tobereeno Posted January 19, 2015 Posted January 19, 2015 stumbled across this listing from a London guitar shop. sold of course. I've had it's twin for years now, but I do remember the intense interest in the actual guitar used in the catalog photoshoot. http://www.wildguitars.com/contact-us
Studio Custom Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Wasn't Paul long gone by the time Virts were invented? And while I was told there were 22 Virts, I believe we have confirmed there are more like 30. Either way, it certainly isn't 10 in total.
Disturber Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Wasn't Paul long gone by the time Virts were invented? And while I was told there were 22 Virts, I believe we have confirmed there are more like 30. Either way, it certainly isn't 10 in total.I've always heard, here on the HFC, that Paul designed them. Appears to be true according to the Hamer Workshop blog: https://hamerworkshop.wordpress.com/tag/luthiery/"Paul Hamer designed this guitar in 1986, aptly naming it after the type of musician who would covet such an instrument. The first Virtuoso was completed in January, 1987. We continued to build Virtuosos on a most limited basis into 1989. This one was built in June of 1988." In my book it is the ugliest Hamer model ever built, and pretty far from what everything I love about Hamer is about. But the model sure has it's fans here on the HFC, so I should probably just be quiet.
cmatthes Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Paul still owns his - a Korina one with a Sustainblock. They are not one trick ponies, for sure. Really unique sound/tone and a cool scale length. I honestly have little use for things in the "dogs & Dolphins" upper registers, but they are something worth checking out if you ever have the chance.
DBraz Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 I for one would love one. I tried to contact the dude on Ebay about the one that was for sale last year but to no avail...
Hamerica Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 "In my book it is the ugliest Hamer model ever built," was the six string Eclipse. I actually don't know why I can't get my head around that design. It's 12 string brethern, now that is a diffferent story especially the one in Korina. Hamerica
Jem Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Damn ! How long ago was that Ad from ? A few years back, pretty sure they wanted £4000 for it or something like that.
tobereeno Posted January 20, 2015 Author Posted January 20, 2015 The scale length is magical. There's this clarity between strings and the scalloping makes it easier to control each note. Ironically, I feel like I get the most out of the guitar when I play slow and thoughtfully.I hope to order a few custom shredders when it becomes possible, and while I'm 100% sure I won't be asking for more than 24 frets, I'm 90% sure I'll be asking for the 26.25" scale.
mc2 Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Man, that is one gorgeous Virt !!Virts and longscale TLEs are my two personal fave Hamer six-strings.BTW.....that is NOT the Snakeskin Virt from the Hamer catalog !!
Steve Haynie Posted January 20, 2015 Posted January 20, 2015 Les Paul's recordings had notes played in the dogs and dolphins range. He got that effect by recording at half speed and then getting the effect of the notes sounding an octave higher when played back at normal speed. That sounded unique, but when I heard some Homer and Jethro recordings that were basically jazz mandolin Les Paul's recordings sounded very contemporary for their time. The Virtuoso ought to put guitar players in that same tonal range.
tobereeno Posted January 20, 2015 Author Posted January 20, 2015 ok, here's a pic from the 1990 catalog, the sale listing, and to contrast, my ice pearl snakeskin Virt.... wow. it's a third pearl snakeskin Virt.
cmatthes Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Tobe - you are correct about that being a "magical scale"! I first got an appreciation for this one playing Hamerica's through a little Gibby tube amp down in the Korina forest. I believe I declared it the ultimate power pop guitar. Chimey and just full sounding as all get out. Magical indeed!
Studio Custom Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Scale length is why I sold my give virts.
DBraz Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 I am curious to experience the scale length of a Virt. It really must open up that upper register.The only reason I have held back on some opportunities where I could have bought one is the lack of flexibility with the stacked single coil.I think that is why the Cali is so appealing. That single coil on the neck does add so many options.
tobereeno Posted February 10, 2015 Author Posted February 10, 2015 http://www.moonguitars.co.uk/index.php/vintage-second-hand-and-specials/hamer-vir/looks like it's for sale again. Reasonable price too.
Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 Paul still owns his - a Korina one with a Sustainblock. They are not one trick ponies, for sure. Really unique sound/tone and a cool scale length. I honestly have little use for things in the "dogs & Dolphins" upper registers, but they are something worth checking out if you ever have the chance.I am so happy I will get the chance to do so very soon...!!!!And Paul was wrong about the type of people who would want one. If he wanted to be correct, it should be "Virtuoso & Fanboy" or "Virtuoso & Fool and his money are soon parted"
cmatthes Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 The one for sale is a 1992 model, so not the catalog Virt, eh?
seeker Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 That's the second thing that caught my attention. Serial number and stated date dont match.
DBraz Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 http://www.moonguitars.co.uk/index.php/vintage-second-hand-and-specials/hamer-vir/looks like it's for sale again. Reasonable price too.Nice one Tobe.I have secured this guitar and will treasure it. Lovely guitar shop owner, very helpful and just a true Gent. It's a '92 and he didn't realise as the research he did suggested they were all made between '87 and '91.It is virtually unplayed and is its original case. Belonged to someone that sadly passed away and whose wife brought in five or six guitars this being one of them. Can't wait to play it next week!Edited for spelling.
tobereeno Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 I thought about picking up that one myself and not posting the link, but with the recent amp and pedals purchase, and also the fact that I already own the exact same guitar...I would have been thrown out of the house for sure! So I'm happy to see it stay within the HFC family I personally love the feel of the 26.25" scale. But what is unquestionable is the *sound* of that scale. It's an amazing guitar, even if you never venture above the 24th fret. ETA: I don't think you'll miss having a neck pickup. Part of the appeal of the guitar is how much more dynamic control the left hand has over the sound. It must be a combination of the scalloping and the scale length. My Virt is the only guitar I own where I haven't touched the pickup.
HamStd Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 Congrats Dave, GREAT grab on that one!!! It will fit well into that Shred-o-mania stable you have there!!!Peter
zorrow Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 Great acquisition. I love the shape and look of those guitars, though the Floyds are a big turn-off for me. But if you like having fun with the bar, that was a score. Congrats, man!
tobereeno Posted February 11, 2015 Author Posted February 11, 2015 I always thought a cool variation on a Virtuoso would be to make one with a 24 fret neck, but with the same body. With the 24th fret at where the 31st fret is on a Virt, the bridge would move backwards and you'd have a nicely compact superstrat!
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