Newport without a serial number?

[tonefiend]

Hi Hamer Experts,

I was looking on eBay and came across this custom Newport that was supposed to be built by a Hamer employee, so it didn't get a serial number. I'm not interested, but was curious if this was a common thing? It sounds suspect.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-Custom-Built-Hamer-Newport-Pro-Handcrafted-Guitar-with-Hardshell-Hamer-Case-/111260211180?pt=Guitar&hash=item19e7a017ec

[cmatthes]

NEWMAN60, Northfield, Jackass or mirrorimij?

[gorch]

From the pics I have got the impression it's got a fat neck.

[ghamerinfrance]

I love the model but surprised as well cause I never heard about the concept without SN...

[bubs_42]

Is that a Valute?

[veatch]

^^^

Sure looks like one - and in kind of an odd spot...

[cmatthes]

I recall a guy selling a "dumpster dive" Monaco body with a really awful neck a few years back. This looks to be better than that, but that volute looks odd.

[tonefiend]

I agree. The photos clearly show a valute. Let's say for the sake of argument, this was a prototype guitar, all other prototypes I've seen have a prototype stamp on the headstock. And, I can't say I've ever seen a valute on a Hamer. Now, Hamer is known for custom builds, but I think they usually come with papers that outline the build and have serial numbers - even the first Hamer has a serial number (0000).

I'm no expert on Hamers, but I'm calling BS!

[cmatthes]

That is NOT a prototype guitar.

[Andrew]

That looks like a left-over Mirage neck with the volute (only model with one) but could it possibly be a 25.5 inch Newport?

Made up of parts by an employee? I though Hamer let those be numbered and put in the logs.

[coolfeel]

And, I can't say I've ever seen a valute on a Hamer.

You mean like this?

[cynic]

The volute is in a different location than that of a Mirage

Mirage Volute

[bubs_42]

Its no volute. I bet the the back of the headstock has been shaved to removed the serial #.

[cmatthes]

No - that is a volute. My understanding is that even employee Hamers have serial numbers unless they're not really Hamers.

[bubs_42]

That why I think the serial number was removed in this manor. I appears that the "Volute" rises in only one direct, like its ramping up to the neck carve. Just an observation, I may be corrected.

[cynic]

Its no volute. I bet the the back of the headstock has been shaved to removed the serial #.

I had that thought as well, but I'm not sure there's enough wood to create a "volute-like-object".

You can also see in this pic how the neck stays pretty uniform throughout, but starts to buldge at the 1st.

It's an odd one for sure, but I'm inclined to believe the story.....though I wouldn't personally buy it

[JohnnyThunders]

I love a good conspiracy theory, I was looking for a Newport but not this one.

[bubs_42]

Its no volute. I bet the the back of the headstock has been shaved to removed the serial #.

I had that thought as well, but I'm not sure there's enough wood to create a "volute-like-object".

You can also see in this pic how the neck stays pretty uniform throughout, but starts to buldge at the 1st.

It's an odd one for sure, but I'm inclined to believe the story.....though I wouldn't personally buy it

Yes, I do see what you are saying. Interesting

[veatch]

I've stopped myself a couple of time posting this, as i can not imagine it is "counterfiet", but:

1> No serial number

2> No Hamer stamp in the f-hole (i think that started before the inlayed logo began, didn't it?)

3> No fret nibs - could be a re-fret

4> Volute - and a very odd one at that

It's an odd duck. Looks great, but odd.

[anotherfreak]

odd duck indeed,

but it does have the "hamer" stamp in the "f" hole

[veatch]

I guess so - i can *barely* see it on my monitor...

[ghamerinfrance]

At the same time, there is no other import model like the Newport...and the head is also containing the pearl logo (Hamer)....It should be odd to have a counterfeit hamer so rare...

[Boomerang~Junkie]

Holy crap, this is a very cool looking Newport.

I REALLY, REALLY like it, but like many others, the whole no SN thing has me a bit spooked. Unless it was some sort of "below the radar" build, if so then there is no telling what the actual specs are on it.

Have any of the actual Hamer crew, past or present weighed in on this one in any way ~ recognize it etc. ?

[Caddie]

I've stopped myself a couple of time posting this, as i can not imagine it is "counterfiet", but:

1> No serial number

2> No Hamer stamp in the f-hole (i think that started before the inlayed logo began, didn't it?)

3> No fret nibs - could be a re-fret

4> Volute - and a very odd one at that

It's an odd duck. Looks great, but odd.

The final nail in the coffin: No Hameritis, The Mark of Authenticity for a Genuine Hamer.

[Boomerang~Junkie]

Caddie,

Actually - the seller does show photos where it does have Hameritis on the neck. He also mentions it in the auction verbiage.

I do see the volute and realize that isn't necessarily "normal" for Hamers - but I do not believe its from milling off the SN ~ thieves are normally WAY too lazy for that type/quality of work to be done. They'd just scratch it out like morons.

Interested and intrigued at solving this mystery.

Hmmm . . . . . .

[mirrorimij]

I would like to hear from Northfield and Newman on this one. My experience has been that legitimate employee guitars always have serial numbers if they are purchased from Hamer. I am aware of a few authorized builds that were not actually purchases. Usually Frank just gave the okay for an employee to build something in the shop. I don't think those were allowed to have a Hamer logo. I know one guy that built a killer SG in the old facility.

The one in question here has far too many later features to be considered a prototype. Most details on that guitar look like they came out of the New Hartford shop. The volute looks out of place and makes me scratch my head.

My guess is that someone in the facility "backdoored " it. In my mind that makes it not a true Hamer. But my opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it.