mail4kev Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 I'm glad the NOS hamers are finding love instead of spending its time on wall hangers.Tempted by the Korina Artist... something I always wanted to try... but I really don't need more guitars. Sigh....
django49 Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 Ok ladies & gentlemen, Back to cynic's photo (Bill the sales guy didn't know cynic took a picture) - right now the Special FM (on the far right) is "off the wall" (someone on the east coast is working out shipping details). I had a really good talk with Bill, he's pretty tickled that these guitars are moving. And then he told me he still has an Improv, sitting up on the shelf in its case. Number 007 with the certificate and case. Natural finish. This is NOS as well. They are asking $6k (plus shipping I expect). The Improv was never hung on the wall. It was in a display case until the puddle of drool in front of the case (much of it mine) became a safety hazard. I remember seeing that guitar in the case. It's drop dead gorgeous! I DO like my Improv. It is a beauty. Arguably the instrument that got me back into serious hankerings for more Hamers a few years back. No particular motivation to cut 'er loose. That said, it is a very specific sorta thing. I guess the "final" list price was $10k, but lets be real. Not too many people are (seriously) looking for one. Anyone expecting to actually SELL one for $6k is dreaming. IF I was to sell it, it would be for one helluva lot less. But then mine is not 007!
Boomerang~Junkie Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 Neat story - I hope they all find awesome new HFC homes. That Special FM is awesome looking.While they Improv's clearly may not have ever been $10K guitars, with only 39 of them ever being crafted, they cerntainly are not "common" by any means. Even being as much of a niche guitar as they are, if one got into one at the right price, I'd bet they'll appreciate some - eventually.
cynic Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 Back to cynic's photo (Bill the sales guy didn't know cynic took a picture) I'm a sneaky bitch I have a Special bias, but that Special FM is a really nice guitar, and it has a 050XXX serial number which dates it later than most. I guess that also technically makes it a Special Custom rather than a Special FM?
django49 Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 Neat story - I hope they all find awesome new HFC homes. That Special FM is awesome looking.While they Improv's clearly may not have ever been $10K guitars, with only 39 of them ever being crafted, they cerntainly are not "common" by any means. Even being as much of a niche guitar as they are, if one got into one at the right price, I'd bet they'll appreciate some - eventually. Were there really that many made? The highest number in the series I ever ran across was something like 24. (Mine is #22) As best I can tell, there are still a handful out there as NOS.
BTMN Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 Here's a shot of most of what's there. Didn't see a Special Korina Jr. Not pictured is a Superpro they're asking $2495 for. Left to right: Wraptail Artist: $1695 Studio: $1095 Monaco Elite Mahogany: $1695 (boat anchor) Korina P90 Artist: $1495 Monaco Subtone: $1495 Special FM: $1095 (the one that wanted to come home with me) Thankfully someone has saved me from getting that Special. WOW is it SWEET!
Cary Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 Back to cynic's photo (Bill the sales guy didn't know cynic took a picture) I'm a sneaky bitch I have a Special bias, but that Special FM is a really nice guitar, and it has a 050XXX serial number which dates it later than most. I guess that also technically makes it a Special Custom rather than a Special FM? Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but Custom usually means binding and crowns. 2000 does seem pretty late for a Special FM, though. I'm just glad someone scored it - it was looking awfully tempting.
cynic Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 This is taken from the 97/98 catalog (courtesy of Andrew Large)
Cary Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 Thanks Cynic - I stand corrected. Hats off once again to Hamer's confusing naming procedures!
conorb Posted February 4, 2014 Posted February 4, 2014 What's the difference between the studio (2nd from left) and the FM Special Custom on the right?Is it just that the Studio is archtop?Still learning....conorb
killerteddybear Posted February 8, 2014 Author Posted February 8, 2014 Here's a shot of most of what's there. Didn't see a Special Korina Jr. Not pictured is a Superpro they're asking $2495 for. Left to right: Wraptail Artist: $1695 Studio: $1095 Monaco Elite Mahogany: $1695 (boat anchor) Korina P90 Artist: $1495 Monaco Subtone: $1495 Special FM: $1095 (the one that wanted to come home with me) 08 February update korina Artist and Special are gone. Could not verify the Superpro and Improv as the guitar room was bolted shut.
crunchee Posted February 9, 2014 Posted February 9, 2014 What's the difference between the studio (2nd from left) and the FM Special Custom on the right?Is it just that the Studio is archtop?Still learning....conorbI've had both, basically the FM Special Custom/Special FM has a thinner maple top than the Studio. I can't remember if the difference in the thickness in the maple tops made any difference to the thickness of the mahogany bodies. Anybody got both, and can measure 'em?
BTMN Posted February 9, 2014 Posted February 9, 2014 Studio is an archtop, Special is flat. Edited to add: Closest I can get is my '91 Archtop Sunburst. It is 1 and 3/8 inches and my '93 Special FM is 1 and 1/2 inches on the Mahogany thickness.
TBP Posted February 12, 2014 Posted February 12, 2014 Hope no one minds my bumping this, but has anyone tried the Studio? I'm really tempted, although it may be pretty close to my '95 Artist. (I was thinking about a '94 PRS McCarty listed somewhere else, but I've never tried one, the seller didn't respond and I'm thinking I may prefer the Studio. Or the Monoco Elite... and I was gas free until a couple weeks ago.)
HamerArtist Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 I called the store and it sounds like the Special Custom and the Studio are gone. The Korina Artist , Monocos, Wraptail Artist, Superpro and improv are still available.
Never2Late Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 What does the 'wraptail' offer, playability/tone-wise?
ghamerinfrance Posted February 20, 2014 Posted February 20, 2014 The wrap tail Artist is a bit on the high rated price on the US market but this is maybe the NOS effect...
killerteddybear Posted February 2, 2015 Author Posted February 2, 2015 OK, it's been a year and we have some new members, so I'm bumping this post to remind everyone that Alan's Music in La Mesa, California (think San Diego) has a nest of NOS USA Hamers available, including Improv #007. Prices are the same as posted last year. There's a picture in the post; everything remains except the Special on the far right.
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