Official Luthiers Forum!

Just wondering if anyone has ever purchased brazilian sets from him, seems like amazing sets, but they often get delisted and just want to know the quality and the kind of person i would be buying from!?

Jonathan

He's fine , done business with him several times..

Mikey

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The Biggest Little City, Nevada
www.hammondguitars.com
I love building guitars!

My sister bought something from him this past December, as a gift for me, on eBay.
I can say it was a very positive experience. Especially since I didn't have to pay for the merchandise
I had just started to read about building guitars, and that is when I found this forum also.
In fact, I believe I opened a thread inquiring about Carpathian Spruce at the time.

She bought me 12 sets of Carpathian Spruce tops.
I believe she paid something around $140 plus some shipping charges.
It was an auction item, not a fixed price.
I assume these sets are worth at least a little bit more than $140.

My sister knows as much about tone woods as I do, which is not much
She contacted him and asked questions, which he answered promptly and thoroughly.
I think it is a 'he' but I could be wrong.

They arrived fast, and as far as I can tell, are in very good condition.
Again, I am a beginner, so I know very little about tone woods.

From my personal experience, I would recommend him.
Also, check his eBay feedback. I believe he has a high feedback count, with a perfect, 100% feedback.

Now, what to do with these 12 sets of Carpathian Spruce?
It'll take me a lifetime to get to them - today it took me two hours just to pencil in the shape on my new headstock in the Challenge.

Good luck.

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Music Is Forever

Darren Hippner is his real name.

I think he pulls expensive sets a day or so before they sell, if they don't get bid up high enough by then. I've gotten some great deals on non-Brazilian things that didn't get bid up as high as they should have either Particularly a 5 pack of Honduran rosewood parlor sets that came out to $350 with shipping, so $70 a set. And the sides are plenty big for anything, so with center wedges they'll work for any size guitar. Also some great redwood tops for about $15 each. My coral snake build in doc-u-build is using sets from both of those bundles.

I have bought a lot from Darren (no Brazilian though). Has always been honest and great to do business with.

Max

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Max Bishop
Brighton, Michigan

I bought 10 BR head plates, a couple of BR bridge blanks, WRC tops and a quilted maple B&S set from him. Like everyone says, he is really nice to deal with, and his goods are as advertised. Another bonus is that he ships to Canada , and his shipping is very reasonable.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

+1 for Darren. I haven't bought anything the last couple of years, but he has been doing this I think at least 10 yrs when I first bought stuff from him. Can't comment on his Brazilian, but all other woods and items from him have been as he says and great stuf, and he is a really fine builder (or at least he use to build full time) of classical guitars.

I bought wood off ebay from him years ago before he started selling the Brazilian. He does change his ebay name occasionally, and seems to have a few names that he rotates through. Feedback ratings always seems to stay intact. He does deliver what he sells, pulls sets if he doesn't think he will get his price, and has a steady supply now and in the foreseeable future. His pictures are good so WYSIWYG.

Tim

I've dealt with Darren for over 10 years. Definitely a "good guy"!

just bought once, but the BRW bridge blanks were the real thing and - as Tim L said - the pictures were accurate. Got the tip from Alex Kleon, so thanks Alex!

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member of the guild of professional dilettantes

He buys most of his wood from Madeira Inc.

Definitely a good guy, Darren. I have bought a number of different things from him, both direct, and through ebay.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I have sold red spruce and BR to Darren, and bought BR from him. No complaints.

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John

This has to be Darren Hippner. Havent bought from him in the last few months but I know it is him. He is a stand up guy. He is honest and has outstanding Brazilian RW items all with papers. He is also an outstanding luthier himself. I will definitely do more business with him in the future. Highly reccomend him.

another happy guy with Darren

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

It definitely is Darren Hippner. He bought a set of Honduran RW from me last night on ebay, and payed immediately. He seems to be a pretty good guy. I am very comfortable doing business with him. He is also one of the few people that offer CITES papers.

I just won an auction of his for a pair of Port Orford cedar tops yesterday afternoon !

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Just purchased a set of BRW from Darren - and I have to say it has been a pleasure to deal with him.

He has been helpful and ready to answer any questions.

He would actually be a benefit to OLF if we could get him on here!

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P A U L B U R N E R
Burner Guitars

I got Claro Walnut and the most amazing figured Jarrah from him a couple years back. Great to deal with and great wood.

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Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

Just got my PO cedar tops, and they look great! As soon as I opened the box, my sinuses cleared for the first time since autumn!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker