“Dr. Bear” TLE

Dr. Bear

Dr. Bear

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[SIZE=17pt]In ‘86 Jol Dantzig made a custom TLE for me. It was — still is, in memory — my favorite guitar. It is absurdly easy to recognise as Hamer put my nickname, “Dr. Bear”,  on the headstock.  [/SIZE]

[SIZE=17pt]Unhappily, a family member required surgical procedures not covered by her insurance; to raise the money I sold my guitars (and several lovingly maintained Wurlitzer EPs, a suitcase Rhodes, and heaven knows what else). A few months back I found a photograph taken on stage where I am holding that Hamer and the longing to play it again is just so intense, reminding  me of some of the happiest years of my life.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=17pt]I have hunted up and down on the net hoping to find the current owner so that I might offer to buy the “Dr. Bear” TLE from him or her. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=17pt]Though I have come up short, a friend told me that years ago he saw a post referencing that guitar on the HFC site. I would love to get in contact with the person who posted it so I can make them an offer to buy this guitar that was originally built for me.  [/SIZE]

[SIZE=17pt]I have traded emails with Jol — what a wonderful man! — but as he does not replicate older models I am left trying to find the original guitar. If you have any wisdom to share, any sage counsel, I would be most grateful.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=17pt]I can, of course, upload the photo of me with the guitar but my nickname, “Dr. Bear”, on the headstock should make the instrument immediately recognizable to anyone who has seen it up close. Fingers crossed....[/SIZE]






 
Dr. Bear said:
[SIZE=17pt]I have traded emails with Jol — what a wonderful man! [/SIZE]
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Someone had it in 2001, with changed pickups apparently:

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/ampworkshop/hamer-tle-anyone-else-play-one-t2412.html


 

Guest

Dec 18, 2001#3

Don't give up!
I've got an '86 TLE that I enjoy greatly. It has the hardtail (Sustainblock) bridge and what seems to be a series/paralell switch added (previous owner..not sure if it was a factory job...) Originally had OBL rail-humbucker singles and a JB in the bridge, but has undergone some pickup experimentation--currently the JB bridge, a DiMarzio Virtual Vintage in the neck and a 3 position switch (Mini switch as a coil-tap)
Mine's a 'burst (probably their '59 burst) and has a pretty nice flame when viewed up close. Plus, it says "DR. BEAR" on the headstock, so it may have been a bit of a custom job! Dunno.
It's always sounded just a bit bright to me. I'm still looking for the right neck pickup (or the right amp
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)
I'm a big fan of Hamer guitars in general. My TLE is one of my favorite necks I've played (especially in a sitting position--the body supports it at just the right angle!)
If you haven't been there, check out
www.hamerfanclub.com
lots of great guitars and great people...
Glad to know I'm not alone, either!
Best Wishes
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I don't think '59 Burst' was a color in 86? Not sure.
Good luck with your quest.
 
Welcome to the HFC!

Im working today, but I'll DM you tomorrow and let's see if we can make something happen for you.  :)

Best wishes

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Oh my!  I feel like asking if it remembers me after all these years and how it likes different pickups it’s met. 

I know you’ll think I’m insane but I’m remembering visiting Hamer in Arlington Heights (?) and seeing my namesake as yet unfinished, the body resting on a workbench next to others meant for Rick Nielsen and (I think) Billy Gibbons.

Do you think the current owner would sell it to me? How can I get in touch with him or her?

I’m going to try to upload the only photo I’ve got to make sure this isn’t some otherworldly coincidence. 

 
Here am I with Dr. Bear in hand in the late '80s on stage with  a young fan posing with my long-time friend (a great lead vocalist who, not incidentally, had worked for Jol Dantzig at Hamer). I know the photo is so reddish that one cannot see colors aright but it's the only one I have of Dr. Bear.

Dr. Bear on stage with fan.jpg

 
This is a good one, and a prime example of why I really like this particular forum. I've heard a million "guitar I never should have sold" stories and it would really be nice to see one have a happy ending!

 
Oh, no! I don’t want to embarrass my dear friend but Michael was a great lead vocalist and the best rhythm guitarist I’ve ever known. He had been in a band that (if my memory is still functioning) opened for Kansas, Foreigner, Journey and REO and sold hundreds of thousands of LPs for a major label... just enough to get dropped by the label in the “good” old days. He’s worked for Fender for eons now.

I’m pretty sure that the artist who designed our mascot, the two-headed dancing fellow embossed on Michael’s shirt, is now a well known sculptor in the Northeast. Sometimes I think we made more money selling those shirts than playing gigs. But I’ll bet that many of you on this forum have stories like mine.

 
Hi!

Tried sending you a message through the board, but it looks like you haven't got that set up yet.  Let's see if we can get in touch!

 
Dave, is there any appropriate way I can send you my phone number? My wife and I are heading to a choral concert this afternoon but I’m otherwise available close to 24/7.

 
Hamerhead, as it happens, my wife and I now live on three acres of woods in Kentucky, but between the bugs, snakes and coyotes.....

 
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