Monaco Elite vs. Studio

[jeff5371]

So my wife wants to buy me a guitar for my 40th in several months. She said if I see a good deal on one I should pull the trigger. Budget is around $1000. I have a Monaco Elite that I LOVE and of course I want another Hamer. Part of me wants another Monaco, another part of me wants something different like a Studio. I'm interested in the boards thoughts as to which you would choose and why and what's the major difference between the two if you have or have played both. I've never played a Studio so I have no idea what to expect tonewise, although I know it's an excellent guitar if it's a Hamer. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

Jeff

[kizanski]

The Studio would only be visually different than the Elite. Sonically, they're pretty much the same.

If you want something that plays and sounds different, get a Monaco or a Monaco SuperPro.

[Rich_T]

Hi Jeff,

I am lucky to own both a Monaco Elite (2004) and Special quilt top (1993). They sound quite different. The Special has the most amazing tone - it is sweeter and less dark than the Monaco Elite; it's quite addictive. Through Cornford amps - tone to die for. Obviously the Special isn't a Studio - it has a JB4 and '59 instead of two '59s. If you like classic rock tones I can't imagine that you would be disappointed with a Studio (or a Special). My pro gigging guitarist friend reckons my Special is one of the best tones she has ever heard.

What a great idea for a 40th present. Happy hunting.

Go for it!

All the best,

Rich

P.S. Let me know what you opt for. (I also own an Artist with P90s, a Diablo, Newport 12, & two road worn Steve Stevens, which are also all superb instruments.) I am currently looking for an immaculate Daytona as I want to add that single coil sound!

[Ting Ho Dung]

I have both of them in a '59 burst. A '01 Studio Custom with, I'm assuming, '59 PUps. I haven't changed the strings on it yet to see but I was told it was stock. My ME ('04) has the custom and custom custom. They sound way different because of the pups. I'm not going to swap the pups around to see if they sound the same sonically. But they play a bit different mainly because the studio seems about 10 lbs lighter than the ME and of course the double cutaway. Acoustically my ME sounds warmer.

Congrats on the 40th. That was a very peaceful and rewarding time for me.

[cynic]

For me, the Studio is by far the most boring, least inspiring guitar Hamer ever made. I had a mid 90's wraptail version that played well, sounded good, and looked fine, but was a very meh instrument. I never felt excited to play when I picked it up. The only change I tried was different strings, but no gauge felt better than another. I sold it after about a year of ownership and it's really soured me. I've only had oppotuniry to play one other and it was a very similar experience.

As Kizanski pointed out, the Studio won't be a big departure from the MonEl soundwise, so if you're set on humbuckers I'd buy this without giving it a minutes thought.

If you're open to single coils, I'd suggest a Daytona.

[django49]

Makes for an interesting choice. The Monaco or Monaco SuperPro would give you a choice of a longer scale and a lighter (hollow/chambered) body, But the pickups are, I think, the same. And the Studio DOES have less weight and different pickups, but still a solid body.

If you want something "MORE different" I would try a Newport. Either one.....But if I was choosing, I think the "regular" with Phat Cats and Bigsby would be a better companion to the ME. And the GT Duotone listed herein is also a good option.

Either the Newport or Duotone MIGHT be easier to find close to your budget than either of the Monacos. For that matter, an Artist would be worth thinking about......Lots of GOOD choices!

Whichever way, have fun......When I turned 40, my wife funded a new PRS, this at a time when that brand was not yet widely known AND coinciding with a local store running a 40% off any PRS in stock sale.......I think they had about 10 and I must have played them all........Kept the employees past closing time....... If I had only known how THAT would turn out, I'd have figured a way to "invest" in a lot more than one!

[anathemata]

For me, the Studio is by far the most boring, least inspiring guitar Hamer ever made. I had a mid 90's wraptail version that played well, sounded good, and looked fine, but was a very meh instrument. I never felt excited to play when I picked it up. The only change I tried was different strings, but no gauge felt better than another. I sold it after about a year of ownership and it's really soured me. I've only had oppotuniry to play one other and it was a very similar experience.

As Kizanski pointed out, the Studio won't be a big departure from the MonEl soundwise, so if you're set on humbuckers I'd buy this without giving it a minutes thought.

If you're open to single coils, I'd suggest a Daytona.

I couldn't disagree more. I've owned dozens of guitars and my 06 Studio is the most resonant guitar I've ever played. The doublecut design gives it a little less low end than a singlecut, but definitely in the same ballpark.

[hamer4ever]

Speaking from one who owns an ME along with the following, I would suggest a Studio with P90's, Newport Pro, Monaco 3, Artist, Duotone, Mirage I. They will all pretty much give you a new and different tone palette. I would tend to go with something hollow with P90s for a nice change!

[Disturber]

Go Super Pro- that is a totally different beast with its semi hollowness and the longer scale. I love mine. I love the Newport too. Can't go wrong with either.

Both are quite unique in there designs, not with run of the mill standard features.

[Sentinel]

I'd go for an Artist Custom if you want something different in sound.

It'¨s very versatile and you can go from jazzy stuff all the way through blues to rockier stuff.

And then - like I did - set your sights for a Studio later on! :-)

[hamerhead]

Just do like the rest of us and get (at least) one of every model.

Then thin the herd.

[hectorp]

Just do like the rest of us and get (at least) one of every model.

Then thin the herd.

Genius

[kizanski]

Just do like the rest of us and get (at least) one of every model.

Then thin the herd.

Genius

Yeah, I'd sign off on that.

[jeff5371]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Lots of stuff to consider and it should be fun trying to line something up. Is the neck on the Studio about same as the Monaco Elite? I love my ME neck, not too think not too fat just very comfortable.

[Steve Haynie]

It depends on when the Studio was made. Early 90's models, called Sunbursts, can have thin necks.

If you cannot make a decision on a guitar think about whether or not you need a new amp. Some nice amps can be had for $1000.

[hamerhead]

The neck will should be similar if you get one within a couple of years of your Monaco. But remember - there are 'vintage' and 'modern' carves.

[anathemata]

It depends on when the Studio was made. Early 90's models, called Sunbursts, can have thin necks.

If you cannot make a decision on a guitar think about whether or not you need a new amp. Some nice amps can be had for $1000.

That's true. My '91 Sunburst's neck measures amazingly close to the wide thin neck on my '92 PRS CE 24. My '06 Studio, on the other hand, is far closer to a '59 Les Paul carve. I have a '98 Artist that falls in between.

[Ting Ho Dung]

My '01 Studio Custom is very similar to my '04 ME as is my '04 Artist Korina (P-90's). In fact, I bought my '04 ME thinking it may have had the same guy carve the neck.

[Brooks]

i'd go for something different, like a duotone or newport;

or a special or artist w/ P90's or phatcats;

or if you like fender-ish stuff, maybe a mirage 1 or daytona;

or if you like shredders, a cali or chap.

depends on what you're into music-wise and guitar-wise.

[jeff5371]

Music wise I play mainly rock/hard rock/metal. I tend to favor single cuts. I always gravitate towards those types of guitars. I always wanted an LP sytle guitar and I played a Fender for a long time before I bought my ME. When I bought the ME though, I was just in heaven. I have a Charvel Pro Mod, the Tele style one that they discontinued a few years back, that I got at a really good discount and it's a cool, fun little shredder. However, when I play my ME it just feels like....home. Hard to describe but many of you know what I mean. Heck, I go to Guitar Cener and play PRS Single Cuts, Les Pauls, etc., and they just don't feel as good as my ME. I definitely want to try other guitars and other Hamers though. One thing I would love is for the ME to have a bit better upper fret access. It's not a huge issue and I can deal with it, but it would be a nice to have not a must have.