Hils Next HN6 Ultra Violet

Hils Next HN6 Ultra Violet: Detailed Hands-On Review

The Hils Next HN6 Ultra Violet enters the mid-tier electric guitar segment, combining modern materials and electronics aimed at gigging guitarists and enthusiasts. A headless construction, glossed purple finish, and advanced Fishman Fluence humbuckers set it apart from the crowded six-string market. Priced at $825, Hils positions this model as a competitive entry for players wanting contemporary performance without stretching into boutique pricing.

Build Quality and Materials

The HN6 Ultra Violet uses a mahogany body, which focuses the instrument's core sound on warmth and punch, typical of high-output electric guitars. Unlike laminated tops or figured maple, Hils keeps the construction streamlined, no decorative or tonal overlays, just straightforward solid mahogany.

Moving to the neck, the use of roasted maple paired with walnut strikes a balance between stability and resonance. Roasting the maple removes excess moisture, resulting in improved durability and a slicker playing surface, while the walnut skunk stripe enhances the overall rigidity. The bolt-on neck attachment ensures a firm joint, facilitating crisp attack and sustain.

• Fretboard: Rosewood delivers a familiar, slightly mellow tactile response and visual warmth, complemented with abalone dot inlays for unobtrusive markers.
• Frets: 24 medium stainless steel frets are both durable and smooth under the fingers, a strong point for players who like to bend without restriction.
• Compound radius: The fretboard radius transitions from 305 mm (12 inches) at the nut to 406 mm (16 inches) at the upper register, making chords comfortable at the bottom and lead lines slick up top.

The 648 mm (25.51 inch) scale length and 42 mm (1.65 inch) TUSQ nut suit most hand sizes, with the nut width providing a familiar modern electric feel. The slim "C" neck profile encourages fast playing and extended sessions without fatigue.

Hardware and Headless Design

Hils equips the HN6 with a titanium locking headpiece instead of a traditional headstock, following the current trend for lightweight, travel-friendly electrics. The Alchemy-branded headless tremolo system holds tuning well and offers moderate range for expressive vibrato, although heavy dive-bomb use might expose some lateral movement, a consideration for shredders.

Black hardware throughout, including dedicated machine heads for the headless bridge, matches the purple finish and projects a futuristic look. The factory setup ships with.010 -.046 gauge strings, a reliable standard for versatile rock, metal, and fusion styles.

Electronics and Controls

The HN6 uses two Fishman Fluence humbucking pickups, one at the bridge and one at the neck. These act as the instrument's main voice, with a 3-way toggle switch managing the pickup selection. Onboard controls are as follows:

• Volume with push/pull: Engages an alternate voicing, allowing for quick tonal shifts on the fly.
• Tone with push/pull: Activates coil splitting, letting the player toggle between modern, full-bodied humbucking tones and brighter, more articulate single-coil sounds.

The Fishman Fluence system is silent in operation, has distinct voices, and dramatically broadens the instrument's usable palette. From tight, aggressive riffs with the humbuckers to snappy, dynamic cleans using the coil splits, this setup is suited for versatile session work or genre-hopping performers.

Playability and User Impressions

Guitarists report the factory setup delivers an action around 2 mm at the 12th fret, ready for most styles, though many will want further adjustment to match their touch, especially those preferring ultra-low action (1.5 mm or less). The absence of case but the inclusion of a quality gig bag keeps the instrument protected for local gigging but may warrant additional investment for touring musicians.

The balance is excellent thanks to the headless design, and the slim neck profile receives specific praise for comfort during long sessions. A few users mention minor preferences for setup tweaks, swapping the tremolo feel or further lowering the action, but note that the base guitar delivers solid value without requiring immediate upgrades.

Finish and Stage Aesthetics

The Ultra Violet color, proprietary to Hils, catches the eye under stage lighting, presenting a sharp, contemporary image. Players compare its visual impact to the previous Gold finish variant, noting it remains striking if less dramatic.

Summary: Value and Versatility

• Pros: Modern compound neck, high-grade electronics, sturdy hardware, generous fret access, wide range of tones, and included gig bag.
• Cons: No hard case supplied, setup may need fine-tuning out of the box, and tremolo system may require personal adjustment.

At $825, the Hils Next HN6 Ultra Violet stands out for its balance of premium features, adaptable hardware, and modern aesthetics. For guitarists seeking a forward-thinking, versatile electric without boutique-level spending, this model more than justifies its reputation in the gigging and home studio arena.