1990 Samick HJRG-302 Hollowbody L-5-Style Electric Guitar

This big old Korean-made Samick bruiser is clearly a take on a Gibson L-5 CES model -- the flagship "jazz box" electric guitar. It's a 17" jumbo archtop fit with twin humbuckers, fancy appointments, and a good, classic sound. The pearl inlay style in the fretboard reminds me a bit of upper-crust '70s Guilds and there's multi-ply binding all over the place.

I've known this guitar for a while, but its owner recently traded it in to me so I've overhauled it and made it "fresh" again by way of glorified setup work and a new wiring harness using full-size 500k pots and orange drop capacitors. Does it sound better now? But of course!

The neck is quick and easy and modern, it sits in the lap "just so," and it looks good while doing it. There's not too much to argue about with this box!

Repairs included: a fret level/dress, replacement wiring harness (the old one was very scratchy and cut in and out), cleaning, and setup.


Top wood: ply maple

Back & sides wood: ply maple

Bracing type: tonebar

Bridge: rosewood adjustable (set for wound G)

Fretboard: roseewood

Neck wood: maple

Action height at 12th fret:
1/16" overall (fast)
String gauges: 52w-11 with wound G string

Neck shape: slim C

Board radius: 12"

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium


Scale length: 25 1/2"

Nut width: 1 5/8"

Body width: 17"

Body depth: 3 3/4" + arching

Weight: 7 lbs 5 oz


Condition notes: overall it's pretty clean, save some worn plating on the hardware and mild usewear throughout the body. The wiring harness is replaced but otherwise the guitar is original throughout.


It comes with: a nice hard case with a bunch of Vermont stickers all over it.























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