1983 Phantom A5 <to sell or not to sell?>

[velorush]

First off, I have been lurking here for a couple of years. I have been a Hamer fan since I worked a spot at a Cheap Trick concert back around 1984 or so. I have learned a lot from reading the posts. I have also had to explain often why I was sitting at the computer laughing out loud (she rarely understands what is so funny...).

So here's the thing: suffering through my second year of college I saw my first Phantom and decided then and there I had to have one. When I finally had the chance (and the bucks) to buy one earlier this year, I jumped at it without a thought. Therein lies the problem. I have had it a few months, but haven't used it like I told myself I would. Since I refuse to be a collector (not that there is anything necessarily wrong with that), I need to get some advice on the possibility of selling it.

What I do know: It appears to be an all original 1983 Ice Pearl Phantom A5 with hardshell case. The electronics appear to be unmolested. The finish is the weak point with finish cracks (from what I read that is normal) and quite a few nicks and such in the paint. A couple of the larger blemishes came with some poorly matched touch up paint on them. I have been debating on carefully removing the touch up paint, but haven't yet come up with a satisfactory technique that wouldn't further damage the original finish.

If I sell it, I want to make sure I am giving an accurate description. I guess the first question for the experts is, does this appear to be original? The second is, what should I ask for it? [i know, I know: if no price is stated on this board, the default is tree-fity].

I hope that this is a proper use of this board. I realize that I haven't really committed to sell it. If I am not using the board correctly, I'll gladly remove the post. Thanks in advance for any advice, comments, rants, criticism, etc.

I have other photos if anyone is interested.

[veatch]

[i know, I know: if no price is stated on this board, the default is tree-fity].

Nah - ecomonic downturn. Too-fity is the new tree-fity...

Edit to add: And welcome to the board!

[Mindseyes]

[i know, I know: if no price is stated on this board, the default is tree-fity].

Nah - ecomonic downturn. Too-fity is the new tree-fity...

Edit to add: And welcome to the board!

LOL

I love when nOObs have done their home work and know the 350 rule!!!!!

Welcome and someone will chime in with a straight ansewer!!

[velorush]

While we're waiting, I thought I'd post the control cavity. Having never seen the inside of a Hamer, I want to make sure my assumption of "unmolested" seems true to those in the know.

I took a look under the pickups when I first bought it (should have taken photos!). The humbucker was stamped Hamer, but the singles were plain. Does all this look as it should?

Thanks, everyone!

[velorush]

I'll bump this once, if that is all right, then let it go if there are no responses.

What I am looking for is confirmation of the originality of this guitar (maybe some things to look for?) and market prospects for a possible sale.

Just because I was looking for one doesn't mean that these are particularly desirable. I just haven't, as one user put it, 'been able to bond with it' like I thought I would.

Thanks

[G-log]

I'll bump this once, if that is all right, then let it go if there are no responses.

What I am looking for is confirmation of the originality of this guitar (maybe some things to look for?) and market prospects for a possible sale.

Just because I was looking for one doesn't mean that these are particularly desirable. I just haven't, as one user put it, 'been able to bond with it' like I thought I would.

Thanks

It looks all original to me.

[GusS]

knobs dont look OG

but what the fuck do i know

i want to bone it

[polara]

I'd hit it. No idea on the price though. I do like my guitars old, white, and beat up.

[serial]

Looks to be just about all original. My guess is from the pots that it's an early 83 (pots look like '82s on my monitor and through my headache). The knobs may or may not be original-most Phantoms had the black plastic ones that were on the Steve Stevens guitars. I'll have to look back in my info to see if I have any all-black pickup combos with the knobs you have-my guess is that the earliest ones probably had them, so it's possible that it's all 100%. Frankly, it's just knobs, so it's not that big of a deal.

The ice pearl w/white guard is my favorite look for a Phantom, even though the finish doesn't always hold up pristinely under heavy use-my '85 is starting to look antigua from the armwear. Still, I love the guitar-it's the one I bring to EVERY gig.

Value is a little tougher to predict, especially in this economy. A year ago, I would think $750 easy for that one, possibly more. Today, I don't know. People either love or hate Phantoms' body shapes. I love them and they're very comfortable guitars to play.