BubbaVO

The guitar technique posts had me thinking. Buddy Guy, Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker aren't known for technique, but damn they're good. JP is also a blues player, so does it matter that he can be sloppy? He's pretty inventive within the blues - rock framework. Satchmo and Yngview - I love 'em, too. Roy Clark and Les Paul - Dayum those boys can play. I love hearing how they make this hunk of wood with strings attached just sing. The writers post got me to thinking, too. Not a fan of what passes for rock journalism. Willie G. really summed it up for me. My non-musical writing influences: Mike Royko (another Chicago Tribune alum); William Carlos Williams; Mark Twain (I'm reading his biography of Joan of Arc - that man had a command of the English language and understanding of human nature that was second to none)!

+1 billyon!

Certainly the old school Batman from the 40s and 50s would go for that totally cool guitar. But there are a couple of incarnations of the caped crusader... Adam West - See post above... Michael Keaton - Black Cali like the one in the '94-95 Hamer catalog Val Kilmer/George Clooney - Gibson Goth Christian Bale - Parker Fly: all black graphite - trem; piezo; double humbucker

Best wishes to both of you!

I was thinking about this thread while watching the Eagles impload. I'm going to contradict my prior post. What does Hamer want to be? Once you establish that, then you can assess whether or not Hamer's marketing plan is successful. They don't make shredders - they've been on the new vintage kick for over a decade. They make high end guitars that aren't for the masses (import lines excluded) and sell lots of them. (Although tonight, I took out the Talladega, flipped on CH2 and brought the Marshall/Mesa sounds of the trademark 60 - dayum! Chugga-chugga city. Harmonics galore. And I like playing the thicker neck. This is a ground breaking guitar. ) Their strategy is aimed at the industry insiders. This seems to have a greater credibility to me than the practice of developing a guitar around the flavor of the month. Would I like to see them back in the game? Sure...resale would be higher if they started positioning themselves more like Paul Reed Smith. On the other hand, the few guitar players I know that are really good have respect for my Hamers. In other words, they're willing to be Hoosier tires instead of Goodyear.

Doesn't Shakiras guitarist play Hamer's? Proves my point...and if he does, WHO is he? I know I'm probably in the minority here...so be it. And no, MTV is not relevant these days but I'd still say it'd be a great idea for Hamer to get a guitar into Scott's and other young players' hands. Certainly couldn't hurt anything now would it? Maybe they'd move beyond those of us here. Interesting story: I sold a Custom Shop Tele just today. The guy came to get it and was probably in his late 20s at the most...monster player who's into Brad Paisley, Knopfler and the like (interesting considering his age). He asked what I preferred playing and I said Les Pauls and Hamers. He said, and I quote: "Hamer's still in business?" When I pointed out they were, he seemed genuinely baffled because he considers himself well up to speed on gear and then asked, "Do they advertise?" My answer: "Yeah, I think they have real pretty ads with some semi-bald guy in glasses holding one of their guitars." I then showed him my Standard Custom and Studio Custom, which he totally dug. He had NO idea about Hamer guitars. For a very reasonable sum, I could consult with the powers that be and help them with a marketing plan that would have them top of mind and wallet in hardly any time at all. And it's not just about spending money...it's where and how you spend it.

I like the Robin Medley. They are today what I think Hamer was back in the late 70s and early 80s.

Too cool!

Well..that's really not me. But I think Tricia is just too cute.

+1 Very cool.

Will get out the rosary beads...

Nothing right about that photo. Isn't too hard too imagine that acidic vomit smell....ugh.

That would be the highly rare Custom 666. Hmmmm...I thought that was the one for Iron Maiden or Dio.

If you want that Glenn Tipton "Eat Me Alive" rhythm guitar chug, which would be best?

Assuming we're talking a maple top/mahogany bodied guitar, what are the differences between the CC bridge pup and the rio grande BBQ and the JB? I had a JB in a Studio Custom I sold. I know this won't be very popular, but I liked it. Whenever I let someone else play it, they would always comment about how hot the pup was. I've also got a JB in the bridge of my Centaura. Sounds like pure hairband heaven to me. I've got a Rio Grande in a 3 hole DuoTone, but that is a completely different top. I like the harmonics that I get with that pup - a very rich sound. So how does that CC compare?

Starting to sound like the KISS farewell tour...

Best wishes!

This is a '91 Hamer USA Centaura super-strat double cutaway bodystyle in a gorgeous tobacco burst finish. All the hardware and pups are original. Neck is straight. Frets are fine. Very lightly "Relic'd": a nick on the neck off the 2nd fret; few dimples on the top; swirl scratches in the finish; a scratch on the back, but not to the level of buckle rash. Asking $500 and you pay the additional amounts for shipping/pay pal fees. PM me if you're interested in seeing more pics.

Feliz Cumpleanos!

I've got a relic'd Peavey Classic 20...straight up for trade

That is an awesome Cali! Does an HFCr own it now?

Is that a USA Hamer? A bound shredder? Cool! What model?

We've seen BCR Greg's great pictures of immaculate instruments. How about great pics of the other end of the scale? Let's see the Hamers that have buckle rash, chips, scratches, obvious repairs ... but that still sound awesome!

I have clearance from the tower. Will be able to attend. Might have to sleep in the car, but I'll deal with that issue then. Lookin' forward to this.

Thanks for the additional information. My conclusion was right, but thanks for setting me straight on the underlying facts. If Gibson was unsuccessful in winning that lawsuit, its unlikely they'll win in the future. Maybe that's why there's an "informal" agreement with Jol - Gibson knows they don't have the shizzit to enforce their rights in court. Given the combined resource of KMI and Fender, it seems even less likely that Gibson has an appetite for a fight they won't win. Fender on the other hand is pretty tough protecting their marks. I was involved in an print ad campaign that used a strat style guitar as a prop. We'd taken the brand off of the guitar figuring it was the safest way to go. A few weeks after our ads had run, we got a cease and desist letter from Fender claiming that our ad infringed on the trademarks they had with the head stock design. Whoops. When we dug into the facts, it turns out that we used a G&L guitar. We wrote them back telling them so and told them we wouldn't use their guitar designs in our ads anymore. Live and learn.