catalog snakeskin Virtuoso in England...?

Wasn't Paul long gone by the time Virts were invented? And while I was told there were 22 Virts, I believe we have confirmed there are more like 30. Either way, it certainly isn't 10 in total.

 
Studio Custom said:
Wasn't Paul long gone by the time Virts were invented? And while I was told there were 22 Virts, I believe we have confirmed there are more like 30. Either way, it certainly isn't 10 in total.
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I've always heard, here on the HFC, that Paul designed them. Appears to be true according to the Hamer Workshop blog: https://hamerworkshop.wordpress.com/tag/luthiery/

"Paul Hamer designed this guitar in 1986, aptly naming it after the type of musician who would covet such an instrument. The first Virtuoso was completed in January, 1987. We continued to build Virtuosos on a most limited basis into 1989. This one was built in June of 1988."

In my book it is the ugliest Hamer model ever built, and pretty far from what everything I love about Hamer is about. But the model sure has it's fans here on the HFC, so I should probably just be quiet.

 
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Paul still owns his - a Korina one with a Sustainblock. They are not one trick ponies, for sure. Really unique sound/tone and a cool scale length. I honestly have little use for things in the "dogs & Dolphins" upper registers, but they are something worth checking out if you ever have the chance.

 
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I for one would love one. I tried to contact the dude on Ebay about the one that was for sale last year but to no avail...

 
"In my book it is the ugliest Hamer model ever built," was the six string Eclipse.

I actually don't know why I can't get my head around that design.

It's 12 string brethern, now that is a diffferent story especially the one in Korina.

Hamerica

 
The scale length is magical. There's this clarity between strings and the scalloping makes it easier to control each note. Ironically, I feel like I get the most out of the guitar when I play slow and thoughtfully.

I hope to order a few custom shredders when it becomes possible, and while I'm 100% sure I won't be asking for more than 24 frets, I'm 90% sure I'll be asking for the 26.25" scale.

 
Man, that is one gorgeous Virt !!

Virts and longscale TLEs are my two personal fave Hamer six-strings.

BTW.....that is NOT the Snakeskin Virt from the Hamer catalog !!

 
Les Paul's recordings had notes played in the dogs and dolphins range. He got that effect by recording at half speed and then getting the effect of the notes sounding an octave higher when played back at normal speed. That sounded unique, but when I heard some Homer and Jethro recordings that were basically jazz mandolin Les Paul's recordings sounded very contemporary for their time. The Virtuoso ought to put guitar players in that same tonal range.

 
ok, here's a pic from the 1990 catalog, the sale listing, and to contrast, my ice pearl snakeskin Virt....

wow. it's a third pearl snakeskin Virt.

5747619653_7cd24e4c6c_b.jpg

virt1.jpg

90vcat.jpg

 
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Tobe - you are correct about that being a "magical scale"! I first got an appreciation for this one playing Hamerica's through a little Gibby tube amp down in the Korina forest. I believe I declared it the ultimate power pop guitar. Chimey and just full sounding as all get out.

Magical indeed!

 
I am curious to experience the scale length of a Virt. It really must open up that upper register.

The only reason I have held back on some opportunities where I could have bought one is the lack of flexibility with the stacked single coil.

I think that is why the Cali is so appealing. That single coil on the neck does add so many options.

 
cmatthes said:
Paul still owns his - a Korina one with a Sustainblock. They are not one trick ponies, for sure. Really unique sound/tone and a cool scale length. I honestly have little use for things in the "dogs & Dolphins" upper registers, but they are something worth checking out if you ever have the chance.
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I am so happy I will get the chance to do so very soon...!!!!

And Paul was wrong about the type of people who would want one. If he wanted to be correct, it should be "Virtuoso & Fanboy" or "Virtuoso & Fool and his money are soon parted"

 
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