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For Sale - Cognac Hamer Improv (#13). SOLD


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I am moving some equipment out the door to off-set the new Shishkov Ultimate (#44).

 

I am selling my Cognac Hamer Improv (#13).   This is the only Cognac Improv made of the entire run.  It was made by Hamer for Kal David, who was one of their endorsed musicians at the time.  I bought it directly from Kal a few years ago and he has signed the COA for me.   Oddly, as a listed Hamer endorsee - his name is nowhere on the guitar or the case?   I spoke with Kal on the phone a few times about it (what a nice, humble guy), he said he played it very little the whole time he owned it and that it might even have the original set of strings on it.  I have not changed them either and have only played it twice.   Kal said he made no changes or mods to it what-so-ever and neither have I.   

 

I spoke with Kim Keller about this guitar and he not only remembered it but commented about how beautifully the color turned out.   While I love looking at it, this guitar is so nice I get nervous taking it out of the case.

 

This is a wonderfully crafted guitar that really does symbolize the very best of everything Hamer had in their arsenal.  I recall Kim telling me that only one of their most talented builders crafted all the Improvs by himself.  If I recall correctly - it was our very own Mike Shishkov. 

 

This Improv is exactly as I received it and is as close to mint as a used guitar can be.   Plays as a USA Hamer should – there are no disappointments.  There are no detectable, dents, scratches or blemishes.    No issues or smells with this guitar or the original factory case – which is also mint and is an extremely nice (high end) case.

 

There are threads on the forum about Improv #13 with photos.  I’ll post some of my own later.   This will be also posted for sale on Evilbay tomorrow as well (and possibly Reverb) for a bit more to cover their mob-like fees.

 

$5000.00  via check or certified check or wire transfer.  Sorry, I am not interested in trades right now.

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Oh, man!

Scott, I do have fond feelings for my dearly departed Improv (in natural). Unfortunately, I am on lockdown until I reduce headcount another dozen (or two).

GLWS!

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We want Improv porn,  We want Improv porn, We want Improv porn, We want Improv porn, We want Improv porn, We want Improv porn, We want Improv porn........................We want Improv porn.

caddie

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Caddie wants Improv porn!

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Clearly the neck pup needs to get "The Peter Green Treatment", perhaps that's why it won't be the next 4digit.  Plus no crown inlay.  No crowns?!  No Crowns.  No Worship.  CROWNS, CROWNS, CROWNS, CROWNS, CROWNS, CROWNS.........................

However the $10k price tag alone makes it a historical Hamer.  I know, some of you will labei me a traitor, a heretic, evil.  Give us Barabbas!  Banish me to the gear page!    

No more Mr. Nice Guy.

caddie

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WOW Chris - now  ^ ^ ^ THAT'S ^ ^ ^  impressive work.    The only change to the COA now is that Kal has signed it.  :)

Like other guitars with unique finishes, this one's actual color is difficult to accurately capture.  In a darker room, it ranges from a darker caramel cognac to a lighter true cognac in natural light.  Its pretty darn cool.

After looking at it closely in natural light, it could probably use a decent polishing to get rid of the swirls on the front and back etc. - no gouges or anything deep, but the swirls are there.  I just want that to be known. 

The five latch case also has a music pocket in the interior of the lid that I never noticed until today.  It is a very nice case with a comfy padded handle.

I apologize - I'm not a very good photographer.  I tried three different setups inside the house to get the lighting right and they all really sucked.  So I shot these photos outside in the sunlight in literally about a minute because of the heat and humidity difference is crazy here today.   Other than cropping them - these are unedited (not autocorrected for color etc.).

OK, enough blabber - on to the photos.

 

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The binding is incredible.

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Back grain is tight and straight.

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So is the grain on the neck!

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Sorry about the dust - but you can faintly see the awesome grain on the headstock.

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Case is extremely nice.

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Pocket in the lid will hold an 8.5x11 sheet of paper - music - etc.

 

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Now I get it.  I still can't get.  But now i get it.  I can't/don't/won't/ buy it.   But when you go into the Chevy dealer don't you go straight to the Corvette. I can't/don't/won't buy it. But man ya gotta dream, ya gotta have dreams.

Back to the Improv.  Man, the details are awesome. Where do we start with the details.   heal cap, 2 upper strap buttons (very thoughtful) carved ebony flying bridge, ebony tuner buttons, lets hope they are true ebony not All-Parts ebonoid, multi ply binding (could have been abalone just to slut it up a bit),  neck markers need to be abalone dots, or crowns.  Remember, No Crowns No Worship.  

Still needs pickup with Peter Green Treatment. Maybe options like; Kahler, abalone boomers on the Super Tramp/Slut Edition, on board pre amp, locking tuners, Seymour Duncan '59 bridge pup, piezo bridge, name engraved neck adjustment cover, Stadium size Headstock logo

The case.  Ah yessss the case.  The Official Grampa Munster Edition, along with case candy:cigarette holder & monacle,  "The local guitar picker got his guitar pickin' thumb"  or any one of dem bones, dem bones, dem crazy bones, buzzard leg bone slide. 

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The George Thorogood Edition case has Cobraskin exterior, case candy: a cobraskin necktie, and a copper pipe slide, no picks.   Cheers!

caddie

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2 hours ago, Northfield said:

 ( I got in trouble because they took so long to do)  It was hard finding ebony blocks big enough. 

 

I think I found an archived photo of Frank U. breaking the news of Mike's labors to Jol. 

blood_feud_75.jpg

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2 hours ago, Northfield said:

Wow, loved that one.  Tail piece, pickguard and bridge were hand made. ( I got in trouble because they took so long to do)  It was hard finding ebony blocks big enough.  It's a 3 piece neck. 

 

Mike,

As usual - more spectacular work.  Its glaringly apparent that you love ALL the guitars you've crafted over the years. 

And good for you for taking whatever time you needed on these - its an amazing guitar.  I wish everyone could see this guitar up close, finger-hump it and play it - its that nice. 

Yeah, I know what you knotheads are thinking - sorry, but there will be no, "Improv #13 HFC World Tour".  :) 

 

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