BubbaVO

Thanks for the review. I was tempted to head over to Crocodile Rock...now, I'm not so sure. Messing up lyrics, pyro guitars that don't light, spot lights that didn't quite work...all that was missing was that he didn't step on a dwarf dancing around an 18" stonehenge. Ace in my memory banks is cherished. Don't see the point in messing that up now.

Our first rock record was Rockn'Roll over. At that point, it was sayonara to Shini Suzuki. Hello Ace. He's still not the most technically proficient guitarist. But his solos definitely grooved and were lyrical. One of my guilty pleasures is playing New York Groove. Glad to hear he's still sober. Please pass on best wishes to him. Gene took himself way too seriously. Ace certainly was willing to ham it up. Even Paul would get fed up with it. There's a You Tube video out there with Paul just sticking it him with a look and Gene really getting mad. The fact that Ace is still a draw and gathers this much traffic on a non-Kiss website sure is testament to his influence and staying power. Good for him!

You have to give those guys credit. The original line up came up with a very good "schtick" (intentional use of Yiddish). Musically, well let's say that there were few brightspots. Finally, when the original line up petered out, Gene and Paul ended up recruiting musicians that were better than the originals. Oh yeah, and they worked harder/smarter at what they did than almost anyone else.

Merry Christmas gang! All the best to you and yours.

Bump. I've got GAS for a nicer Vector. And I'll need to free up some cash to address these symptoms. Give me a holla' if interested.

It has to be this ... To help pay for it, I had to unload my Studio Custom (liked it. didn't love it) and my Duo Tone (loved it. hurt to part with it.) So all I've got left is the Centaura...for now. Would I do it again? Well...you know the answer to that.

Been there. Done that. Then replaced drywall, carpeting, etc. when the emergency s-pumpectomy didn't work out. Stay dry!

What's the name of that seller? I don't think I'll want to do business with him based on your experience.

The guitar technique posts had me thinking. Buddy Guy, Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker aren't known for technique, but damn they're good. JP is also a blues player, so does it matter that he can be sloppy? He's pretty inventive within the blues - rock framework. Satchmo and Yngview - I love 'em, too. Roy Clark and Les Paul - Dayum those boys can play. I love hearing how they make this hunk of wood with strings attached just sing. The writers post got me to thinking, too. Not a fan of what passes for rock journalism. Willie G. really summed it up for me. My non-musical writing influences: Mike Royko (another Chicago Tribune alum); William Carlos Williams; Mark Twain (I'm reading his biography of Joan of Arc - that man had a command of the English language and understanding of human nature that was second to none)!

+1 billyon!

Certainly the old school Batman from the 40s and 50s would go for that totally cool guitar. But there are a couple of incarnations of the caped crusader... Adam West - See post above... Michael Keaton - Black Cali like the one in the '94-95 Hamer catalog Val Kilmer/George Clooney - Gibson Goth Christian Bale - Parker Fly: all black graphite - trem; piezo; double humbucker

Best wishes to both of you!

I was thinking about this thread while watching the Eagles impload. I'm going to contradict my prior post. What does Hamer want to be? Once you establish that, then you can assess whether or not Hamer's marketing plan is successful. They don't make shredders - they've been on the new vintage kick for over a decade. They make high end guitars that aren't for the masses (import lines excluded) and sell lots of them. (Although tonight, I took out the Talladega, flipped on CH2 and brought the Marshall/Mesa sounds of the trademark 60 - dayum! Chugga-chugga city. Harmonics galore. And I like playing the thicker neck. This is a ground breaking guitar. ) Their strategy is aimed at the industry insiders. This seems to have a greater credibility to me than the practice of developing a guitar around the flavor of the month. Would I like to see them back in the game? Sure...resale would be higher if they started positioning themselves more like Paul Reed Smith. On the other hand, the few guitar players I know that are really good have respect for my Hamers. In other words, they're willing to be Hoosier tires instead of Goodyear.

Doesn't Shakiras guitarist play Hamer's? Proves my point...and if he does, WHO is he? I know I'm probably in the minority here...so be it. And no, MTV is not relevant these days but I'd still say it'd be a great idea for Hamer to get a guitar into Scott's and other young players' hands. Certainly couldn't hurt anything now would it? Maybe they'd move beyond those of us here. Interesting story: I sold a Custom Shop Tele just today. The guy came to get it and was probably in his late 20s at the most...monster player who's into Brad Paisley, Knopfler and the like (interesting considering his age). He asked what I preferred playing and I said Les Pauls and Hamers. He said, and I quote: "Hamer's still in business?" When I pointed out they were, he seemed genuinely baffled because he considers himself well up to speed on gear and then asked, "Do they advertise?" My answer: "Yeah, I think they have real pretty ads with some semi-bald guy in glasses holding one of their guitars." I then showed him my Standard Custom and Studio Custom, which he totally dug. He had NO idea about Hamer guitars. For a very reasonable sum, I could consult with the powers that be and help them with a marketing plan that would have them top of mind and wallet in hardly any time at all. And it's not just about spending money...it's where and how you spend it.

I like the Robin Medley. They are today what I think Hamer was back in the late 70s and early 80s.

Too cool!

Well..that's really not me. But I think Tricia is just too cute.

+1 Very cool.

Will get out the rosary beads...

Nothing right about that photo. Isn't too hard too imagine that acidic vomit smell....ugh.

That would be the highly rare Custom 666. Hmmmm...I thought that was the one for Iron Maiden or Dio.

If you want that Glenn Tipton "Eat Me Alive" rhythm guitar chug, which would be best?

Assuming we're talking a maple top/mahogany bodied guitar, what are the differences between the CC bridge pup and the rio grande BBQ and the JB? I had a JB in a Studio Custom I sold. I know this won't be very popular, but I liked it. Whenever I let someone else play it, they would always comment about how hot the pup was. I've also got a JB in the bridge of my Centaura. Sounds like pure hairband heaven to me. I've got a Rio Grande in a 3 hole DuoTone, but that is a completely different top. I like the harmonics that I get with that pup - a very rich sound. So how does that CC compare?

Starting to sound like the KISS farewell tour...

Best wishes!