DaveL Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 A word of caution. Despite Gruhn's steller reputation, I got royally burned by them three years ago in a deal.I was buying two basses in a $6,000 deal. I had inquired the previous year and made an offer but one disappered off the site before they got back to me. When I called to follow up, I was told the other one was sold. I wanted them as a pair, so backed off.Then when they both were back on the site a year later, I called to make the deal. I was out of town and had to do a bank transfer to get it done. The Gruhn rep said "No Problem...We have a five-day courtesy hold for you." So, I thanked him and said I would be back in touch within the five days. I offered a deposit but was told it was better to do it all at once and guaranteed they were on professional hold for me. I got back to Long Island the day Hurricane Sandy hit and knocked out power for a week at my place.BUT I STILL CALLED GRUHN BACK WITHIN THE HOLD PERIOD.......and the fuckers had sold one of the basses out from under me!!I was PISSED!!! The damn bass had been on their site for two years, I had a firm deal confirmed and even got it all done in time despite a mega storm....and they had screwed me. I was even payng full price and hadn't tried tomchew them down. I told them the proper thng to do would be to call back the shipment that had just left that day and tell the second buyer it was sold and they had made a mistake. But they refused.I also told them that, if there was any doubt that I was buying the basses or a new interested buyer had called, that they should have MADE A COURTESY CALL TO THE GUY THEY TOLD HAD A "COURTESY HOLD" ON THEM!!! They DID admit that they had screwed up but did little to rectify the screw up.To make it worse.....I decided to still take the second bass and it arrived with undisclosed damage. They finally fessed up that the whole reason the bass vanshed off their site the year earlier was that THEY HAD DROPPED IT AND DAMAGED IT AND HAD TO BUY IT FROM THE SELLER. SO, they lied and said it was sold the year before when I had called.That bass also was listed as coning with a Certificate of Provenance from the celeb owner selling it. THAT Certificate never came with the bass. I called asking about it when it arrived without it and they LIED and said it was in the case and the "I must have lost it."I told them I own a LOT of instrments and have written gear reviews and catalogs for many magazines/companies and am certain the certificate never arrived. I still had the box t was shipped in. It was definitely never sent. They assured me they would get me another and send it ASAP. It never arrived.I took photos of the undisclosed damage and emailed it to them and they said that they sell used instruments as "collectibles" and, as such, in as-is condition. The bass was listed as in Excellent Condition. NO MENTION OF ANY DAMAGE. Total Bullshit!!!I would have expected such stuff from some dealers bit NOT from Gruhn.They offered to knock $200 off and send the Certificate. Again, never sent the Cert.I asked if they could at least give me the buyer's contact of the bass they had sold out from under me, as I had another in a different color with Hum-Hum PUP config that I wanted to trade for the PJ PUP one. Mine had the better elctronics and neck construction, so was more desireable. They were uncoperative.They blocked me from being able to talk to George Gruhn, passing me to the store manager, who seemed to try and bury the problem.Ironically, I know Gruhn and had done hm a big favor years earlier, so it made this whole screwing even more aggrivating. I'd also used him in numerous magazne features, with his quotes from out phone interviews. So being burned by his store REALLY stung.HONESTLY THE VERY WORST SINGLE DEALER EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED IN 30+ YEARS OF BUYING GUITARS. wow, shitty... Did you go wire transfer? It just seems you have zero recourse other than the "honor" of the seller, andobviously, that went out the window...
mc2 Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 Back at the1990 or 1991 NAMM Show in Anaheim, when I was pulling triple duty as editor of a major trade magazine, the TV reporter for NAMM-TV and also doing the voiceover work for the ads...and the host of the Music & Sound Awards.....I ran into a frantic George Gruhn outside of the Convention Hall the first morning. He was being kept from entering by security because Gibson had flown him out as a special guest to be at its booth....but didn't provide him a badge to get in. He couldn't get ahold of any of the Gibson guys and had been outside for a long time. Sort of funny, in hndsight. But at the time I was shocked that a MI industry "name" such as George Gruhn could be dissed like that. I had spoken to him many times on the phone for interviews but this was my first face-to-face with him. I introduced myself and told him I could help....handed him my spare show badge and told him I would catch him later to get it back after he was able to straighten his predicament out. He was grateful and gracious. Typical Gibson B.S.....but also part of why getting burned by Gruhn's store really ticked me off. But want to hear something really strange? I was able to track the bass that got sold out from under me to the city it was shipped to back when it happened. I posted CraigsList ads trying to locate it there for two years, with no luck. The past year I had given up....until I posted this tale on HFC last night. So....I decided to post my CL ad again. Within an hour....the guy who bought it emailed me. So, I'll see if I can work something out. "Why, It's a Christmas Miracle, Charlie Brown."
ib2010 Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 Gruhn's video's where he bang/clangs/scrapes his 5+ HUGE rings all over a 50's semi hollow drive me nuts.
prototype-fan Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 Me and a friend were thrown out of Gruhn's because he was playing "Flight of the Bumblebee" on a six string banjo. I know what you are thinking, and nope. Just sitting quietly in a corner facing the wall when a salesperson walked up and said that wasn't allowed and asked us to leave. While I'm sure they all can't be assholes there, I'll never set foot in that place again. I just wish it had been Stairway to Heaven....
burningyen Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 Wow, the rarely-seen Newport Probe! Ouch!I guess they think it's a Pro BE, which explains why they say it has a maple back. But it sure looks like mahogany to me. Very nice one, I just got my bonus check....
currypowder Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 No need to pile on, so I'll share my positive Gruhn's story. My girlfriend and I were in Nashville last summer and decided to visit Gruhn's while tooling around the city. All I really wanted to do was check it out since I had never been there, wasn't really planning on talking to anyone, just browsing as usual. But my GF has never met a stranger, so she struck up a conversation with the guys at the front of the store while I was looking through the first floor. When I join her, one of the repair dudes asked if we had seen the upstairs (didn't know it existed) where the higher end vintage stuff and George's personal collection were. So we went up there and saw some pretty cool stuff and had a nice conversation with the repair guy. Then George walks up and we introduce ourselves, thinking it would be a quick meet and out the door. About an hour later, he has shown us his rather extensive reptile collection, even pulled out a couple of snakes for us to get closer to. I found him to be rather likable and personable with a pretty interesting history. It's important to note that none of his would have happened without my girlfriend, she tends to be able to talk her way into things that I never would.
atomicwash Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 $3500 for a '98 Prototype?!?! Wait till someone points out that it's a Phantom Custom and not that rare. Yikes!!'
tbonesullivan Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 those prices make little to no sense. They have Eclipses and Specials at the same prices as Studio Customs and Newports.They also have a studio wraptail listed as a studio custom, and the studio custom listed as just a studio.Weren't they still called Archtops in 95-96?If someone really wants some Hamers, I guess the prices on the higher end models aren't bad, but the prices on the specials and eclipses are nuts.
kizanski Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 I'd be interested in this one, but I'm all about the Shishkov.
Pieman Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 I'd be interested in this one, but I'm all about the Shishkov.I saw that but is there really as " Hamer SFX 2 Sunburst Flattop"Is that Gruhn's label for a tricked out Special FM, or whatever it was called back then?
Bosmitch Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 Even though the posts above scared the crap out of me (and I appreciated the posts!), I gave it a shot and just paid for the Tally. Always wanted one and this one seems pretty cool. Knocked the price down somewhat and if the guy on the phone described the condition accurately, it was a good deal. Will find out in a couple of weeks when I get back from vacation...
kizanski Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 Is that Gruhn's label for a tricked out Special FM, or whatever it was called back then?I believe it is a mislabeling of a custom 2000 USA Hamer with a recent import Hamer name.
ghamerinfrance Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 Is that Gruhn's label for a tricked out Special FM, or whatever it was called back then? I believe it is a mislabeling of a custom 2000 USA Hamer with a recent import Hamer name. I guess we discussed here this point as it seems belong to a special run dedicated to the japanese market, flat top sunburst the old way with a SB bridge. Nice one in deed... Basswood body ????? To be maybe deeper examined
cmatthes Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 No - that's an entirely different model.That's a 2000 "SB77" Model. That was the HFC Open House guitar that year, and was offered with either a quilt top or flame top. The number of the run was limited to the number of salvageable gold Sustainblock bridges they could use out of a box left over from late '80s/early '90s production. I think there may be a dozen or so of those.
django49 Posted December 23, 2015 Author Posted December 23, 2015 What with two holidays making for consecutive 3 day weekends, I suppose I need to be patient until January 4, with slight degrees of indigestion based upon earlier posts. Will report then on the two "limiteds".
Stokesdead Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 I always visit when in town. Picked up my Taylor there last year. 1st new guitar purchase in probably a decade. I like the store and most of the employees including George have always been helpful. I usually get free stuff with my purchases which is always a nice plus. Was up there week before last and saw all the Hamers. It was nice to see so many on the shelves. Regarding price, it is a retail store not some Joe Shmoe on eBay or craigslist. Keep that in mind. Even dealers on this board when selling used gear there is usually a significant markup in my experience. As with everything else, you get what you pay for. YMMV.
sonic1974 Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 Really love the goldtop studio with p-90s: http://guitars.com/inventory/ez5455-1996-hamer-studio-p-90 But I'm saving for a shiskov as well
django49 Posted December 23, 2015 Author Posted December 23, 2015 ^^^^Thumbs up on the Shishkov!If you decide down the road you DO want to also look for a Hamer Goldtop, gimme a buzz. Sooner or later I will declare the one with Lollar mini-HBs (AND uninstalled Duncan P90s) as surplus.
Pieman Posted December 23, 2015 Posted December 23, 2015 Seems that Gruhn is listening to offers from some people but telling others no deal. Maybe call back and get another employee on the line?
ARM OF HAMER Posted December 24, 2015 Posted December 24, 2015 No - that's an entirely different model. That's a 2000 "SB77" Model. That was the HFC Open House guitar that year, and was offered with either a quilt top or flame top. The number of the run was limited to the number of salvageable gold Sustainblock bridges they could use out of a box left over from late '80s/early '90s production. I think there may be a dozen or so of those. VERY cool guitar and I don't think a bad number considering what it is................I looked at another before I bought my last Sunburst but the seller could not bring himself to sell it.............and I couldn't blame him. That is a beauty of a guitar!
django49 Posted December 24, 2015 Author Posted December 24, 2015 ^^^^ Okay, lest it sound like I am "fishing", let me just post a picture and offer a price (actually two)....I was in no hurry, but since the subject came up.... If I could net $1200 for the Goldtop with Lollars, including the pair of Duncan P90s (on the left) or $800 for the Silver Sparkle (stock pickups) I'd be good. I reckon that'd much more than beat the best deal that could be worked on the Goldtop at Gruhns....... I am going to hang on to the pair on the right.
django49 Posted December 24, 2015 Author Posted December 24, 2015 The one on the far right, with upgraded Lollars, takes away a portion of the regret I will always have for letting an original '56 GT get away.
Pieman Posted December 24, 2015 Posted December 24, 2015 Your photo provides a nice way to compare the gold colors. I'll have to pull out my 70s LP GT this weekend. BTW, has anybody learned why the collector is selling now? Is he only selling Hamers? The list was like looking into a time capsule.
django49 Posted December 24, 2015 Author Posted December 24, 2015 ^^^^ Restructuring his "investment portfolio" into Shishkovs!
custom53 Posted December 24, 2015 Posted December 24, 2015 Love the Sunburst...http://guitars.com/inventory/ez5458-2000-hamer-sfx-2-sunburst-flattop
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