Lita Ford Guitar Experience Guitars Explained

[Jim Cara Guest]

I should have come to this board when we started offering replicas of Lita's Hamer guitars, along with a VIP All Access event with Lita.
I have been doing replica basses and guitars for Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Brad Gillis and many others for a very long time.
To be perfectly clear, these buyers are not players, nor are they looking for a Vintage USA Hamer. This is for the high-end Rock Fan that collects replicas along with extensive Meet and Greets

I may have misspoken when I started doing this, but when advised by HAMER at the time, I was told they were no longer making Standards, with the last available being the Import XT. I was told that we could reclaim used XT guitars and instead of calling them used, I could use the word Vintage.  Now in retrospect, Vintage is judgmental.

So, we find XT models and strip them. I reshape the headstocks, Replace the roundover backs, and we refinish the Crown inlay FT Stardards  in Black. Then I Replace the hardware with Gibson hardware. This includes changing the bridge and bridgeposts  to threaded ABR-1 . and replace the electronics with full size pots as well as DiMarzio pickups
When we make the White replica, we get the Natural XT with the pickguard and dot neck. As you probably know, the Pickguard is Faux and it is a solid top underneath.
Again I replace the back and route the top and back for black binding. Then I refinish them white.

Some of them have been converted to Two-Screw truss covers.

The serial numbers are removed and are stamped LF. The guitars are sold with a certificate saying exactly what they are, and the buyer is told that they begin life as an import XT model.

These guitars are distressed to closely match hers and Lita does play them for a few shows when a client buys one. So, they are stable quality replicas.

I do not seek out players to buy these guitars, and if I am contacted, they hear exactly what I say here.

I admit, there was a lot of bad information when we started doing this, and I did not know the dedication of actual Hamer fans nor was I experienced with Hamer history, although I personally bought a Standard in 78, and destroyed it as a teenager would..
If I insulted anyone, I'm ready to take blame for not being educated in the brand loyalty.  If the early prototypes had any misleading modifications such as Made in the USA, it was taken with extreme liberty because of the replica work we did to them was all done in the USA, This was addressed by the proper people and corrected.
I replace the Hamer Decal after reshaping the headstock, and below the Hamer decals it reads, , "Authentic  Hamer Guitar Customized for Lita Ford.

I'd be glad to hear any comments,

Here are the two early models we made.

Thanks for allowing me to speak my case and hopefully regain some respect with the dedicated Hamer Fans.
I in no way would present these to a player as an actual USA Early Vintage guitar

If it would please the Hamer Fans here, I will remove Vintage from any mention on marketing material.
In my defense It was the Hamer distributors that suggested Vintage instead of Used when we brought this to them at NAMM

Thanks for hearing me out, and all respect to you.



 

[RobB]

Just thought I'd post a preview:

[Biz Prof]

I applaud the OP's attempt to explain what, to me, appears to be the guitar version of one of the oldest baker's grifts in the book--the Entenmann's Shim-Sham.  After re-reading the post and contemplating it a bit more, I've concluded that "thou dost protest too much."  If the process of modifying imported Hamer Standards in order to render facsimiles of iconic 4-digit USA-made Hamer Standards for sale in a profit-seeking venture doesn't register with the purveyor as either sketchy or ethically murky, then perhaps ignorance really is bliss. I don't think it was out of ignorance; in fact, I suspect it was witting because of the potential to make money on these conversions. As for the explanation that Hamer-affiliated people made suggestions like labeling it as "Vintage" (effectively, a license to counterfeit) is a claim I simply won't buy without corroborating evidence provided directly from credible sources.  Should those sources manifest themselves, I will gladly eat crow without even a dash of salt.

Frankly, in light of intellectual property laws in the USA, I'm not sure why it wouldn't have occurred to anyone not called Hamer/KMC/JAM wanting to produce copies of Salt and Pepper (again, for sale in a profit-seeking venture) to simply avoid putting or retaining the "Hamer" logo or mark anywhere on the heavily-modified finished product.  To do otherwise creates conditions in which the market can be easily confused as to what the product actually is...and isn't. Besides, If the buyers were so well-informed of the instruments' provenance during the sales process, then what would be the harm in having a headstock adorned with "LITA" or, perhaps nothing at all?

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to everyone!

[kizanski]

21 hours ago, Jim Cara Guest said:

I should have come to this board when we started offering replicas of Lita's Hamer guitars, along with a VIP All Access event with Lita.
I have been doing replica basses and guitars for Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Brad Gillis and many others for a very long time.
To be perfectly clear, these buyers are not players, nor are they looking for a Vintage USA Hamer. This is for the high-end Rock Fan that collects replicas along with extensive Meet and Greets

I may have misspoken when I started doing this, but when advised by HAMER at the time, I was told they were no longer making Standards, with the last available being the Import XT. I was told that we could reclaim used XT guitars and instead of calling them used, I could use the word Vintage.  Now in retrospect, Vintage is judgmental.

So, we find XT models and strip them. I reshape the headstocks, Replace the roundover backs, and we refinish the Crown inlay FT Stardards  in Black. Then I Replace the hardware with Gibson hardware. This includes changing the bridge and bridgeposts  to threaded ABR-1 . and replace the electronics with full size pots as well as DiMarzio pickups
When we make the White replica, we get the Natural XT with the pickguard and dot neck. As you probably know, the Pickguard is Faux and it is a solid top underneath.
Again I replace the back and route the top and back for black binding. Then I refinish them white.

Some of them have been converted to Two-Screw truss covers.

The serial numbers are removed and are stamped LF. The guitars are sold with a certificate saying exactly what they are, and the buyer is told that they begin life as an import XT model.

These guitars are distressed to closely match hers and Lita does play them for a few shows when a client buys one. So, they are stable quality replicas.

I do not seek out players to buy these guitars, and if I am contacted, they hear exactly what I say here.

I admit, there was a lot of bad information when we started doing this, and I did not know the dedication of actual Hamer fans nor was I experienced with Hamer history, although I personally bought a Standard in 78, and destroyed it as a teenager would..
If I insulted anyone, I'm ready to take blame for not being educated in the brand loyalty.  If the early prototypes had any misleading modifications such as Made in the USA, it was taken with extreme liberty because of the replica work we did to them was all done in the USA, This was addressed by the proper people and corrected.
I replace the Hamer Decal after reshaping the headstock, and below the Hamer decals it reads, , "Authentic  Hamer Guitar Customized for Lita Ford.

I'd be glad to hear any comments,

Here are the two early models we made.

Thanks for allowing me to speak my case and hopefully regain some respect with the dedicated Hamer Fans.
I in no way would present these to a player as an actual USA Early Vintage guitar

If it would please the Hamer Fans here, I will remove Vintage from any mention on marketing material.
In my defense It was the Hamer distributors that suggested Vintage instead of Used when we brought this to them at NAMM

Thanks for hearing me out, and all respect to you.



 

Quoted for the sake of future nostalgia, because I think this thread is going to have a long life.

I read the OP several times and I'm still not convinced that I know what I've read. It reads like an ad and an apology at the same time (which I think supports @Biz Prof's post above). I smell fish.

I am confused about the idea of swapping hardware and electronics to build a guitar marketed toward someone who doesn't play. 

Also, I can see the logic in making and selling an EVH Frankenstein copy or a Jimi Monterey Stratocaster copy, but are there that many Lita Ford fans out there who care about her gear outside of the comparatively tiny group of Hamer fans here?
Personally, I can only name one of her songs and that's because Ozzy sings on it.

[hamerhead]

Where's WyldBil when we need him?

[MCChris]

22 hours ago, Jim Cara Guest said:

I may have misspoken when I started doing this

Simple question: why did you lie about the condition of the guitar? 

[kizanski]

13 minutes ago, MCChris said:

Simple question: why did you lie about the condition of the guitar? 

Classic @BadgerDave!

At least he didn't pull a Benegbi and claim that these guitars are mint.  

[JustKid]

1 hour ago, kizanski said:

Quoted for the sake of future nostalgia, because I think this thread is going to have a long life.

I read the OP several times and I'm still not convinced that I know what I've read.

Exactly my feelings after I read it for the first time. 

To me it could all fit in one sentence - I buy Indonesians and convert it to Hamer USA and even use correct logo so that no one could figure it out. In another words I sell fakes...to musicians or not is quite irrelevant. 
If you want to do it right - take out Hamer logo and write Lita Ford, and then attach the same explanation about the whole conversion process. But Hamer USA?  I bet there's also a serial from that era, so that "non-musicians" could be even happier?

[crunchee]

Every time I read the OP, I'm reminded of this Mythbusters episode:

Why go to the trouble of 'converting' budget import guitars to 'boo-teek' specs?  Where's the 'mojo' in that?    Why not build from scratch to your own 'exacting' specs, using the best materials?  

[RobB]

On 12/16/2021 at 12:17 PM, Jim Cara Guest said:

If the early prototypes had any misleading modifications such as Made in the USA, it was taken with extreme liberty because of the replica work we did to them was all done in the USA, This was addressed by the proper people and corrected. I replace the Hamer Decal after reshaping the headstock, and below the Hamer decals it reads, "Authentic  Hamer Guitar Customized for Lita Ford."

I'd be glad to hear any comments,
 

Howzabout, "Authentic Hamer XT Guitar Custiomized for Lita Ford?" I mean, you wouldn't want to mislead anybody, now wouldja?

[hamerhead]

[cynic]

It's as if someone walked into a crowded room and took a shit in the middle of the floor then turned and walked out.

[kizanski]

7 minutes ago, cynic said:

It's as if someone walked into a crowded room and took a shit in the middle of the floor then turned and walked out.

A replica of a shit.  

[Bigchiefwillie]

On 12/16/2021 at 3:17 PM, Jim Cara Guest said:

This is for the high-end Rock Fan that collects replicas along with extensive Meet and Greets

I'm not worthy.

[Jakeboy]

The OP is very confusing….I don’t see the point in the post, in coming here, none of it. Is it even a thing , or is it simply as @cynic so picturesquely described above?

[The Shark]

Yeah, no.....

I owned one Hondo Strat....

[Hamer95USA]

  This guy remind of Ed Roman, another music gear retailer/scam artist trying to sell guitars that are altered to be like their favorite artists and sell that guitar at a profit to unsuspecting buyers. I don't buy any of the rhetoric or his apology about his fake Hamer USA Lita Ford replica guitars. I'm surprised that Fender doesn't send him a cease & desist letter for doing such a thing. 

[RobB]

41 minutes ago, Hamer95USA said:

I'm surprised that Fender doesn't send him a cease & desist letter for doing such a thing. 

Don’t be surprised. FMIC dropped Hamer almost a decade ago. 

[Eli]

On 12/16/2021 at 12:17 PM, Jim Cara Guest said:

Now in retrospect, Vintage is judgmental.





 

 

I'm feeling very 'vintage' about this post.

[tweed]

On 12/16/2021 at 2:17 PM, Jim Cara Guest said:

 

I replace the Hamer Decal after reshaping the headstock, and below the Hamer decals it reads,  "Authentic  Hamer Guitar Customized for Lita Ford.

 

 

Even with my old eyes, I couldn't see that on the picture you posted. I even used a magnifying glass to check it out, still don't see it !!!  Double checking your post, I see it was an early model. Backtracked some old pictures  of the Lita Ford Hamer and clearly saw that it was an import model with a USA label, clearly misleading and you did not post a model with the new label stating what it was, although still misleading because it's not an 'authentic' Hamer. Why not show the certificate you speak of. Being fairly new to Hamer myself, I came across an old post dated 6/18/19 by an HFC brother @Steve Haynie about this very same topic. Why couldn't you post your remarks back then. Maybe, someone should contact Lita Ford and tell her what she got herself into !!

 

[Bennyboy-UK]

@Ed Rechts

 

Looks like about $5,000

 

Yeah..... 

..... nah...

 

Reissue... erm... nope.

 

 

[Biz Prof]

3 hours ago, Bennyboy-UK said:

@Ed Rechts

 

Looks like about $5,000

 

Yeah..... 

..... nah...

 

Reissue... erm... nope.

 

 

The prosecution rests its case, your honor.

[tbonesullivan]

Honestly, even if it's a Steve Hague Les Paul Replica, it's still a counterfeit. Doesn't matter how good or bad it is. Kinda sad that it's easier to get people to pay out the a$$ for a counterfeit than it is for them to pay for a real custom made original from one of the many exceptional builders out there today.

[topekatj]

The Lita Ford Experience is incomplete! Why stop with JUST the guitars?

In order to provide a complete package the OP should recruit suitable female candidates and transform them (via physical enhancements) into Lita replicants, circa 1979! 

 

[Dana_V]

Yeah, but does he buff out the finish with an electric drill?