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We're at an AirBnb about 30 miles south of La Crosse (home of Dave's first guitar emporium), so a visit is mandatory. My wife is with me this time, but she is aware of why we're there - to swap the Rainsong for something better suited to my hands. Although it's not a done deal, they have a suitable replacement (more on that later). We browsed the main floor but nothing says 'buy me', so we head upstairs to Dave's own stash. It's my 3rd time but her first, and for a non-guitarist she was surprisingly into it. We made a long slow lap around and were starting lap #2 when Tim (yep!) the website photographer strikes up a conversation. Little did we know that that conversation would lead to about a 2 hour guided HANDS-ON tour of Dave's personal gear. That's right - one after another guitars were being pulled down and put in my hands. At first I resisted but my wife chimes in, "When will you ever get another chance?" and with that Les Pauls from '54 thru '60, Strats from '54 thru '64, and Teles from '52 thru I forget were plucked from their perches and placed in my now-sweaty mitts, each with their own tale. Not sure if I was more in awe of holding them or more fascinated with their history. What a trip! The Explorer/Vee/Moderne backstory, the wall of Gretschs, the Gibson Switchmaster, more stuff hidden in the back - and the five Hamers in the corner, including a checkerboard '81 Special and Keef's Belushi Standard (which had an even better story of how it came to Dave). The '54 Tele found caseless in a farmhouse attic and tossed into a dumpster by a clueless renovator, only to be saved by said renovator's brother, had to be my favorite. That guitar was as weathered as you'd expect, and flat out gorgeous. My wife was right - it was an experience I'll never get again, and won't forget for as long as I live. This here doesn't begin to scratch the surface. Holy hell what a day.

Go Find Another One

Hamer came first. The spirit came out in the early 80s...

I had a white one with a trem on it, bought it used at a local music store for $ 500.00. Definitely NOT a Hamer Sunburst of which I have owned 2 of.

Nope.

Found a former post on these

About 15 years ago I was stuck in Cincinnati over a weekend while there on business. I went to see Scotty at some local bar that Saturday night. Hung around to tell him “hi” and “wow” at the end of the night. Nice guy. He’ll play an entire solo of impossibly fast double stops and then end it by doubling the speed for the last line. Left me just shaking my head most of the time.

Hang on, gotta figure answer out. edit: i think i got it - grumpy f’ing a$#hole online

I found this Gibson Spirit : https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/gibson-spirit-e-gitarre-80er-jahre-original-zustand-sunburst/3404257650-74-8126?utm_source=copyToPasteboard&utm_campaign=socialbuttons&utm_medium=social&utm_content=app_ios This is Hamer‘s Sunburst origin, isn‘t it? I get identical GAS symptoms!

Mike will NOT build you an Ultimate. Period.

The late Stan Jay (of Mandolin Bros. fame) used to say that a lot, back when he had something rare or choice come into his store.

Let us know when you get that Shishkov how much it cost! arniez

Thank goodness I didn't see that as a lad. I had enough f-ed up notions about sexuality, (thanks to some rather twisted young ladies in my neighborhood) Not sure I needed any more disturbing imagery to add to it.

Go fuck an orangutan? Good fun and optimism? Get funky around Ontario?

1) Read the forum rules 2) GFAO

Bad form 😒

That was the one that intrigued me. I have a Red witch chorus that I was gifted here on the HFC and really like it, but I have a late 70's Ibanez Phase Tone II and a newer MXR EVH phase 90 and I think that covers all the bases. But I love a phaser. When we used to play Van Halen songs with a phaser I would always start it by saying "Oh no!, he has a phaser! Don't let him get out that flanger or we are all dead!" Yes, Totally useless information.

No affiliation. Price is CAD, as they are located in Lillooet, BC, Canada. "1986 Hamer USA guitar pickups from a Hamer USA Scepter and a Hamer USA Scepter V , both sets in excellent condition asking $200 per set or $350 for both. o.b.o" https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1347556223858397/

@The_Cali_Kid and he sold it back to me along with two other guitars and an amp. His Corvette engine block cracked. He decided to get a new Corvette. I've now guitar a few guitars and amp to sell.

Today? $10k. 😂

That was the deal of the year. People who don't know Hamer often thinks that these are cheap import pickups. The 10K Slammer version is one of the best hot paf's Dimarzio ever made.

He spoke in class today.

Who is this cherry?

Friends growing up were huge Scorpions fans and had all of the important vinyl. Even as a young boy seeing that for the first time, I found it disturbing.

I may be rationalizing how much I paid for my last guitar 🤪

Some people aren't true Hamer Fans and have lost money on investments instead of playing their guitars.

I respect your perspective but the person who bought Zorrow’s will have it in his hands within a matter of days or whatever he and @zorrow worked out. It is a beautiful guitar and I think the buyer is a lucky dude.

Dude is a monster!

I thought Jim bought new sets of shorts for gigs...

"Run" away, you mean.

I've been offered 7K for mine. I'm pondering it.

I got to hang with Mike and Trish last week for a long-overdue visit. I did manage to get a peek at #0093 (now residing with a happy new owner in the Greater Chicago area), and was -as always - blown away. Here's a bit of her story so far...in pictures:

A little late to the conversation... but oh my goodness, that guitar is a show-stopper. Really, REALLY beautiful work, @Mike. Congratulations to you and to its proud owner!