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What is it with Monacos Elite Mahoganys..


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Posted

I've been trying to sell my Monaco for a couple months and no one is buying it. I had it on ebay 3 times with a starting bid of $875.....what gives?

Posted

It took me 3 years to sell the 4 NAMM show guitars.

If they had made them flat tops with P-90s and wraparounds like I asked for, they would have moved faster.

*my first typing malfunction of 2006*

Posted

The Monaco Elite Mahoganys are fantastic guitars with outstanding tone but they are a "plain jane" as far as looks go.

It seems that these days everyone wants guitar with a high "bling" factor and tone comes second. So many overlook what great tone these things have.

Posted
The Monaco Elite Mahoganys are fantastic guitars with outstanding tone but they are a "plain jane" as far as looks go. 

It seems that these days everyone wants guitar with a high "bling" factor and tone comes second.  So many overlook what great tone these things have.

That is exactly what the problem is. Not a lot of people like the "tone for tone's sake" guitars. They want the "hey look at me" guitars. Too bad really, they are fantastic guitars.

Posted

I'm not sure I agree. There are plenty of plain stripped down "tone machine" guitars that sell quickly at good prices. Hamer Juniors, Anniversary/Vanguards and Specials are good examples.

IMO, it's not that the Elites lack "bling", its that the design is (forgive me) unattractive. The Elite lacks the Gretsch inspired coolness of the big bodied Monaco and Superpro. It reminds me very much of those awkward Aria Pro II's and similar "kinda like an LP" body shapes of the 80's.

There's a difference between a bare bones tone machine that looks cool and one that looks a bit geeky. I believe the market reflects that distinction. I think Jol missed the mark on the Elite.

Posted

Here it is.. I had it posted before.

http://www.delta-whiskey.com/hamer/DSCF0751.JPG

http://www.delta-whiskey.com/hamer/DSCF0752.JPG

http://www.delta-whiskey.com/hamer/DSCF0753.JPG

http://www.delta-whiskey.com/hamer/DSCF0754.JPG

http://www.delta-whiskey.com/hamer/DSCF0755.JPG

Shots are a bit blurry but it is in excellent condition.

Only reason I am selling is because I have aquired too much stuff over the past few months. It really is a great guitar.

-MattB

Posted
I'm not sure I agree. There are plenty of plain stripped down "tone machine" guitars that sell quickly at good prices. Hamer Juniors, Anniversary/Vanguards and Specials are good examples.

IMO, it's not that the Elites lack "bling", its that the design is (forgive me) unattractive. The Elite lacks the Gretsch inspired coolness of the big bodied Monaco and Superpro. It reminds me very much of those awkward Aria Pro II's and similar "kinda like an LP" body shapes of the 80's.

There's a difference between a bare bones tone machine that looks cool and one that looks a bit geeky. I believe the market reflects that distinction. I think Jol missed the mark on the Elite.

That's exactly the way I see it as well, only described in a much more polite and subdued manner.

Posted

Matt, you have to take better pics of that guitar. If those are the pics you are using on E-bay then you don't have a chance in hell of selling that guitar. I agree with the others that the design of these guitars is not visually appealing, but you compound that issue by taking bad pics. When people see pics like that on E-bay, they assume the seller is taking blurry pics to hide something. We all know better than that here..but E-bay is a different story. When I see pics like that I don't even bother to read the description. Spend some time with the camera and get better pics. Use natural light, put the guitar stand outside and take the pic on an angle. I have brother Kiz to thank for this technique...the dude is the master at it. Here is an example of what a shitty camera and good light can produce.

HendersonBakerfront3.jpg

Posted

Yeah, my pics are shitty. Maybe today I can get some time to try and get some good shots. Good advice.

-MattB

Posted

Please forgive but I too find them ..umm...kinda ugly.....and that part of the body where the neck pocket is on the treble side looks cumbersome....should be a smooth transition but...thats just my humble opinion and what the hell do I know???.. :o

Posted
Use natural light, put the guitar stand outside and take the pic on an angle. I have brother Kiz to thank for this technique...the dude is the master at it.

Thanks, but mine is just an adaption of the BCR Greg Guitar Photo Technique.

I just don't have a basement door facing in the perfect direction and at the perfect angle.

Posted

I like the design just fine, but it does not look better than a LP. Maybe that's the problem. I know Hamer does not want to copy a LP though, and they shouldn't. The plain looking Hamer Jr is maybe the coolest guitar I've ever had. It sounds the best for sure. Your $875 price is good though. It should sell at that. How are the maple top versions selling?

Posted

While I agree with the previous posters about the pix, I think your best bet is to try a local sale. The last one of these I saw was nice looking, but, OUTSTANDING once I picked it up and played it. And plugged in? even better. You need to challenge a local LP player to try it and it will sell it's self. They are great utility guitars at a third of the price of the "case stretchers" that gibby is pumping out these days.

Good luck!

Mark.

Posted

the Musicians Friend mahogany LP @ 895 is not helping anything either. I LOVE all mahogany and agree that the sound will be the selling point, are you gigging? how bout hitting some open jams or sitting in w/ a friends band or lrtting a friend who gigs use it for a set, might attract someone that way

Posted

Hey Matt;

I saw that listing - I really like the guitar, but I have a serious money gap at the moment. I don't really care for the high-bling factor guitars as much as a simple slab-o-mahogany unit. I'd like to get one just like yours someday to match my trans cherry Special. Now is just bad timing for me.:o

I agree with Bill - let your local LP afficianado try it out for a set. I've gotten 3 guys here in NH seriously considering Hamers for their next purchase just because they tried one of mine. These are players who regularly use LP's, PRS's and some high-end basses.

Good luck - and if it doesn't sell, bring it to Ceebs jam next summer. Who knows? Maybe by then I could swing it... :P

Posted

I am also entertaing trades for, well, anything cool. I just don't play it as my Studio Custom doest the Hamer thing for me and the PRS and Anderson are my main gig guitars.

If I have it around next Jam at Ceebs I will bring it along. It sounds fantastic I just have always had trouble with the upper fret access on LP type guitars.

Posted

The MONELM has been discontinued. I picked up a few just 'cause I need stuff on the walls and the price was right. I agree they are "plain jane" but they *do* sound and feel like... well, Hamers!

Posted

I dunno - could be "future classics", like the late 90s Phantoms? I remember those getting bashed and not being able to sell, so dealers were blowing 'em out for $400 - NEW.

Now, they are pretty sought-after. Just a thought.

All that being said, I've actually PLAYED a few MONELMahogs, and think that they're fine playing guitars. Not what I'm in the market for right now, but definitely worth a look.

Posted

Try to find the Studio Mahogany, like trying to find a needle in a haystack!! I like the Studio shape better than the Monaco, I don`t care for the little thing that sticks out on the treble side either. I acctually wish Hamer did copy the LP, I like the LP shape better and make the Monaco thicker also, more beef. Jack.

Guest pirateflynn
Posted
Try to find the Studio Mahogany, like trying to find a needle in a haystack!! I like the Studio shape better than the Monaco, I don`t care for the little thing that sticks out on the treble side either. I acctually wish Hamer did copy the LP, I like the LP shape better and make the Monaco thicker also, more beef. Jack.

This looks like a winner right here.............

http://www.hamerfanclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=7410

Posted

Only reason I didn't bite was it's red! I was lusting after a sunburst Monacco Mahogany for a while. Still might get one sometime, but I'd have to bring myself to sell another guitar first.

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