cmatthes

I agree it's expensive, but it's been that price for years. And we ALL know we're talking list price here, and end customer price is generally substantially less, right? Edited to add, I'm curious what the "norm" is for bound f-holes as a build option out there. That's exactly what I paid 4-5 years ago for my M3's bound F-holes. Yes, it is an expensive option, but I wanted it for that guitar for a number of reasons (most of them sentimental). If you've ever watched Mike Shishkov bind an F-hole, it isn't a simple pop-in job. Many manufacturers use pre-formed bindings and just snap them in with a little glue. These are done by hand, precisely mitered and formed. You have to break out a better lens to see the joints where the binding comes together on mine. The work is spectacular. Is it too expensive? Purely a matter of opinion, and depends on how much you're willing to spend or what something like that means to you. I had two guitars built when my Dad passed away, and pulled out the stops on both, as those will be passed down to my sons. Simply put, you may pay a lot for a Custom Hamer, but seriously - stack those prices/options up against Gibson or Fender Custom Shop or PRS' stuff, and you'll see that the prices really aren't that far off the mark. In many cases, the Hamer stuff is thousands cheaper. I just got a Sweetwater catalog in the mail this afternoon - that totally backs up this point for me. I don't care for the high Hamer prices either, but that's the way it is for now, and you get what you pay for with them. If you are buying a guitar for resale, very few make that cut. If that's what you want, buy one of those and don't complain! Also, I can definitely see a lower-priced Hamer model, but it'll be something stripped-down and won't be a $1,000 guitar. Even a run-of-the-mill Strat costs that much. If you do get a more wallet-friendly new Hamer, it's going to have to run no less than $1,500 STREET. They simply can't build a quality guitar for $1k, and neither can anybody else in the US. (and yes, that monkey in Gale's sig is freaky as hell!)

We're gonna need a bigger boat!

Is it "Limed Mahogany"?

Interesting to see that thread has been closed. (yeah, right!)

Almost missed that Ice Pearl Snakeskin Chap in the middle there!

I think Jeffro has a copy of this one...

I don't know that I'd accept $70 AND that guitar. It looks like closet filler to me. I've just never been of the mind that because something is cheap, it's a good deal. I'd rather put $70 towards something I'd actually play... ...or drink.

I guess that besides the Zero feedback, I'm not seeing the problems with this one. Pricing is on the high side of reasonable, but still under $2k and for the flamed body option, which is BY FAR the most desirable across the board configuration for this model. Is this the infamous Craigslist one or something?

The yellow ink they used to stamp the serial numbers on black guitars from that period often just fades away...like invisible ink. It's there, but the blacklight trick doesn't always work. Pretty safe bet that it'll be an '81 though, in any case.

Bingo! -Austin 100% Right there with ya.

My thought is that if the opening bid is $1,750, there will be few bidders and it may not even get a nibble. If the opening bid was a non-reserve low price, it would probably go well over the current opener. I actually think $1,400 is low for one of these. I know they aren't selling for $2,500 like they were a year or two ago, but as always, the market will set the price - at least the price this month.

Good luck finding a flame Cali for $1,400 anywhere...

Gentlemen (and ladies)...START YOUR ENGINES! http://cgi.ebay.com/Hamer-Californian-Elit...=item45f1601245

I'd welcome a Rick 4003; Hamer Monaco Bass; Hamer Electraglide; Rick 330 for a project

If this isn't gone by the end of the day I will give all of you stern looks. Seriously! I was even starting to think irresponsible thoughts over that one.

Nice welcoming post, Mike A.!!

I think that cane was so's he could administer a whoopin' to Al Dunbar and his brother Bruno who coerced Rerun, Raj and Dwayne (Hay Hey Hay!) into bootlegging that show. Boy, did those kids fix those bad dudes' wagon when all you could hear on the tape was Rerun eating popcorn... Somehow, they got led out of the Soda Shoppe in cuffs anyway.

"But Rerun - I thought you guys were our friends ... how could you do this to us?" I saw them on their first "Farewell Tour" in '82. There were no flashpots, but there sure was a LOT of smoke in the Spectrum.

Totally fake, but still funny! I see a lot of typical band issues/personalities in there. Wonder if the poster is picking on somebody in particular?

We'll have to get these together for the Xmas card shot...

My thoughts exactly. I play .10s at a minimum, so if .009s are causing problems, there's more afoot there in my opinion.

Hmmm. I'm over there all the time - guess I missed that one!

You can get a M3 anytime. Just place an order for it. What forum was that, out of curiousity?

Thanks so much! You all rock. Yeah, ya do!