I received my order several days ago, So this comment is placed after several days of playing.
This is not my first Hanika guitar, so I knew that I can expect the highest quality. And I'm not disappointed.
The look
The guitar is a bit asceitc in it's overall look. The spruce top i very bright and finished with varnish and vax. It results in really naturally looking wood. Back and sides are also finished in matt style. As a result the instrument not only looks naturally but the surface is also natural when one touch it. This results in a really unique character of the instrument.
Playability
The guitar was oryginally stringed with Daddario XTC46. Theses strings are hard tension carbon, and personally I'm not the fan of them, usually playing normal tension, nylon strings.
However to be honest even with these strings the playability was excelent.
Hanika provides you with two bone saddles, one set to 2.8/3.8, and the second set to standard 3.3/4.3.
I never used the second one :-). On my 54PC model I wa able to lower the action and set it to 2.5/3.5 with no buzz, manipulaing only on the bridge saddle.
However this is not required. The factory settings allow you to play fast and smoothly, with no extra force required. If someone would rquire lower action - I'm sure there is a space for lowering.
On overall, the playability is one of the strongest point of Hanikas guitars I tried. After changing to EDN 33.5 nothing more is required at leaast for me - an amateur, but frequent player.
Sound
To make the opinion not influenced by the hapiness of having new guitar, I compared the sound of Natural PF with my three other guitars using recording of several pieces and scales.
What are strongest points of Hanika Natural PF:
- separability of trebles - although EDN 33.5 ar not so bright as carbon strings, the ability of reproduce nuances of trebels is higher than on my other guitars.
- wider spectrum of sound when changing the distance from bridge - the guitar sounds signifficantly differently in various places between bridge and soundhole and higher. You can get the harp-like sound as well as sharp, metalic sound close to the bridge. The place of using nails or fingertip is more important than in my other guitars, and on one hand you must take care of it, on the other hand it allows you to shape the sound consciously.
-the sustain - this is new guitar, and the spruce top requires some time and playing to mature and reveal all its advantages. But even at the beginning of its life the sustain of the guitar is very good. The resonance, on both, the bass and the treble side is more than excellent.
To conclude - I browsed various models in this price range, some of them I had also the opportunity to play. I looked for beautifully sounding, traditionaly built instrument, loud enough to play in the hall, but not too loud to be able to pracice late in the night not disturbing the family. I got exactly what I wanted, and choosing Hanika guitar gain I didn'make the mistake.
As usually cooperating with Thomann was fully professional, delivery was on time, the package was very carefully packed (two cartoons, I sepnt some time to open it and to get to the guitar :-)).
There is only one question I remain with. Which Hanika to buy in the next year :-)
