hikarateboy

After disabling display name logins many people have reported trouble accessing the board so I have turned that back on and hopefully this will fix the rash of login issues. If you are still having issues my ted at hamerfanclub.com address.

You may have noticed recent spamming coming from regular and known users. The board software is up to date so not completely sure how this is happening, IPB does recommend that we require using email address rather than display name when logging in, so I have switched to that method. If you have trouble logging in please make sure you are using your email and your password. I have also enabled emails to members when someone logs in with their info from a new device. Fingers crossed this helps. Let me know if you see any strangeness.

Sorry for not being able to attend this one. Family plans got in the way. I would have loved to see you Gene! Have a great time. I need a Caddy. 🙂

The biggest part of the reason the HFC has been the best damn forum on the internet for 25 years is because of the quality of its members as well as the mods. We also don't trust algorithms completely to validate that those registering actually are people! As such, the mods spend a good amount of time manually reviewing registrations. There are often cases where the registration looked fishy due to ip location, username, email address or muck rakers trying to access via second accounts. If you feel that your registration validation is taking too long, feel to reach out via the Contact Us link at the bottom of the page. Let us know who you are, your username, what email you used to register, and what brought you to the HFC and we'll take a look.

I was contacted by her husband who was trying to gain access to the site and while approving his access i also found the old post and moved it to in memorium as that section didn't exist when first created and that action bumped it

Annette (2/16/65 - 8/12/16) started at Hamer Guitars in Chicago while in high school and remained with the company until it relocated to Connecticut. As anyone knows, products are a direct representation of people who make up the company, so if you are a fan of Chicago era Hamer Guitars she can be thought of as part of the reason why.

I havent plugged it in yet but I can say this is the best guitar I have ever owned! The WHOLE guitar resonates even when just hitting a single string. It almost like its alive but it really isn't which is good because that would be freaky. The ebony board feels great and notice the truss rod cover. Nice touch. I am more than happy with non bound headstock. I didn't know if my conversation with mike about the neck profile translated but he nailed it. I wanted one similar to a vintage Hamer and I got it. I agree it may be wider like chris mentioned but it feels good. This short post will have to do for now as I need to spend some time with this.

I was told by Mike that a post of mine from a recent thread was spot on and he asked that I pin it at the top to serve as a guideline for discussing ideas and future orders. I've edited it slightly to give context outside the thread. Please keep it in mind when posting. Hamer model names are a language we all understand so its quick and easy to use them when discussing an idea for a potential Shishkov order. I completely understand why people do it. Please remember when discussing that Mike is NOT making new Hamers, although one can understand the confusion when people see how much the Ultimate design was inspired by a Standard. It's important to note that while they share some similarities, they are different guitars. The biggest concerns comes from when someone says something like "how much will Mike charge to build a Watson". Mike is definitely not in business to build Hamer replicas but statements like that might lead someone to believe that he is. Will Mike build people guitars inspired by a Watson or one of their favorite models just as was done with the ultimates? The answer is yes, but these new models will also be different guitars just as the Ultimates are. Let's not forget that Mike has some ideas for things none of us has even seen yet so there maybe something on the horizons even better than that Talladega styled guitar you were thinking about. Lastly, There WILL NOT be another run of Ultimates available at a special price, but they can be ordered on an individual basis. Expect pricing to be reasonable but relative to a regular custom order from Mike. The initial run was a way of financing Mike's new venture (ala kickstarter) as well as thanking those that believed enough to put money down up front.

Know what that means. Time for another run. Can you get on a new design for this one

hmmm, I suspect you are referring to one that will be come one of his signature models. He's only made a few of those for non rockstars. if I am on the right track, the answer to that will be an absolute yes! ;-)

I want to chime in and say that "asking questions" is the purpose of this forum so all is good. I would say a question like "will Mike make me a Duotone?" will get the same answer as "will Mike make me a "Les Paul?". No. If you ask for a double cut acoustic electric guitar with a piezo and a couple humbuckers the answer would probably be different. Bottom line though is Mike is making Shishkov's, and while there may be some similarities between what people order and what Mike used to build they will still be Shishkov's and not direct Hamer copies or law suit specials. Then again who I am I to speak for Mike, although I'm pretty sure he would agree. He loves the stuff he built and helped design so will not be surprised if their influence appears very strongly in his work. The most exciting thing in all this I think will be the guitars that he and his customers come up with that no one including mike have ever seen before. Ionel, if there is one thing I am sure of, YOU are just the man for that Job. I can't wait to see what you two come up with.

As Mike had been a Master Luthier at Hamer for years it only made sense that the HFC would support the next step in his journey after the decision to cease productions of Hamer Guitars was made. As anyone can expect starting a new business is a lot of work. Mike has gone from simply worrying about every aspect of building guitars to every aspect of creating an entire company. He and his wife Trish now have to cover every aspect of their own guitars company, Purchasing, Sales, Operations, Marketing, Janitorial and Customer Service. I havent even mentioned that Trish has a day job of her own. The big idea here is that not only is this board meant for discussion of Shishkov guitars between HFCers, but as place for Mike and Trish to communicate with those interested in Shishkov Guitars.

One thing people are assuming here is that the price on a similarly spec'd custom ordered guitar from Mike is going to be so much more that its no longer attractive. I am pretty sure that Mike is committed to keeping the prices reasonable. The special order was just beyond reasonable. Keep the faith.

Geoff: Right now, Mike is working out the custom pickup concept and basic supplier. Obviously, that will be based not only on his vision/hearing and customer inquiry, but also by whatever makes economic sense for him as a builder. I wouldn't rule anything out at this stage, but having you do a video (or videos) would definitely be a cool thing to add as a site feature! Couldn't hurt to give Frank Falbo a ring at Duncan, Frank's a great guy. Custom pickups? Really? I don't think that's necessarily a good idea since there's a pickup for every flavor right now and the market is saturated. Cross promoting with an existing pickup manufacturer is a really good idea... Seymour Duncan is the only company that has a decent ground game and so that's why I mentioned it. Making pickups isn't as easy as everyone makes it out to be... better off benefiting from someone with years and years of experience. But I digress, my opinion isn't worth squat. Frank Falbo is no longer with SD, he has Falbo guitars and is working on a new pickup company called Flux. I'd love to do a video... not with me playing or anything, just guitar porn and Mike talking about his new company... designed to sell guitars and would be all about marketing. But.. I offered my services for free to Stike and he turned me down. I'm not trying to make money and have always offered my services without any compensation. Most people are too good to have me help them. It's their fucking loss, not mine. I'd love to see you do the video. Sounds like its time for the hfc version of kickstarter to get you there. I'd throw in.

Chris is correct that the special ultimate offer and price is for the base model mentioned. Those with upgrades will be priced accordingly and I expect relatively reasonably priced but Mike is the last word on that. Upside MAY be that the number of orders for the base model without upgrades might be below 25 still so don't wait if you are thinking about pulling the trigger. Btw, Mike is swamped so please be patient while he works thru the pile and responds. He's also trying to put some new machinery in place today. I have a feeling its going to be a long day at the Shishkov house.

Coincidentally, I just got an email about sustain blocks from Mike's wife, this new business is a family affair for sure, and she mentioned that while he may have some I don't think he has many. There maybe a lucky few that get em. Stonge you ready to make another run of SBs? I kid, I kid. ;-)

BTW Props on the Website! Thanks, It appears to be working! Just happy to be able to help in anyway I can. Mike deserves it.

I just talked to Mike and he said he MAY increase the run to 25 since things are going so well. First he needs to see how many come thru with the deposit. My advice is put in an order for the special ultimate run to anyone interested that is worried about having missed it.is cause you might not have. Starting a business is always a scary proposition but I think he and his wife are overwhelmed by and appreciative of the support. The HFC is the best.

Im watching and while optimistic for Mike, I didn't expect the ultimate special offer orders would be going this fast! Still a few left but dont think too hard. This is great.

No way in hell he could afford them! If I hired them, I would have no problem paying them. I have one year's backlog of repairs with just me.....If they came aboard I could easily find enough work to keep them busy. That would be great just as long as it doesnt go something like this: (I hope this links to the 3:05 point in this video) EDIT: It doesnt so you need to forward to 3:05 directly

I'm no snob.I like any good guitar no matter where its made. From the sound of it you found one you really like. Why not go with what your woman's intuition tells you and buy it or one like it. Go get it and enjoy it. What the components are or where it is made shouldn't change how much you liked it. This thread can't and shouldn't do anything to change how you feel. Subject covered in my opinion and it took way to long to get here.

Love this idea. Can't wait to play it and think of Bill while doing so.

Thanks for all the comments. I did reinforce the doors jams with 36" of 1/8th in steel so the door will have to splinter before anyone kicks them in right after it happened so good there. Recommend everyone on this forum does that cause if you havent locks are useless. The thieves came in thru a pried open basement window within 14 days of the first burglary we had replaced all 9 with steel reinforced glassblock. Feeling pretty secure but I am planning on doing cameras as well but having trouble finding any good ones that upload directly to internet for a price one would consider reasonable. After bring this up again someone contacted me with expert knowledge of this process. I am going to present the documented f-ups of this detective to his superior asking for my case to be reassigned. I'll go to chief if nothing happens with a message that the incompetence in this case is blatant to the point that anyone can see it and next stop is the media if they dont react. We'll see if that helps. Insurance came thru but I still was out almost 5000 due to deductibles and not claiming first and smaller of the two losses. At this point I just want the bastards that did it caught, charged and prosecuted. Unfortunately the detective has done multiple things that likely have killed the case. ie. showing picture of one guy to witnesses and saying is this the guy? TWICE ! Having me send the picture to witnesses to find out (hearsay) really???????? ugh.

I mentioned the federal wire fraud thing and I almost felt the spit from his laugh come thru the phone line.

So, I have an update sorry to bring this back up but I need some advice. The thieves havent been charged but I am told they are making a case whatever. The police department continues to not impress. However... I had installed Prey which is tracking software on my daughters 2011 imac that was one of the items stolen. 3 months in and nothing, then last week it started phoning home, sending pictures, screen shots, and tracking information to his home ip and all wireless networks in range so its mapped to the home pretty much. I also have the guy who has the imacs real name and gmail google + ids, Here's the thing though, Its in California so suspect the thieves ebayed it. The guy who has it looks like a straight cut student and not shady although I see from screen shots he cruises the back page a bit for tranny escorts. So I send the detective on the case all the information and he calls me and basically it goes like this: Me: I tracked my daughters iMac and I have the ip, name of the guy, etc... Detective: "yeah, you probably arent going to get the computer back as he probably bought it on ebay not knowing its stolen" Me: Unfortunately thats his problem right and the police can go get it back. Detective: He'll just say that he bought it off ebay not knowing its stolen. Me: ???? Its Still mine though and I have proof. If he did buy it off ebay that might point back to a seller here in MN which might be the suspects. Detective: who knows (clearly not interested) I can send the police a letter (a letter? Really?) to see what they will do but I dont think they will do anything. It pretty much continued like this for another 5 minutes of him telling me how even though I know where my stolen property is and can prove it Im not getting it back. Really? The kid who has it seems like he is innocent (maybe a little kinky) but decent as I see from screenshots hes usually watching cartoons, doing homework or the occassional browsing of escorts. That said I dont want to just gift him my perfect condition 2011 imac. Anyone have any experience with this? What should I do? I need advice.