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Showing content with the highest reputation since 02/28/2024 in Posts

  1. Just received a Korina Standard I purchased this week. I’m surprised. This is light, comfortable and resonant as no other guitar I have ever played. But need to get used to it before a definitive verdict, you guys know I’m more of a V player. Yet, this thing looks like a true work of art, the ultimate expression of guitar craftsmanship. WOW!
    29 points
  2. Finally! Man, this thing is just cherry. God, I have missed owning one of these.
    25 points
  3. For those around here who know me know that I spend a lot of time scrolling through guitar listings in Japan. including the Yahoo Japan auction site. There is seller seller there who offers handmade guitars. His YJ ID is leftyseki621. He seems to average about 2 per month. And while I know nothing about him, he seems to get consistently good reviews on YJ and I know of at least one person in the US who bought one of his offerings and raves about it. Here's a list of his feedback, you can click through to several of his older sales: https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/show/rating?userID=leftyseki621 I just took delivery of a Handmade Explorer he recently listed. Man, this thing is a beast! Outside of my Shishkov Ultimate, the neck is the best I've had on an Explorer style guitar. Nice and fat with some shoulders, between a 58 and 59 LP. And a nice dark rosewood fretboard to top it off. The one piece slab of African mahogany is really nice looking. it's a thin nitro lacquer finish. He describes it as similar to what was used in vintage Gibsons. It has a slight relic finish. All the hardware is Gotoh. And it plays very well up and down the neck, nice low action with no buzzing. The only knock are the pickups. I'm not quite sure yet if they are keepers. They are a set of 1976 Maxon U-1000s. Initially they seem a little on the brittle side. But I will mess with them and see if I can dial in a more pleasing tone. Otherwise, I have plenty of spare sets that I can try. I don't know who this builder is, but he makes a killer guitar. Given the opportunity, I may give another one of his builds a try.
    20 points
  4. I'm still going through my Jake E. Lee phase, and also my superstrat phase, so this should be no surprise. I have always wanted another SSH to replace the EBMM Luke III I had, or still have somewhere, but finding one that is set up so that the volumes aren't vastly different is hard. I remember @LucSulla saying that the pickup set was very balanced on his Jake E Lee in Lavender Pearl, and then I noticed that the Music Zoo in Long island (about 1.5 hours away) had one in stock that was "used excellent", so I went to check it out. The pickup set is slightly different on this guitar, being that the JB in the bridge has an Alnico II magnet instead of an A5, but the rest of the setup is the same. I'm not sure how the neck compares, but I like it, and it's got a nice shape. Now some may say "Dave, you hate guitars with gold hardware, so wtf?". Well the bridge and jack plate aren't gold, they are brass. The rest of the hardware is black, and the finish is just a beautiful color. Sure it's not translucent or sparkly, but this reminds me a lot of the old "blueburst" that EBMM used on some guitars in the late 80s, including the early Steve Morse guitars, before they switched to a translucent finish. It plays VERY well, I'm just on the fence about keeping the .009-.042 strings on it, or going to the .010-46 I usually use. The sound is great, and once I get the setup exactly where I want it, it's gonna be great. Now if only the weather had been great. Holy crap people do not know how to drive in heavy rain / almost whiteout conditions.
    19 points
  5. Photo courtesy of @Jeff R @BadgerDave @MCChris
    18 points
  6. I also prefer the traditional models. I paid $3,600 to have this one made.
    16 points
  7. Met up with @bubs_42 this morning for a vintage guitar show in Elk Grove Village (Chicago suburbs). Some decent stuff there. I was able to refrain and walk out without spending money. Altho, there was a Kurt Wilson Korina Junior that was calling my name. Anyway, there were three Hamers in the building. And this guy. If this was anyone on the board, sorry I didn’t tap you on the shoulder and say hey. My momma always told me not to talk to strangers…
    16 points
  8. Hadn't seen this one either for a while (about 47 years). One of the nursing assistants that's caring for the Missus is the daughter of the bass player, and she sent this. This was caused some retrospection and introspection for various reasons. For one thing it was taken around the time my first marriage was imploding. The band was named Sunstorm, and this picutre dates from Spring 1977. Perusing this closely is interesting concerning the gear: Donnie, the lead guitarist, played a Les Paul Deluxe, I played a Gibson L6-S and John the bassist had a Rick 4001 (he was good; he could play "Sailor's Hornpipe" on it). My amp was a undistinguished Kustom 4 X 10. It appears I've got a can of Finger-Ease on the top of the amp, and methinks those are some off-brand/cheap copies of Kalso Earth Shoes (negative heel) with which I have my right foot entangled in the guitar cord. Donnie was also the guitarist in Executive Rock (earlier trio photos posted here); after Sunstorm split he'd played on my demo album and had been pestering me to start performing live again after eight years; Executive Rock cranked up in early '86 and lasted about four years. He died in 2004.
    15 points
  9. Yes, it's definitely worth attending ... vendor booth space is sold out, and the exhibition floor is the fullest I've ever seen it. We are booths 307-308, with 23 custom guitars and basses for hands-on test drives. The show begins at 10am Sat and Sunday at the AgExpo Center. Come make noise with us!
    15 points
  10. My latest mop crown installation, this was a very satisfying project and they look incredible, they are luminous, gathering whatever light is in the room and glowing at all hours of the day or night... Import Monaco that had ugly plastic victories, so no Hamer USA's were harmed in this project❤🎸
    14 points
  11. I have to confess I was only slightly interested when Gibson sent an email with the subject line: "New Music From Slash: “Killing Floor” feat. Brian Johnson" "Meh," I thought. Killing Floor? Brian Johnson doing the AC/DC screaming thing? Meh. This was a complete surprise! Hope you enjoy as much as I did. Brian Johnson in a lower register, singing, was a treat (to me, anyway). The whole ensemble was much more appealing to me than I'd expected of any one of them.
    14 points
  12. Nice looking one for sale on Reverb. No affiliation. https://reverb.com/item/79928090-hamer-studio-custom-2003-59-burst?utm_content=feed_listings&utm_source=braze&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily-Feed-Email&utm_term=Feed Email
    13 points
  13. I had a TV Jones Classic Plus in it after the stock “hot” Duncan P90. Managed to secure a 1956 soapbar and just tried it today. Reads about 8.5. Sounds like a Jr again. I convinced myself the vintage pickup was an “investment.” 🤣 Now I should probably sell something. No sound but here is a pic. EDIT: S/N is 050366 in case anyone cares.
    13 points
  14. New banjo day !! A 1983 Phantom XII. First things first, Hamers come up for sale relatively infrequently on the Australian market, particularly 1970s and 1980s models. Even less so the Phantom, and add to that, a 12 string - pigs might fly, I've never seen one on the open market in Australia. The owner bought this new from Gaslight Music in Bondi, Sydney. Daryl Miller, Gaslight's owner, had been importing Hamers for a number of years after forging a friendship with Paul Hamer. Gaslight later became Eastside Music with a new owner. I bought my first Hamer Sunburst - a '77 - from Eastside in 1986/7. Shop manager Rick Falkiner jokingly tried to sell me a 6-string Phantom or a Blitz, but I was stuck on the Sunburst. Sooooo.......the purchase today of this guitar completes a circle of sorts. The ad for this guitar came up on FB marketplace about a week ago. I saved it in FB, and tried not to think too much about. The seller was about 90 minutes from me. I msged him on Friday and to my surprise he confirmed it was still available - I was sure it would have sold given the price he had on it. The guitar is in great condition, and unmodified as per the seller - it needs a clean, but there are no nicks, bumps or gouges. The frets and hardware are in great condition, and the electrics work as intended. Pickup output at the jack is just under 7k for the single coils, and 10.5k for the humbucker. Can I ask what model of DiMarzio pickups are in it ? The guitar is comfortable to play standing or sitting, and the neck is a good thickness and easily playable. And if you think a Standard case is big - the oversized case for this is about 7 cm longer The seller also had a 1963 Strat in a powder blue (suspected) refinish, and a 1956 Esquire, both with original cases, the Esquire's needing a hinge repair. The Esquire allegedly had belonged to Glenn Frey. He said he had an old Danelectro and other guitars, all of which he had acquired in the 1980s. I tested the Phantom through his silver-face Vibro Champ, he also had an old AC30. To top it off- here's the clincher - the price in AUD was not a great deal more than the HFC standard offer Apologies for the long post, I'm quite excited about this purchase PS any tip for removing the musty case smell ?
    13 points
  15. I lost my standards 20+ years ago when I stumbled upon you freaking clowns.
    13 points
  16. Gotta rip another band-aid off. This was my very first Hamer. Even though I'd seen and fondled some of the very first Standards, the guitar, the money and I didn't wind up all in the same place until this one came along. It a '93 in very good condition with some minor honest play wear, polish swirls, etc. It's completely stock except for a switch to Schaller strap locks. My go-to "something with humbuckers" for 30 years. Hate to see it go. PLUS, it has the uber-cool uber-rare checkerboard TKL case. Offered here first for an HFC good buddy price. $1,250 plus actual ship. Cash, MO, PayPal F&F (only). CONUS only. Hit me here or at: tomteriffic1952ATwohDOTrrDOTcom Feel free to ask questions.
    13 points
  17. Since he made it so easy to steal his identity, just open a credit card in his name, buy it on ebay, and he has to pay for it. Everybody wins! Except him of course.
    13 points
  18. 1996 Gibson Explorer in Cherry that I bough local and was a single owner trade in. A true “Closet Classic”, few bumps and very minor scratches here and there but not a screw or piece of hardware out of place and has everything down to the case candy with it. It’s in the in the 8lbs range so it’s not a boat anchor either. I took as many pictures as I could, every side, angle, no surprises. Frets were polished and are absolutely free of any defects, guitar was setup and plays great. $1700I will ship Cont US Only. If you need more images, I have them. Buy from Bubs! https://i.imgur.com/n9kmGdal.jpg https://i.imgur.com/RTsT8ael.jpg https://i.imgur.com/36yPTtRl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/84TuhYMl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Wzi6tiQl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vkSua4Vl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/nITyDhal.jpg https://i.imgur.com/3YrPfpZl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/AAE4rgfl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Slq2cXbl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/lIROTWll.jpg https://i.imgur.com/oGkoxA2l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/kF2lP6rl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/iIaPIfFl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ujnqULtl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/eHWfbS7l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/V7nsyDvl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2BTFu9el.jpg https://i.imgur.com/z56pZnXl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/G1bflYtl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/VRtNJRAl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Uimc3qUl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/4BWmnRdl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/1jHoMCll.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Wpl83yml.jpg https://i.imgur.com/RRLVdJYl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/oll9hUjl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vwPjnzYl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/sqK0Ph7l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/uD4ek4fl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/krUAd7ll.jpg https://i.imgur.com/9Xj8KnMl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/b3jlassl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/KD0S9iwl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/lYzLJxVl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Lnrml1Al.jpg https://i.imgur.com/cbO1D0wl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/9YxiSLvl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/bnzRRNtl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/oW1zPDDl.jpg
    12 points
  19. Never thought the day would arrive... but I'm selling off my remaining 2 beloved heavily modded Cali Elite Limited Editions. I just don't play them as much anymore. Most of you who know me, know the story behind these. If not, PM me and I'll fill you in. '89 Cali LE's with mods to control configuration, Floyd cavity length and finish. Upgrades include stainless jumbo frets, Orig. Floyd, Gravelin Mongoose in the bridge, Gravelin SC in the neck on the Swirly and a SD Hot Rails on the Cali-oactive. Schaller strap locks & a Kill switch tone pot on both. These things fookin' RAWK. Both come with a OHSC. $2400 each + shipping.
    12 points
  20. Again, no affiliation, sweet looking guitar, reasonable price. https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/2010-hamer-talladega-pro.2545879/
    12 points
  21. I have been looking for one of these for quite a while, this popped up on reverb yesterday, sent him an offer which was accepted and it's on its way, including some gratuitous obscure Hamer case candy!! So excited!! Can anyone comment on this Wilkinson tremolo? Is that a good switch from the stock sustainblock? Acceptable switch? Am I going to want to change it to something else?
    12 points
  22. Hey gang, been a while since I've updated this thread. Hope everyone here is doing well. Truthfully, I've been going through some crap and my marriage is coming to an end. That drama should be over in roughly 2 weeks, although I'm sure I'll be putting up with aftershocks for quite a while. I'm staying in the house, so I'll still have my garage and I'm pretty stoked about that. To top that off, 2 days after Christmas, my dog was attacked by another dog while we were out for a walk. I won't go into details, but it was literally the most traumatic event of my life. Long story short, there was a large hole in my dog's leg that had to be treated as an open wound due to the tissue damage. We have just now begun taking walks in the past week and getting back to our normal routine. To help me escape and just simply stay out of the house as much as possible over the past 8 weeks or so, I started a bass build to keep me occupied. The project is nearly complete, so I won't really be posting play by play commentary. Instead I'll make a few larger posts with the highlights. I have another bass build coming up soon that I'm making for a friend of mine, so I'll be sure to post progress as I go on that one. Anyway, I decided that I wanted to further develop the design that I posted last year. Remember this one? I love that bass. I honestly play it all the time, it just sounds fantastic and plays great and is very comfortable. I decided to make a 5 string version in 37-34" scale length. I also wanted to widen the body across the upper bout. The bass looks bigger in pictures than it actually is and it is just tiny across the waist. I just wanted it to be a little more substantial. This version will also have a very thin body with a carved core and drop top glued on with vacuum clamping. I have a sort of an evil twin or maybe a yin/yang thing planned for the 5 string and it will largely be black to contrast its predecessor, which I'll admit is a little on the flamboyant side. Here is a shot of the original body template laying over the new body outline. It isn't a huge difference, but I like it. I also made the lower left bout shorter... although that is covered up in this picture. I loved that laminated neck combination on the last one, so I did it again. Hard maple, mahogany and bloodwood all separated with black dyed poplar pinstripes. 13 total laminates. Truss rod being installed and laying out reference marks. I decided to change my order of operations and leave the neck blank full thickness as long as possible this time. This made a lot of other processes easier, but I was concerned that I'd be screwed if the neck moved after it was cut down. Here I've attached headstock wings to accommodate the headstock width. I've also already cut the compound headstock angle. It's a little more work to do that, but you don't end up with an awkward triangular transition up by the nut if you use a compound angle. Slotted and radiused the fretboard, then cut the taper using a template at the router table. Here I've routed the binding channel as well as the steps for the "winglets" for my headstock design. This looks extra confusing because the neck blank is still full thickness. Installed the headstock binding ala a Les Paul Custom. Prepped up some bloodwood and black poplar veneers to accent my winglets. I definitely wanted to use this neck mounting technique again. I am convinced that the brass is a big part of why there is such clarity in the lower register of that 4 string multi scale that I built. I mean the multi scale aspect does play a part, but this system is just so rock solid, it's ridiculous. It mounts with 6 1/4" 20 furniture bolts. The extra holes are for weight relief, not for more bolts. Installed and trimmed the winglet accents. Glued on the ebony fretboard and installed multi-ply binding. I love this look. Fret slots still need to be cleaned out and that fretboard extension still needs to be trimmed flush, but it is coming together nicely here. OK, that was a lot for one post, I'll put more up over the next few days.
    12 points
  23. While I may suffer some bouts of seller's remorse, I have been extremely lucky to have been the caretaker of some awesome Hamer USA guitars. @JolDantzig was the guy where I first heard this from "I'm the caretaker of a few, I don't own any." I'm enamored with the Japanese, so I "honorably borrowed' the phrase and placed it in my profile. I try to keep this experience in perspective. Over the decades, there has been some clearing of the "The Great Southwest Korina Forest" and not just Korina either. Those "Standards that got away", at least I still see posts from time to time of previous speciems which once were part of the Great Southwest Korina Forest. That would include #004 Korina Standard @zorrow recently acquired. 30+ years with this place and 45+ years of being able to visit Arlington Heights a few times there has been a few that have been beyond my reach. I have recently done a deep dive into Living Colour and in particular Vernon Reid. I recently re-read a post where Vernon was quoted "I have sold/traded/donated/gifted a number of different instruments over the years-the story of each is a different lesson in Letting Go." - Vernon Reid @ “Vurnt22” The beauty of that post is Vernon had just reacquired the MLK Jr. Hamer. Sometimes, you have the opportunity to be the caretaker again, albeit a short period of time. Best wishes, Hamerica
    12 points
  24. I am not gonna contribute with a Standard that got away. But about 20 years ago I bought this one - 0146. And declined an offer to buy a 1969 Les Paul Gold Top in almost mint condition with factory humbuckers for 2000 $. I could only afford one at the time, I choose the Standard. Should have bought the Gold Top too. What would that one be worth today.....? 😕
    12 points
  25. This is about as nice a Hamer Korina Standard as I've ever seem (YMMV). Hamer really made some spectacular guitars towards the end. Those 10K Gibson Explorers look pretty weak in comparison. https://reverb.com/item/80861844-hamer-custom-order-standard-korina-explorer-2008-vintage-korina
    11 points
  26. This is two straight years I've put a cool Tele in Vince's hands. Brad Paisley liked that same one too ... here's Brad in our booth with my good pal and Carondelet artist Corban Barnes.
    11 points
  27. This crossed my FB feed this morning and I immediately sent it to Rechts. Never have I seen a more fitting photo for his social media profile. Reminds me of the sh!t we did on the HFC days of old ... love you guys.
    11 points
  28. No lost ones yet. But these are candidates.
    11 points
  29. This is me after listening to the new album from Judas Priest and then grabbing the new Standard: 😜
    11 points
  30. Ha! That’s ME! Tap next time☺️ Pretty good local show this time around, LOTS of people. I sold a Taylor baby that I dragged in and didn’t bring anything new home. I did play Larry’s mini standard ( the Greg Howard/ Kayla Reeves guitar) it’s like 5lbs and fun to play. Really compact, would probably be best standing with a strap for me. I’ve had my eye on that one for years since it first popped up for sale. Cool to finally play it. A few cool old Deans at the show this time, been a while since I’ve had one, maybe next time. Mark
    11 points
  31. This looks really nice on the 'Verb. No affiliation. https://reverb.com/item/80858393-hamer-30th-anniversary-guitar-2004?utm_content=feed_listings&utm_source=braze&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily-Feed-Email&utm_term=Feed Email
    10 points
  32. Somehow, through all of the the ups and downs of the past decade, I've managed to hang onto 2 of my 3 Hamer USA Standards. Sold the one on the far left just a couple of months ago to a lovely fellow in Iowa.
    10 points
  33. Looks hot! and cold.
    10 points
  34. I was only single for about 18 months. Then I upgraded.
    10 points
  35. I have had and lost two. The first one I special ordered in 1979 and received in 1980. Sold it in 1982 when I got married. The second one I bought around 2007 from David E here and sold when I got divorced in 2008 (from the same woman).
    10 points
  36. How bout some Asian sensations?
    10 points
  37. 9 points
  38. I had #10 (I think) and it was hands-down THE best Hamer I ever owned. Not sure what or how, but it was a cut above all others. So, yeah, I sold it.
    9 points
  39. Had this '97 first. Sold it. 5 years later, got this '97. Sold it. Both were awesome. I'm an idiot.
    9 points
  40. It sure is. No, they were not numbered, but that one definitely came after mine, which was a 2003 and was the 13th one made. I know it's the 13th one made be cause it was the 1st one made after the original two rounds of 6. I am good at Math.
    9 points
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