What's driving this price?

[FGJ]

Perhaps if prices rise enough to signal a significant demand, Fender will resurrect the brand?

Then again, would resurrecting the name be equivalent to resurrecting the original talent with the original commitment to quality?

I'm just throwing those questions out there. I don't have the answers.

I only own two guitars, both USA Hamers. My '89 Cali I bought new (for $740), and my '94 T-51 I bought used (for $750) last year. I'll probably never buy another guitar, and I don't plan on ever selling the ones I have, so I'm not too concerned about prices rising or falling. I simply don't have a horse in this race. However, it'd be nice if USA Hamers got the wider recognition they deserve. I've met plenty of people who are not even familiar with the brand.

[Tres Aardvarks]

If it is NOS, where are you going to find another one? It's like a time machine back to the shed era. Besides, I don't think 1200 would get you into the Japanese - made Ibanez shredders anymore.

I keep thinking about selling of a pile of mine, but there really isn't anything else out there that is comparable in terms of quality at the prices I'd get for them.

The only reason I consider selling any of mine is to buy a different Hamer.

[serial]

If it is NOS, where are you going to find another one? It's like a time machine back to the shed era. Besides, I don't think 1200 would get you into the Japanese - made Ibanez shredders anymore.

I keep thinking about selling of a pile of mine, but there really isn't anything else out there that is comparable in terms of quality at the prices I'd get for them.

I doubt highly that this guitar is anything close to NOS. For one, it is used (not sold by a dealer), so it can't be, but the seller mentions 'cracks' in the finish.

[bubs_42]

If it is NOS, where are you going to find another one? It's like a time machine back to the shed era. Besides, I don't think 1200 would get you into the Japanese - made Ibanez shredders anymore.

I keep thinking about selling of a pile of mine, but there really isn't anything else out there that is comparable in terms of quality at the prices I'd get for them.

I'm sure you can find something, NOW SELL ME THE PHANTOM!!!

[Never2Late]

If it is NOS, where are you going to find another one? It's like a time machine back to the shed era. Besides, I don't think 1200 would get you into the Japanese - made Ibanez shredders anymore.

I keep thinking about selling of a pile of mine, but there really isn't anything else out there that is comparable in terms of quality at the prices I'd get for them.

The only reason I consider selling any of mine is to buy a different Hamer.

That's pretty much my boat, too....I have my bucket list, but am having a hard time deciding which one I'd part-with, if any, just to get another from the list. I have zero interest in any other brand at this juncture, and I have access to some 'vintage' instruments built at a time when quality was higher than it is today for those brands.

Seems that everytime I get a Hamer, I get something purely 'unique' with each guitar that I find valuable and desirable. For certain models, that value and desirability can be broad, so I understand why certain price-points are starting to seriously climb. I'm sure the recent magazine article by Jol Dantzig, praising the 'classic' status of the Californian, might have something to do with this.....

http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/20026-esoterica-electrica-how-rivalry-spawned-a-classic-shred-machine

[jginsj]

I discovered House of Bob years ago...since then I've always been on the lookout for a Powerglide with that three EMG pickup combo. I haven't looked anywhere near as hard as I should have I guess, and I've never found one. If anyone knows of where one might be, I'm in.....

[Ting Ho Dung]

I for one was a Gibson snob for a decade or so. It was not until I read about how incredible Hamers were from Bob Hartman (Guitar player for Petra since the early 80s). Soon after, I went hunting for a Hamer. The first Hamer I tried, I brought on the spot unlike the hunt we can all relate to for that perfect Gibson... It's been that way since. They are less known but in a sense Hamer started the boutique business and I think some folks are starting to see that and that is driving priced to the Tom Anderson Suhr territory. It's a cool thing to see

Bob Hartman also played Zions. Another underrated USA guitar. You can get a lot of guitar for next to nothin' with them like Hamer.

Edit: Woops, I guess that's been discussed.

[velorush]

Perhaps if prices rise enough to signal a significant demand, Fender will resurrect the brand?

Worked for the original Les Paul... of course, that was one model and not an entire brand.

Tried to play the MP3s on the Hartman site but I'm having issues. I switched to Google Chrome (having deleted Firefox on all my machines - NOT trying to start a political/social argument, I promise, just providing causality) and I don't yet have it all sorted out. The 'player' is shown in the window, but nothing happens. When I hover over the 'play' arrow, it goes from white to gray and the little progress blip goes away.

[Jake8773]

Perhaps if prices rise enough to signal a significant demand, Fender will resurrect the brand?

Worked for the original Les Paul... of course, that was one model and not an entire brand.

Tried to play the MP3s on the Hartman site but I'm having issues. I switched to Google Chrome (having deleted Firefox on all my machines - NOT trying to start a political/social argument, I promise, just providing causality) and I don't yet have it all sorted out. The 'player' is shown in the window, but nothing happens. When I hover over the 'play' arrow, it goes from white to gray and the little progress blip goes away.

I have no doubt that they will eventually issue a "Reissue" now and again but personally I am tired of Guitar companies chasing there own success like that annoying high school football star at the 20th (ok maybe 30th!!!) reunion still talking about THE GAME.

To me these are tribute bands cool for a night but lacking the magic of the original.

This is the greatest nation the world has ever seen... lets innovate! Check out what Moriah guitarworks is doing, Framus is another one. There are tons of small builders out there with big idea too..... oh okay... there I go again... so many guitars and so little time!

Sorry gang!