HF

The **HF** was introduced in 1989, based on the Aria Pro II FA, which Samick also built, and which is loosely in the style of the Gibson ES-175. In one particular catalog from 1992, it was referred to as the **"Bluenote"**.

While it may look very similar to the HJ at a glance, it has a differently shaped body with a 1" narrower lower bout, a 24.75" scale (to the HJ's 25.5") and 22 frets (to the HJ's 20 frets).

**Related:**

* Aria Pro II FA
* Ibanez AF
* HJ

## HF-610

* 1998

**Body:**

* Spruce arched top
* Walnut back and sides
* Small body
* Venetian cutaway

**Neck:**

* Set-in Nato neck
* Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays
* Deluxe headstock
* Ornate Mother of Pearl Artist logo inlays
* 14o headstock pitch
* 22 frets
* 24.75" scale

**Binding:**

* Quadruple-ply body (front)
* Triple-ply pickguard
* Double-ply body (rear)
* Single-ply f-holes and neck

**Electronics:**

* One P-90 pickup (neck)
* 1 Vol, 1 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Gold hardware
* 16:1 ratio lubricated, die-cast tuning machines
* Pearloid raised pickguard
* Headstock matching truss rod cover
* Rosewood bridge with Harp tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Naural (N)

## HFRG-302

Some examples feature Vantage logo in 1989.

* 1989-1990

**Body:**

* Laminated Maple arched top, back and sides
* 12" upper bout
* 9 3/4" waist
* 16 1/2" wide lower bout
* 4" depth
* Venetian cutaway

**Neck:**

* Set-in Maple neck
* Rosewood fingerboard with Pearloid/Abalone split block inlays
* Deluxe headstock
* Ornate Mother of Pearl inlays
* Mother of Pearl Wave logo or Vantage logo inlay
* 14o headstock pitch
* 22 frets
* 24.75" scale

**Binding:**

* Triple-ply body, neck and headstock
* Single-ply f-holes

**Electronics:**

* Two humbucker pickups
* 3-way switch
* 2 Vol, 2 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Gold hardware
* 16:1 ratio lubricated, die-cast tuning machines
* 3-ply raised Tortoise shell pickguard
* Triangular truss rod cover (1989)
* Bell shaped truss rod cover (1990)
* Black "notched" Speed knobs
* Rosewood bridge with Trapeze tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Translucent Black (TB)
* Golden Sunburst (GS)

**Also branded as:**

* Aria Pro II FA
* Cane 43-806

## HF-650 "Bluenote"

* 1991-1994

**Body:**

* Laminated Maple arched top, back and sides
* 12" upper bout
* 9 3/4" waist
* 16 1/2" wide lower bout
* 4" depth
* Venetian cutaway

**Neck:**

* Set-in Maple neck
* Rosewood fingerboard with Pearloid/Abalone split block inlays
* Deluxe headstock
* Ornate Mother of Pearl inlays
* Mother of Pearl Wave logo inlay
* 14o headstock pitch
* 22 frets
* 24.75" scale

**Binding:**

* Triple-ply body, neck and headstock
* Single-ply f-holes

**Electronics:**

* Two humbucker pickups
* 3-way switch
* 2 Vol, 2 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Gold hardware
* 16:1 ratio lubricated, die-cast tuning machines
* 3-ply raised pickguard
* Bell shaped truss rod cover (1991)
* Pointed bell shaped truss rod cover (1992-1993)
* Headstock matching truss rod cover (1993-1994)
* Black "notched" Speed knobs
* Rosewood bridge with Trapeze tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* Translucent Black (TBK)
* Golden Sunburst (GS)

**Also branded as:**

* Aria Pro II FA
* Cane 43-806

## HF-650 "Bluenote" (Artist Series)

* 1995-2001
* $949 MSRP (2001)
* $489-$449 Street (2003 clearance)

**Body:**

* Laminated Maple arched top, back and sides
* 12" upper bout
* 9 3/4" waist
* 16 1/2" wide lower bout
* 4" depth
* Venetian cutaway

**Neck:**

* Set-in Maple neck
* Rosewood fingerboard with Pearloid/Abalone split block inlays
* Deluxe headstock
* Ornate Mother of Pearl Artist logo inlays
* 14o headstock pitch
* 22 frets
* 24.75" scale

**Binding:**

* Triple-ply body, neck and headstock
* Single-ply f-holes

**Electronics:**

* Two humbucker pickups
* 3-way switch
* 2 Vol, 2 Tone

**Hardware:**

* Gold hardware
* 16:1 ratio lubricated, die-cast tuning machines
* 3-ply raised pickguard
* Headstock matching truss rod cover
* Black "notched" Speed knobs
* Rosewood bridge with Trapeze tailpiece (1995-1997)
* Rosewood bridge with Harp tailpiece (1998-2001)

**Finishes:**

* Translucent Black (TBK)
* Golden Sunburst (GS)
* Tobacco Sunburst (TSB)
* Antique Violin Sunburst (AV)
* Natural (N)

**Also branded as:**

* Aria Pro II FA

## HFB5-639

Fretless model **HFB5-639 FL** also available.

## HFB5-690 RB

Fretless model **HFB5-690 RB/FL** also available.

## Meriken GR-FA (Japanese Market)

The GR-FA is a variant of the HF body, inspired by the Gretsch White Falcon.

* ¥65,000 Yen / ~$459 USD (1989)

**Body:**

* Laminated Maple arched top, back and sides
* 16" wide bout
* Venetian cutaway

**Neck:**

* Set-in Maple neck
* Rosewood fingerboard with Pearloid split block inlays
* Gretsch style headstock
* Silk-screened Meriken logo
* Silk-screened Eagle graphic
* 14o headstock pitch
* 23 frets (including zero fret)
* 24.75" scale

**Binding:**

* Triple-ply body, neck and headstock
* Single-ply f-holes

**Electronics:**

* Two humbucker pickups
* 3-way switch
* 2 Vol, 2 Tone, 1 Master Vol

**Hardware:**

* Gold hardware
* 16:1 ratio lubricated, die-cast tuning machines
* Gold plated pickguard, pickup mounting rings
* Wide fish shaped truss rod cover
* Gold metal knobs
* Tune-O-Matic bridge with Rosewood base and Trapeze tailpiece

**Finishes:**

* White (W)