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Halo Customs?

#12
STAY AWAY. These guys have a well-deserved poor reputation on a number of other guitar boards I frequent.

Apparently, they delivered an Octavia 8-string guitar with a string-through bridge but no string-through holes drilled! The owner apparently had to pull the bridge in order to replace the strings, and got a huge runaround trying to get them to fix it.

I also played a used Octavia 6-string guitar at a local store. The fretwork was pretty bad and the fit and finish was rough.
 
#14
IntrepidCellist said:
STAY AWAY. These guys have a well-deserved poor reputation on a number of other guitar boards I frequent.

Apparently, they delivered an Octavia 8-string guitar with a string-through bridge but no string-through holes drilled! The owner apparently had to pull the bridge in order to replace the strings, and got a huge runaround trying to get them to fix it.

I also played a used Octavia 6-string guitar at a local store. The fretwork was pretty bad and the fit and finish was rough.
Click to expand...

I've been with Halo since 2005 and know about the poor reputation from several years ago. I can say with confidence that we've improved significantly in the areas of quality control and the result is that more recent customers are happy with their purchases. It's been an uphill battle rebuilding our reputation, but we're working diligently toward that goal one customer at a time.

I appreciate any sincere advice on how to improve the situation more quickly (if you were in my shoes).

On another note, Halo has some really talented artist endorsees. We do not pay them to endorse the gear, they choose to use Halo instruments.

For bass: Sean Delson (Fozzy, Stuck Mojo), Seth (Arcanium)
For guitar: John Nymann (Y&T), Tony Smotherman (Rockhouse), Sonny Lombardozzi, Hedras Ramos (Guitar Idol)
 
#15
XtheDeadPawn said:
http://www.haloguitars.com/store/Electric-Basses/

They do custom work for $2,250 and up for like the whole bass while I'm not knocking these guys I'm genuiely asking is this overpriced for a import made custom bass?
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The custom work starts at $1250.00, and goes up from there. If you shop around, I think you'll find most other custom shops will charge around $3500.00 for import custom instruments. Based on this, Halo custom shop prices are lower, while offering more custom options.

There's also an important distinction between what some companies refer to as "Custom" and what other companies like Halo refer to as "Custom". Halo custom shop instruments are built from scratch based on customer-supplied specifications. Other custom instruments from companies like Gibson and Fender are built using their own specifications; there's no direct customer-supplied specifications.
 
#17
The USA Halo Custom Shop instruments are comparable to those you mentioned. The AshCourt USA model was reviewed by Premier Guitar Magazine and received 4.5/5 stars. Here's a video of John Nymann playing one in the studio

The Import Halo Custom Shop instruments are comparable to quality instruments in the $800+ price range.
 
#18
I guess I am digging up an old thread but the OP was looking for the opinions of owners and players of Halo Basses, so hear I am.....better late than never I hope.

I happen to own a pair of Halo GVKs, A 5 string Bass and it's guitar bretheren. I have owned both since 2006, the GVK-5 happens to still be one of my main players. I have noticed that Halo doesn't get a lot of respect around here, however mine have been great.

XtheDeadPawn asked if they can hang with the big boys, I think so. I happen to own a couple of the basses you mentioned.....and the Halo has it's place among them.

I happen to love the tone of this bass, mine has dual MM style humbuckers and it's just massive. At first I expected to swap out the pickups for active units, however I was pleasently surprised to find that the tone and output of the stock 'HaloBuckers' were actually exactly what I was looking for!

If you still have any questions XtheDeadPawn feel free to ask.
 

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