FS: Black 2005 Hamer Studio Custom

[errolsiegel]

I've got a black 2005 Hamer Studio Custom (SN: 554226) that hasn't seen much playing time lately, so it needs to go to make room for another Hamer that's on its way (just can't seem to stop myself).

It's in excellent condition and includes OHSC.

I purchased it from an HFCer in March of 2007.

Tight, focused tone. I used this a bunch for recording. Here is an mp3 of a track that shows this guitar's dirty sound (bridge pickup) plugged straight into a Fullton Webb 17 Watt head into a 2x12 closed back cab. Produced by Stuart Sullivan (Meat Puppets, Fastball, Sublime, The Refreshments, Gibby Haynes, Robert Earl Keen, Charlie Sexton, Jimmie Vaughn, and I'm sure 1,000 others I can't remember).

http://www.bitterkitten.com/01_Honesty_Remix_1_12804.mp3

From checking eBay, it looks like prices are all over the map. I'm gonna shoot for what looks like the middle of the pack for similar models with similar appointments and ask $1,600 (cashier's check) plus actual packing / shipping costs.

[Citrus]

that's a great sounding track - what is the band???

[django49]

Return of Neil Diamond?

[errolsiegel]

Thanks for the kind words. The artist is Towne Adams. He played bass for Mark Curry, who had a minor hit in the early 90s on Virgin Records (the song was called "Sorry About the Weather") and then, as the story goes, was kicked out of the band because Mark Curry decided Towne was too good a songwriter to waste his time playing bass in his band. We crossed paths in the late 90s when he opened for the band I was touring with at the time. We hit it off, and I ended up playing on one of his records and gigged with him a bunch around Texas.

The track I posted is actually an unmastered demo from what was to be his next record, but that never came out. I don't have permission to post it, so nobody sue me, ok?

I chose that one because it is a pretty pure representation of the tone that guitar does best -- like a really good Les Paul, but tighter and more focused. One of those rare times when a producer sticks an MD 421 in front of the speaker and says, "Wow. I guess we're done -- let's record." Dang it, I'm not supposed to be talking myself out of selling it...

And yes, Towne has a distinct Neil Diamond quality to his voice that I really like. Think Neil Diamond, if Neil Diamond was from Texas and drank whiskey for breakfast every day.

[django49]

Thanks for the kind words. The artist is Towne Adams. He played bass for Mark Curry, who had a minor hit in the early 90s on Virgin Records (the song was called "Sorry About the Weather") and then, as the story goes, was kicked out of the band because Mark Curry decided Towne was too good a songwriter to waste his time playing bass in his band. We crossed paths in the late 90s when he opened for the band I was touring with at the time. We hit it off, and I ended up playing on one of his records and gigged with him a bunch around Texas.

The track I posted is actually an unmastered demo from what was to be his next record, but that never came out. I don't have permission to post it, so nobody sue me, ok?

I chose that one because it is a pretty pure representation of the tone that guitar does best -- like a really good Les Paul, but tighter and more focused. One of those rare times when a producer sticks an MD 421 in front of the speaker and says, "Wow. I guess we're done -- let's record." Dang it, I'm not supposed to be talking myself out of selling it...

And yes, Towne has a distinct Neil Diamond quality to his voice that I really like. Think Neil Diamond, if Neil Diamond was from Texas and drank whiskey for breakfast every day.

Sounds very good......Now if there could only be a remake of the old duet with Barbra Striesand......"You don't sell me Hamers, anymore"......

[errolsiegel]

No interest? What do you think -- is the price too high?

[hamerhead]

We are a notoriously cheap bunch.

Great guitar BTW!

[sirDaniel]

black rules!

Right now, anything over a grand starts getting scrutinized pretty close. There are a TON of cool pieces out there in the $1k-$2k range and only so many dollars going around.

[errolsiegel]

Fair 'nough.

Why is there never a glut when I'm lookin' to buy? My latest one (a nice T-51) was awfully hard to track down.

Here's a track I recorded with the T-51. It was a gas -- nine-piece band recorded live to analog tape (including vocals), no stinkin' click tracks or overdubs.

http://soundcloud.com/roxy-roca/im-a-ram

Well folks, make offers. You won't hurt my feelings. I'm not desperate to sell by any means, but I'm a reasonable guy...

[mjtripper]

I think it's what sirDaniel said as well. I'd love to have this piece - a lot - but I just don't have that kind of cash right now. I have too much stuff for sale that's not selling to really think about getting anything else right now.

[django49]

Trying to sell several things myself.....Slow going. Amps, guitars, etc.

May be checking out a similar Hamer, Archtop Custom and about 10 years older, but mint, this weekend. A really nice looking sunburst finish over flame maple. Upgraded pickups too, I like the victory inlays on yours but the other one is "prettier" and some $400 less.

Maybe it is a really good deal. Or maybe where the market is.....Not sure.

There also seem to be some Hamer single cuts (Monaco Elites) with nice flame and finish and victory inlays looking for buyers in the $1300 range. (In fairness, I have not tried a Studio side by side with an Elite, so that may or may not be a yardstick).

Don't mean to be discouraging, but that price may be hard to get right now.

Good luck!

[errolsiegel]

Thanks for all the candid feedback, folks. It is much appreciated.

I guess I'll just leave it hangin' out here a while, and if someone wants to make an offer, I say, "go for it."

[crunchee]

We are a notoriously cheap bunch.

Great guitar BTW!

+1! I dunno if we're cheap, but frugal and tightfisted come to mind. Hamers have spoiled us rotten, at least me, anyway.

Talkin' about the market...I keep thinking about thinning my Hamer herd by one more guitar...but when I realize how difficult it'd be to find one like it, I change my mind. Not because it's 'special', but because USA Hamers just don't pop up for sale as often like they used to, IMHO. Good luck with your sale!

[davidd]

Beautiful!

[errolsiegel]

I still have this guitar for sale, in case anybody was wondering: black 2005 Hamer Studio Custom (SN: 554226) with OHSC.

[errolsiegel]

Hard to believe nobody has snapped up this beautiful guitar: black 2005 Hamer Studio Custom (SN: 554226) with OHSC. Any takers?

Meanwhile, check out my latest video with ROXY ROCA featuring my Black Cherry burst Hamer Newport Pro. It's a party.

http://roxyroca.com/try-my-love/

[ghamerinfrance]

Usually prices remain within another lower limit...I had to sell either a US PRS (for around 900 USD) for choosing another US Hamer (around 900 USD as well).

The best is is to choose the trade for keeping suitable gear ...or lower the price till you find a buyer, then the market price is reached.

But this may be for some USD less...

Good luck for a nice guitar.

[ptm1diver]

If it helps., I'll go as high as $350 US Dollars and that includes shipping and insurance.

[errolsiegel]

$350 including shipping and insurance? I thought this was the Hamer Fan Club. Where did I end up instead?

[django49]

We be big spenders.

And jokers.

[sixesandsevens]

$350 including shipping and insurance? I thought this was the Hamer Fan Club. Where did I end up instead?

If you poke around, $350 is a long running offer around here. Usually as a joke, but an occasional piece hits a pawn shop or craigslist for that price still.

[dhuber]

No interest? What do you think -- is the price too high?

First let me say your musicianship is great and the track sounds excellent. I'm not an authority on Hamer guitar values and when it comes to putting money out for a guitar I'm cheap. That said I do think $1600 is high. However I've seen a bunch for sale in music stores in that price range. 2 years ago I bought a transparent black custom studio for $1100 that I would say is in good to very good condition. A few marks and slight fret wear but nothing you would see in a picture. I don't know what my studio would bring today. I've also bid twice this year in the $1350 range for two different Monaco Elite's on ebay and the reserve was not met on one and the other one went for $1450. Hamer's are not being made anymore and I'm seeing less for sale so I'm sure that's helping the resale value some. Last night I watched a Youtube review on a 75 Gibson Explorer Reissue. I think Scott said he paid $6000 for it. A month or two ago there was a Hamer Custom Standard on eBay with a bid at $2250. I asked on the HFC what people though it was worth and the replies were it was over priced. In my eyes the trimmed out $2250 Standard was a bargain price compared to the plain mahogany slab $6K Explorer. Then again I don't care about classics especially when it comes to Gibson and Fender.

I think Hamer's are wonderfully made guitars. My biggest gripe is the 14.5" radius, I wish they had a 12" radius like the Gibson. However the 12" radius and light weight is the only thing my Les Paul has going for it and I'll never buy another Gibson product and if I sell a guitar the LP will be the first to go.

Sorry I'm rambling on...

[veatch]

Hard to believe nobody has snapped up this beautiful guitar: black 2005 Hamer Studio Custom (SN: 554226) with OHSC. Any takers?

Meanwhile, check out my latest video with ROXY ROCA featuring my Black Cherry burst Hamer Newport Pro. It's a party.

http://roxyroca.com/try-my-love/

Great playing, sir.

BTW - looks more like a black and white burst in the video.

[errolsiegel]

Thanks for the insight (and kind words) gentlemen. I guess I'll just wait it out a while longer. If anybody out there is on the fence, feel free to make me an offer...