Huber: Roanoke

Submitted by fwebb on 4/9/2007

Where Purchased: Direct from Huber Factory

Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: 3700 ($US)

Sound

SUPERB. Full, Deep, Rich sound. Not too bright, not too soft. The walnut gives a smooth sound like mahogany. The resonator gives full sound, that is rich and yet smooth.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Ready to go out of the box. I've tweaked the rod to increase the action, reducing the buzz when I played hard. That's the only adjustment you need to make. If you want to be overly picky, torque the head to Steve's recommended. Buy the Setup DVD for more tips.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

The finish is BEAUTIFUL. I personally enjoy the walnut burl resonator. One of the most beautiful woods that God has created.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

Solid hardware. This should last for another 100 years.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Huber team is AWESOME. I visited their shop and the are a bunch of good ol' boys working hard to make a living at something they love. Repairs have to be shipped to their shop, but they stand behind their work.

Customer Service: 10

Components

Love the simple look of the nickel plated components. I wanted something that sounded good and was solid construction and components. Nothing fancy, but dependable. Rarely is it ever out of tune, even after sitting for 2 weeks during vacation. Nothing cheap here.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

Absolutely. You might find a pre-war Gibson, but the Roanoke will keep up with any Gibson. I wish I had considered some other custom features, like a speed neck, but this one happened to be in the shop when I visited. One day, I might upgrade to a speed neck, but don't need to right now. If you are considering a purchase, I recommend find one to play in your neighborhood or fly to Nashville for a day. E-mail the shop and make an appointment. They are fun folks to visit.

Overall Rating: 10