Moose

I chose "average" on that based on past sales and ebay listings. Hard to tell, though, as they don't come up as often. Cheapest I found in TSO was $900, but that was before shipping. Ones with bigsbys go for over a grand on fleabay, so that's where I based the comment. That said, I've "sold" the damned thing twice and both deals have been cancelled! I even got the money once, and he cancelled it after I'd boxed it up and dropped the package with the shipping guy where I worked, literally about 4 hours before it would have been on its way, so it's back up for sale. Probably best that way as I don't want to rip anyone off or have someone unhappy having to flip a guitar they don't want, but it is a little frustrating to have a guitar that good (and the other vintage orange newport that Tonefiend listed as well, which is well worth the asking price) listed that cheap. Newports are just too good for the price the command, which makes them the quintessential example of a used Hamer, I guess. As for the original post, I've played three early 2000 vintage Newports. All were "modern" neck carve, which is a moderate C, not as beefy on the shoulders or as thick at the back as the Vintage carve, but thick enough to be comfortable for those of us who don't like the razor thin necks anymore. I suppose you could get them Vintage necked, as well, so you have to ask if you want to be sure. Seths are one of the most basic tones for Humbucker/PAF style. They're a little more open sounding than the '59s and nowhere near as punchy as the JBs in a studio, and they go from warm to clean and clear. Great for jazz, blues, rock, etc... and very much in the classic 335 mold, though the guitar is livelier and maybe a little more touch-sensitive than a 335 for sure. Especially the ones with Spruce tops, which are more resonant than maple. The PhatCats are meant to be like a P90 in a humbucker space, so those are supposed to cop more of a 535 feel, but the phatcat is actually a bit spankier than the P90s in the gibson. Still has some single coil charm, though. Crap, wish mine wasn't in a box so I could play it now.

+1 Listen to Dave, he knows his shit. And I've used this switch in a guitar. It's absolutely top notch.

Yes.

I know they exist because DaveH had one. I remember it vivdly because he got a bargain. It had some electronics issues when he got it and he tried a couple of different pups, but overall a very cool item. He's a Korina whore in general, and most of his favorites are made of it, so he couldn't pass it up. I can't find a pic of it right now, but it's out there somewhere.

+1 Back when I only had one Hamer, I missed out on a black Newport. I really wanted it, but decided to be patient and wait for the next one to come up. I didn't realize they were rare at the time! And, I couldn't wrap myself around liking anything colored "Transparent Sparkle Orange". Sounds like the color on a pimp's car in a 1970s movie. The Newport I eventually got was BUTT CHEAP. I put in an ebay bid on a whim, totally lowball, and got it for $150 less than the lowball max bid I'd entered. It was almost perfect. It is the most versatile guitar I own, TSO is a hell of a lot classier in person than you'd expect by the name of the color, and it gets played to death. I still dig the black, but missing it led me to a monster deal.

If you enjoy down-tempo, you should have all of Dummy there, anyway. It's THE quintessential trip-hop album. But, for sad songs, at least Roads. Possibly Glory Box just to remind you how nutty women think, though it's less sad and more longing. Someone said Radiohead before -- Fake Plastic Trees, High and Dry, and Bulletproof...I Wish I Was are great sad ones. Granted, most of High and Dry doesn't make any sense, but you only remember the lyric "you just sit there wishing you could still make love" anyway.

Ah, yes. The cask-strength at 3AM brings back memories of a good weekend followed by a rough return to work the next Monday. I vaguely recalled that evening was capped with Lagavulin, though. Sounds like a nice pre-party. Best wishes and I hope to talk to you soon.

And for the people for whom the music is not important. Find whatever reward the music brings you. Whatever age you are. And play what you love.

When he grows up, he wants to be Gunther And Gunther is for REAL.

DING DING DING DING DING We have a WINNER! It's like a trainwreck at the end. Horrifying, but you can't look away! I couldn't stop laughing.

Ipods are better than what? Last week's Ipod? They certainly aren't better than a real stereo playing a source that isn't badly compressed. And they aren't better than listening to music moving the air rather than being piped through earbuds. And you can't share your music in the same way as when you're in a room listening with friends. And the whole one-song at a time thing doesn't do much for me. I really like the album format and the music that sticks with me after all the years seems to range from Dark Side of the Moon to Ten to OK Computer where the beginning to end listening experience is much greater than just listening to any one song. And on top of all that, more than a few people have had problems with their iPods, so they aren't really bastions of quality, either. So, I contend that iPods aren't better than a good, old-fashioned stereo system with quality components. Not for sound quality, not for the listening experience, and not for the overall fostering of music appreciation. Today's Hamers are fine instruments. And a LOT of great instruments are being produced with the aid of technology and tools, to the point where electronics choice, wood selection, and finishing are really great equalizers. When the devil is down to those details, something's really going well. There are also many hand-builders making both electric and very find acoustic guitars that are absolutely amazing. We haven't had that selection of quality lutherie in my lifetime. Cars are obvious. I have a Toyota truck. I replaced one part, other than that it has been 6 years of oil changes, tires, and occasionally washing off the dust. I LOVED my 65 mustang, but it took a lot more care. Motorcycles are absolutely amazing. With an exception or two, they've gotten lighter, more powerful, nimbler, and easier to ride at what seems to be to be an amazing pace since the mid 80s when designers introduced the perimiter frames. And everything that goes with that for cars and bikes -- from tires to suspensions -- are light years ahead.

Strange you brought that up. I was thinking of dumping it for a B8 and played it -- couldn't let it go. 90% of that was because it is such a cool instrument and I enjoy playing it. But the rest of the reason was because of the dude who wants it. He'd ruin it. He is VERY hard on instruments and that 12ver needs a little extra lovin' compared to most of my instruments. Most of the folks here provide loving homes. An instrument will be well cared for or, at least, played the way it deserves. I think I also currently have posession of one contender for Queen Slut instrument on the HFC -- the Diaperburst special. Before I got it, that thing traded hands half a dozen times. And it's a GOOD instrument, so there's no reason for it to go other than someone doesn't care for P90s or has too many similar guitars, but I'll be damned if HFCers don't have a habit of overloading their guitar closets and needing to purge now and again.

Take him up on that, folks! He's a world class host. He treated me like a king when I rolled through. And Belgium is a fantastic place to visit. Lots of history, beautiful scenery, good food, and some of the nicest people I've met anywhere.

I think Victor Wooten is one AMAZING bass player, but I didn't get why that guitar was cool. the guy was just sort of banging on it, there was no musicality, no tone, no melody, no anything other than some guy whacking strings -- seemingly at random. And even the bass got old pretty fast. The pop and slap trick is ok for emphasis in context, but it isn't that compelling in this case.