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possible culling of the tobereeno stash...


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thinking about moving a couple guitars, but want to see what the demand is like these days? These are instruments that are simply not getting played and as they are great instruments, they would be better served by someone who will play the shit out of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I apologize - I was going to wait for better pictures taken tonight to add prices, but hell, I'll throw some on now. Along with detailed photos, there will be...detailed information. If you're a stickler for stock these can be largely returned to stock form (minus the Dunlop flushmount straplocks) but any decent luthier such as out esteemed Murkat would make quick work of getting standard strap holder thingies on there.

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Ok! 1991 Virtuoso, although Jim O'Connor's signature is from 1992. I cleaned the fretboard and polished the frets. This took, as you can imagine, something like forever. Most of the dirt was removed and the raw maple was sealed with Tru-Oil, the tint of which remarkably matched (or at least really, really close) the original finish that had long ago worn through in heavy play areas. No neck issues; I play it with 10-46 strings and set the string action at 2/64" even at the 12th fret for the E string, gradually rising to 2.5~3/64th" on the bass side. 

I did drill for a Dunlop flushmount straplock. There is a finish ding on the heel but no other signifiant flaws in the finish.

Hardware: The electronics (what little there is) is 100% original. The tuners were replaced with Sperzels, custom ordered to all be the shortest post length. This allows the break angle over the nut to supercede what you can get with a 50's era string tree. All the hardware is new, purchased two years ago. The screws to lock the strings as well as the string blocks inside the saddle are titanium.  Titanium does have a particular tonal sound - when extensively used, some will like it and other won't. But just try to strip a titanium bolt. And of course, it is now properly intonated. It has an oversized tungsten sustain block, which was make raising the pitch with the bar impossible. However, the advantages greatly surpass the disadvantages, in terms of tone, sustain, tuning stability, you name it.

If you've a hankering for a Virt, keep in mind that the fingerboard is fully scalloped. It will take time to relearn.  It's also 26'25" - virtually identical to the scale length of a cello. If you have short fingers this guitar will drive you bonkers.

I did some soul searching tonight and while the pragmatic reasons for selling haven't changed, there's no denying the emotional component and selling something else instead. So....

- $5000 USD, shipping will be extra. I'll ship anywhere but North Korea.

- Includes OHSC and the original (not so functional) hardware.

- If you're thinking a partial trade, PM me. It better be damned unusual!

And here's the porn:

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more Virt pics. Note the intonation screws on the bridge - intonation can be easily done at pitch. Also, those little metal blocks that clamp the string? Titanium...which will never crumble and break (which has happened to me far too many times). Grime is cleaned away and the Tru-Oil has hardened to a tough but tangibly thin satin layer.

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and...the one major cosmetic flaw - the ding in the heel.. You'll never ever touch it playing but it's there nonetheless.

and of course, the signature of the grand artist himself.

I am the first owner of this guitar and have had it for 16 years. It was purchased at a NAMM show and remained unsold in a Korean guitar shop for nearly a decade. There's only that one ding from show wear; there isn't anything else major. It's not dead mint - a sharp eye might catch some light swirls? I had no problem gigging with this guitar. And don't forget - the heel strap holder is a Dunlop flushmount. To me, standard strap holders end up pushing the guitar to the left about a half inch. I prefer playing instruments where the body is as far to the right as possible, to make things slightly more easy for the left hand. But that's just me. 

All original parts in the OHSC which is in excellent condition (no torn tolex, etc).

$5000 USD, shipping extra, will ship worldwide except to North Korea.

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7 hours ago, tobereeno said:

and of course, the signature of the grand artist himself.

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Such a special guitar.   These guitars respond sooo well to the players touch.  I really believe that a lot of special Hamer love went into each and every virtuoso.  I was musing with Curtis Meissner about why they are so special and have some unusual, but lovely, overtones.  He thought it was the scale length matched with the pickup.  A lot of effort went into finding the right pickup.

Whoever buys this one won't regret it.  How often do you see a snakeskin virt for sale?  2 or 3 times in the last decade?

The signature is interesting.  Mine is a '92 with a '92 signature.  Perhaps they were painted together?

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Very special instruments, and especially rare.

I was really blown away at how resonant and even "chimey" these guitars are acoustically, and that really cuts through when amplified - they're very articulate, and definitely would sound great in any playing application I can imagine.

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That Virt is a beauty for sure! I'm not even a graphics lover but that snakeskin is such a killer finish. As much as I've always wanted to own one, it probably wouldn't get the playtime that a guitar like that deserves.

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Toby   keep your icepearl snakeskin virtuoso !!! you will regret selling her...

here is mine with the celestial virt.  she is the catalogue virt

 

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