Restore? Refinish? Pedal it? Or???

[Hbom]

I found this guitar over the week-end. I believe it's a 1985 Hamer USA Steve Stevens model.

Now I don't know what to do with it. So I am looking for suggestions.

Here's what I know:

Appears to be Steve Stevens 1st version built in 1985 136xx built.

I think it was Sea Surf Green original but now is maybe more like pea green.

Paint is chipped in several places & shows age cracks,especially lengthwise on the neck & back of HS.

Black head stock w/Steve Stevens Model Hamer, very good condition.

Back of HS is neck & body color w/1984 Steve Stevens and Kramer Inc. Serial numer in ink or paint?

22 fret rosewood neck in very nice condition,some fret wear, might need 1st 4 replaced.

Paint on body is worn and faded. Several chips and scratches, NO major Breaks or damage.

Floyd Rose (made in Germany) missing whammy bar, mounting studs & post, and trem springs.

Nut is missing all screws & the string clamps, area under nut shows that previous owner changed it out and back again leaving some paint damage and the above mentioned parts missing.

Pups have been changed, undersides read, N-2NQ, M-2BQ, B- large B in a circle.

Wiring appears to be original parts but has had pups soldered on & off.

It looks like the initials JF were scratched in the wood inside the trem cavity. Before it was painted! Does that make since?

Comes with original Hamer hsc that has been saving this guitar from damage alot! Still serves, but pretty rough.

So here's the question. Should I restore it? I don't know wheather it is rare or what?

Should I refinish it? I could but somebody might prefer to keep it as a relic.

A good paint job is probably beyound my skill level.

So there it is. Any and all comments would be appreciated.

I haven't got pics figured out yet so if this link doesn't work e- me.

http://s1193.photobucket.com/home/dReit

[Feynman]

1) Pics

2) Pics

3) Pics

[Stike]

1) Pics

2) Pics

3) Pics

Yes

Yes

Yes

I don't know if the SS's will ever be really collectible like 4 digit Standards so if it sounds/feels good I say do whatever you feel like.

On the back of the headstock the copyright Steve Stevens/Hamer Inc. is a dry transfer decal and the serial is inked.

[Steve Haynie]

If you have photos we can help you get them posted, but good pictures are really a necessity for detailed opinions.

There are people on this message board who can professionally refinish your guitar, but only do that if the guitar is a keeper. Getting the proper decals for the front and back of the headstock is going to be tough if not impossible.

[cmatthes]

Don't refin that one!

[Bloozguy]

Don't refin that one!

+1

It's a cool color...just set it up and play the heck out of it

[Jeff R]

Looks like that ice pearl "booberry" blue color with a good case of clearcoat yellowing over age.

I had one of the booberry SS's identical to that back in the 1990s. I showed up at BCR's shop several years later and bam, there it was. How it got from the swamp to Pennsylvania in the years between I dunno.

FWIW, I wouldn't refin it. Looks cool like it is.

[edgar_allan_poe]

Definitely cool as it is, I would leave it alone.

[Feynman]

I would like to rock that like a hurricane.

Sadly, I lack the ability.

[BubbaVO]

I would like to rock that like a hurricane.

Sadly, I lack the ability.

I could rock that like a drank a hurricane.

[serial]

Sky blue pearl. Standard but not often seen finish.

[bubs_42]

It's ugly so you should sell it. PM or Email Me.

[GusS]

holy fuck that looks amazing. please don't refin!

Other than Serial's chaparral ive never seen another hamer with this stock finish.

[Hbom]

UPDATE:

Well, the decision to not F up this old sweety came pretty quickly last week. Thanks to all of you who offered such accurate comments and advice.

I have decided to not do anything with it personally. Too nice to re-finish and I'm not qualified to do a restoration.

So look for this guitar in a closet near you soon!

I'm sure the proud new owner will be wanting to share his good fortune with you all. So I will leave that announcement to him.

Thanks again for all the advise. I'll be hanging around. I may be Hamerless now but hope to cure the situation soon.

[Kurt L]

I think you should refinish it.... pink!

[Disturber]

That one looks cool. It's not that badly worn either. I'd keep it as it is for sure, polish it and treat it like a lady. That is one cool guitar. Keep it original :-)

[David B]

That's cool finish. The white pickups could go!

[bubs_42]

Well it arrived today. One Cool Color IMHO of course, tomorrow off to the Local Shop to test the truss rod and then thanks to a great bunch of HFC'ers I've aquired all the needed parts to bring this one back to life. These have great necks, i can't wait to put it back together.

[backinit]

Nice one bubs!

What are you putting "under the hood?"

[bubs_42]

Nice one bubs!

What are you putting "under the hood?"

Slammers

[specialk]

Great score bubs! I love the finish on it. Good to hear they have necks you like too.

[jujisque]

cool find, and a cool finish. You'll have to be sure and show us the final product.