Hamerica

Its been awhile but I think it was Clapton, BB King, Buddy Guy and John Mayer on stage at the time with Jimmy Vaughn and band as the band. They were playing and Buddy gets up to play his solos while BB and Clapton who normally sit just played theirs sitting down. Mayer stands up on his time to play his solo and plays towards Buddy Guy. Buddy gets up and starts the back and forth riff war between Mayer. What Mayer does next I think honestly was to acknowledge and realize he was not trying to get Buddy into a guitar battle but played for a few more bars, placed his guitar down and did the whole "We're not worthy" bow and he walks off stage. Instead of Buddy liking this, it pissed him off. The mikes were on and you could hear Buddy going "Oh, no you don't G damnit...and he walks off stage after Mayer. That should have made the DVD. That and the whole set by Brooker T and the MG's, but what do I know. Unlike the James Burton Festival where Brad Paisley asking Eric Johnson to come back out on stage. Bad Brad was trying to get Eric into a guitar battle and Eric wasn't falling for it. Too bad. I gained a tons of respect for Brad that night. He can smoke a tele. Hamerica

I'll add one. I haven't liked anything he's done enough to go buy it at a Half price books and records or the discount bin. I don't think his tone is bad. I think his tone actually quite good. I was at the Dallas Crossroads and I didn't get it (John Mayer). I think Derek Trucks or Kenny Wayne are better than Mayer. I couldn't get past how painful he looks when he plays. Diamond Dave would have gotten him a doctor. The stuff between him and Buddy Guy that didn't make the DVD should have been on there. Buddy thought Mayer was dissin' him and took off after him cussin' but then again when have you ever not see Buddy Guy cus? Funny, I never compared him to D. Matthews. I don't like Dave Matthews either. I thought it was board policy that members don't let other members listen to DuMB. Wives or not. His name should be stricken from all tablets and temples, and places of honor.

I want to wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May this be a memorable Christmas for you and your families. Hamerica

Or is it that you run out long before you are done taking them? I can't decide. Is it Poeollween?

Sorry I am going to miss this. GOM is very entertaining although Robbie the Robot is pretty entertaining by himself. Maybe there will be some "dog walking" as well. The only band I know where the audience thinks it's the Rocky Horror Show. Record? Stevie Clay didn't tell me anything about a stinking record.. Vinnie who is always talking and telling everything he knows didn't say anything about a record. Ray, who...just needs to keep behind the drums and don't start any trouble, didn't say anything about a record. The lead singer who replaced the second lead singer that replaced the first lead singer didn't say anything about a record? Wow, I gotta call Skeez and get a bootleg! Maybe the Queen will send me a demo tape. Record? Is this all original material or will it be cover tunes. "Walk Away" is a shue in. Hamerica

Although this is no surprise that Kaman sold off the music division, again it will take some time to absorb this all in. Hamer USA is not the bulk of Kaman Music Corp. I am in agreement, I hope they keep the current Hamer Racing Team together but I think there are going to be some posititives. Hopefully, there will be more of an open thought to certain custom orders. Want that California set neck. I think that might not be such an issue anymore. I remember how people reacted when Kaman first bought out Hamer. That wasn't pretty either. Lots of mudslinging and pre - Kaman phrases being used. The faithful has had the ability in the past to get their input into the company and the current line of Hamer has made some the best most consistent instruments. Ovation owners are probably thinking the same things. I am going to keep a very open mind about this. I don't think it ever hurts to take a company private. Maybe Hamer will be culled out in the future and sold to another private party. Just a thought. Hamerica

Damn, it is really scary when I think about how much I agree with Brother Chris. That (his list) looks almost like my wish list of stuff I would buy even right now. You can throw in a few of the 80's Hamers as well. As far as vintage, it kills me to see the dealers part out guitars but they have developed this market. I agree with Serial, I wish my stock portfolio had done as well as some of the guitars. Matter of fact, I wish my 401K plan would have done as well. I am pretty sure that almost anything Hamer 4 digit in fairly clean condition is now reaching mid four digits. I don't know how long that will sustain but a lot longer than most batteries will last. I still think the top end of gear is just numbers game and not necessarily based upon transactions. The only exclusion to that might be Flame Top Les Pauls. But that is a stellar class which I am not privy too. I am sure if you had the cash and wanted a late 50's Korina Vee below current list. I am willing to bet it can be negoitated. I also agree with buyer beware. You need someone that knows the particular brand inside and out. I can assure you even then, they (the pros can sometime still be fooled). It is best to buy province pieces at top dollar than to look for the elusive score that turns out to be less than what you wanted or thought you had. Just my two cents. Hamerica

Happy Birthday isn't enough. BCR Greg said it first, To one of the nicest guys on the planet. I'll buy you "one" next time you come into town. Of course, buying Jeff one is a case. Happy Birthday, Jeff!

Now I know why GMPs hardly ever show up on eBay...DAYUM! Wow! Those GMP's look fantastic. It is too bad they are no longer making guitars, they were producing some very good stuff. Yeah Batman has some very cool Korina pieces and I didn't realize Poe had 3 Hubers. Nik is building some nice stuff as well. Keep posting the collections guys! Very impressive. Hamerica

Serial is da man. I personally have seen one of the GTs with volume and tone but that would be very uncommon. Hamer always has surprised me at the number of one offs and other things that they have done. That Phantom GT refinned in black looks stunning. Congrats. Jerseydrew, let us know if you scored. Hamerica

Yeah, I agree with Peter on this one. I would pull the pickguard before buying the black one. I have a feeling a single coil or the space for one will be there. The Phantom GT should be one single volume knob. Again old phantoms are not all that common. They appear on ebay every once in a while. The Chap Max Bass is a score. Ebony board and boomers. Hamerica

Oh this is going to be interesting....

I heard this morning it was suicide and I didn't comphrend it. Don't know that I still do. I understand what Craig stated - both times. Personally, my heart goes out to those affected by this and that have experienced it. It is very easy to say "Get help" when they do not have the ability to believe there is help. Some people don't even know how desperate they are. I won't get into my personal life but I will say that it is tragic and sad for those affected by it. From the person that takes their life to the people they leave behind. I have had friends and associates of mine that have had to endure this to a much greater extent than I. A coworker and friend of my lost his son-in-law and his daughter the week of Christmas in a murder/suicide this past year. I had met the daughter a couple of times. I have no words to comprehend this act nor could I find the right words to say to my friend. When I was 19, an employee of mine, was arrested while doing an errand for the company and hung himself in jail. Try to explain that one to Corporate. His girlfriend worked for me and asked me to give him a job as he had lost his job and was struggling. My assistant manager actually did the interview and hiring. (I hadn't thought about this event in 20+ years.) I had only met him once for less than 20 minutes and I don't think he worked more than a couple of days. More sadly, I couldn't tell you that much about him. I can recall however vividly, the pain and suffering from his family, (his mother called me at home to ask me "WHY" questions that I could not answer), the police investigation, his girlfriend totally a wreck that eventually lead to her quitting to "move on with her life.", his new co-workers who would tell you he was a "nice guy" , - just somthing I hoped I would never experience again. My original thoughts were, (to me), he had wasted his life. He was 18 years old and had his whole life in front of him. I thought it was strange that no one could see or knew this was coming. When I was 17, a childhood friend of mine whos father was my baseball coach, decided to end his life by hanging himself. I don't recall the actual words but he basically wasn't happy with his life and felt alone. I sing (to myself) "Elleanor Rigsby" when I get depressed. I don't know why. I just know I am not alone. With my deepest sympthany to those that suffer and those whom have suffered. My deepest sympathy, Hamerica

After all the songs and bands that played in the 70's and the 80's, Nothing affected me until the late 70's early 80's. That' when I got gas. "the instrument that started it all"? Two pictures. They weren't action shots or anything that really got to me. The first one was a picture next to the song "Big Eyes" in the booklet as a mini concert guide for Cheap Trick Like At Budokan. It is a picture of Rick with something in his mouth with him waving his hands frantically like he is going into shock with the foreground being the Greco RN Model, the famous Zandard, and some other off brand guitars all containing checkerboard straps. BINGO! The second one was a picture of Rick in bed with Tom P looking over him. I am not sure where that photo came from but he is acting like he is sleeping with the guitars. I think the Mandocello, some LP's and the Greco along with others are all there. BAM! Zonk! Pow! Forget my first concert. The damn guy changed guitars after every song. I just though everyone must do this. But when he brought out this Red Flying Vee with a bigsby, and he said, "I just had to bring this to Texas" the place went nuts. I don't even remember the song. All I remembered was the Vee and everything being checkerboard. I have never been the same. Hamerica

Ah, nothing better than showing up at a guitar show wearing an "Ozzy Oswald" shirt. One of my favs. My other one is "VEEronamo" Killer Vintage indeed. I thought the Power Trio was a little over the top, but Hirahito I thought was in good jest. However, I try and stay away from stereotypes or Peter Conda won't do my laundry or grill crab legs. Hamerica

"Dude, Your takin' the vows? - Sweet." J"K"B - Man, congrats. I wish you and yours all the happiness in the world. There is nothing more important than family. May you and your new bride being a blessing to each eternally. Hamerica

The current Monaco Elite question got me thinking. Where are all the guys with the Triple Threats? Has it been a year since they were out (or longer)? What is your opionion of them now versus when you first purchased it? I haven't played one and haven't seen anyone really talking about them anymore so, I am curious. How do they rate compared to your other Hamers or other guitars? Did the neck angle make that big of a difference? Thanks in advance for the replies. Hamerica

Raging Ard or Turbo G. should know the market. They have had or have purchased several of these in the past. They are going up. Set necks are hard to find. Hamerica

I agree with all of this. In fact, there should have been many more "that sucked" comments, but you can tell the after-song segments are heavily edited, so who knows? Ape Boy has the whole package, image and vocal talent, certainly more so than any other contestant at this stage. He's got that Udo Dierkschneider appeal to him. It's something I never thought possible, as who knew any existed in a Nickelback song, but the Canadian chick sucked all the power out of "How You Remind Me." She or the "Roxanne" butcher are the obvious choices to go. Add Navarro to the list of guys who were better/cooler when they were on heroin. Newsted should have been the new bass player in Gov't Mule. Lee is precisely in his element. I am pretty sure MC Chris hit this out of the ballpark and sums it up for me. Lee is in his element. I was looking forward to seeing some potential talent. I lasted two singers and turned it off. Masters of whatever, and lame talent shows are giving me more reason to turn off the idiot box and pick up the guitar. Last night, the TV Hamer Junior got placed back in rotation. All that talk about Virts and single pickups got to me. Hamerica

What Serial said! Great score and welcome to the four digit club. Those dark bursts are just killer. Right next to those Natural Bursts, next to the Tea Bursts, next to the... Hamerica

Hey Zipperneck! The finish was orginially called BCR Burst. Hamer changed the name to something else. BCR Greg can tell you how they decided on the color I think the original color was for a Stevie "bygodhecanplay" Clay. It is a very cool finish as it brings out the flames in guitars. Brother Chris - thanks for the pic. Hamerica

Oh, boy. I told myself when Hamer first made any single cuts, I was going to get one. Forget that - I needed to place a custom order. I'm not good at posting pics but I am sure there are some of this one floating around. I think I have the first Monaco Elite with a three pickup configeration. The Queen picked the top at an HFC event, I was instructed not to let go of that piece of wood. We placed a custom order Elite chambered, one of the real BCR Bursts, and lots of flame. Very, very cool guitar. The second one I own is one of six that BCR Greg had done. Scooter had owned it and put it up on the bay only to be washed down stream to Tejas. I stupidly almost sold that guitar. Some Dumbass came into a local guitar store I was helping out and made the comment that it wasn't as good as Brand X. Some other guy I didn't know said "Bullshit, plugged her into a Zinky and wailed. My mouth dropped. I hadn't made her scream like that and me likey!!! The shop owner was all smiles. His wife had already forbade him to play that guitar in store as it resulted in crys "can I have it". Common sense overcometh. Dumbass then played and wanted to think it over. That was all I needed. As soon as the shop was closed I said, "lets take that one down" and safely took it back home where I put it through some vintage tube. Said, Dumbass came in the next day to buy the guitar - too late. Hopefully he will find another Hamer and redeem himself and be promoted from Dumbass, to Believer. Amen! Hamerica

Songs that "stopped you dead in your tracks" There are too many to name. Here are ones that I have wore out in not particular order. Hush - Deep Purple He's A Whore - Cheap Trick (ah, punk rocks) IWYTWM - Cheap Trick (The Live version, please). Babe le Strange - Heart Paint it Black - The Stones (Thank You, Brian Jones, rest in peace) Eleanor Rigsby - The Beatles (Saddest Song I have ever heard) Mind Games - John Lennon King of the Road - Roger Miller Oh My Darling Clementine - Huckleberry Hound ( I have been told I sang that song almost every day when I was three or four. Maybe this should be in the category of "shitting in my pants" instead of stopping dead in your tracks...LOL) Cult of Personality - Living Colour Rooster - Alice in Chains (Instant attraction - to my father two timer in Viet Nam. Doctor Love - Kiss Crying - Roy Orbison (Most Haunting Voice I have ever heard) Little Sister Dont'cha - The King (James Burton on Guitar) Controversy - Prince Carpe Diem - Andy Timmons Holy War - John Butcher ( I hope history does not repeat itself in this case) Too Cool From the Wire - Dirty Looks Manic Mechanic, Jesus Just Left Chicago, Cheap Sunglasses, Brown Sugar, Wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole, Heard it on the X, Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers, - ZZ Top Wake Up Little Suzie, Dream, Bye,Bye Love - The Everly Brothers Love Removal Machine - The Cult

Congrats Jeff! That is one strange duck from Hamer. Double humbuckers like a diablo. Very interesting.