Diablo-what years are best/years to avoid?

[jco5055]

Hi guys, 

I'm thinking about trying to get a Diablo, as the prices for 2024 seem pretty good, and I've heard good things about them. I was wondering, are there certain years considered better than others? Or even I guess models of Diablos better than others?

Thanks!

[tbonesullivan]

Not really, it's all about condition. Also, they were made during the years when Schaller did not use steel inserts for the intonation screws on the saddles, so many will have those stripped out. The only way to fix that is to put helicoils into the base plate, or to get a new base plate. If the previous owners have been careful, then most likely the base plate is still good, but with over tightening, it's just a question of when the alloy will strip out.

[Steve Haynie]

Quality was consistent during all years the Diablo was made. 

[Jimbilly]

I bought one new, and didn't like it, but I'm more of a single coil at the neck kind of guy, and changing out the front pickup would have solved that issue. I was friendly with the store owner, he let me trade it for a Cali standard, which I sold to someone here for a near HFC approved price some time ago.  

[Jakeboy]

Someone here once offered me a green one for $350….this was around 2008-9 or so, IIRC….why O why didn’t I buy it?

[Cboss]

14 hours ago, Jakeboy said:

Someone here once offered me a green one for $350….this was around 2008-9 or so, IIRC….why O why didn’t I buy it?

I have a nice one I got a couple years ago for $500, I never play it, it just sits on the hanger.. why, I don't know

[hamerhead]

You talkin' the guitar, or the person?

One of 'em's hella sketchy.

[jco5055]

I forgot to mention, that later Hamer catalogs seem to say it's scale length was 24.75? Did the scale length change?