jer_vic Posted March 14, 2023 Posted March 14, 2023 There's a Hamer USA special (either 82 or 2002 - serial # is 23xxxx or 25xxxx) in my area(ish), and I'm wondering what it's worth. Described as follows: "Hamer Special USA P90 - $550. Awesome guitar but needs a new pot and some soldering work. Neck was broken ~20 years ago and repaired by excellent luthier Steve Soest. With original hard shell case. " He sent some pictures, one of which showing a large-ish sticker on the back. He also has a few pots that he implied would be included. Case looks to be in reasonable shape. Claims it plays well, etc. Assuming it's as described, is $550 reasonable?
BubbaVO Posted March 14, 2023 Posted March 14, 2023 Don’t expect to flip it for $1500. But it might just be a heck of a player if the repair was done well.
geoff_hartwell Posted March 14, 2023 Posted March 14, 2023 I love guitars with well-repaired neck breaks. Some shy away, but in my experience, they’re stronger than before and have been pre-disastered haha. Unless there’s anything blatantly wrong structurally when you check it out, it’s a screamin’ deal on a player!
jer_vic Posted March 14, 2023 Author Posted March 14, 2023 On 3/14/2023 at 6:09 PM, hamerhead said: 1992. Buy it. Expand Wow, I was off by 10 years. In both directions.
jer_vic Posted March 14, 2023 Author Posted March 14, 2023 On 3/14/2023 at 6:53 PM, BubbaVO said: Don’t expect to flip it for $1500. But it might just be a heck of a player if the repair was done well. Expand Oh no, I'd keep it, and if/when I resold it, it would be at a commensurate price (adjusted for inflation, market and fixed pot(s), etc.).
bry4321 Posted March 14, 2023 Posted March 14, 2023 I would google the luthier he referenced. Can you do the soldering etc. or will you have to pay to have it done? I would imagine here I would have to pay $100-$150 for that and for a possible setup. Similar guitar in as-new shape has been on FB marketplace near me (east coast USA) for $1050 for several weeks just for reference. If you don't have your heart set on it you could make a lower offer and maybe you will get lucky if the seller is anxious to part with it. As someone pointed out you might want to play it first. That is a challenge with internet purchases, isn't it? Good luck!
BadgerDave Posted March 14, 2023 Posted March 14, 2023 Unless the neck is wonky or it needs a refret, I'd say $550 is an excellent price. The neck repair looks very well done in the photo.
Jimbilly Posted March 14, 2023 Posted March 14, 2023 Some expert or other ( I think it might have been the owner of Emerald City) said that guitars with well repaired headstock breaks almost always sound better than before. My #1 (SS2) has a headstock repair, as does my SS1. I recognize that the repair will hurt the value, but if done well, it will probably not make it play or sound worse than before. The original case adds some value too.
cmatthes Posted March 17, 2023 Posted March 17, 2023 On 3/14/2023 at 9:02 PM, Jimbilly said: Some expert or other ( I think it might have been the owner of Emerald City) said that guitars with well repaired headstock breaks almost always sound better than before. Expand Exactly! Like all the sleazy used car dealers say: “Cars that have been in 2 or 3 major accidents always drive better and help you get chicks”!!
Jim85IROC Posted March 17, 2023 Posted March 17, 2023 seems like a fair price as long as the break was fixed properly. Just keep in mind that the 92s had SUPER thin necks. If that's not something that appeals to you, you'll want to find a later year with a thicker neck.
Steve Haynie Posted March 17, 2023 Posted March 17, 2023 I have its twin. My 1992 cherry Special has a headstock repair just like that. It was cheap, and it plays great.
BubbaVO Posted March 17, 2023 Posted March 17, 2023 On 3/17/2023 at 5:47 PM, JGale said: Did someone say broken necks sound better? Expand BCR Greg’s repairs were pretty darn cool.
Hbom Posted March 17, 2023 Posted March 17, 2023 On 3/17/2023 at 2:29 PM, Jim85IROC said: seems like a fair price as long as the break was fixed properly. Just keep in mind that the 92s had SUPER thin necks. If that's not something that appeals to you, you'll want to find a later year with a thicker neck. Expand Not all '92 Special necks are thin. Try it, you might like it.
mrjamiam Posted March 18, 2023 Posted March 18, 2023 On 3/17/2023 at 8:37 PM, Hbom said: Not all '92 Special necks are thin. Try it, you might like it. Expand True dat. My baby poo '92 with P90's is right next to its '82 sister on my rack, and then a '96 Studio is next to them. I just picked them all up and compared. The '92 is a bit thinner than either of the others, but not terribly much. I'm not going out to the garage for the calipers. As advised, try it and see what you think.
VECTOR Posted March 19, 2023 Posted March 19, 2023 On 3/18/2023 at 3:01 PM, hamerhead said: Greg saved mine from the Expand His work is incredible. To see more of his skills I recommend a look on his Instagram account.
Jimbilly Posted March 20, 2023 Posted March 20, 2023 If it's been broken twice it probably sounds even better!
kurtsstuff Posted March 23, 2023 Posted March 23, 2023 On 3/20/2023 at 4:39 PM, Jimbilly said: If it's been broken twice it probably sounds even better! Expand Twice as good??
jer_vic Posted March 23, 2023 Author Posted March 23, 2023 On 3/23/2023 at 7:45 PM, BubbaVO said: Did you get it? Expand We exchanged a couple emails, and now he seems to be ghosting me for some reason. So, not looking likely, but if it does turn out, I'll report back here.
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