Some "Centablo" pix

[Jeff R]

Sorry for the quality from my digital point 'n' shoot, but I'm eager to share (I'm sure Cajun Boy and I will shoot some nicer ones very soon).

Here's the "Centablo" I recently picked up from the Admiral Ballsy collection. Many freaky things going on here.

1. Serial number is '95, the last production year for Centauras. There is only one other Centaura listed in the published HFC database, and this one is after it number-wise. Serial is doing a trace on the number to see if this is the last documented Centaura to leave the factory.

2. Centaura body has the rare 2HB configuration.

3. Custom color - transparent blue 'bursting to an almost solid purple (wood grain on edges only visible under florescent lights.) These photos do not do the color justice.

4. Diablo neck. Thick Diablo profile, reverse head (Centauras phased out inverted heads in '92) and small Hamer logo like a Diablo.

5. Fingerboard, however, is Centaura (offset dots). Also, the fingerboard is rosewood, not pau ferro.

6. The body is light swamp ash and a ONE-PIECE. Neither Ballsy or I have been able to detect any seam in it.

It's currently loaded with a Dimarzio Humbucker from Hell in the neck and a Dimarzio Fred in the bridge, with an added five-way Megaswitch. I can get five cool sounds with tapped but combined 'buckers in the 2 and 4 position, and I can use the factory mid-boost toggle to make all five sound somewhat shittier. I'll probably end up changing to Duncans (my preference) and converting the midboost toggle to a phase switch to get that hollowfunky sound in position 3.

Oh yeah, excellent-plus condition at least. No dings, nicks, fretware or anything, just some polishing scratches here and there that could be buffed out easily.

I hounded Ballsy for this one for over a year, and it stole my heart straight from the case. This is pretty much "the" Hamer custom order I would file if they would make it - the Centaura 2HB is my favorite they've ever made, I'm very fond of ash/rosewood bolt-ons, this one has a meatier neck, and the blue/purple burst is gorgeous. I'm in guitar heaven.

Just wanted to share!

[savethematches]

Nice score!

[silentman]

Isn't that basically a later model SS ?

It's cool!

[atquinn]

Cool! If it's the guitar I think it is, it looked lighter in AdmiralB's pictures, like more of a denim burst.

[Nuclear Wessel]

Very cool Centaura! I like that finish too.

This Centaura fits the description of one that the Admiral put up a PSA post about probably 6 years ago. This one and a Diablo were NOS in a shop in Indiana. I called the shop, closed the deal on the Diablo and asked them about this one as well. They said a customer had custom ordered it, put money down on it but then never picked it up. They were real nice guys to deal with and included a sweet TKL molded case with my Diablo.

That's a really nice custom shop guitar!

[Guest galejt]

This has me worried...

"(I'm sure Cajun Boy and I will shoot some nicer ones very soon)"

[copper blue]

Brokeback Centablo?

[Brooks]

sweet!

[pesocaster]

Freaking Awesome!!!! Play the s#!t outa it!

[jettster]

[Hamerica]

Congrats Jeff!

That is one strange duck from Hamer. Double humbuckers like a diablo. Very interesting.

[jenvon]

Is that originally from Guitarworks in Greenwood?

If so, I played that years and years ago. Indeed, Kevin (owner of the shop) is a good guy.

[mattb]

Fuck Yeah! That is killer! I loves me some blue guitars.

[rmahurin]

It's mint. Hope it finally sees some playing time. Would have just ended up in the ax crypt at my place.

Got a couple of quality mini life lessons from that one myself though; The quick neck repair Balsy did on it must have really worked.

[BLuesBuster]

that's a fabulous guitar, a Centaura with a fat back nect may be the perfect Hamer.

[Jeff R]

Just got an e-mail from Hamer. It shows in the logbooks as a Centaura in black/blue built 12/19/95 for Guitar Works.