James Tyler USA Dann Huff Studio Elite HD-X White Shmear 7.25 lbs

About This Guitar
The Dann Huff Studio Elite HD-X was developed in close collaboration between James Tyler Guitars and renowned session guitarist Dann Huff. The project began when the company reconnected with Dann to produce the Dann Huff Yellow Classic. When asked what could be done in return, Dann simply said, “Build me a guitar.”

James Tyler Guitars suggested the Studio Elite HD as the foundation and proposed the White Shmear finish—a signature Tyler aesthetic that immediately caught Dann’s attention. The first White Shmear guitar was sent to him in 2022, and it became his main instrument for recording his solo album in Colorado. During those sessions, he discovered one of his favorite configurations: running the bridge humbucker in parallel.

That discovery led to the creation of the Dann Huff Studio Elite HD, which later evolved into the HD-X configuration. The HD-X adds two key controls for expanded tonal range:

• Neck + Bridge Button — activates both pickups together

• Series/Parallel Button for Bridge Humbucker — switches the bridge pickup between series and parallel modes

These simple yet powerful options capture the same setup Dann used in the studio, offering remarkable tonal flexibility for professional players.

Built with a solid alder body in White Shmear, a quartersawn maple neck, and an Indian rosewood fingerboard, the HD-X delivers the balance, clarity, and feel that define the Tyler name. The Standard ’64 neck profile, 1 5/8″ nut width, and wide/tall frets ensure a fast, familiar playing experience. Gold hardware and a matching faux headstock complete the distinctive Dann Huff specification.

The Studio Elite HD-X represents the next step in the evolution of the Studio Elite line—same trusted foundation, enhanced versatility, and studio-ready performance

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