Hendrick Generator.....Kurt's Back!

[The Shark]

Some of you may remember the Hendrick Generator and other models Kurt made back in the eighties and early nineties.  Some were made in the Kalamazoo factory by the Heritage guys.  I had one back then, but Gil Southworth wanted it more than I did.  So, Greg Platzer dropped pics of his new one and I searched around.  Low and behold, Kurt had the other prototype he built on Reverb.  Gonna' be cool, when it arrives.

[velorush]

Saw Unka Greg post about that on IG maybe last week.  He seemed very excited. Really cool and unique design.

[Brooks]

I usually dont like stuff like this, but thats cool looking. Meet George Jetson!

[velorush]

First thing I thought of when I saw it was, where was this design in 1978? Would have been perfect for "Rock Lobster" or "Planet Claire!"

[cmatthes]

Gil had 2 in his shop down the street from me for at least a decade, if not more.  A Surf Green one and if I recall, a Shell Pink one.  One had a Floyd, but I forget which of the two.  Cool guitars, and nice to see ‘em back!

[HSB0531]

2 hours ago, The Shark said:

Some of you may remember the Hendrick Generator and other models Kurt made back in the eighties and early nineties.  Some were made in the Kalamazoo factory by the Heritage guys.  I had one back then, but Gil Southworth wanted it more than I did.  So, Greg Platzer dropped pics of his new one and I searched around.  Low and behold, Kurt had the other prototype he built on Reverb.  Gonna' be cool, when it arrives.

THAT  is COOL !

[Jeff R]

3 hours ago, velorush said:

Saw Unka Greg post about that on IG maybe last week.  He seemed very excited. Really cool and unique design.

Greg has me winding one of his custom Gregbuckers for his ... he's VERY VERY excited about it!

[The Shark]

7 hours ago, cmatthes said:

Gil had 2 in his shop down the street from me for at least a decade, if not more.  A Surf Green one and if I recall, a Shell Pink one.  One had a zotd, but I forget which of the two.  Cool guitars, and nice to see ‘em back!

Mine was a black one made in the Kalamazoo factory.  I never saw it on Gil's site or anywhere else.  Poof!

[Biz Prof]

Those were some of the coolest non traditional designs. Wish they'd caught on and made in larger numbers back then!

[The Shark]

On 9/20/2024 at 2:24 PM, Jeff R said:

Greg has me winding one of his custom Gregbuckers for his ... he's VERY VERY excited about it!

Well, you better wind two.  I'm a big fan of the Gregbucker design.  If you and he have tweaked it a bit, all the better!  I love the P-90 you wound for my SG Junior that Greg restored.  It's really incredible.  Played it tonight as a matter of fact.  This one...

[hamerhead]

[cmatthes]

The extraordinary Dave Hill and the legendary NiteBob each have a few.  Dave’s new one is the surf/Seafoam green one.

[cmatthes]

A-ha!  The Seafoam green Hendrick at Gil’s was the Floyded one.  It belonged to local Blues legend Linwood Taylor.  Here’s a pic from Gil’s shop:

 

[The Shark]

9 hours ago, cmatthes said:

A-ha!  The Seafoam green Hendrick at Gil’s was the Floyded one.  It belonged to local Blues legend Linwood Taylor.  Here’s a pic from Gil’s shop:

 

I remember it well.  I think that one was a Kalamazoo model.  

[Biz Prof]

1 hour ago, The Shark said:

I remember it well.  I think that one was a Kalamazoo model.  

Based on a deep dive I did years ago, I think all of the Kalamazoo-made Generators had that red script logo..

[Jeff R]

On 9/22/2024 at 12:01 AM, The Shark said:

Well, you better wind two.  I'm a big fan of the Gregbucker design.  If you and he have tweaked it a bit, all the better!  

Greg a couple years ago shared with me the specific Gregwind HB recipe he gave other winders over the last couple of decades. After reviewing the recipe and winding a few to traditional Gregwind spec, I suggested a slight revision that likely wouldn't change the fundamental tone or feel but would significantly improve durability and ultimately lifespan. Outside of us both having to warranty our work, we ultimately want our work to outlive us, I reminded Greg. He agreed and said go for it, and upon testing my revised recipe, Greg said the prototypes were actually better than any of their predecessors. And because I erroneously wrote "Gregbuckers" on the packaging instead of "Gregwinds," they got a happenstance rebrand too  

I absolutely ADORE your guitar!  No spec revisions to the time-tested "Uncle Greg" blueprint fyi, that pickup is absolutely righteous in the ears and under the hands.

 

[Jakeboy]

Dibs on @The Shark’s SG Junior and didn’t Bad Brad Whitford have one of these Hendrick types…?  Use it on Chiquita video? Maybe?

[The Shark]

3 hours ago, Jeff R said:

Greg a couple years ago shared with me the specific Gregwind HB recipe he gave other winders over the last couple of decades. After reviewing the recipe and winding a few to traditional Gregwind spec, I suggested a slight revision that likely wouldn't change the fundamental tone or feel but would significantly improve durability and ultimately lifespan. Outside of us both having to warranty our work, we ultimately want our work to outlive us, I reminded Greg. He agreed and said go for it, and upon testing my revised recipe, Greg said the prototypes were actually better than any of their predecessors. And because I erroneously wrote "Gregbuckers" on the packaging instead of "Gregwinds," they got a happenstance rebrand too  

I absolutely ADORE your guitar!  No spec revisions to the time-tested "Uncle Greg" blueprint fyi, that pickup is absolutely righteous in the ears and under the hands.

 

It's so good.  So, hit me up on the bucker.  I don't even have the Generator yet, but I know I want to change the pickup!😎

[The Shark]

2 hours ago, Jakeboy said:

Dibs on @The Shark’s SG Junior and didn’t Bad Brad Whitford have one of these Hendrick types…?  Use it on Chiquita video? Maybe?

I'll take it under advisement, but I don't think you'll live that long.  Or I won't...

[Biz Prof]

2 hours ago, Jakeboy said:

Dibs on @The Shark’s SG Junior and didn’t Bad Brad Whitford have one of these Hendrick types…?  Use it on Chiquita video? Maybe?

Brad and Joe each had one IIRC. I think Brad played his mini Standard in Chiquita video.

[Jakeboy]

Thanks @Biz Prof! You’re right. Whitford did play the baby Standard on Chiquita.

[Biz Prof]

[cmatthes]

Primo Hendrick Generator action in this one!

[Biz Prof]

I like how they addressed the upper fret access on this reboot. The headstock is fine, however I do prefer the banana on this body style.

Edited October 1, 2024 by Biz Prof

[RobB]

I like the new headstock. It flows better with the body shape.