Sam

Hey bobbymack, got any other pics of EM #1?

I never tire of looking over Miss Feb & Jan. But you know that, right? Gotta get a proper scan of the Jan pic some time. I picked one up earlier in the year (new) , though returned it due to an undisclosed blem/ding. I've been keeping an eye out for the perfect specimen since then. --

Agreed on the Sustainblock- I find the ability to adjust the height of each individual string to be very handy in setting up an axe to my taste. Also, while I dig the appearance of the upper bout toggle switch, I prefer to have a blade switch right by my picking hand. Looking forward to the Elite report.

I've got my Newport needs sorted, so I was hoping there would be a few more Tally-Gas inducing posts around the place! Make it a Tally Pro and be the first to educate us on it... I wonder if this one sold for best offer outside of the 'bay: http://cgi.ebay.com/Hamer-Talladega-Pro-El...A1%7C240%3A1318 BTW, where's that promised Monaco tone report, eh?

Classic!

Score !

For me a genuine keeper has to score well in a number of areas. I'm not bothered by investment value; nor do I want to pay a premium for arbitrarily decided collectibility or bling. I begin by looking for quality of construction and exceptional woods (so that I don't pine for the next one I see that comes up for sale). Because I buy online most of the time, I then test for tone and feel when the guitar arrives. Some people talk about a honeymoon period - my new guitars go through a boot-camp phase, and if they come up short they will invariably be resold. Repeat this process enough times and you end up with some irreplaceable guitars. Don't you love it when they turn out to sound and play as well as they look?

I was waiting for your pics, Bubs. Pleased that it's a knockout...

Found this Mon on Tom Dumont's guitar blog. Pretty cool. http://dumontguitars.blogspot.com/

I've always enjoyed looking at your Elite, Sentinel. The figure of the top is subtle yet captivating (especially noticeable in some of your older pics.) A true beauty. I was very close to making a bid for that one when it came up for sale. It just oozes vintage vibe. Neck too skinny to get along with? Edit: Just noticed that you have it now Scuba. Congrats! Tone report?

2004 Newport. It's currently strung with flats, and serves as my quasi-jazz tool.

Ya big tease! Looking good....

Case closed - thanks for the update Gmann. - I've taken your pic down now (requires browser cache to be cleared). I can see why you wish you still had her!

Thanks Sonic. Fortunately, it does sound as good as it looks. I wasn't a fan of the Phat Cats in my spruce Newport, though they work perfectly with the maple top. Thanks for the info - I thought it was ebay. It's certainly a great looking Elite. Looking forward to seeing what you've scored.

I can't put my finger on where I got this pic (might have been ebay). Anybody have any knowledge the guitar? The pic was taken on a Samsung camera:

Did you see this one on the 'bay a couple of months back?

I think you're right on the Y2K. Having had a bit more of a look around, I'd say that the change took place at some point in 2002. I did a web archive search and came up with the following two guitars from 2002: Edit: And as Chris has pointed out, some models retained the black nut until at least 2005: 2004: 2005:

Seems reasonably common on the first Superpros, though I still can't find that combo on a Newport. I wonder if the decal was dropped for the inlaid logo at the same time as the change of truss-rod cover.

Now that I think about it, I don't think I've seen a black nut on a post 2001 Newport. Perhaps Jol saw the Newport as being particularly vintage and thus adopted bone for the model a little earlier? Don't know if this Y2K is stock: I can't say that I've seen a black synthetic nut paired with the newer truss rod cover design.* Any idea when the Gibson-like cover made its debut? edit: * on a Newport. -

My 2004 Newport has a stock bone nut. I contacted Hamer about my 2007 custom ordered Newport, and it has an ivory nut. Beautiful material. I thought the change from synthetic to bone took place in 2002?

You could always fund the MONEL by selling me a certain something....

I've had a Gibby SG in my arsenal for the last decade or so. I can't compare it with a Sunburst, though it's worth pointing out that none of the set neck guitars I've had over the years (Lesters, McCartys, Studios etc) sound much like it. That thin body makes for an inherently distinctive (biting) tone.

Thanks Neil! It's good to finally see what went down in the Hamer booth.

I loled...and it's my Lester.

The giant red letters on the one below spelled out Fragile. Insurance is the key...