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'95 Special FM sunburst - should I buy it?


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Posted

Just got an offer to buy a '95 Special FM (Cherryburst?)...

It's supposed to be VG condition. A small chip in the paint has gone on the lower horn... Pups changed to EMG's... Original hardcase incl.

How much should I pay for it? How much is it worth?

:) (Haven't got a clue!)

It would become my second Hamer after my (fantastic) Elite...

(Yes, I've got a case of the Hamer's, already!)

:)

Posted

HamerHokie, is it more or less with the thinner neck?

Posted

Wow. And you guys call ME cheap???? If that has a case, $600 from a really nice reputable store is very reasonable.

I paid $550 for mine (can't remember if one pickup was changed to another Seymour) in nice shape several years ago. Worth every penny then. Worth more now.

Posted
Wow. And you guys call ME cheap???? If that has a case, $600 from a really nice reputable store is very reasonable.

I paid $550 for mine (can't remember if one pickup was changed to another Seymour) in nice shape several years ago. Worth every penny then. Worth more now.

1. EMGs - -$100 to get them changed out to something decent.

2. Then the condition comes into play.

Posted
HamerHokie, is it more or less with the thinner neck?

First, which do you prefer? Second, most prefer a thicker neck and there were a lot of Specials back then that were made with skinny necks, so resale value might not be as good (although some prefer the skinny ones).

Posted
Wow.  And you guys call ME cheap????  If that has a case, $600 from a really nice reputable store is very reasonable.

I paid $550 for mine (can't remember if one pickup was changed to another Seymour) in nice shape several years ago.  Worth every penny then.  Worth more now.

1. EMGs - -$100 to get them changed out to something decent.

2. Then the condition comes into play.

One bad ding?

minus $100? I totally disagree. EMGs have value whether you like them or not. Easily sold on Ebay and plenty of places to buy used replacement pickups. If you can do the work yourself, it's probably a wash. Maybe minus $50 on resale IMHO.

I still think $600 is a reasonable price from a retailer if it has an original hardshell case.

Posted

I would buy it at that price. I would also yank the EMGs and trade them off or sell them to fund some different pickups. I'll wire it myself and have fun doing it. I bought my 95 Special FM for $550 with the OHSC and no pickups (had 25th Anniversary EMGs in there). And I don't regret it a bit. The guitar was worth every penny, even if it did have a couple of dings in it. The thing is a monster player and a tone machine.

Just ask yourself, "Self, will I be happy with this guitar at this price?"

If so, don't listen to anyone else. I think you'd be happy with the guitar if it cost an extra $150. But that's just my opinion.

And if you don't buy it, let me know where it's at. I might look into it.

Posted

Thanks guys, for all feedback!

Now I'll do some thinking on my own...

(and talk to the bank) :)

Posted

A Special FM in Sweden.

Not to common. An ordinary

1990's special with P90's would

probably go for 5-6 000 SEK.

I'd say an FM in good condition

with original case between 6 - 8 000 SEK.

You can't really compare to

US prices. A better barometer

would be German Ebay. There

they go for perhaps 600-800 euros,

plus shipping 40 euros.

But then you don't get a chance

to check it out up close first,

so that might be worth a little

extra.

edit: Didn't see that the original pups are gone.

You need to rip those EMG´s out fast and

install proper pickups. But you can probably

sell them for a reasonable price and by a pair

of DUncans for the money you get.

Posted
A Special FM in Sweden.

Not to common.

Yep! That's the general idea! :)

Thanks for your feedback about the swedish market!!

(Useful info!)

Tack! Vi hörs!!

Posted

I'm in Louisville & frequent the Guitar Emporium. I've found their prices to be very reasonable on used guitars, especially ones that they are not a dealer for.

I've seen and played that guitar, and it's in real good shape. It's been in the store for several months. I can't remember the neck profile, but the guys that work there are all very knowledgeable and nice. Give em a call if you have any questions. Rest assured, they will take care of you.

Posted
I've seen and played that guitar, and it's in real good shape....

Give em a call if you have any questions.  Rest assured, they will take care of you.

Gee, thanks! That is even better info!

Hands-on knowledge of the actual instrument!! :)

Give em a call if you have any questions.  Rest assured, they will take care of you.

Actually, I just grabbed the phone!

(Wow, this forum is getting better by the minute!! :) )

Posted
Wow.  And you guys call ME cheap????  If that has a case, $600 from a really nice reputable store is very reasonable.

I paid $550 for mine (can't remember if one pickup was changed to another Seymour) in nice shape several years ago.  Worth every penny then.  Worth more now.

1. EMGs - -$100 to get them changed out to something decent.

2. Then the condition comes into play.

One bad ding?

minus $100? I totally disagree. EMGs have value whether you like them or not. Easily sold on Ebay and plenty of places to buy used replacement pickups. If you can do the work yourself, it's probably a wash. Maybe minus $50 on resale IMHO.

I still think $600 is a reasonable price from a retailer if it has an original hardshell case.

I with DavidE on this one...

How can you devalue the guitar by $100 just because you don't like/want the pickups? Or are you factoring $100 as what it'll cost you to replace them? You're buying a functional guitar. Stock pickups or not, the thing has the hardware.

Great price. Play the damn thing. who cares about a ding?

Posted

I now know why Hamers are so reasonally priced compared to other quality American guitars. Everyone who owns one or is on this forum is a cheap bastard. If that guitar in that condition had the name Gibson or Fender on the headstock, it would be going for over a grand. Still, when you go to the store, offer the guy $350 for it. After all it is used. :)

Posted

The chip in the paint definately hurts the resale on an already undervalued guitar and having to change out the pickups right away puts in under 500 in my opinion.

That said the Speial FM I bought from Mark North (I think that is who it was) is my main guitar now, it sounds great and is absolutely beautiful. I think its the best value of any Hamer you can buy by a long shot.

I fully recommend it but would say there are a others out there for a good price if you wait a little and look.

Posted

Again, thanks for all the support here!! :-)

Just got of the phone from the shop. I had a long and pleasant chat with the owner. After a short discussion about chips in the color, fretwear and pups... we agreed on the price - the guitar is mine for $500 !

(...plus shipping to Sweden!!)

I'm both happy and excited - as you all understand! The guitar will be shipping out tomorrow!! :-D

PS

The money is actually an issue for me as I'm just a "poor" public school teacher... I'd love to spend more if only I HAD it! :-)

Posted

Killer price. It's a nice store. Glad it worked out for you!

I am shocked that so many here think it's a $500 guitar though.

Posted

Shit, good score. I think you'll love it.

Posted

Great score !

In fact it's dirt cheap to European standards.

But you were warned about getting more Hamers if you stayed on this board.

Posted

600 with original pics is a great price...i don't about the EMG, but I think a good option besides the factory duncans can be some rios!!

Jeroen

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