Andrew

Was the serialization done differently in '78, or might that be #8 0894? Must be 9 0894.

Does anyone know the approximate serial numbers of the ones affected by the twist issue. One bundle of fingerboards - how many,12, 20 or more? Prefabricated boards that caused the problem were the crownedbound ones rather than dot, I believe.

You're wrong. South Africa is RSA. That finish is known as "Camel Dung Sunset" and it was made in Saudi Arabia.

Small dot, shorter headstock and shim-bridge. That puts it somewhere between 8 0380 and 8 0450. Probably. Updated Sunburst article is here: http://www.buddlejagarden.co.uk/hamer/sunbur1.htm

KK Downing's white one was Kahlered. In the ad. both Had Kahlers, note the blank rear of the seafoam one. The white one might be KK's. I guess less than a third of them were Kahlered, which ony means half a dozen or so.

Page two and nobody's offered three-fifty yet? This board is slipping. Certainly a most desirable lump of wood.

Yes, on a push-pull pot. Works fine. If you have the 'buckers out of phase then you get humbucking in the middle position with the tap. Not very straty in tone though, but still very useable.

Sad that Hamer really is gone now, and for keeps. Best of luck to all those who have to look for new employment. I hope you all find something suitable for your (not inconsiderable) talents.

Yep, non reverse headstock was new at the time, but then Hamer went all non-reverse for the Diablo I and II in 1994-5. Also, they made a few more very similar Diablos without the inscription. So slightly less limited than the inscription might suggest.

It's not a Diablo II as no middle pickup, but a Diablo Ltd, Ed. These were made for the UK (Trace Elliot) in1993 and there are 20 of them. Nicer body wood, cherry sunburst and bird's-eye maple neck. The toggle switch instead of a blade is another nice touch.

Nice grain pattern - what is the wood?

I've seen some plain tops but..... That looks like a refin in a solid colour.

And with a unique cloaking finish that renders it invisible.

Super Sunburstastic! Love the Schaller 'but still look like Grovers' machines. Was that a special request?

Serial's right - that's the normal tuner arrangement for early 5-strings (pre-89), both Cruise and Chap. Looks like quite a lot of modification - cutaway scallops etc.. The best thing about a Blitz over a Chaparral is that you can use a forward saddle Kahler, which looks far more natural than the reverse saddle type you have to use on anything Fender bassy.