A Day at Dave's...

[hamerhead]

We're at an AirBnb about 30 miles south of La Crosse (home of Dave's first guitar emporium), so a visit is mandatory. My wife is with me this time, but she is aware of why we're there - to swap the Rainsong for something better suited to my hands. Although it's not a done deal, they have a suitable replacement (more on that later).

We browsed the main floor but nothing says 'buy me', so we head upstairs to Dave's own stash. It's my 3rd time but her first, and for a non-guitarist she was surprisingly into it. We made a long slow lap around and were starting lap #2 when Tim (yep!) the website photographer strikes up a conversation. Little did we know that that conversation would lead to about a 2 hour guided HANDS-ON tour of Dave's personal gear. That's right - one after another guitars were being pulled down and put in my hands.

At first I resisted but my wife chimes in, "When will you ever get another chance?" and with that Les Pauls from '54 thru '60, Strats from '54 thru '64, and Teles from '52 thru I forget were plucked from their perches and placed in my now-sweaty mitts, each with their own tale. Not sure if I was more in awe of holding them or more fascinated with their history. What a trip! The Explorer/Vee/Moderne backstory, the wall of Gretschs, the Gibson Switchmaster, more stuff hidden in the back - and the five Hamers in the corner, including a checkerboard '81 Special and Keef's Belushi Standard (which had an even better story of how it came to Dave).

The '54 Tele found caseless in a farmhouse attic and tossed into a dumpster by a clueless renovator, only to be saved by said renovator's brother, had to be my favorite. That guitar was as weathered as you'd expect, and flat out gorgeous.

My wife was right - it was an experience I'll never get again, and won't forget for as long as I live. This here doesn't begin to scratch the surface.

Holy hell what a day.

[a.bandini]

Very cool.  

My wife was impressed viewing it online, so it must have been especially fun in person.  

 

 

[RobB]

No photos? Dude. 

[hamerhead]

As we're walking out I say to Diane, "We didn't get any pictures!" I was so jaw-dropped at what just happened that it never even crossed my mind. In my defense though, I took about a thousand the first time I was there.

An interesting bit of Hamer history that I never knew: Dave had 25 Sustain Block Artists (in '59 burst) made to commemorate his first 25 years in business. I don't recall ever seeing or hearing of such an animal. This is according to Tim the Photographer, who apparently has a long history with Dave and the shop. Anybody here familiar with those?

[velorush]

1 hour ago, hamerhead said:

As we're walking out I say to Diane, "We didn't get any pictures!"

Good for you! I am amazed at how comfortable we've become with foregoing life in the interest of documenting it. How much are we missing solely in the interest of saving some visual record no one will likely ever care about or revisit?

This entire concept first occurred to me when in 2014 I took my daughter to see Rush (Clockwork Angels tour). Most of the place was watching the entire concert through their phones. Have you watched any of the fan footage of any concert on YouTube? Is that really worth foregoing the experience? Any experience? 

So good for you! Congratulations - you experienced life! 

[Spinaltap]

Sounds like a great time 

[hamerhead]

After doing a little searching, Tim the Photographer may have been mistaken. PRS and Fender did anniversary runs, but I'm not finding any Hamers. Big liar.

[duncans]

5 hours ago, hamerhead said:

 

An interesting bit of Hamer history that I never knew: Dave had 25 Sustain Block Artists (in '59 burst) made to commemorate his first 25 years in business. I don't recall ever seeing or hearing of such an animal. This is according to Tim the Photographer, who apparently has a long history with Dave and the shop. Anybody here familiar with those?

Was he confused with the Triple Threat Studio? 30 for Dvaes, 30 for Willcuts, 30 for Wildwood(??).

 

Such a cool store. I need to get back over that way again.

[DaveH]

9 hours ago, hamerhead said:

As we're walking out I say to Diane, "We didn't get any pictures!"  

And you call yourself an enchanter... 😤 😂