Got to play a Triple Threat.

[fretknot]

Went to the Chicago vintage guitar show this past weekend, and Dave's Guitar was there with a truckload of guitars including around ten Hamers. I immediately went for the Triple Threat, and got a chance to paw it for a few minutes. It had a very nice top, finished in Iced Tea, and boy did they nail that color! Weight felt like no more than 8 pounds. I plugged it in and played it at low volumes, and it just rang. The biggest difference I could feel between the "regular" Studio Custom was the neck. Going up the neck it had more shoulders than my SC, and felt bigger. Extremely comfortable. The headstock angle was noticeable to me only after doing a side by side comparison with the Hamer next to it. String bending did seem a little stiffer than norm, but that could be because the strings were brand new. All in all, just a beautiful guitar. I know it has a lot of options, and limited availability, but at that selling price, I just can't justify the steep jump over the production Studio Custom.

I did play a Monaco 3 with P-90's that just floored me. Didn't realize it could do the classic/heavy rock thing so well. Luckily it had a Bigsby. If not I might have gotten into some trouble.

[BadgerDave]

The triple threat was tagged at $2,750 at Dave's store in LaCrosse.

Street price on a Studio Custom with a comparable top is around $2,500. The triple threat price seems pretty reasonable to me.

[fretknot]

BD,

I should have been a little clearer on my post. I priced a SC out with similar features, except for the headstock angle and one piece neck, and the price difference I was given, was more than a few hundred dollars. Some dealers are not discounting the TT's as much as they might other guitars, because of the exclusivity, which is fine by me. "I" couldn't justify the price difference for the other two options. Hamer is trying to appeal to the LP crowd with the TT. IMO, if they had given it a thicker body, or had a Monaco bodystyle, the "disguntled with Gibson" crowd would be all over them. I know you could order a thicker body as an option, but I would love to see them come out with a thicker bodied Elite as a standard item.

[CRAMER]

fretknot: What did you think of the tone? Did you get the chance to A/B with the production Studio Custom? What did you hear different? The 2 that I've played had a noticeable "bloom" to the notes that the production model didn't have.

[fretknot]

Cramer,

I couldn't, or should say didn't want to crank up the volume since I was in the middle of a guitar show. That would have called immediate attention to my bad playing, and sent the crowd rushing to the nearest exit, , so I honestly can't say.

I will say that acoustically, it rang much louder than my SC did. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[CRAMER]

Cramer,

I couldn't, or should say didn't want to crank up the volume since I was in the middle of a guitar show. That would have called immediate attention to my bad playing, and sent the crowd rushing to the nearest exit, , so I honestly can't say.

I will say that acoustically, it rang much louder than my SC did. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Well, darn. I understand about not wanting to crank it up...if you get the chance to, in a different environment, do it! Then let me know what your thoughts are.

Anyone else have the chance to plug one in?

[Guest pirateflynn]

I'd like to hear more also! Any opinions?!

[CRAMER]

I'd like to hear more also! Any opinions?!

pirateflynn: have you seen the article Jol Danzig put on the Hamer website? http://www.hamerguitars.com/?fa=customgallery#

[Guest pirateflynn]

I'd like to hear more also! Any opinions?!

pirateflynn: have you seen the article Jol Danzig put on the Hamer website? http://www.hamerguitars.com/?fa=customgallery#

Yes, I've seen it. Thanks for the heads up but........what do you guys think?

[BadgerDave]

I had a chance to play the first one to arrive at Dave's for a few minutes at moderate volume. I was very impressed with the neck carve, which was moderately thick, with a very "Gibsonish" taper from heel to nut. Probably the most comfortable neck I've played in terms of feeling "right" immediately.

The guitar had a very stong acoustic sound, lots of sustain and body/neck resonance. At low volumes, the pickups sounded very even, clear and "woody". I suspect these are stock or slightly modified Duncan 59's, my favorite of Seymour's designs.

The top on this particular guitar was less than stunning, but it looks like the subsequent TTs to arive at Dave's are much better.

I liked the light weight and the feel of the thinner body. IMO, the ergonomics of the TT are better than an L.P.

This may sound petty, but one thing that prevents me from buying a TT is the Victory inlays. I'm not a fan of this design and, IMO, they look particularly inappropriate on this model. Crowns would be much more in line with the "classic" look of the TT. To me, the victories give it an over-the-top import vibe.

[elduave]

The triple threat was tagged at $2,750 at Dave's store in LaCrosse.

Street price on a Studio Custom with a comparable top is around $2,500. The triple threat price seems pretty reasonable to me.

BD keep in mind the tag in the store doesn't have to be at "MAP" so MAP (street) price on the TT could be much higher...

[Guest pirateflynn]

Since only 3 dealers are involved in this special run it will be hard for most of us to see and play them in advance of a purchase. But, I like them and am very interested.

[ET_KenW]

Dang it. I missed that show. I forgot about Dave's being a Hamer dealer. Now i'll have to wait until the fall show to check out what they will bring down.

[serial]

Dave's is a great shop. BroChris has done business with them since the mid-late 80s and as a result, I've had some great dealings with them as well. Dave Rogers seems like a great guy, was always fair to deal with AND his shop always had cool stuff.

[cmatthes]

Agreed about Dave's. Always had great experience buying from them, sometimes sight unseen. Fair with trades and honest guys.

I bought a P-90 Duotone from them recently and it was even better in person than I expected.

[ET_KenW]

I bought a P-90 Duotone from them recently and it was even better in person than I expected.

Dang it Chris. Now we'll have to pull in the Hazmat team to clean up this thread. LOL

[cmatthes]

Oops! Sorry, Ken. Maybe I should have said "Goldtop" Duotone!

[CRAMER]

Since only 3 dealers are involved in this special run it will be hard for most of us to see and play them in advance of a purchase. But, I like them and am very interested.

pirateflynn: Here are pictures of the Triple Threats Hamer has available at the factory www.musicmachine.biz. Good pictures!

[Guest pirateflynn]

Since only 3 dealers are involved in this special run it will be hard for most of us to see and play them in advance of a purchase. But, I like them and am very interested.

pirateflynn: Here are pictures of the Triple Threats Hamer has available at the factory www.musicmachine.biz. Good pictures!

Thanks buddy.

[budman2k]

I recently played a Triple Threat at Wildwood in Colorado. I didn't plug it in but I really liked the way it felt and sounded acoustically. I usually like to play a guitar "unplugged" first and then plug in later and through an amp I'm familiar with. As a Gibson guy I thought the neck felt great. The top on the one I played was beautiful and the color was gorgeous. To me this guitar is more like a Les Paul DC than a 59 Les Paul. If I was looking for another double cut guitar I'd definitely look at these since I tend to like limited editions or different guitars.

I agree, if they really want to get the pissed off Gibson customers a single cut would be the ticket