Tres Aardvarks

I already want a Northfield guitar, and no, I can't afford it!!

Most of the people on this board aren't that familiar with the non-US Hamers, so an in-depth discussion may not occur (as compared to referencing variations in the US models). As for the differences between the US and import lines, there are two key differences: Luthiers - the US guitars are handmade by top notch luthiers. These guys are AMAZING. I'd be shocked if the imports weren't mostly machine made. As a reference, check out this thread of work being done on the last US Hamers: http://www.hamerfanclub.com/forums/topic/60068-creating-a-hamer-a-behind-the-scenes-look/ Materials: there seems to be a pretty big difference in material between the imports and US versions. Compare the Special Jr. Import: Mahogany bod, Hamer brand pup, non-branded hardware. US: limba bod, SD pup, Tone Pros bridge, Schaller tuners. I don't think you'll even find a US made basswood bodied Hamer (as standard) like that SFX2, but I could be wrong. Do the imports seem to be good bang for the buck? Yes. Are they built to the same level as the US ones? I have yet to hear a single person who has played both say "yes".

I submit this again for body shape and neck. All the pup combos said above could go on there, the Sustain Block too. Too blingy? No flashy top and an opaque finish.

Thanks so much for sharing these! It's awesome to get to see the in progress shots and appreciate just how good you guys are! I even showed these pics to my wife (who builds a lot of stuff around the house).

Holy hell! What did you go and post that for? Meeeow! I've been eyeing up jazz boxes for a while and this is totally lust worthy(especially given the builder himself) And no, a jazz box isn't a working man's guitar, nor will you get one like that for $1000. But Hamer did make an import jazzer!

Oh my word. Clearly this is going to be a rejected piece...note the block was oriented 180' WRONG!!! Go ahead and send this piece of firewood down to my place, I'll use it as a doorknocker!!

Awesome! I've gotta make it up for this. I was up in Rockville for 2 days and couldn't make it to Rocketeria (damn work!), so this sounds cool. If I can make it, I'll bring at least a couple. Probably my 12ver, and one of the 6stringers. Edited to add: sorry for the thread hijack!!

How many HFCers are there around DC/Richmond? Can't believe I missed the book signing. If there's another area event, I've gotta get a hall pass from the family to come out!!

You're offering to ship your guitar around? DAMN!!! You are good people, Gene!!!!

Extending: I had used it on travel listening through the headset and was quite impressed on the sound. Yesterday, I managed to connect it to my Hifi stereo. The impression was it is not made for this. I had already learned that the headphone output volume of the iPad is fairly low powered. The overall sound through the stereo then was thin and lifeless.I may still use it on the go. But for now, it's not my preference at home. I use an Apogee Jam into my iPad when I travel, and a pro buddy of mine uses the Jam into his Macbook Air (and Amplitube) for his show rig (like NAMM) and song writing on the road. The iPad works well enough for composition that I have yet to hook up my amp and Lexicon Omega...that may change now that I have a shiny new MBP from work.

Chapparals were mahogany (and some had flame maple tops). I can say the necks on my 2 Chapparals do not feel the same as either of my 2 Californians (the Chapparals are a little thicker and more rounded), but the Calis don't feel identical to each other either.

All I have is shredder guitars, and I sure don't shred! The neck profiles seem to vary, but my Chapparals have thicker necks (slightly) than my Californians.

We were down at DisneyWorld all last week, missed the storm, and drove back to Virginia Saturday and Sunday. I-95 and US-26 looked like tornados had come through. When we got home we discovered our neighbor had plowed our driveway for us, so all I had to shovel was our walk. Busting through the layer of ice on top kinda sucked but better than doing the whole long driveway!

I thought cork sniffer denoted someone who would debate the merits of super boutique equipment, not debate the lower echelons. From my view, when you deal with lines of higher standard(easier to differentiate between the same company's product lines) you increase your odds of getting a really good guitar. Down in the lower reaches, you might find a great one but the odds are lower. Obviously this varies manufacturer to manufacturer. When debating the differences between a $3k and $7k electric guitar, you're talking about the law of diminishing returns. Is that $7k guitar more than twice as good as the $3k one? Highly unlikely.

Damn Peter, just DAMN! Tasty!

If I need to mapcheck where my hands are, I look at the dots on the side of the board. I never look at the front of the fretboard itself so it doesn't matter what is on there. The boomerangs (compared to a dot) did drive my guitar night buddies insane when they'd try to watch my hands for chord changes as we were learning a song.

I ain't modding this one! I wouldn't either....but wouldn't it be awesome to have one? Heck, a maple board/ebony boomer neck would look awesome on my iri CE!

You know what a maple boarded Cali needs? Ebony boomerangs!

I use a Mono bag. Highly recommended by my touring pro buddy (who takes a Mono double bag all around the world). I've checked it at the gate a few times(we fly small planes out of Charlottesville) & have never had any issues. Edit to add: I wouldn't have gone for the Mono if I was just going back and forth to practice. Mine was bought specifically for lugging guitars on business trips.

A lot of Queen, King's X, the top 100 of 2013 from our local independent radio station, and a whole bunch of tunes to learn for open mic

If I had any trade bait I thought you'd be interested in, I'd be waving it your way

Damn!!! A buddy has one of those and I keep trying to get it from him. The Bigsby kills it for me though

Just my Cort Neil Zaza Signature series. Was too busy with a travelling job, two moves, and building a house to be buying anything music-related!

That is awesome!!! For years I wanted a bass with whammy (back when everyone was saying I'd blow out speaker cones using it). Have a blast with it!

My fave guitar... and it being played by my little man. As for pros, here's one. Brad played Hamer 4 & 12 strings. Funny how much my taste in music has changed since my angry high school days