Hamer Monaco Elites???

[kurtsstuff]

Not sure this is the right forum or not? but, I've been eyeballin these guitars for the past couple few years and notice that they will be for sale for months and years in some cases. Most seem to be in the $2300-$2800.00 (The higher end usually has a make offer option but most don't) with the few that are obviously "dreaming" of getting anything near the price they want apparently. I guess my question is...are they not desirable? Are they not a great guitar as most Hamers are? I haven't jumped on one yet and would really like to but if it turns out not to be my thing I don't want to be stuck with it. I don't mind taking a small hit on things I resell (Education ain't cheap..lol!) but to me it looks like it would be a substantial hit if that were to happen. Anyway..Just curious??? 

[Kerry Marchman]

They are fantastic guitars, like most Hamers are. They tend to be Les Paul heavy, but that just comes with the territory. I think if you can get one to your door for 2K or less, you have done a good job. Well worth having IMHO. Start throwing out some offers, and someone will need the cash.  You'll be happy you did..

[hamerhead]

Here you go:

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Hamer/Used-Hamer-Monaco-Elite-Smokehouse-Burst-Solid-Body-Electric-Guitar.gc?source=4WWRWXMP&utm_id=590216646&utm_creative=71537248082103&utm_marketing_tactic=guitar&msclkid=69bdfa0569ac1c78e0f790b2a1beecf4

"...in stunning Smokehouse Burst...." 

$2K isn't terrible (lowest I saw in a quick search). Make them an offer they can't refuse.

[hamerhead]

....Or this pretty blue one on Reverb:

https://reverb.com/item/93553403-hamer-monaco-elite-indigo-blue-2007?sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=1001765&awc=67144_1790429678_948911063c731b167cb169553b94e163

$2250.

I've never owned one but came close. It was very similar to the 'Smokehouse burst' one above. It felt great, like a Hamer (great neck, don't remember it being unusually heavy. It was new and right around $1500 (20 years ago). Shoulda. Didn't. Stupid (and poor).

Being a Hamer, you'll take a hit or sit on it awhile. Nobody seems to be buying shit now. At least with GC you can send it back if it's not your thing.

[Jakeboy]

I had a short scale Monaco Elite Mahogany years ago and it was great and did the LP thing very well.

I now have a hollow Fender-scale Monaco Monaco which has an incredible neck that is downright Shishkovian. The carved top Monacos are typical Hamer quality…overbuilt and super-playable. And the shelf is a non-issue.

Buy with confidence.

[duncans]

I had a Goldtop Elite P-90 that I never should have gotten rid of. It was alittle heavy tho.

[Travis]

I played a Monaco Elite many years ago and it was a great guitar. Really considered getting one in trans black but never pulled the trigger. To me they sounded more like a beefier Hamer Studio than a Les Paul, but with the right EQ you can get super close. 

I think most people turned their noses up at them because of the “shelf” on the treble side at the neck joint. Although, many of those same people wouldn’t say a thing about that shelf being on the original LP Jrs and Specials back in the day…

[django49]

My 2 cents.....I do have an Elite. Goldtop with non-original P90s. Lollars, IIRC. IMO, it is a better guitar than the original 1956 Goldtop I had for nearly 2 decades. (Longer story on what happened there). Suffice to say it fills that niche very well. Yeah, there IS a difference in market value! 😉

The "shelf" is not an issue for me on either that guitar or my number 1 Hamer (Monaco Superpro). Do not expect either to pop up for sale.....

 

[kurtsstuff]

10 hours ago, hamerhead said:

....Or this pretty blue one on Reverb:

https://reverb.com/item/93553403-hamer-monaco-elite-indigo-blue-2007?sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=1001765&awc=67144_1790429678_948911063c731b167cb169553b94e163

$2250.

I've never owned one but came close. It was very similar to the 'Smokehouse burst' one above. It felt great, like a Hamer (great neck, don't remember it being unusually heavy. It was new and right around $1500 (20 years ago). Shoulda. Didn't. Stupid (and poor).

Being a Hamer, you'll take a hit or sit on it awhile. Nobody seems to be buying shit now. At least with GC you can send it back if it's not your thing.

Yeah..I've gone back to that one many times and your right..it is pretty! I've had my eye on a red (Not a stock color) one that's been there for over 2 years and I've made what I thought to be legitimate fair offers but, He/she has a number stuck in their head that they aren't budging from which I totally respect. It is a custom color and all..lol!  I just may have to cave in...lol!!

[The Shark]

I have one I'll be taking to the Tampa Guitar Show next month.  It's got a blister "10-top" with a sunburst that's very little yellow to lots of red.  It's killer, but is a bit weighty.  A little over nine pounds.  Impeccable workmanship. Near mint.  From the vault.  It will be $2,500.