Sentinel

I just turned 50 last Sunday! One of my first Lp's was Deep Purple in Rock; now I listen mostly to the swedish progressive metal band Opeth !! So guess what style of rock I play! Keep it up - your own way is the right way!

I have been through that, and I can feel your pain. Take care.

Opeth - all eight albums! Progressive metal at its best!

he, he...

My six-strings! Hm... it looks like I need a P90 guitar - right?

It all comes down (up?!) to arm lenght! I've got short arms, so my guitars hangs on (a high-ish) belly level. And I even raise the neck to a "Bill Wyman angle" for wider fret access!

Great Scott!! Beautiful flames'n'curves!

...and: 2. Special FM '59 burst.

Old guitars new pics: 1. Monaco Elite Aztec...

I'm just sitting here with my Elite recording a new demo... I resonates (sustains) like crazy! I had to turn the compressor off completely!! :-) Would a korina guitar - like a korina special p90 - have the same kind of sustain like my Elite, or is it just brighter sounding?

Great - thanks, Greg! Very interesting to know... The BCR burst is fantastic.

Ok, good! I really hope you'll like that black beauty! Remember to post some closeup pics when you get it!

Hey, thats funny, Beergoblin...! That black translucent Elite is EXACTLY one of the two I was considering buying, a couple of weeks ago! But finally I decided on my Aztec gold - the one that made me start this thread ! The main reason for NOT buying that black one was the weight - 9 lbs. 4 oz - that is on the heavy side for me. Had it been a bit less heavy then I would have it here NOW, instead of you getting it (soon) ;-) Congrats, and may she be happy in your hands! Tell me - when you get it - if she was a great one! (I'm planning on buying a black trans Studio Custom some time later... so I'm not really that jealous! :-)

Thanks, Disturber! I have just mailed you to. Yet another pic of my Elite coming up.

Well that's really good news for us swedish shredders! :-) Because, taking my axe back to Kentucky (Willcutt guitars...!) is no option...! And I won't want to leave my precious Hamer into the hands of just ANYONE! (I mean, the finish, and all...!!) So are they expensive? How much for a tuneup? And do they change the pickups at a decent price?

Hamer is shooting Aztec much lighter and yellow than they used to. The old aztec was more orange in color. I prefer the old one. Like mine, then?! Well, I was very curious about the actual look of it (bought it via Willcutt's over the 'net!) as the pictures shown DIFFERED in hue... But when the guitar had arrived after a week and I opened the case for the first time - holding my breath, heart had almost stopped - I saw that it was FANTASTIC. So I guess I'm like you, liking the older hue of Aztec...

It's not a problem. Just raise the two back posts a little. They do not need to be screwed all down... Wow, you've got ESP!! I was just about to post and ask about that. See, I changed the strings the other day and was wondering why the tailpost screws weren't flush to the body. (I guessed it was because of the risk of cracking the finish..) Well great, that is an excellent solution..raising the back posts! Although wrapping around the tailpiece (like was suggested to me) might maybe be even better?!?!

Ha, ha - great! Actually, I am a big fan of Opeth (have got all of their 8 cd's!) and the reason - well, one of the reasons - for me buying an Elite was that I wanted more bite and string definition, than on my Les Paul... wanting to sound more like Mike Akerfelt ... :-) And about the strings touching the back of the bridge - thanks, I was just wondering... I'll check it out. Wrapping strings around the stoptail... do I need to reverse the tail also, then? (I guess so...)

Thanks for all feedback and the nice pictures! You have made me feel welcome here! I love this model so much... but I guess that the Elite hasn't really caught on...?! It is a fairly new model, right?! And perhaps it looks too "classy" for the younger (?) rockers. The Standard and the Studio are more of "rock" I guess. (I agree!) My next guitar WILL be a Studio Custom!! (When I have won the lottery!) Anyhow, I think that all of us Monaco Elite's owners know how special they are and have probably stopped longing/looking for another Les Paul. :-)

Sorry... but for 35.000 swedish kronor it's yours! Actually, I will NEVER sell it! It's too precious! :-)

How much extra do they charge for custom color on your (my next?!) Hamer?

Very nice, indeed!! Tobacco burst?

(Sweet guitar!) So, how was the Phat Cat, compared to the Custom?

Great! Thanks! Yes, you seem like a pleasant bunch of guys! Cool idea (the pickguard!). I can't wait to see your custom made ones! (Already I'm planning on getting a custom Studio Custom! (Later!!))

Thanks.... It seems like not a lot of you guys have discovered this gem of the Hamer builders!? No more Elite users around?