Hello again, and any feedback on the Improv?

[scottmcl]

After a few years' guitar hiatus, I now find myself with some weird illness that keeps me housebound much of the time. So I took the Studio Custom out of the case and plugged her in. Played like a dream. Some wear on high strings and what sounds like a scratchy pot or something - but still sounded sweet!

Turns out I actually left her in the case with flat wound 12's on her. So I plugged her into an old Polytone (I'm a would be jazzer) and played Galbraith's arrangement of "Darn that Dream." Almost remembered all the changes

What I love about the hamers are the necks. Really playable and damned stable! Also, while I remember lots of issues with the stock pups, the Studio Custom is probably my only solid body guitar that gets a credible tone through the Polytone jazz amp.

I used to have a Gold P90 Archtop (or whatever the name) and an Eclipse, but I wasn't playing them and sold them to nice players who will treat them right by playing them. Before the long hiatus, a Gibson L4 was getting much of my attention and I still fondle her from time to time.

But I'm glad I kept my lovely Studio Custom (or whatever the name #747***). She was my first Hamer, has a great top, and I bought her used in mint condition for something like $700 give or take. Went back a few weeks later to the same store and snagged a Mesa Mark III with wood cab and cane grill for something like $800 more and I was in heaven! This was pre-jazzer era of my playing

Anyway, any feedback on the Improv? I hit Hamer's site for the first time in years, and was delighted to see the Improv! I've dreamed of a Hamer like that in year's past. But then I Googled and saw the price. That's one pricey axe, even for a nice jazz box. Sounds like a really great guitar design though. Couldn't find any reviews on the Web.

I think I'll put some DR's on the Custom and dust off the Mark III and really make some noise. This was a great forum in the past, and I look forward to participating again. Hamer forever!

Scott

[Craig]

Paging Copper Blue and Bill "anotherfreak"

I believe CB has one, and I think Bill has one in his guitar store inventory if I remember correctly. There are a few other board members with an improv, hopefully they will weigh in soon.

Sorry to hear of your illness, and that MESA cab sounds cool.

[Buzzy Fretts]

There's a review link on Jol's site that oddly enough doesn't show up via google:

Improv Review

Pheonix on the board owns Improv #1. I own improv #2. Not sure where the other 4 or 5 production models are.

These are wicked responsive instruments, extremely articulate. Light as a feather. They are not really suited for anything that remotely smells like hi-gain. But they play jazz and blues (from sweet to driving hard) with an incredible amount of dynamics. The top is so alive that it would surely be hard to use one in a live setting where there was any ambiant volume bouncing around from a full band. In a recording, solo live, or small ensemble stage setting these guitars can really shine. Its practically the only elctric I've had in my hands since I took posession.

[Guest galejt]

Scott.

My wife suffers from CFS, the oft-maligned "yuppie flu." She is in her 6th year and it looks like complete remission has set in as long as she doesn't exceed some rudimentary boundaries. I guess my point is, if your predicament is anything similar, maybe we can help.

Jim

[scottmcl]

Jim, thanks so much. I'm heading back to the neurologist again Mar 18, and there will be some more tests. There's some measurable nerve damage after a strange, prolonged viral flu (none of the horrible candidates). More diagnostics, but the fatique and what not might well point to CFS. I wish your wife the very best.

I envy you Improv owners! I have a Heritage Sweet 16 with a pretty thin top and maple back/sides. She feeds back like crazy, but you can just feel the top/body respond against your body when you play. Haven't touched her in years. The L4 has plywood sides and a thicker spruce top. Still feels great, and sounds great after about a year of breaking her in (and adding an ebony bridgee and some futzing).

How thick/thin is the Improv top? What's a top on the top sound like? I once owned a Newport Pro Custom for a week or so, and the top end was VERY bright. Any darker smokier tones coming from the Improv and the cute little pup on her?

[Tres Aardvarks]

Scott.

My wife suffers from CFS, the oft-maligned "yuppie flu." She is in her 6th year and it looks like complete remission has set in as long as she doesn't exceed some rudimentary boundaries. I guess my point is, if your predicament is anything similar, maybe we can help.

Jim

Back in college, I had a doc actually say to me "if I believed in it, I'd say you had chronic fatigue". I'd spent all summer busting my ass to get in killer fitness for the end of season (after a BAD crash in June) and pretty much fried my whole system.

Hmm, I did a similar thing 4 years later. Guess I just don't learn.