kevinbower1959 Posted January 2, 2014 Posted January 2, 2014 * SOLD * So I decided to sell my 4-digit. I’d rather not go into the whys and wherefores - except to say that it’s being sold for good reasons and with a heavy heart. I’d prefer that it stayed in the UK where it’s spent its whole life since I bought it new in ’79, then lost it for 24 years, then got it back again 18 months ago thanks to a fellow HFC member. The UK part isn’t a deal-breaker, but I can’t contemplate the thought of it arriving somewhere else in the world smashed to pieces. It also goes without saying that I’d prefer it to go to a fellow HFC member. I don’t have any proper photographic equipment (or skill) which will do this guitar justice – again hence my preference for a UK sale, and hence the crappy cellphone pic. I’d like any prospective purchaser to be able to see this guitar in the flesh and ideally have a chance to really try it properly before committing to anything. It’s just how I roll, and I hope you’ll understand. The description below is as honest as it gets, but I'm probably being overly critical if anything. It's not an immaculate case queen, but it's not a wreck either - far from it. Bottom line is that it plays like a dream and sounds outrageously good ........ #0204 Black ‘79 Standard Neck Unbound, rosewood board, original frets, dot inlays Incredibly slim (so definitely not for tree-trunk lovers), radius on board is almost flat, around 16” I’d guess. Classic ’79-era hockey stick headstock Original Grover machines Replacement TR cover, no ‘Standard’ logo Various lacquer chips and dings on headstock, but rear of neck is smooth and almost perfect. Some minor lacquer crazing at joint with body No structural issues whatsoever Original nut Body Unchambered. Not a lightweight by any means Creme binding which has yellowed with age to a tobacco-stained kinda colour in places Originally Kahlered in the 80’s Put back to stock by a quality UK repairman – rout properly filled with a mahogany block and re-topped with maple, well finished with black nitro Back in good condition, almost no buckle rash - top’s also in good condition Various dings around edges, on lower and upper horns, lacquered over as part of resto job Replacement Gibson chrome bridge and tailpiece Electrics Neck pup (zebra) is the original (to the best of my knowledge) Bridge pup (black) is a Seymour Duncan JB Chrome pup surrounds All original pots, switch and wiring Schaller straplock pins – rear one has been moved upwards to same position as last version of Standard manufacture. Hole still remains from original position Replacement Les Paul-type flat chrome jack plate Case Original. A disaster area. A previous owner has daubed dubious rock & metal band logos all over the outside. Several of these appear to be in water-based poster paint which scrubs off, others are in oil paint which doesn’t come off so easily. Various stickers/objects unknown have also been glued and then removed, leaving a residue of what looks like PVA glue in various places. This chips off relatively easily. The inside of the case is nice, though. I’m sure that the right guy can transform this with care, patience and time. I’d like to raise GBP 1750 for this lovely old girl – around USD 2850 at current rates. If you think this is unreasonable or outrageous, I’m happy enough to negotiate. My preferred terms are an initial deposit of GBP 250 via Paypal when we strike a deal - the balance is payable when you've seen it, played it and are 100% happy with what you're getting. If it turns out not to be the one for you - your deposit gets refunded immediately with thanks and good grace. PM me if you’re interested. Best wishes Kev I just used it to track our new album in its entirety. Hear it here (solo at 4:05 if metal's not your thing) ;
Hbom Posted January 2, 2014 Posted January 2, 2014 A good reason not to join any silly contests this year.
zorrow Posted January 2, 2014 Posted January 2, 2014 I must say that I feel very tempted to PM you, even if I don't play Standards and even if I don't like slim necks. As a fan of your band and as a fan of Hamer guitars, this seems to be just too good to let go. But at the same time I'm not sure I want to do you that... Hell man, check your PM!
Bobby Marshall Posted January 2, 2014 Posted January 2, 2014 I must say that I feel very tempted to PM you, even if I don't play Standards and even if I don't like slim necks. As a fan of your band and as a fan of Hamer guitars, this seems to be just too good to let go. But at the same time I'm not sure I want to do you that... Hell man, check your PM!If you get this one you WILL become a believer.Make sure she ships without strings and double boxed if possible. Remove strings and take bridge pieces wrap up and tuck away, put guitar into case and stuff bubble wrap in spaces to cushion guitar if she tries to move too much. Close case and wrap in bubble wrap and then put in a box. Wrap that box in bubble wrap then put in another box. The original hamer cases SUCK for shipping. I received one with a hole in the case but luckily guitar was intact. Make sure they know which end is up and that the contents are fragile. Best to all.
kevinbower1959 Posted January 2, 2014 Author Posted January 2, 2014 Explanatory PM returned to Zorrow (Hi Man!!), and thanks to Bobby Marshall for the great advice. If it goes to Europe or Stateside, that's exactly what I had planned anyway - a proper export pack. And no - the sale's nothing to do with the IRS As an aside - I hope everyone thinks the price is fair. I have no intention of taking advantage of a defunct Hamer company, nor do I expect crazy eBay money. It's a great, honest guitar and I'd like to regain what I have put out, that's all. This needs to stay in the HFC. Best wishes Kev
polara Posted January 2, 2014 Posted January 2, 2014 It's a good thing I was in the UK a few weeks ago and not next week. Love black Standards and small necks are cool. Good luck with the sale and in the end it's the memories that count, not the objects we used making them so I'm sure it's a good decision.
Hamerica Posted January 2, 2014 Posted January 2, 2014 Wow Kevin, sorry to see this one up for sale. Good luck with the sale and best wishes to you in 2014!Hamerica
crunchee Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 Sorry to hear about the sale, Kev. GLWTS and I hope that it gets to the new owner safe and sound! And hopefully you'll be reunited with it someday.
zorrow Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 OK, reasons understood... and I take it! Please check your PM.
BTMN Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 Yeah Zorrow? If so, Sad to see Kev give this one up again but Zorrow is getting a piece of Cool for sure. ETA: Maybe pick it up on your trip and save the shipping.
zorrow Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 Yeah Zorrow? If so, Sad to see Kev give this one up again but Zorrow is getting a piece of Cool for sure. ETA: Maybe pick it up on your trip and save the shipping. Yeah, Gene. And no worries, Kev is selling it not for the reasons we all thought at first. Be ensured I feel no guilt about purchasing this one from him. Now, why do I purchase it, if I don't play Standards and if I don't like thin necks? Well, because I'll treasure it as a piece of both Hamer AND metal history, and it's just a treat I couldn't let go. But who knows? I might just like it! BTW, Kev knows me well and he knows I'll take care of it as if it was my daughter. And yes, I might do a short jump to the UK from Frankfurt if Kev doesn't come to Musikmesse -we'll arrange those details later, I'm not in a hurry to bring her home.
BTMN Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 Hope that makes it's way to Florida someday and we will play it LOUDLY!!!!
Motorhead Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 OK, reasons understood... and I take it! Please check your PM. That's the way to bring in 2014! Congrats.
gorch Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 Yeah Zorrow? If so, Sad to see Kev give this one up again but Zorrow is getting a piece of Cool for sure. ETA: Maybe pick it up on your trip and save the shipping. Yeah, Gene. And no worries, Kev is selling it not for the reasons we all thought at first. Be ensured I feel no guilt about purchasing this one from him. Now, why do I purchase it, if I don't play Standards and if I don't like thin necks? Well, because I'll treasure it as a piece of both Hamer AND metal history, and it's just a treat I couldn't let go. But who knows? I might just like it! BTW, Kev knows me well and he knows I'll take care of it as if it was my daughter. And yes, I might do a short jump to the UK from Frankfurt if Kev doesn't come to Musikmesse -we'll arrange those details later, I'm not in a hurry to bring her home. Ok, I just realize it won't ship to my house at first. Tears are dropping.....
zorrow Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 Yeah Zorrow? If so, Sad to see Kev give this one up again but Zorrow is getting a piece of Cool for sure. ETA: Maybe pick it up on your trip and save the shipping. Yeah, Gene. And no worries, Kev is selling it not for the reasons we all thought at first. Be ensured I feel no guilt about purchasing this one from him. Now, why do I purchase it, if I don't play Standards and if I don't like thin necks? Well, because I'll treasure it as a piece of both Hamer AND metal history, and it's just a treat I couldn't let go. But who knows? I might just like it! BTW, Kev knows me well and he knows I'll take care of it as if it was my daughter. And yes, I might do a short jump to the UK from Frankfurt if Kev doesn't come to Musikmesse -we'll arrange those details later, I'm not in a hurry to bring her home. Ok, I just realize it won't ship to my house at first. Tears are dropping..... Well, I can ask Kev to do so. I just thought I was abusing too much of your kindness. But if you want to play it before me, or even wanna keep it for a while, I'm more than OK with the idea.
gorch Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 Yeah Zorrow? If so, Sad to see Kev give this one up again but Zorrow is getting a piece of Cool for sure. ETA: Maybe pick it up on your trip and save the shipping. Yeah, Gene. And no worries, Kev is selling it not for the reasons we all thought at first. Be ensured I feel no guilt about purchasing this one from him. Now, why do I purchase it, if I don't play Standards and if I don't like thin necks? Well, because I'll treasure it as a piece of both Hamer AND metal history, and it's just a treat I couldn't let go. But who knows? I might just like it! BTW, Kev knows me well and he knows I'll take care of it as if it was my daughter. And yes, I might do a short jump to the UK from Frankfurt if Kev doesn't come to Musikmesse -we'll arrange those details later, I'm not in a hurry to bring her home. Ok, I just realize it won't ship to my house at first. Tears are dropping..... Well, I can ask Kev to do so. I just thought I was abusing too much of your kindness. But if you want to play it before me, or even wanna keep it for a while, I'm more than OK with the idea.The hidden secret is that I actually have a heart for Standards. However, I'm sure happy with whatever Kev prefers. No offenses anyhow. Btw. The Hoyer V is stored in a warm place just next to my son's drum set.
kevinbower1959 Posted January 3, 2014 Author Posted January 3, 2014 This is the coolest HFC transaction ever. This. Totally this. But you guys have no real idea just how cool it was - and I'm not talking about the guitar, the deal or anything similar. What I'm talking about is something way more important than that. Let me explain....... When a coveted guitar like this comes up for sale, it invariably means that the seller needs the money so badly that even the most cherished possession can't stand in the way of the IRS/alimony/school fees/mortgage/whatever. Within 20 minutes of the post going up, Ionel (Zorrow to you) had PM'd me, offering to wire me as much money as I needed to get me out of the hole he'd assumed I was in. The offer was being made without conditions, without interest, and on a 'pay me back sometime when you can' basis. Now ........... this is a guy who lives 3,200 miles away from me, a guy who I've never met, and who knows next to nothing about me. Yet here he is - putting out the biggest and most trusting hand of friendship - just because we both hang out here on the HFC and share a love of all things rawk and pointy. The same guy, incidentally, who was doing this in an effort to make me not sell this guitar. As you'll have read in the thread - this wasn't the case at all, it was nothing to do with money, but this is now Ionel's guitar and my respect for him dictates that it's now his call as to whether to make my reasons for the sale public or not. When you turn on the TV news and look at the troubled times we live in, it's so easy to sink into an abyss of misery and just assume that the world and its occupants are a bunch of self-centred assholes. But once - just once in awhile, something happens to smack you in the face and remind you that there really are some damn fine people out there. 'Thankyou' is only a small word - but it's very much meant toward this mad Canadian who I am proud to call my friend. I can't think of anyone else who would have done what he did, and there's no-one else I would rather this guitar had gone to. Who knows? This part of the HFC might well see a huge crop of V's up for sale towards the end of March when he finally realises that he's had it so wrong all these years....... Zorrow didn't buy a guitar - he restored my faith in human nature. See you in Frankfurt for the NGD buddy. I'll post some pictures when it happens
Bobby Marshall Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 F Disney. The HFC is the most wonderful place in the world.
coolfeel Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 That is a cool story for sure. Zorrow, could you wire me some money?
zorrow Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 That is a cool story for sure. Zorrow, could you wire me some money? Kev is not saying that I offered him to sell me something else, instead of the guitar. He's such a class act! To be frank, it was actually someone else here (Ana, AKA BlueRedWhite) who said something to me that triggered in me the idea of lending Kev some money if he was actually in need. Luckily for everyone involved, that wasn't the case.
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