scepter-V-lemmy

Mark me down as an inverse to this topic: and a proud negatory!

I have duncan'ed every electric axe I have. My first Seymour Duncan pickup was a Hot Rails bridge model that I put in my black Fender strat in 1986. I still have it in there to this day, and it still sounds great. I have been 100% satisfied with the quality and sound of Duncans ever since, and have swapped out every guitar I have with their pickups. I've put a lot of Gibbo and DiMarzio (Hamer Slammer) pickups on ebay over the years. Some of my Hamers came with Duncans already: ..and had no need to switch. In some cases, I put the same pickups in the same positions, depending on body/neck woods, bridge, etc. I've tried other pickups like DiMarzio and OBL (osama bin laden) models, and they are good, too. However, for my rig and my playing style, Duncans fit best for me, and I need a degree of consistency across my instruments in order to keep my rig sounding right. Seymour Duncans are the ones that provide it. For me.

My first Hamer ever was a Cali. Still going strong. The Goldschlager has PA-TB1/PA Stack. The Blue has a PA-TB1/Hot Rails. Both pickup combos are cool. The only harp is the Hamer licensed Schaller Floyds. The baseplate threads for the intonation screws can strip out, making it useless. New Schallers (and some other licensed versions) have hardened inserts now: ...and work fine. I just put a Washburn one in the blue:

+1. I have 13 guitars using original or licensed Schaller Floyds, 3 with Kahler Pros. Each has its benefits and trade-offs. I have noticed zero negative tonal effects on any of these guitars that can be attributed to the bridge. I also have 6 guitars with Nashville TOM/Stop Tailpiece bridges (5 Gibsons & 1 MCS Templar), and the tone is equivalent. It's all about personal taste and playing style.

I'm sorry, but that's bullshit. A lot of Les Paul Customs were made in the 70s with 3-piece maple necks. Here's a 1979: I also happen to own two of them, a 1976 and a 1978: Every Hamer I own has a 3-piece neck. Some of them are mahogany (my Scarabs), which matches my 1985 Gibbo Explorer 400+, which ALSO has a 3-piece mahogany neck: Somebody on the MCS Shredder board also brought up the question about nitrocell laquer...here's a quote: "Post Reply with quote OH.... and a word on FINISHES.... the US EPA implimented changes in the VOC (Volitile Organic Compound) regulations in the late 80's-early 90's. A VOC is something that produces ground level Ozone when its exposed to sunlight (SMOG). They required regulated facilities to adapt new coating technologies, booths, HVLP spray guns, and control devices (some of which are BIG TIME expensive) and switch to "Compliant" paints in order to comply with the new regulations(and the Gibson shops are a regulated facility because of the tonns of VOC emissions they emit on a yearly basis. (yes Tons)) Water based, epoxy and poly coatings began to replace the tradition Nitro-lacquers in order to comply with the regulations. Even the stains used were affected by the new regulations. The sad fact of the matter is that the technology did not catch up in time and the quality of the coatings suffered. This is why there is a drastic difference in the paint in guitars from the 60's and 70s through the 80's and 90's and even to today. I STILL think that the Low VOC stuff is not quite up to par with the old style Nitro Lacquers. I noticed that gibson is advertising that Nitro-Lacquer is used on some of their guitars, which tells me that they went away from it at some point, which would account for some of the crappy finishes i've seen on their 90's and up guitars.. But, I'm not sure what coatings they were actually using and on what make/ model of guitars. How do I know this?? I used to work in DEP Air Quality for the state of PA and i inspected several wood furniture manufacturers.. the money that those guys had to spend to come into compliance with those regulations was absolutely rediculous. everybody was switching away from solvent base paints to water based paints and the quality of the furniture went to hell in a hand basket. A few companies had the money to keep using the "non-compliant" coatings, because in order to do so, they had to install multi million dollar control systems, like Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers and inceneraters on their air handling systems to burn the VOC's off before they entered the atmoshpere. Even those comapnys switched their low-end furniture over to the water based or low VOC coatings to save energy costs (most RTO's run on Natura Gas to burn the VOC's off, and are QUITE expensive to operate let alone buy!)"

From what I have read and heard in interviews, Glenn designed the guitar that way for balance and also to be able to rest it against his leg when doing solos that require some extended finger stretching. It was a comfort thing for him. If you notice his playing position is always with the neck up high. Agreed on the comfort and playability. My V's have that same hook effect for the leg, especially my BCR Jr. V. This one was made for Glenn, and only Glenn. Great for him. Still looks like a deranged bowtie to me. I'll take a GT Phantom over it any day!

AMEN!!!!!! Ooooongaaahhh!!!! The deranged bowtie by Glenn Tipton!!! I'm sure it plays and sounds phenomenal, but that shape to me is beyond ridiculous!!!

I'm all for metal-styled axes. Hamer was number one in the day. I'm not sure if it was marketing, the introduction of the slammer series, or something else, which led to their exit from this market, but it was their presence in this segment which prompted me to purchase their products and develop as a guitarist. A number of premier rock and metal acts used their products exclusively, over other brands such as ESP, Jackson/Charvel and BC Rich. Craftsmanship aside, I'm still perplexed as to the appeal of their current USA catalog. If I want a Les Paul, then I'll buy a Les Paul: If I want a metal axe, I cannot buy Hamer - because they refuse to build them anymore. Even though I am a long-time loyal customer, they have chosen not to serve my needs, which is unfortunate as I would love to continue supporting them. I'm lucky to have snapped up a dozen choice axes of theirs over the years. But now, they have chosen to exclusively build models which suit old men with fat wallets, as opposed to young up & coming rock/metal players. I apologize for any offense taken in this observation, but that is my view from the side that is losing out in Hamer's decision to shun metal players from their ranks. Luckily, there is still Neal Moser and MCS which is willing to build quality metal axes for players like me. I'm thankful for what Hamer's given, they've moved on and so must we all.