ecnal Posted June 12, 2008 Posted June 12, 2008 Wanted to share my excitement, ups just brought me a new (old) guitar. It's a cherryburst KK Vector with two knobs, black headstock that says "KK Downing by Hamer," black pickguard, Kahler. Good shape, some checking and dings, but really pretty. I got it in a trade with Ed Roman, who has had it quite a while. Serial tells me it was made in January 1984 I believe, and I am told it was owned by KK himself. KK has a similar guitar (minus the pickguard) on the cover of the July 1984 Guitar World, maybe the same, we'll see. If anyone knows more details on the guitar, or has seen it in a pic, I would love to hear of it.I haven't gotten it plugged in yet, but have played enough of my lame version of "Living After Midnight" to upset any vibes KK may have left in the guitar. At least it was Glenn's solo I insulted.Unfortunately I'm not smart enough to get pics to work at this point.
bizzwriter Posted June 12, 2008 Posted June 12, 2008 Wanted to share my excitement, ups just brought me a new (old) guitar. It's a cherryburst KK Vector with two knobs, black headstock that says "KK Downing by Hamer," black pickguard, Kahler. Good shape, some checking and dings, but really pretty. I got it in a trade with Ed Roman, who has had it quite a while. Serial tells me it was made in January 1984 I believe, and I am told it was owned by KK himself. KK has a similar guitar (minus the pickguard) on the cover of the July 1984 Guitar World, maybe the same, we'll see. If anyone knows more details on the guitar, or has seen it in a pic, I would love to hear of it.I haven't gotten it plugged in yet, but have played enough of my lame version of "Living After Midnight" to upset any vibes KK may have left in the guitar. At least it was Glenn's solo I insulted.Unfortunately I'm not smart enough to get pics to work at this point.I dig these KK Vectors -- can't wait to see some pix!Hey -- pretty cool you did a deal with Ed Roman and are still smiling!
ecnal Posted June 12, 2008 Author Posted June 12, 2008 I dig these KK Vectors -- can't wait to see some pix!Hey -- pretty cool you did a deal with Ed Roman and are still smiling!I had read the same stuff on the internet re: Ed, but he was fine. He was rude to one of my coworkers on the phone when he called looking for me, but treated me OK. The guitar arrived four days ahead of schedule and was well-packed.
LordOfTheThighs Posted June 12, 2008 Posted June 12, 2008 Awesome. Even if it winds up not ever being owned by KK, it's still a schweeeet V.
ecnal Posted June 12, 2008 Author Posted June 12, 2008 I cannot get pics to post off my desktop- do I need to get them hosted elsewhere?Anyway, it is the one pictured above. I really like the cherryburst, or whatever it's considered. By the way, for those who saw it on Ed's site, lest anyone think I'm an idiot, I did not pay the $12k. The guitar was part of a three-way trade. I traded a sunburst archtop (known to this board) straight up for it. I do not know if it was a good deal, but it was to me considering what I had in the sunburst.According to Ed, he bought it from KK's (ex?) girlfriend, along with an Impact bass.
Armitage Posted June 12, 2008 Posted June 12, 2008 I cannot get pics to post off my desktop- do I need to get them hosted elsewhere?Yes you do, try www.photobucket.comKiller guitar BTW.
zorrow Posted June 13, 2008 Posted June 13, 2008 I can almost smell it... It is really beautiful.More pictures, please!
hamertek98 Posted June 13, 2008 Posted June 13, 2008 Please tell me you got the Impact, too!Just kiddin' (I think).Looking forward to seeing the pics!
cmatthes Posted June 13, 2008 Posted June 13, 2008 Ed may not be too sure what an Impact bass is, since he's looking to buy 2Tek Impacts ( ) . I couldn't see Mr. Downing with a Cruisebass though - the Impact is definitely more his speed!
BTMN Posted June 14, 2008 Posted June 14, 2008 Great score!! With that logo and Maple neck I bet KK is still remembers why she was an ex. Were I a betting man, I think that was his. The logo and Maple are definately unique.
ecnal Posted June 14, 2008 Author Posted June 14, 2008 OK I'm testing my post skills; if this works it is a similar (or the same but before pickguard was added) guitar on the cover of Guitar World. Serial, I pm'd you for your thoughts. How many dark cherrybursts are out there? P.S. If anyone has a July 1984 GW out there, maybe we can make a deal . . .
veatch Posted June 14, 2008 Posted June 14, 2008 OK I'm testing my post skills; if this works it is a similar (or the same but before pickguard was added) guitar on the cover of Guitar World. *Very* hard to tell, but the knobs look like they're in slightly different positions. The burst around the edge may have faded a bit though, throwing off one of my references... Either way, KILLER! For any other of yous out there with a six year old daughter that has the Disney Channel on all day long: Does KK look a lot like Hannah Montana's brother? Hmmmm.... Never seen them together at the same time.... Edited to remove redundant pic...
cmatthes Posted June 14, 2008 Posted June 14, 2008 I actually had that issue! Not sure if I still do, but I'll look around...Looks pretty damned close to me - can't imagine that he had two identical ones made, but the best way to tell would be to match up the flame tops.Ed Roman is famous for his forgeries of many guitars, including "Star" guitars, but this one looks like it could be the real deal.
elduave Posted June 14, 2008 Posted June 14, 2008 I don't think I have that issue but if I come across it, it's yours.
ecnal Posted June 14, 2008 Author Posted June 14, 2008 Here's some better pics. I really like the flame, which looks deep and changes with the light and angle (I guess that's true of all flame): I also like the details like the dots under the finish which indicate "zero" for the knobs. There is also a dot like a little ring which shows where the jack goes as you look down at the guitar (you can see it in the first pic on the inside edge of the top part of the V). Also, there is red nail polish on the volume knob, which could be a just a blob, but I am trying to convince myself KK did it to mark a sweet spot. Pickguard looks aftermarket to me, or at least some of the screws are replaced: The KK logo is dinged on the K, I'm trying to get over that fact. At least I didn't do it. The I just has a shadow on it: Again, if anyone has info or pics, or knows who I should talk to to investigate more, I'd love to know!
JGale Posted June 14, 2008 Posted June 14, 2008 Awww...how cute! They're grabbing each other's instrument. What's that called again?
Steve Haynie Posted June 15, 2008 Posted June 15, 2008 Jol has told the story of how he got K.K. Downing was convinced that all Jol wanted was another endorsement, so Downing said something like "Would you even put my name on the headstock instead of Hamer?" just to see what Jol would say. That Vector has some significant Hamer history.
ecnal Posted June 15, 2008 Author Posted June 15, 2008 Thanks for the compliments and the info! I'm really excited. Also, thanks for the offlist info, including this pic, which is 100% the same guitar, the flame matches. Obviously, if anyone has a hard copy, I'll purchase it!
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.