diablo175

I mostly agreed with you. But there are clearly cases where a saavy buyer can "win" something on eBay. A "Hammer Guitar" that just happens to be a Watson listed at a BIN of $550 for example. Or in cases where the auction doesn't get the attention it otherwise would if the pictures were better or not enough information was given, or it ended at a strange time, or wasn't listed for very many days. So, yes, the whole "winning" thing is a bit silly and the competitive angle is certainly a part of eBay's (and auctions in general) success, but there are ways you can get an item below "market value" on eBay. -Austin Jeez, I hate myself when I fall into that trap. I've been sucked in to competitive bidding on several occasions in the past. Like Austin, I have scored some great deals (a near mint Diablo with active pup's pro installed for 300 bucks.) which only served to perpetuate the competitive bidding from me. Until I just said, "no more." That was one mean monkey to get off the back.

I might not be the best respondent given the recent lambasting I brought on for my rant against PayPal, but I can't resist. I should also qualify this (lest I incur the wrath of business people) that I do not make a living selling goods or services thru the internet. That being said, I've been to both ends of the spectrum re: eBay. Loved it for some great deals I've scored on there and loathed it for some questionable policies and personally annoying characteristics. It is most definitely a love/hate thing, depending on the time and the nature of the latest transaction made on it. But I heartily agree that eBay's luster has been long fading and I have found myself frustrated that there are few other options to replace it. Forums are a decent alternative if you know and are known by the members. Craig'sList doesn't have nearly the success rate because of the limited area of coverage. Fact is, eBay has established a stranglehold on the market because it was arguably the first, now the biggest and best at what it does. We as consumers (or part-time business people) have the option to go other routes. But until there are other equally successful venues available to us, we will be at the mercy of eBay and all it's policies.

Aww Jeeez! As a fellow motorcycle rider, guitar player and Hamer fan who has broken his leg and ribs before, I can completely empathize. But busting the hand? No playing guitar for how long??? That just is a big ol' shit sandwich. Brooks, heal up quick, brother! My heart goes out to ya! Jimbo

More pics! I'm not 100% certain but if I recall correctly, it's what was told to me by the former owner (and HFC member) when I bought it. However, I do recall just recently reading a thread about how there were some variations on which size logo went on during the 80's & 90's? http://www.hamerfanclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=45208

Hate to let this go but I've just acquired a sweet SL2H and need some cash to become solvent again. Must sell my equally sweet ('91 or '92?) USA Cali Elite, trans green, stock with PATB1& an SD ??? , Schaller Floyd, boomers, non-stadium logo, OHSC and bar. 9/10 condition- one small crack at neck joint (somewhat usual for boltys) but otherwise immaculate. $1200 USD shipped insured conUS. Can't sit on this for long so if my brethren on the HFC are disinclined to partake of it, I will put it on (Fe)eBay.

Not stating that as a universal truth, Proxmax, just stating from my experience based on several different types of amps (Mesa Roadster, Peavey Bandit, Kustom HV/100THD) and numerous pup combinations including stock OBL's, PATB1's, EMG's and aftermarket Seymour Duncan Blackouts.. Your mileage may vary.

Take this with a grain of salt- Cali are awesome and I currently own 2 and have sold 2. But IMO, they aren't the end-all, be-all of shredders. My Diablo as well as my Jacksons and Charvels hold up as well as if not better than the Cali's. It's a personal preference thing (as with most opinons) but I find that the Cali's tend to sound too trebly and lack some of the beef that I get from similarly equipped DK1's or RR1's. It's all good. They're GREAT axes and you can't beat the fret access or the distinctive look. Just not the first ax I would reach for to shred...

+1 on the EMG's. Have a Cali Elite Custom that had EMG's. Now it has a Seymour Duncan Blackout in the bridge and the EMG is still in the neck. Never had an opportunity to play a Mirage, though I've played numerous Cali's and 1 or 2 Soloists. Might have to try a Mirage soon... yeah, that's just what I should do because I can so afford another bout of GAS...

Mmmmm. John Petrucci Signature model. <drool>

Gotta admire the depth and complexity of the project. I might not totally relate to the style but I certainly marvel at the scope and enormity of the project. My hats off to you Zen. I wish I had your tenacity and creative instinct.

Hear, hear! +1 again. Burned out indeed! Initially you'd think it wouldn't kill them to ease off for 6- 12 months but then, DT lacks the big time revenue from mega commercial successes, which probably necessitates the non-stop cycle of touring and album recording. Arguably John Petrucci could afford to take 6 months off and do another G3 or solo album (both of which Portnoy provided drums) and lately, Jordan Rudess has been quite visible and active in side projects (Slash's album comes to mind).

Without an excellent drummer, average joe radio listener will never hear your band, because your band will be shit. If your drummer sucks, your band sucks. Period. No exceptions. I think the point was more along the lines of you could get a capable drummer to fill in and Average Joe Radio listener wouldn't really notice. It's been said and I agree that MP is a huge part of DT and some mighty BIG shoes to fill. Prog rock/metal ain't easy music to play either- all those funky time signatures...7/8, 5/4, 5/16... and that's just in one song +1 my wife is a HUGE DT fan and if there ever was a person with LESS musical inclination and aptitude...I'd be surprised!

Tough call... I voted for Jackson (lumping Charvel in with Jackson clinches it) but BC Rich definitely has some serious contention for that spot. I am little surprised Ibanez didn't get more votes. Ever since Vai and Satch and the host of late 80's shredders who were endorsers for Ibanez came forth, I'd have expected a bigger response. In the end, I still think the archetypal metal axes belong to Jackson, though. BC Rich may have the more extreme-looking axes but Jackson has long been the name and the standard for metal music of all kinds.

Hmm. I wanna SS bad but I'm not badass enough to pull off seriously pink. BTW- that trem arm does NOT look like a stock OFR arm- NEVER have seen a OFR arm with a Fender style cap on it!

Does anyone know if this is still available? I know that ads often stay up despite the item being long gone. Have sent the seller two messages. No reply yet. If any of the HFC-ers in the Edmonton area are willing to snag it and ship it, I'd be real appreciative. Maybe even get a pat on the back and a hearty "Attaboy!"

Agreed. But divorce isn't- Unless... I were to sell one of my Cali Elite to pay for it. Then it's technically not buying another guitar. It's swapping one for another.

I'd consider adding it to my stable because of the reverse HS but it's missing the last 3 frets I normally associate with USA Cali's. This and the prospect of divorce if I buy it are holding me back.

I feel your pain on both levels- I tend to need 25- 100 takes to get a part down in a respectable condition. To avoid unwanted interruptions or audio additions, I first initiated intensive training for the wife to instill the following: 1) NO entering the recording area unless house is burning or we hit the powerball jackpot and 2) NO making any noise if no. 1 applies. Secondly, I relocated my studio to the basement which we refinished to block off a 8' x16' room for the studio and added lots of sound proofing and a door with a lock on it. Now if I could just get around to actually recording again...

Complete with "flyod rose" trem And extras: "Auction Includes: Hammer Guitar and a Hammer case." Hammer- perhaps an unkown period/line of production somewhere between Hamer and Slammer series?

Well, there's one just like that on eBay right now... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...em=250644524334 Complete with "flyod rose" trem

Happy B-day, man. Still enjoying the Blitz!

I was a huge King Diamond fan- I'd take Them and Conspiracy as my faves. Stellar guitar work in those 2. + 1 on War of Words and Vulgar Display Damn, they were heavy! And just amazing leads in War of Words. Brian Tilce, I think was one of the guitarists in Fight. How about Helloween? Very good Euro-metal from some shredders in Germany. Better than Scorps and Accept IMO.

Zebra IS a stretch but they were very talented. I'd add Countdown to Extinction as two of the best offerings from Marty Friedman-era Megadeth. Also would add Judas Priests Unleashed in the East as good sample of live Sturm und Drang, lock-step tight timing and classic, soaring and growling Halford vocals. And lastly you can hardly ignore Iron Maiden for late 70's 'til present metal offerings. My fave is Powerslave.

Absolutely a fan of 2112. I really dug the concept/prog-rock vibe of 2112 which was a departure from the bluesy muscle of songs like Working Man and a bit more complex than the radio friendly vibe of Fly By Night.

I hate to see that beauty go to E(vil) Bay. I'll see if I can somehow scrape up some cash. I'll pm you soon.