nut upgrade. First upgrade. Some Internet users believe this is the first step in improving tuning stability for the Squier Mini Strat.
  2. 10’s. Second upgrade. I do have fresh D’Addario XL 10’s for the new strings.
  3. Locking Tuners. Third possible upgrade.
    • But first I want to see if a bone nut upgrade and new strings improves tuning stability. If not, then affordable locking tuners are my next choice.

I ordered a bone nut for the Mini. I already have D’Addario XL 10’s for re-stringing it.

Tom Thinks the Amped Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster is a bit “Thin”

As my friend Tom pulled to the front of my bungalow, I was busy taking a mechanical pencil and putting graphite on the cheap bone nut slots.

I connected the Squier Mini to the Kustom HV30 which is an awesome amp with a pre-amp tube. My friend Tom played it a bit.

“It sounds different than the other guitar I tried (cheap Glarry telecaster). It sounds thinner by comparison.”

Tom has good musical ears compared to my moderate hearing loss even with hearing aids. Tom’s right. The Squier Mini is a bit thinner in sound. But it still sounds darn good a 2011 Indonesian Squier Mini for $45 plus Road Runner case.

Third Day with my Fender Squier Mini Strat

Playing my Fender Squier Mini Strastocaster through my 20 year old Fender B-Dec built for bass amps.

First I tuned up my Mini Strat.

Then I played and played for 30 minutes.

“Is it my imagination or does the Squier Mini Strat continue to play well, even on a bass amp. I couldn’t help but feel pleased. Most likely, this 2011 Mini Strat never had anyone pay attention to it. But it “sings” nicely in my opinion now that someone cares about it.”

And after 30 minutes of playing, only the low E had slipped out of tune. That’s progress from 3 days aqo.” – Shoshin Guitarist

Waiting on Bone Nut for the Fender Squier Mini Strat

I already have D’Addario XL Nickel Wound 10’s ready for the Squier Mini.

I ordered a genuine bone nut that supposedly fits the Squier Mini. I will have two.

My next steps will be to do a minor set-up on the Fender Squier Mini Strat.

  1. Remove the strings.
  2. Clean and oil the fretboard.
  3. Remove the old plastic nut and replace with a bone nut.
  4. Install the D’Addario 10’s.
    • I am upgrading from old 9’s to new 10’s.

Then I will play and test the Fender Squier Mini Strat. If it still has slippage problems I may go to inexpensive locked tuners and maybe 11’s. We shall see.

Grandkids Love “Dakota”, the Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster

A few weeks after purchasing the red Squier Mini, my grandkids came over. My granddaughter is 8 years old and my grandson is 5 years old.

They came into the basement guitar room to play some music and I encouraged them to play “Dakota” the Squier Mini.

They absolutely loved “Dakota”. I encouraged them to play the Mini hard loudly.

“If ever you want to make your grandkids happy. Just give them an electric guitar that fits them and ask them to play the electric loud. It’s a treat for grandkids to make as much noise as possible.”

Thanks for Visiting Shoshin Guitarist Today…

…and for reading my Fender Squier Mini Stratocaster Review.

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Playing a Hohner HW400 Acoustic Guitar and Singing “Plastic Jesus”

Posted on November 18, 2025 by Sienark

Do you remember Paul Newman starring in the movie Cool Hand Luke from 1967?

Do you remember the scene when he learns his mother died while he was in prison?

He grabs a banjo, shuffles to his cot, and plays Plastic Jesus.

Here I am taking a Hohner HW400 acoustic guitar and playing Plastic Jesus.

(If you just want to hear the music, skip to 2:00, the beginning of the second minute in the recording.

Learning to Record Videos on YouTube

I hope that each time my recording gets a bit better.

  1. Clean up. Clean up your guitar room a bit.
  2. Music stand. Make sure the music stand doesn’t obstruct the view of your guitar.
  3. Shure MV5 microphone.
    • There are better microphones. But for one microphone plugged into an Android for a recording this gets the job done.
    • The Shure MV5 has one voice and two guitar recording settings. You need to test and to choose the correct setting.
  4. YouTube.
    • Yes, you need a YouTube channel. Initial setup isn’t easy, or wasn’t for me.
    • How will you optimize your YouTube video? It’s still a mystery.

One Day, My YouTube Guitar Recordings Will Be Better

I am a Kaizen kind of guy. Make things 1% better every day. It’s something I learned at CNA Insurance and our Scrum teams. And I learned it when I was 66 years old 🙂

So how will my YouTube recordings better?

  1. Play better.
    • Play guitar or bass better. That would be an improvement.
  2. Amp better.
    • When using an amplifier, learn how to record it better.
  3. Sing better.
    • Can I become a better singer with training? My wife thinks I sing a bit flat. She’s probably correct.
  4. Record better, differently.
    • Learn how to use better microphones.
    • Record into the computer directly?
    • Learn improved placement on microphones.

Thanks for Visiting Shoshin Guitarist Today

I hope you enjoyed my playing Plastic Jesus with a Hohner HW400 acoustic guitar.

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