Too good to be true?

[Thundersteel]

This has been relisted. I had sent the seller this email previously:

Hello,

I saw your 2008 Hamer Newport on Ebay, and I have some questions about it:

1. Is the item really brand new, or is it used, but in "brand new" condition?

2. If it is indeed new, are you an authorized Hamer dealer? I'm curious, because "Bizarre Guitars" is not listed on the Hamer website as an authorized dealership.

3. You say it has an ebony fretboard, yet these guitars come stock with a rosewood fretboard. Is it a custom order?

4. Is it a factory second? Are there any finish flaws, dings, scratches, warps, cracks, damage, etc.? Are there any issues with it at all?

5. Is it possible to get more pics of the paperwork and the guitar?

Thanks for your assistance.

The seller replied with: It is brand new. I received it in trade from a Hamer dealer.

That's it! No answers to my other questions, and no additional photos. He's not an authorized Hamer dealer, so the warranty doesn't apply. No returns are accepted, either. Too risky?

http://cgi.ebay.com/2008-Hamer-USA-Newport...=item5ad8d67167

[Case]

Looks like this dude sells A LOTTT of guitars. And has a pretty good track record. I've never bought anything from there, but he's been around forever.

I say call him up and see if you can talk to him personally about it. The number is listed on the eBay store link. Get the serial, then call Hamer and see what they know about it.

err, that's what I'd do. Hope it ends up being what you're looking for.

Thanks,

case

This has been relisted. I had sent the seller this email previously:

Hello,

I saw your 2008 Hamer Newport on Ebay, and I have some questions about it:

1. Is the item really brand new, or is it used, but in "brand new" condition?

2. If it is indeed new, are you an authorized Hamer dealer? I'm curious, because "Bizarre Guitars" is not listed on the Hamer website as an authorized dealership.

3. You say it has an ebony fretboard, yet these guitars come stock with a rosewood fretboard. Is it a custom order?

4. Is it a factory second? Are there any finish flaws, dings, scratches, warps, cracks, damage, etc.? Are there any issues with it at all?

5. Is it possible to get more pics of the paperwork and the guitar?

Thanks for your assistance.

The seller replied with: It is brand new. I received it in trade from a Hamer dealer.

That's it! No answers to my other questions, and no additional photos. He's not an authorized Hamer dealer, so the warranty doesn't apply. No returns are accepted, either. Too risky?

http://cgi.ebay.com/2008-Hamer-USA-Newport...=item5ad8d67167

[serial]

I've dealt with Brian Goff in the past with no issues. There was a Bizarre Guitar in AZ iirc that was one to stay away from, but that's been years ago on both counts-can't speak for either today.

I can answer your factory second question. No it is not. Hamer does not and never has released a factory second guitar. Anything not cutting it gets cut literally-by a bandsaw.

The ebony board is a custom feature that will show up on the certificate.

As for warranty-I've never really understood guitar warrantys much. They seem worthless in most cases, especially for smaller high reputation companies like Hamer. You aren't likely to have a structural issue and to be able to snag a custom nearly NOS (if it isn't) blinged-out Hamer at 1/2-1/3 of the usual street price ain't that bad. That's a great looking guitar. A better approach might be to ask if there are any issues with it.

[Jem]

I brought a Diablo from Brian about 10 years ago, no issues and it was actually better than he described.

[specialk]

Wowee! That is one nice Newport.

[Crwth145]

There was a Bizarre Guitar in AZ iirc that was one to stay away from, but that's been years ago on both counts-can't speak for either today...

Bob Turner was still wheelin' & dealin' in central phx when I spent some time there, summer of '08.

[serial]

There was a Bizarre Guitar in AZ iirc that was one to stay away from, but that's been years ago on both counts-can't speak for either today...

Bob Turner was still wheelin' & dealin' in central phx when I spent some time there, summer of '08.

Was that a good thing or not? I recall that Brian Goff used to go to great lengths to say he WASN'T associated with the other one. I never dealt with the AZ one.

[Aceldama]

There was a Bizarre Guitar in AZ iirc that was one to stay away from, but that's been years ago on both counts-can't speak for either today...

Bob Turner was still wheelin' & dealin' in central phx when I spent some time there, summer of '08.

Was that a good thing or not? I recall that Brian Goff used to go to great lengths to say he WASN'T associated with the other one. I never dealt with the AZ one.

I've been to the AZ store twice and can't explain it, but I got a "douche-y" feeling from the staff. There was nothing I was interested in either way and after two visits, I never went back.

[velorush]

I got a "douche-y" feeling from the staff.

Now THAT'S sigworthy!

[Crwth145]

There was a Bizarre Guitar in AZ iirc that was one to stay away from, but that's been years ago on both counts-can't speak for either today...

Bob Turner was still wheelin' & dealin' in central phx when I spent some time there, summer of '08.

Was that a good thing or not? I recall that Brian Goff used to go to great lengths to say he WASN'T associated with the other one. I never dealt with the AZ one.

Can't really tell ya' for sure, haven't bought anything from him for a couple of decades.

I just stopped by for a minute to check the place out while I was in the area, even managed to run into Bob

(same ol' center of attention, lol). He once trustingly showed me a floor covered with old cases containing

'50s pauls, a couple of '50s Vs and even a '50s explorer at his first store without expecting me to buy anything,

so I had a pretty good impression early-on.

I did though get the feeling from his staff on this last visit that I needed to flash some cash or move on...

[Thundersteel]

I was outbid. That's OK, though. I've been thinking about having one custom built anyway.