Hils HNS1M Metallic Emerald Green

I've had this guitar for about 10 days and I'm honestly very impressed with it.

The frets and setup were pretty much what I expected at this price point. A few fret ends were a little sharp, so I filed them down. The action was also a bit high out of the box, so I lowered it and adjusted the intonation. I've been buying guitars for years, and none of this was surprising to me.

What did surprise me was how many thoughtful features this guitar has.

The rubber pads on the bottom are a great idea. You can lean the guitar safely against a wall or furniture without worrying about it sliding around. Another big plus is that, unlike many headless guitars, this one works perfectly with a standard wall hanger.

The volume and tone controls are positioned really well and never get in the way while playing. The neck is smooth and comfortable, making it very easy to play for longer sessions.

The pickups are better than I expected. I especially like both single-coil positions. Some players might not love the bridge pickup, but I'm not particularly picky about pickups. I can usually dial in the sound I want with my amp or pedals, and I haven't felt any need to replace them.

The truss rod adjustment is in a good location and easy to access. Even if it had been placed at the top of the headstock area, it wouldn't have bothered me since it's a headless design.

The gig bag was another pleasant surprise. It's much higher quality than I expected and feels genuinely well made.

If I had to point out one area for improvement, it would probably be the bridge. The tuners aren't amazing, but they work perfectly fine. If I ever decide to upgrade anything, the bridge would be first on my list.

One thing to be careful about when changing strings: don't overtighten the string locking screws. I tightened one too much and the string slipped out. That was user error on my part, but it's worth mentioning.

The Metallic Emerald Green finish looks fantastic. The satin metallic finish gives it a really great look.

It's also incredibly practical. It's easy to travel with, doesn't take up much space, and it's a great guitar to sit with on the couch.

Overall, I would absolutely recommend this guitar. If you're comfortable doing your own setup and perhaps a little bit of fret-end work, I think you'll be very happy with it.

This was my first HILS guitar, but it definitely won't be my last. I'm already looking at the HILS HNT1M and the HILS HN3 Baritone.

Pros:
Excellent value for money
Comfortable, smooth neck
Good pickup selection
Can be used with a standard wall hanger
Great gig bag included
Compact and travel-friendly
Beautiful finish

Cons (and these are pretty minor):
Needed a setup out of the box
A few sharp fret ends
The bridge and tuners do the job, but there's room for improvement