Where are hard luck kings guitars made

So, a friend of mine (from Chicago) sent me a picture of his new guitar. A Hardluck King Southern Belle. He adores it. I started looking at them and the reviews and I have to say, I am incredibly tempted to order one, mostly out of curiosity. I never order guitars or gear online, but that seems to be the only way to get one, right now.

HardLuck Kings Guitar Co.

Anyone heard of them? Ever play them? Reviews on the site are all well and good, but they may only be posting the good ones. I need more. But for that price, I almost can't justify not getting one, just to goof with... and make a review of my own

I found a bunch of bad reviews. Seems like they're just the same Chinese junk you can get on eBay for $75. Here's just one bad review I found and it's the nicest of the bunch. From a guy in Sidney, Australia :

Hard luck kings is a very aptly named company. Why? Because Kings get rich by taking your money and then telling you Hard Luck, which is exactly what the owner did to me.

I ordered one of these direct and paid the 90 bucks shipping to Australia. Well when it arrived the electrics buzzed so bad it was unplayable. After a lot of fiddling about the owner let me know that the switch had been wired the wrong way. So I was going to get a credit for that. Called me brother all that nonsense. Amount never offered

In the meantime I had bought copper to shield the cavity in case that was the problem. It was not.

Ok step two no electric buzz but string buzz galore on the high e b and g strings. I can do a basic set up but it didn't go away.

Step three took it to the guy that does my tech when I can't fix it. He says warped neck 10-14 th fret. Recommends fret shave under tension at 100 bucks plus. I say not worth it do what you can

When I tell the owner about this he raves on about the care and attention give to the guitars and how he has never had a guitar returned. Tells me how great the quality assurance is etc and assures me he will 'Make it right' - once again no specifics.

I could not understand how the electrics buzzed if qa was so great. But anyway you do get the odd wrong one.

I asked for a replacement neck. I was told they don't have one and it would cost too much to send me one anyway. So which was the real answer ? I still can't work that one out.

Ok so I get it back from my tech and think well it sounds pretty bad and the string buzz is still there. So I get a fret rocker and yep there it is - on the 10-14th fret the rocker rocks.

Various emails calling me brother, quoted as making this right like he is really concerned agrees its off the rails etc

Finally I decide that I'm gonna send it back. I tell the owner that I'm not happy and he says send it back and he'll make it right.

Posting back costs more than the guitar. The response is 'my tech checked it and it's ok'. This is with the neck off by the way NOT with the strings on. I get sent pictures from the tech bench showing me I'm wrong!! The fret rocker in these pics are at frets is nowhere near where the problem was.

So here I am - the purchase price plus over 250 bucks down on shielding, postage, getting a tech to look at it and countless emails to Hard Luck Kings. I was dealing with the founder too, not some ignorant pimply errand boy following the policy book.

I had no idea that making it right means telling the customer that they are wrong and the seller is right.

They might take lots of pics of women in bikinis and the various branded paraphernalia that they peddle, but if there is a problem they will stonewall and stone wall and treat the customer as if they are dishonest and stupid.

In an age where business is totally transparent and reputation counts these guys have no idea. If they had any clue about treating you right they would not have treated me like this.

So don't believe the hype. Buy from your local guitar centre or other retailer - at least they will stand behind the product. Buy a Squier or an Epiphone from Amazon or second hand from eBay who will give you buyer protection.

Hard luck kings - never again and I advise you not to as well. At least they are living down to her name!

The worst customer experience ever. These guys made banks and used car salesman look good.

Also find it hard to back a company that joins a forum after googling their name and writing single replies about how great their guitars are. All under the fake identity of some guy who saw someone playing one at a party. Appears the owner or an employee does that quite a bit so I'm waiting for that new member to post up here soon LOL

I keep seeing them on fb. I think they are china guitars that the hard luck guys have branded for them. I think they go thru and set them up in the US (strings, action, intonation) before shipping to the customer.

I have have not played one but would guess that they are lipsticked pigs.

Hmmmm...
I know they're China guitfizzles, but the curiosity is still killing me. I should probably just get another Strat to "frankenize" and not bother...

You have Strats and Les Pauls, why bother?

You have Strats and Les Pauls, why bother?

I totally understand and kinda like looking for diamonds in the rough too

I have a hard time not finding new toys to play with. I keep my favorite guitars, a Gibson Les Paul Studio and a Golden Era Melody Maker, but I rotate through everything else. I'm trading the Strat soon and the SG Special is being swapped for an SG1 (hopefully, if that deal goes down). It's just how I am. I always want to try new things... and I usually hate new things... but it doesn't stop me from wanting to try it!

I'm in the process of adding more to the herd.

Got my sights on an SG and a Fender Blues Jr.

I'm so bad, I already bought a VR and a Strat this year.

I know I need to spend the money on something else... but... they're calling me... I'm cursed, forever.

So, a friend of mine (from Chicago) sent me a picture of his new guitar. A Hardluck King Southern Belle. He adores it. I started looking at them and the reviews and I have to say, I am incredibly tempted to order one, mostly out of curiosity. I never order guitars or gear online, but that seems to be the only way to get one, right now.

HardLuck Kings Guitar Co.

Anyone heard of them? Ever play them? Reviews on the site are all well and good, but they may only be posting the good ones. I need more. But for that price, I almost can't justify not getting one, just to goof with... and make a review of my own

I like the big list of "pros" Yeah, I'm in a big huge band I play $200 guitars!! Reminds me of when Bugera came out and tried to sign tons of people to show off their amps.. Something tells me that what they are playing isn't exactly what you can buy.

In all reality, for that price you can't go wrong.
So what if you have to send it back...

In all reality, for that price you can't go wrong.
So what if you have to send it back...

They certainly cover their Butt in their "warranty"

Warranty Exclusions / Limitations / Disclaimers:

This warrany does not cover -
• Any and all fret wear, nut wear, saddle wear.
• The repair or replacement of maintenance items including but not limited to strings, tuning machines, scratched pickguards, batteries.
• Any non factory installed electrical / electronic components or tuning hardware.
• Any and all damage from modifying or customizing instrument. Including set up at time of purchase.
• Plating on metal parts.
• Cracking or other damage to the finish. Including wood becoming warped due to changes in temperature or humidity. Exposure to extreme heat from the sun or fire.
• Rusting or damage to hardware from any and all moisture.
• Any damage resulting from accessories (synthetic materials) such as guitar straps, guitar stands, hangers.
• Any damage resulting from chemicals and polishes.
• Damage due to abuse, misuse, normal wear and tear – including accidental and / or intentional damage.
• An instrument where the serial number has been removed or defaced.
• Normal wear and tear on the entire instrument – including but not limited to the controls, switches, jacks, and tuning machines.
• Damage in shipping.
• An instrument which was not purchased from Hardluck Kings or an Authorized Hardluck Kings Dealer.
• Any case or bag included with instrument is not covered under warranty.

It is your responsibility to maintain this instrument – without alteration, misuse or negligence.

Any Service done on this instrument by anyone other than Hardluck Kings, or not authorized by Hardluck Kings specifically, will result in the termination of this warranty.

Hardluck Kings assumes no liability for property damage resulting from failure of this product – including any loss of income or damages as a result of the loss of use due to defects during service period. Under no circumstances will Hardluck Kings be liable in any way for any and all incidental or consequential damages.

They certainly cover their Butt in their "warranty"