The Newport Appreciation Thread

[kriszguitar 0]

Do you know what is going on with the inside of the F hole by the controls? It almost looks like part of the inside is lacquered and part of it isn't. Any ideas? Optical illusion? Anybody?

It's a darker piece of Mahogany used for the back plate.

BTW, did you see this on Jol's facebook?

My information indicates that the raw newport in the photos is a "case plug" not a prototype. Prototypes are stamped as such on the back of the headstock. A case plug just calls out the dimensions for the case manufacturer (see the TKL case tag on the guitar in the mirrorimij post). The newport was the first of the larger bodided Hamers and needed a new case size. This plug would have been made from unusable parts and sent to TKL for that. Still a great pice of Hamer/Dantzig lore.

Does anybody know what is in these things that required the use of a back plate?

As per Jol:

"the switch and everthing else normally goes through the bridge pickup hole just fine—the guitar is fully hollow there. The classictron guitars have a solid block through the center which forces the use of a back-door for the electronics."

[mirrorimij 1,160]

My information indicates that the raw newport in the photos is a "case plug" not a prototype. Prototypes are stamped as such on the back of the headstock. A case plug just calls out the dimensions for the case manufacturer (see the TKL case tag on the guitar in the mirrorimij post). The newport was the first of the larger bodided Hamers and needed a new case size. This plug would have been made from unusable parts and sent to TKL for that. Still a great pice of Hamer/Dantzig lore.

As per Jol:

"the switch and everthing else normally goes through the bridge pickup hole just fine—the guitar is fully hollow there. The classictron guitars have a solid block through the center which forces the use of a back-door for the electronics."

Thanks for the info on the Classictron. Didn't know about the block.

The Newport in my photos is the case plug AND a prototype (most likely #1 for the reasons I gave above). I was heavily involved in the Newport project and the prototype shown was given to me by Jol. If anyone has access to the one on Jol's FB page, run your finger along the inside of the F hole. If its carved, its #2.

I never saw a Hamer USA with the words prototype on the back of the headstock (but that doesn't mean they don't exist- but it wasn't common practice between 1991 and 2000). I own several prototypes I got from Bill Kaman and none say prototype on the back. They do have special serial numbers though (and features that never made it onto the production models.

Prototype Daytona and T51 headstocks...

No prototype stamp to be found. And in case there is any doubt about their provenance.

[GaryT 2]

So the rear contol cavity plate is a prototype? Makes perfect sense.

So how many of the Gretsch style NPs were built?

What would you say is a safe bet.............5-10?

First off were they an order to a Hamer dealer that was cancelled, or is it just a electric that was prototyped in Hartford with a couple built that wasn't really produced in any numbers? Seems like that guitar would have been popular. But its so hard to call it with Hamer.

BTW I never seen one till I seen the first one in this thread and now the second one in this thread? Is it a later 07-08 design?

I wouldn't sell it either and would leave it just as it is. You know its only gonna go up. Nice piece of History without a doubt.

[mirrorimij 1,160]

So the rear contol cavity plate is a prototype? Makes perfect sense.

No that is not what was said at all.

There is a lot of confusion and absolutely false info in these last few pages. I'm sorry if I contributed to the mess.

[GaryT 2]

Maybe its me, sorry! Kriz confused me with his last post.

So let me get this right.

So theres only a total of five. They never actually made it into production. Thats a shame. How many were bound?

Plate "must" have been to fool with the electronics. I mean thats the spot? Why else would you put that their but for ease of electronic placement and repairs or to redesign the controls? Sure beats snaking electroncs with Fishing Line when your not positive what your controls are?

One more thing, getting back to the Bigsby lift plate. Are they used on the Monaco III?

[mirrorimij 1,160]

Maybe its me, sorry! Kriz confused me with his last post.

So let me get this right.

So theres only a total of five. They never actually made it into production. Thats a shame. How many were bound?

Plate "must" have been to fool with the electronics. I mean thats the spot? Why else would you put that their but for ease of electronic placement and repairs or to redesign the controls? Sure beats snaking electroncs with Fishing Line when your not positive what your controls are?

Krisz posted that Jol said there was a center block in those models. If that's the case - mystery solved.

I'm sending you a PM.

[cmatthes 20,271]

One more thing, getting back to the Bigsby lift plate. Are they used on the Monaco III?

They sure are! Works like a charm.

[Feynman 2,633]

I can join this thread now!

It's a mighty fine guitar.

[nervous 2]

It's a mighty fine guitar.

Oh yes it is. I only wish I had bought my first without the Bigsby and Phat Cats. I'd probably still have it. That's is just timeless beauty. Congrats

[tbonesullivan 2,471]

wow, never noticed this thread before. Guess I gotta contribute! Mine is an orange sparkle '00 that I picked up a year or so ago from a poster on the HFC. It's not pristine, has some dings, chips, dents on the body. Nothing major, but enough to give it character. I had it fret dressed and set up, and it's just a killer guitar. even my guitar teacher comments on how awesome it sounds, even when it's not plugged in.

And here is one a friend from the carvin museum forum owns:

[3of5 145]

Just a regular Newport here. Still, for me, best sounding guitar I have ever played. It's Phatcats and Bigsby all the way I say. I've never really warmed up to humbuckers. Love tremolo.

[Feynman 2,633]

Nice! And it floats!

Newports are amazing. Thanks Joel and Ken!

[gorch 5,477]

Mine is crying to be played again. Currently, I'm hooked up to my Tally. The Newport sure comes next. Typically, I play one guitar and amp for a couple of weeks until it gets boring and desire for a change comes through.

I've had a photo posted somewhere before. Here's another one from the same set.

[Uncle Thor's Hamer 81]

Those Tobacco Burst finishes are the classiest ever! A local shop had a new one that I just had to go drool over, and they look even better in person than in photos, and they look GREAT in photos. Boy would I love to have one with P-90s in it.

Here are a couple more of my orange sparkle. The color almost shows properly in these. I swapped out the black trim for creme and clear.

[Brian Harmon 0]

Such incredible guitars. Wish I didn't have to sell mine. Here she is:

[mjtripper 3]

There are some truly gorgeous guitars in this thread. I didn't see a pro custom so here is a pic of mine.

[ib2010 258]

Had this one a while--- sportin Double Dees -- a real jumpin tone machine .

[belgian 482]

My korina in action :

[gorch 5,477]

Had this one a while--- sportin Double Dees -- a real jumpin tone machine .

My korina in action :

Both very nice.

[Thundersteel 2,240]

Here's mine--I bought it on Ebay a year or so ago:

[ROCKO 8]

Wow lots of great guitars here.

I'll have one of those and one of those and one ..............

[Feynman 2,633]

This one deserves to be here too.

[murkat 5,120]

This one deserves to be here too.

shouldn't this be listed in the for sale section?

(ducks, runs for cover).....

[bubs_42 8,530]

LOL BUMP! I bet he still has it....

[dragan 371]