New Member - Self Introduction

[currypowder]

I'm not sure of the protocol around here, but I'm sure I violated it by having my initial post be a for sale listing. So I thought I'd rectify that and introduce my self to the group.

I've been playing on and off for 20+ years. I'm one of those guys that played heavily through college, then kind of dropped it for awhile, then picked it back up again over the last 5 years or so. I'm not a very technical player. I often characterize myself as a good imitator. But I love it anyway.

Over the past 3 years, much to the chagrin of my wife, the collection has grown greatly. For many years, I played nothing but Fenders (don't ask me why, I can't tell you). I got the itch for something different, did some research, and bought one of the first Dean Hardtails (#48/100). I couldn't believe how well it played and sounded. It immediately made my Fenders feel like pieces of scrapwood. So out they went.

About a year or so ago, someone suggested I try out a Hamer, and boy am I glad I did. I adopted a goldtop P90, and it is on par with anything I have ever played. A month ago, I was lucky enough to stumble across a 93 special on evilbay for a very fair price. It is my favorite axe (for now, anyway). I have a serious jones for a new korina jr.

I'm a complete gear whore, and it takes every bit of energy I have to resist buying. Probably more a fear of divorce than anything. I'm sure many of you can relate. Anyway, my current holdings are:

2002 Hamer USA Goldtop (Fralin P90's)

1993 Hamer USA Special (TV Yellow)

Dean USA Hardtail (48/100) Tobacco Burst Flame

Dean USA Timecapsule V (20/50) Tobacco Burst Flame

Zion Radicaster (Mary Kay White)

Zion Fifty Sunburst

Rahan .38 Special (translucent red)

Gretsch Brian Setzer (I am a HUGE Setzer fan)

Gretsch 60's reissue Duo Jet (w/ Bigsby)

Maven Peal Zeeta Amp (0.5 - 20 Variable Wattage)

As you can see, way too many (or is it too few) guitars. But there is just something about a high quality guitar that i simply can't resist.

Anyway, that's me. I hope I can join in and be a part of the group.

Greg

[BTMN]

Welcome!

Got a few Hamers and Deans myself. I really like Dean's Czech made guitars and the Korean line isn't to shabby either. Now USA Hamers? The BEST!!!

Are you on the Dean Forum as well? http://www.deanguitars.com/forum

[Guitarseh]

Welcome! I'm curious about your Maven Peal. How well does that variable wattage work? Does it let you get good tone at low volumes, or does it lose some tone as you dial it down?

Mark B

PS Pics of you herd of guitars are always welcome here

[currypowder]

I sometimes participate over at the Dean forum.

The variable wattage on the Maven Peal works great. No loss of tone as the wattage is dialed down. It's perfect for me with 2 young kids and a noise sensitive wife. They stopped making the Zeeta, but have started making something a little cheper with a few more features. Haven't heard one yet. This particular Zeeta is the actual amp evaluated by Guitar Player magazine that won amp of the year. It is set up exactly like the one used by Warren Haynes on the most recent Allman Brothers CD.

I'm not very good w/ pictures, but I'll try to get some posted.

Greg

[straightblues]

Welcome.

Tell me why the Special became your favorite over the Goldtop. Describe the differences that make it better for you. I don't have a Speical yet but I have a Studio, Artist, Newport and soon to be Duotone but the the Special or Korina Jr. keep haunting me.

[hikarateboy]

Yes, Welcome. You sound like youre gonna fit in here just fine. In fact for those members that havent added a profile I think many can cut and past from your intro HA!

[guitfiddler]

Welcome aboard!

[currypowder]

Straightblues,

It's more personal preference. P90's are my favorite pickup. I grew up, musically anyway, listening to the NY Dolls & Johnny Thunders, so that "special" tone just sounds and feels right to me. The goldtop just always felt like much too much guitar for me. And it's pretty heavy vs. the special. I just couldn't justify spending the multiples of $ necessary to find a Gibson special or jr vs the Hamer one I purchased.

Like I mentioned before, I have a serious jones for a new korina jr. However, I think I just need to wait a year or two for the used price to (hopefully) drop.

Greg

[BCR Greg]

Welcome aboard!

It's always nice to meet another gear whore, and it happens CONSTANTLY here.

Plus, we need more Gregs.

[Jeff R]

If you have any friends named Chris, introduce them to the site. We're running short on those too. Welcome!

[jwhitcomb3]

Welcome Greg!

I'm also a P90 nut (Newport, Newport 12, Artist Mahogany, Artist Korina), and my Artist GT had 'em until I dropped Gibson re-issue Mini Humbuckers instead. I know what you mean about the GT being just a little too much guitar...I'd love to peel back the top and rout out a chamber or two.

I played for 20 years before discovering P90s. Humbuckers sounded too tubby and didn't cut, single coils lacked grunt. The stock P90s on the GT were fun, but way too hot (made me want to play Leslie West riffs all day), but the gibby minibuckers skin the cat in a different way, and the maple cap seems to compensate for the high end rolloff.

I sometimes miss the hot P90s though. I used them for one song on my band's last album and none of my other guitars can quite recreate that vibe. I might have to jump on a Special or a Jr. someday to fill that void. But since dropping in the minibuckers my GT has gone from a "once in a while" guitar to an everyday guitar...#2 behind my Artist Korina with Rio Grande P90s.

I have a Dean Tonic that I dropped Bill Lawrence pickups into when one of the stock plastic pickups imploded. Ugly as sin, but I wanted a beater that I could screw my synth pickup into and it has become my muse guitar: I write more songs on it than any other. Dunno why.

-Jonathan

[currypowder]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Greg

[Abaco]

Welcome Currypowder. Lots of nice guys here, and one really cool "chick". So, do you play in a band? I didn't catch if you did or not. Sounds like you've got a good collection going. Patient wife.

[Kurt L]

I'm not sure of the protocol around here, but I'm sure I violated it

Hey, we're all about violating protocols. Welcome aboard.

[Submariner85]

HI.

Another Greg?

Dang how many are there?

I'm one too.

[currypowder]

I haven't been in a band since college (more years ago than I'd care to admit). I need to wait until the kids get a little older and/or find a few guys around here available during the day when I have more flexibility.

I wouldnt neccesarily call my wife patient. I think it's more that she's just given up trying to fight. I'm sure there are other members in the same boat.

Greg