marcus2

I missed the last 2 tours because I was out of town for work. Those were the only tours I missed since 1984. Sadly, I will miss one, too. Even as a huge fan, the ticket prices (even non-VIP) are getting a bit high when all is considered (I know, I know, their shows are great).

That's a great point. My first acoustic was a Taylor, and it was suggested to me. I was in the 'big' music store in Indy, prior to GC/MARS, looking at Gibsons and Martins. Sales guy asks if I'd considered Taylor; I'd never heard of them, he explains what they're about. I checked them out and wind up taking home a 710 (7s were simply less-ornate 8s back then). Prior, I'd been looking at a Gibson (model I don't recall); it sounded glorious but played terrible. The Taylor sounded as good and played like an electric with really heavy strings. And it was about 65% of the Gibson price. If not for the sales guy, I'd have never picked it up. Did that happen to be Guitarworks in Greenwood? The guys that worked there in the mid-late 90's were cool.

All the best to everyone there.

As far as prices of Hamers go, it will be very interesting to see what happens. Supply is now fixed, and may decline if/when some are no longer playable. My big wonder is what will happen to demand? Will we all become even more ardent supporters of Hamer or will we stay about where we are. Many members here also like other brands, so I guess only time will tell. The market is a very dynamic environment. Marc

It is, indeed, sad. But if we are to look for a silver lining, let me ask this of Greg. One thing that I always appreciated about Greg's presence here was his incredible knowledge about building/repairing and his ability to promote the 'underdog' for lack of a better word. So, Greg, who are the other smaller shops that impress you? Marc

If you decide to pursue purchasing one, I have a minty Newport Pro with OHSC that I am open to selling. Feel free to send me a PM if you want to discuss it. Cheers, Marc

OUt of curiosity, did you consider recording any of your Petrucci's for their piezo sounds? Cool tune and nice playing. Marc

Let me get some pictures for you. I have a nice one. I'll send more info tomorrow. Marc

Way. Too. Cool. Vai comes off as a pretty down to earth guy. I hope your son had a great time. Marc

Wow. The different worlds we line in. I have a great friend who is selling his house in Milwaukee, WI. He and his wife are selling so that they can tour the world for 15 months. It's priced at $129,900. $35K is a hell of a down payment...on a house! I'll never live in the world buyers of that guitar do. Kind of OK with that, now that I think about it.

Way. Too. Cool. Marc

There was one big upside to VH3 being what it was: demand fell so much that I was able to score 2nd row tickets easily and *finally* got to watch Eddie play classic songs up close. From that perspective, the lead singer was a secondary concern.

The difference is that MP actually cares about communicating with his fans.

+1 on the Reflex. I own it and it is a *very* responsive guitar. Try it out. Marc

Truly amazing work. That's too cool. Marc

I wonder if this will spur a "pre-Fender/Jol split era Hamer" demand. Best wishes to everyone, especially the craftsmen (& women) who have made these guitars we all cherish. Marc

Of the PRS endorsees mentioned, Johnny Hiland left PRS to join Ernie Ball Music Man very recently. EBMM makes great guitars, and has done a much better job of staying in touch with their customers than Hamer has (IMHO). I've loved my Hamers for over 15 years now. I keep a bunch that I cannot even play comfortably after an injury to my left hand simply because of sentimental value. EBMM guitars are comfortable for me to play so they are my guitar of choice these days. Getting involved with that company shows me one that is far more in tune with folks that are players, but cannot anty up the cash that Hamer decided it could demand in the market a few years ago. Too bad, since one of the reasons I became a fan of Hamer in the mid 1990s was the bang for the buck factor Hamer offered. EBMM's quality is outstanding. Sure, as bolt-ons, they are a different game than set-necks, but they make outstanding guitars. To my mind, when Hamer went the boutique route in pricing, they left many of their core buyers behind. I could, of course, be very wrong. I wish the best to all the guys building these fantastic guitars. Marc Disagree. Paid endorsements to people who the majority of the guitar buying public don't give a shit about get expensive. Endorsements to people with juice in the guitar buying market pay for themselves over and over and over again. Steve Stevens, Uncle Dick, and Tom Dumont (sp?) do not in any way shape or form equal Dave Navarro, Johnny Hiland, and David Grissom (note that I didn't even use the big hitters from PRS) to the masses. Hamer fans, yes...but not the rest of the guitar playing world.

This all makes for fascinating reading. I've been a Hamer fan since 1994. I was in grad school and would save and save and save to slowly get my first Hamer. Since I got out of school and secured a "real" job, I added to the collection because, though not inexpensive, the bang for the buck factor was amazing. Plus, this forum and its long time members created a "clubhouse" atmosphere where people who "got it" could share thoughts, buy/sell gear, etc. A few years back an accident made Hamers hard for me to play. So, my purchases stopped. I have only sold a few of my Hamers, deciding to keep the majority. Mostly out of the sentimental value they have. Had I not hurt my fretting hand, I could no longer afford a Hamer. I'm floored by how expensive they have gotten. It's interesting to read here what may have prompted such price increases. I do wish the best to the company and its employees. I'll be curious to read the skinny when it comes to light. marc

I saw Dweezil Zappa play a bunch of different tube amp on the Zappa Plays Zappa tour 2 years ago. When I saw him 2 weeks ago, he had the AxeFx. That says a lot, IMHO. Marc

How about restoring this one?! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...atchlink:top:us

I have one. It's a cool guitar. Try looking at these websites to get the trem: http://www.jemsite.com/ or http://www.ibanezrules.com/index.htm The second one is your best bet. Good luck, Marc

Out of curiosity, does the fact that a lot of the vintage instruments (especially the beat up ones) sound good come from the fact that they have been played, and a lot at that? The reason I ask is that a cello-playing colleague of mine explained to me that a cello, like other stringed instruments, needs to be played to keep a certain quality sound coming from it. Of course, that sound quality is independent of the quality of the player that actually practices. ;-) I think it has to do with how the sound waves affect the wood of the instrument.

Peso, That must have been awesome! My follow-up would be Eric Johnson opening for Rush back in 1991 on the Roll the Bones Tour. I saw that one night in Bloomington, IL and the next night in Milwaukee, WI. Fantastic stuff! Marc

Not a 25th anniversary, but I do have an Artist Korina HB. Marc

Great thread, guys. It's an ongoing journey. Early influences that are still huge for me: Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson George Lynch EVH That moved me on to: Steve Vai Joe Satriani Kirk Hammett Then: Stanley Clarke Andy Summers Michael Wilton Chris DeGarmo More recently: Miles Davis John Coltrane T-Monk Bob Balsley (my guitar teacher) And +1 to Kiz for Greg Koch (he used to work at the old guitar store I bought my gear at as a teenager). All these guys still matter to me, and I forgot even more I bet. Edited to add Monte Montgomery.