• Hex Guitars VF500E
  • Close-up of the Hex Guitars VF500Es New Opti-X top bracing
  • LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC pickup mounted in the Hex Guitars VF500E soundhole
  • Solid okoume back and sides of the Hex Guitars VF500E
An all-solid Folk (OM) cutaway from Hex's flagship Vespera line � solid Sitka spruce top, solid okoume back and sides, and an LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC pickup that sounds like the guitar, not a generic DI signal.

Hex Guitars VF500E

SKU: TEMP-SKU-hex-guitars-vf500e
Acoustic-Electric Guitar

You've outgrown a laminate starter acoustic and want a smaller-bodied guitar that still sounds like itself when you plug in � the VF500E pairs an all-solid Folk (OM) body with a pickup system that doesn't get in the way.

This is built for a player who already gigs, records, or is serious enough about tone to notice the difference between a laminate top and a solid one, and who prefers a smaller-waisted body that's comfortable to hold for long fingerstyle or strumming sessions. If you want an all-solid Folk cutaway with electronics that track the guitar's own resonance instead of sounding generic through a PA, the VF500E is aimed at you.

Best Feature

LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC Pickup

The under-saddle Element pickup requires no routing or extra holes cut into the guitar's sides � its VTC volume and tone controls simply mount in the soundhole. That means the amplified tone tracks the top's actual movement and delicate high end instead of sounding like a flat, generic DI signal, so what you hear through a PA is much closer to what the guitar sounds like in the room.

Country of Origin: India
More Information
Ships in 10 business days Easy 7 days return.

Description

Hex Guitars VF500E
Hex Guitars

Hex Guitars VF500E

An all-solid Folk (OM) cutaway from Hex's flagship Vespera line � solid Sitka spruce top, solid okoume back and sides, and an LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC pickup that sounds like the guitar, not a generic DI signal.

All-Solid Body LR Baggs Pickup Opti-X Bracing Grover Tuners

Quick Snapshot

All-Solid
Top, Back & Sides
Folk (OM)
Cutaway Body Shape
LR Baggs
Element Bronze VTC Pickup
20
Frets, Indian Rosewood

Why You'll Love It

An all-solid Folk (OM) cutaway from Hex's flagship Vespera line � solid Sitka spruce top, solid okoume back and sides, and an LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC pickup that sounds like the guitar, not a generic DI signal.

01

A Body Built For Strumming And Fingerstyle

The solid Sitka spruce top is light yet strong, giving a stable, well-projected sound with rich overtones and a clear tone � Hex's own material notes describe the Folk (OM) body as suited equally to strumming and fingerstyle playing.

02

A Pickup That Sounds Like The Guitar

The LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC needs no routing or holes cut into the body � soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls keep the amplified tone tracking the guitar's own resonance instead of sounding generic through a PA.

03

Back And Sides That Get Better With Age

Solid okoume back and sides deliver a warm, deep low-mid response with rich resonance � and because it's solid wood, not laminate, the tone continues to open up and mature the more it's played.

The Hex Guitars Standard

Hex Guitars is the South Korean team behind HILS Guitars, its international sister brand. Before building instruments under its own name, Hex spent the early 2000s onward manufacturing guitars for other established brands � experience it has since funneled into its own factory in Indonesia, where Vespera, Hex's flagship all-solid acoustic-electric line, is built and inspected in-house alongside the rest of the Hex and HILS catalog. The brand's own stated goal is a genuinely high-end playing experience without a premium-tier price tag.

2000s
Building Guitars Since
20+
Years Of Combined Experience
Indonesia
Own Factory, In-House Build

Engineered With Purpose

Close-up of the Hex Guitars VF500E's New Opti-X top bracing

New Opti-X Bracing

Hex's own Opti-X bracing pattern is tuned to let the solid Sitka spruce top move freely for fuller harmonics while keeping the top structurally stable � the brace layout is designed to physically reproduce a V-type equalizing effect across the soundboard, according to Hex's own product documentation. This same top and bracing design is shared across Hex's Vespera line.

LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC pickup mounted in the Hex Guitars VF500E soundhole

LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC Pickup

The under-saddle Element pickup needs no routing or holes cut into the guitar's sides � its VTC volume and tone controls simply mount in the soundhole, so amplified tone tracks the guitar's own resonance and top-end detail instead of sounding like a generic DI signal.

Solid okoume back and sides of the Hex Guitars VF500E

Solid Okoume Back & Sides

Solid okoume back and sides deliver a warm, deep low-mid response with rich resonance. Being solid wood rather than laminate, the tone naturally opens up and matures the more the guitar gets played.

Specifications

SeriesVespera
Body TypeFolk (OM), Cutaway
Top MaterialSolid Sitka Spruce
Top FinishGloss (Natural)
Back & Sides MaterialSolid Okoume
Back & Sides FinishLight Matte (Natural)
BracingOpti-X (V-Type Voicing)
Neck MaterialIndonesian Mahogany
Neck ProfileC Shape
Neck Width43mm at Nut
Fretboard MaterialIndian Rosewood
Scale Length648mm (25.5")
Frets20, Nickel
Fretboard InlayMother of Pearl, Vespera Diamonds
Nut & SaddleGraph Tech TUSQ, Black (43mm Nut, 73.3mm Saddle)
TunersGrover 18:1 Rotomatics, Nickel w/ Black Knobs
PickupLR Baggs Element Bronze VTC
Stock StringsElixir Phosphor Bronze, NANOWEB Coating, .012"-.053"
CaseDeluxe Vespera Gig Bag (Included)
BridgeIndian Rosewood, Vespera Shape
Bridge PinsABS, Black w/ White Dot
RosetteWhite Abalone
Neck FinishLight Matte (Natural)

Compare Models

Spec VF300E VG500E This Kit
VF500E
Body ShapeFolk (OM) CutawayGrand Auditorium CutawayFolk (OM) Cutaway
Back & SidesAfrican SapeleSolid OkoumeSolid Okoume
Nut & SaddleNuboneGraph Tech TUSQGraph Tech TUSQ
TunersBlack Diecast, 18:1Grover 18:1 RotomaticsGrover 18:1 Rotomatics
PickupLR Baggs Element Bronze VTCLR Baggs Element Bronze VTCLR Baggs Element Bronze VTC
CasePremium Gig BagDeluxe Vespera Gig BagDeluxe Vespera Gig Bag
Procraft Insight

All three Vespera models share the same LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC pickup and 648mm scale, so the real differences are body shape and finishing hardware. Stepping up from VF300E to VF500E swaps African sapele back/sides for solid okoume and Nubone nut/saddle for Graph Tech TUSQ with Grover tuners, while VF500E vs VG500E is purely a body-shape choice � Folk/OM versus Grand Auditorium � with identical premium-tier hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the VF500E different from Hex's entry-level Vespera model, the VF300E?
Both share the same Folk (OM) Cutaway body shape, Sitka spruce top, and LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC pickup, but the VF500E steps up to solid okoume back and sides (versus African sapele on the VF300E), Graph Tech TUSQ nut and saddle (versus Nubone), and Grover 18:1 Rotomatic tuners (versus black diecast tuners).
What does "Folk (OM)" body shape mean, and who is it suited for?
Folk, also called Orchestra Model (OM), is a smaller-waisted body than a dreadnought or Grand Auditorium, favoring balance and clarity over sheer volume. It's a common choice for fingerstyle players and anyone who wants a guitar that's comfortable to hold for long sessions.
What pickup system does the VF500E use, and how does it sound plugged in?
An LR Baggs Element Bronze VTC � an under-saddle pickup paired with soundhole-mounted volume and tone controls. It's built to track the guitar's actual top movement rather than deliver a flat, generic acoustic-electric tone.
Does installing or using the pickup require cutting into the guitar's body?
No. The Element system's VTC controls mount directly in the soundhole, so there's no routing or extra holes cut into the sides the way some onboard preamp systems require.
What's special about the Opti-X bracing?
It's Hex's own top-bracing pattern used across the Vespera line, tuned to let the solid spruce top move freely for fuller harmonics while keeping the top structurally stable, per Hex's own product documentation.
What tonewood is the back and sides made from, and how does it affect the sound?
Solid okoume, which delivers a warm, deep low-mid response with rich resonance � broadly comparable in character to mahogany, but sourced from West/Central Africa.
Will the tone change over time?
Because the top, back, and sides are all solid wood rather than laminate, Hex's own materials describe the tone as one that naturally opens up and matures the more the guitar is played.
What strings does it ship with?
Elixir Phosphor Bronze strings with NANOWEB coating, .012"-.053" gauge, per Hex's own spec sheet.
Does the VF500E come with a case?
Yes, a Deluxe Vespera gig bag is included, along with a 4mm hex wrench for truss rod adjustment.
Is this a beginner guitar or built for gigging musicians?
It's positioned at the top of Hex's Vespera line specifically for stage and recording use � the all-solid construction and LR Baggs electronics are aimed at players who already play out or record, not a first-time buyer's starter instrument.
What's the difference between the VF500E and the VG500E, Hex's other Vespera model in this range?
They share identical tonewoods, hardware, and electronics � the difference is purely body shape. The VF500E is a smaller Folk (OM) cutaway; the VG500E is a Grand Auditorium cutaway.
Where is the VF500E made?
At Hex's own factory in Indonesia, alongside the rest of the Hex and HILS Guitars catalog.
What tuners does it use, and are they reliable for staying in tune?
Grover 18:1 Rotomatic tuners � a well-regarded hardware brand known for precise tuning adjustment and durable die-cast construction.

Buy With Confidence

Warranty
Manufacturer Warranty
Covered against defects from date of purchase.
Shipping
Fast, Tracked Shipping
Dispatched quickly with tracking on every order.
Returns
Easy Returns
Straightforward return process if it is not the right fit.
Support
Real Human Support
Questions before or after purchase, answered by a person.

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