CheapStandard

I'm following this one. Different weight and sound than a Custom, but equally worth to play. Excellent value for money. Add quality hardware to it and it rivals the original. Is it a Korean model? Nope, it's Chinese, which i've always heard put down as the lesser guitar to the Koreans. And that assertion may very well be true... i've never played a Korean, so i can't say. My Chinese STD works fine for me though.

Granted, my Hamer is only a 2005 CIC XT Series STD but, when i was trying to raise some cash a few months back, i almost couldn't give that thing away. I had it up on Craigslist multiple times for $400, $350, all the way down to $200, which is what i got it for on CL a year ago, & i didn't even get ONE email about it. NOT ONE!!! Not even a question. In hindsight, i'm glad it didn't sell because i ended up falling back in love w/ it. It's not my # 1 (or even my # 3) but it's a truly great sounding & playing guitar. And it looks pretty incredible too...ebony w/ a creamy white pickguard & rosewood fretboard. After playing it pretty daily for awhile, i picked up a Gibson Explorer @ GC &...it felt like a toy. It also paled in comparison, aesthetically, too. The Hamer STD not only looks better, imo, it just felt like a much more substantial instrument in my hands. I know some people don't like heavy guitars, but i don't mind the extra weight in exchange for the better looks, sounds & feel of my lowly Chinese Hamer XT STD. As for their crappy resale value, it was a blessing in disguise in my case. Generally, i think most guitars are WAY overpriced these days, "vintage" or not. Because, on some level...it's just a guitar, you know? Anyway, i don't mind that some of the guitars i like can be had for cheap & i kinda hope their resale value stays low...at least until i can aquire a few more.