FSA: Nice old Sunburst on UK feeBay

[RichRS6]

Here's the reply from the seller regarding the damage.

"Thanks i appreciate it, first time selling on ebay ...

now you have pointed it out to me it does look like there has been some damage and to be honest i never noticed it...probably because its spent most of its life in its case , it would have been there since i purchased it i guess? it still plays well and everything works fine but yes think i will add a note to the advert save any hassles later.
if nobody buys i don't mind keeping it, parting with it is going to be tough!"

[cynic]

It's pretty hard to believe that the bulk of us saw what we believed to be damage almost instantly in a set of shitty pictures that weren't taken to specifically show it, yet he's owned the thing for thirty years and never came across it?

Should we also be floored if he reveals the un-photographed back of the body has significant wear?

Puh-lease

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

I've had issues with the guy since I messaged him on day 1. He gave very limited info & he still never posted better pics as I requested.

I just sent him this;

Hi... I read at Hamer Fan Club that this guitar has headstock damage. Could you post detailed pictures? I'd certainly have mentioned this on your ad if it is damaged! Also, what is the full serial number? I'm unfamiliar with this type on your headstock? Regards (again), Vic...

He replied;

you read that where?? anyway all i can tell you is that it may have headstock damage and am taking it to a guitar shop to find out.
if it has then it has had headstock damage for 30yrs since i bought it. it has dead straight neck plays and works as it should do ..as for the serial number i have looked on a hamer website and it seems to fit with whats on there ok? serial number is 8 0230

[albacore]

He's a bit odd to say the least - he'd be sad to part with it, yet it's sat in its case for 30 years? It takes all sorts, I guess.

[RichRS6]

More news just in dit dit dah dah dit dit.........................

The seller says he has taken it to a guitar shop who have told him it is just cosmetic damage and he is going to re-list with more info and better pics.

I asked which shop it had been taken to and if they had provided any paperwork to back up the diagnosis and if so please post a pic on the new ad.

Still seems strange to me as the stamped in S/N points to a re-fin on the headstock which wouldn't be needed if it was only cosmetic damage.

My bet is it was damaged and repaired by the shop he bought it from and sold as it is now.

If I lived a bit closer I'd go to check it out, any Londoners near Feltham want to go have a look ?

I will let you all know if I get a response. dit dit dah dah dit dit..

[RichRS6]

Sellers response.............

"i took it to Rock House Music in Hampton, middlesex. tel; 0208 941 4777

he wrote down a few pointers about the guitar, it has slight fret wear, it has a few buckle marks on the back a few small chips on the paint work, he said the headstock looks like a cosmetic repair and that i should re list it mentioning everything and with better photos...
he said its a very nice guitar and looks original except for the truss rod cover and he also knew the shop that i original bought it from.

so will take his advice and re list ..it is a genuine sale but obviously i haven't pitched it in the right way"

He seems pretty genuine to me but an impact bad enough to break the original TRC and the headstock face must have (IMO) broken the wood under it so it's hardly just cosmetic.

[albacore]

Well, it's back, with much better photos this time. It looks genuine with a few issues (I can't figure out what's up with the headstock, but at least it looks nowhere near the truss rod - can this harm the sound?) and I bet it could make someone happy at the right price. Too rich for me, though:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hamer-Sunburst-Vintage-with-case-and-original-receipt-of-purchase-/181260973125?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item2a33fef445#ht_136wt_1034

[RichRS6]

Well its been re-listed.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hamer-Sunburst-Vintage-with-case-and-original-receipt-of-purchase-/181260973125

Up to this point I was willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt about the damage to the headstock but in the re-list he has removed the pic of the front of the headstock where the damage was visible and not made any mention of any damage to it (now stating it is in very good condition) plus, he has taken a good pics of the serial number but can't manage a decent pic of the back of the neck where any damage would be.

I spoke to the shop mentioned above and the chap there said it has been repaired as he could see the splints that have been put in, he did say that it looks like a very pro job and is difficult to see unless you look closely.

So now I'm starting to think he's a complete arsehole. (This is the same as an asshole to you colonials).

[albacore]

Yes, not mentioning the break is probably going to see his buyer retrieving their funds - feeBay/paypal is very seller-unfriendly that way, and well deserved in this case.

Still, what about the guitar - what do you think it's worth with the break?

[RichRS6]

I paid £1200.00 for my 78 Dot neck (in VGC) from a shop in London a couple of Years ago, didn't have the Hamer case and that was a little high but at least it came from a shop.

At the end of the day this is worth what He can get for it and he will have problems if he doesn't mention the break, it can not be described as just cosmetic.

Knowing it has a break I would suggest £750, certainly no more than £1000.

If I'd paid more then opened the case to find a headstock repair (no matter how good) I would be seriously pissed and would want some cash back or to return it for a full (inc P&P) refund.

[stratacus]

It's been relisted again. No pic of the front of the headstock, but there are pics of the back of the headstock.

[Rich_T]

Looks like the wise will be giving this one a wide berth!

[RichRS6]

Now revised the ad but still glossing over the headstock damage.

[RichRS6]

Went for pretty much what I expected, anyone here get it ?