bcsride Posted October 2, 2012 Posted October 2, 2012 O.K, my midlife crisis guitar. Maybe not as mint as the MCChris Chaparral (http://www.hamerfanc...al-has-arrived/) but it is my midlife and my crisis (and we all get our own if we are lucky), so there. A few months ago, I found myself wanting a Floyd. Don't know why. I got out all the old "Floyd" heavy CDs. Found myself googling lessons for how to do the Dimebag squeals. But I never learned to play with a floyd (full disclosure, I can barely play a guitar of any sort – but I enjoy it). I actually have a vintage Valley Arts with a fully floating Floyd, HSS EMG actives, the whole nine yards if you will - from an objective point of view, an awesome guitar. But, I never liked it. In fact, I decided I hated Floyds while fooling with that guitar. I have that VA out to a friend on long term loan. I also have an amazing Carvin DC400W with blocks, ebony, Holdsworth headstock - and a Wilkinson. So, I set up the Wilkinson to float. But somehow, it just wasn't cutting it from the tremolo point of view. What I decided I "needed" was a set neck, mahogany body, Floyd, with crowns, blocks, or maybe boomers. Ebony fretboard a bonus. Top candidates would be a Floyded Special or similar, a Chaparral, or an SSI. Somehow the SSII just doesn't work for me. Also, I had a specific color in mind so a project grade guitar would be good. Anyway, I was mulling over options, thinking about project approaches, and this one popped up. There is some “ugly”. But, I got crowns, ebony, and original pickups. There is some “damage” from the midi route. One thing that did change is my "color in mind" when I took the trem cavity cover off I saw the original "blue" of that guitar. I don't know what that color is, but it is awesome. If this guitar stays with me through a refinish, I'll be trying to match that original blue. Any tips on how to match that blue are appreciated. One downside is the neck. It has a smallish neck. In the last few years, I have really gotten a preference for a bigger neck. So, whether or not I can handle the neck is sort of the make or break deal. But, here is the plan. I cleaned it up a bit. I had the frets dressed. Then, if the neck and I can coexist, it'll be a keeper. Based on some limited playing, the tone is AMAZING. This guitar rocks – hmm and much more. The switching seems to be bridge, bridge+middle, neck, + a coil tap on the bridge. The tone is amazing. I have to work with it a bit, but at this point, wow! The bridge is not “F” spaced but it sounds great. The bridge PU is a Hamer. The pickups all appear to be original (pretty sure they are). The input jack may not be original, but all other electronics appear original. I haven’t really gotten any skills with the Floyd, but it is fully functional. The guitar is cleaned and working well. If I decide it is a keeper, I'll have to sell something - probably the Carvin which will be hard as I really like it. If it is a keeper, I’ll need some help on that blue for a refinish. If I can't handle the neck, I'll be selling it. But anyway. Pics If I get a chance with some sunlight, I'll try to get some "glamour" pics.
Feynman Posted October 2, 2012 Posted October 2, 2012 You know what's cool about that guitar? Everything.Congrats - looks like a lot of fun.
Disturber Posted October 2, 2012 Posted October 2, 2012 On 10/2/2012 at 2:49 AM, bcsride said: The tone is amazing. I have to work with it a bit, but at this point, wow! The bridge is not “F” spaced but it sounds great. Congrats. The SS1's are killer guitars, and one of the best options out there for a short scale Floyd Rose guitar.The "F" spaced bridge thing is more a sale trick from the pick up makers to sell more product than anything that really affects the tone.Most of my fave records with Floyd Rose guitars on them were recorded before these were "invented". And I really never heard a difference on my own guitars.
diablo175 Posted October 2, 2012 Posted October 2, 2012 JEALOUS!Been jonesing an SS1 for a the last month and a fixer-up with crowns would be JUST the ticket! Congrats and have fun!
MCChris Posted October 2, 2012 Posted October 2, 2012 I've been a "fat neck" snob for a while now but I'm surprised at how much I've gotten used to the Chap's shredder profile. So, it's possible.Enjoy!
ArnieZ Posted October 2, 2012 Posted October 2, 2012 Enjoy! Always cool to get something you've been lusting forArnieZ
HAMERMAN Posted October 2, 2012 Posted October 2, 2012 Sweet guitar!Make sure you oil that fretboard, it looks a touch dry.It looks like somebody had a hex pickup mounted on it at some point.Not sure what that color is called but IIRC I have seen it on a fair number of Eclipes:http://images.google.com/imgres?q=hamer+eclips&num=10&hl=en&biw=1280&bih=886&tbm=isch&tbnid=T3p11bTCxSdKSM:&imgrefurl=http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php%3Ft%3D602142&docid=8FWOu_WpNgW8QM&imgurl=http://home.comcast.net/~smakutus1/Hamereclipse12a.jpg&w=1008&h=874&ei=f9pqUPX9CM6u0AGVkYH4Dw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=110&sig=114346794623354040737&page=1&tbnh=158&tbnw=182&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,i:75&tx=91&ty=98
Tah-lee Posted October 2, 2012 Posted October 2, 2012 Hello BCS, and welcome to your midlife crisis! I've either been there, or perhaps I'm still thrashing around in my own midlife crisis?!?I am a devoted SS1 player and I must say that I love your new project. The original color is so nice in the trem cavity.Thanks for such a great initial post. I love a good read!I do hope the neck meets your needs, and if not, please keep me in mind. I'm looking to adopt another road-worn SS1.Thanks,Bryan
Rodan Posted October 2, 2012 Posted October 2, 2012 That looks like a cool "player", as it is. The coverless single coils, the gold tooth look of the one nickel saddle, not a lot of fret wear (?), the ebony board...(!!!)Well grabbed, sir!
silentman Posted October 2, 2012 Posted October 2, 2012 Come to the dark side, thin necks are where it's at
BTMN Posted October 2, 2012 Posted October 2, 2012 SS1 Custom, Nice!!! Love the Blue. Hamer's into redos.
Tah-lee Posted October 2, 2012 Posted October 2, 2012 On 10/2/2012 at 1:58 PM, Rodan said: ... the gold tooth look of the one nickel saddle... Brilliant assessment! I think in the Ghett-o they call that a grille. Anyone remember Flava Flav?
bcsride Posted October 3, 2012 Author Posted October 3, 2012 On 10/2/2012 at 12:27 PM, HAMERMAN said: It looks like somebody had a hex pickup mounted on it at some point.I'm pretty sure the extra holes are from a Roland midi setup.
yngwie308 Posted October 17, 2012 Posted October 17, 2012 Apparently I have been in my midlife crisis since I was about 38 !! Now 58... yngwie308
diablo175 Posted October 17, 2012 Posted October 17, 2012 DIBS! Naturally, this is contingent on him selling it...
Tah-lee Posted October 17, 2012 Posted October 17, 2012 On 10/17/2012 at 8:34 AM, yngwie308 said: Apparently I have been in my midlife crisis since I was about 38 !! Now 58... yngwie308 Good to hear - I don't want mine to end, either!
Tah-lee Posted October 17, 2012 Posted October 17, 2012 On 10/17/2012 at 12:14 PM, diablo175 said: DIBS! Naturally, this is contingent on him selling it... Aw, c'mon...I'm telling Mom! No calling 'shotgun' until you're actually outside. Thus, no calling DIBS yet! (just kidding)
diablo175 Posted October 17, 2012 Posted October 17, 2012 On 10/17/2012 at 1:39 PM, Tah-lee said: On 10/17/2012 at 12:14 PM, diablo175 said: DIBS! Naturally, this is contingent on him selling it... Aw, c'mon...I'm telling Mom! No calling 'shotgun' until you're actually outside. Thus, no calling DIBS yet! (just kidding) Pipe down there, Tah-lee! You already have an SS!
Brooks Posted October 17, 2012 Posted October 17, 2012 sheesh, thats not nearly gaudy enough to be a midlife crisis ax...lookit MCchris, or diablo... or THIS.......
diablo175 Posted October 18, 2012 Posted October 18, 2012 Just wait 'til my midlife crisis custom arrives... Until then, I'll hve to content myself with this:
bcsride Posted October 18, 2012 Author Posted October 18, 2012 On 10/17/2012 at 8:16 PM, Brooks said: sheesh, thats not nearly gaudy enough to be a midlife crisis ax...lookit MCchris, or diablo... or THIS.......Hmmm, I suppose my "crisis" level is relative. For me, a floating Floyd seemed enough. I'll have to up the ante - I can probably find some spandex somewhere. But, I'm afraid I cut my hair off a few years ago and probably won't be growing it back.
bubs_42 Posted October 19, 2012 Posted October 19, 2012 That was a great buy and i'm glad you got it. I know it was a load off my mind when it sold.
HamerJammer Posted October 19, 2012 Posted October 19, 2012 I had to purge most of my gear this year, But the Steve Stevens was one of the few that I couldn't bare to let go... Steve Stevens are my #1 Hamers and the only things close would be a Watson or KK Mini-Vee(Turbo era).
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.