Endorsements
Dakota Dave Hull proudly endorses:
Hoffman Guitars
One of my oldest friends and a fabulous guitar maker. He made my piccolo guitar and my baritone flattop. The cutaway dreadnaught I played for years is one of Charlie's. I bought that new nearly 40 years ago, so it qualifies as vintage now, and it certainly sounds like it. Charlie is one of the best luthiers in the country, in my opinion. His repair shop keeps my vintage guitars in tip top shape, too.
National Guitars
What can I say about these guys? Their instruments speak for themselves. They've superseded the original Nationals qualitatively by a huge margin. Wonderful people, too. I have three of their guitars and another one coming. Pictured here is the headstock of the famous "coffee cup guitar." The folks who know me understand.
Fairbanks Guitars
I'd been looking for someone to make a copy of my Gibson Jumbo for years. I've talked to plenty of modern guitar makers but before now but it just hasn't worked out. I spent a few days with my Jumbo and Dale Fairbanks of Fairbanks Guitars awhile back ordered a structural copy of my old Jumbo. This guitar sounds like my Gibson must have sounded when it was new. Since then I've acquired five more of his exceptional instruments. If you're looking for a vintage Gibson Jumbo or J-35 or L-00 or Nick Lucas style guitar look no further. Dale Fairbanks is your man. He's got that '30s Gibson juju down cold!
GrooveTubes Microphones
I have three of their Model 1a mics in my studio along with two GT 44s and a GT 33 mic. I usually use a GT 44 on stage and I always have the 33 in my guitar case for those gigs I fly to. These guys made some great stuff.
New Era Guitars
Tony Klassen made beautiful Larson Brothers inspired guitars. He did some Gibson, Epiphone and Martin-style instruments, too. The BigBoy is, as a friend of mine put it, the 9 foot Steinway of guitars! The bass won't quit, but it's not at the expense of the high end. This thing has to be heard to be believed.
Brentrup Guitars
Johann Brentrup is another great guitar (and mandolin) maker from Minneapolis, and an old friend. Now retired from lutherie his guitars drew inspiration from the classic Larson Brothers, Holzapfel, and Stella instruments of the 1920s and '30s. My guitar, shown here, is a Grand Concert made of Adirondack spruce with white oak back and sides. It's a cannon! I had the honor of recording some sound samples and videos for Hans; you can see them here.
Shubb Capos
Another excellent capo. I love their “Fine Tune” capo and use it a lot. I also use their sleeves to dampen string noise above the nut on my guitars.
John Pearse Strings
I've known these folks for years and they continue to go above and beyond the call in providing a great product and amazing service. I use their phosphor bronze strings on my flattops, and nickel wounds on my Nationals and archtops. They don't mind putting together custom sets, either.
Waverly Tuning Gears
I use Waverlys on all my new guitars. They're simply the best tuning gears available—I wouldn't use anything else. They work.
Visesnut Cases
Lightweight and nearly indestructible. I sure am liking mine.