Get your facts here, kids. Mr Rindone works for Kaman, and has done so all along. He is the Hamer Product Manager, for ALL Hamer guitars, import and domestic. His office is in the Kamn building, not at the factory. Hamer is a division of Kaman, like Ovation. Kim, Jol et al had better be happy there IS an import line, since it is very profitable and gets the Hamer name out there. Against the Epiphone, Samick and other guitars in that price range, the Hamer XT line is superior in many ways. There is a definite anti-import snobbery present on this board, but I feel that it is unfounded. Kaman has created the "Hamer" of imports(though there HAVE been a few turkeys in the past....). I will be using my import along with my BCR Limited, my Huber, my Robins and vintage Les Pauls at gigs, and this guitar will stand up with the rest. I will continue to work with Hamer and Kaman to offer unique and creative guitars, and hope that the effort is met with support and objectivity.