Thinning my Hamer herd.

[Inazone]

Out of the blue, a guy posted on a local musician forum that he was looking for a USA Hamer Californian, and since I'd been contemplating selling one of the Dynamic Duo, I contacted him. My `91 Cali Deluxe is in a box now. Ironically, this is the most I've handled this guitar since rescuing it from Guitar Center's used rack a few years ago. Still had the factory EMGs and I just never cared for the tone.

Or the BLING!!!





Other than having to replace the Schaller saddles (in black, since that's what I had), I left it stock. Always felt that I should leave it alone in case someone came along who wanted that exact guitar in that obnoxious finish.

[paddok]

Re: Thinning my Hamer herd.

What!? that is awesome! I would have bought that had I known it to be for sale!

[Inazone]

Re: Thinning my Hamer herd.

It was a spur of the moment thing, even though I'd kicking around the idea of selling it. Every time Hamers got mentioned in "WTB" posts in the Classifieds, it was someone looking for a short-scale set-neck model, so I just kept it to myself!

[MountainDog]

Re: Thinning my Hamer herd.

The gold on gold is a little bling! I have a USA CA with the same color, but with black hardware, full boomerangs, and duncan trembucker single & trembucker hum.

[Sinistas]

Re: Thinning my Hamer herd.

My import Cali is my main guitar. God, I wish these were still available.

[Inazone]

Re: Thinning my Hamer herd.

I just gigged with my `92 Elite on Saturday, and it's easily on par with any Jackson I own. The Deluxe above is a nice guitar, no question about it, but I would've had to mod the hell out of it to be happy with it...refin, pickup swap, lose the gold. It just seemed like sacrilege to gut it when someone else would appreciate it as-is.

[tgreensl1]

Re: Thinning my Hamer herd.

That is very nice. I have been looking for one too, could anyone tell me what one in that condition goes for. thanks

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Thinning my Hamer herd.

I love the finish.
Congrats!

[Inazone]

Re: Thinning my Hamer herd.

[ QUOTE ]
That is very nice. I have been looking for one too, could anyone tell me what one in that condition goes for. thanks

[/ QUOTE ]

I sold the pictured guitar for $400 without a case. Hamer resale prices run a bit low considering the original price tag, similar to how Jacksons and Charvels were a few years ago. After the company basically abandoned their USA super-Strat line, I think the shred crowd just went back to focusing on other brands.

Deluxe and Elite Californians tend to run a little higher than the other models in shops when they do turn up, and the best Hamer bargain is the USA Diablo and Diablo II, if you don't care about fancy inlays and binding. The Cali has the "weird" factor of the extra frets. They used a lot of different pickups over the years, including Hamer Slammers (no relation to their import guitar line) and non-logo'd Duncans.

[tgreensl1]

Re: Thinning my Hamer herd.

Thanks Inazone

[diablomozart]

Re: Thinning my Hamer herd.

400?...ouch...sweet guitar in a very cool finish...somebody got lucky...d.m.

[slayer]

Re: Thinning my Hamer herd.

I had a minty 1991 Elite in black cherry, same as above, but with full boomers. I loved the guitar, but the necks are very thin on these. Jack.

[Inazone]

Re: Thinning my Hamer herd.

The Hamer market can be a tough place to play, DM! I'm actually making a fair profit on the deal, which gives you some idea how much prices fluctuate. With that finish, it's a love/hate thing, so if you find someone that actually WANTS that finish, it's often best to take what you can get. Nobody on the Hamer forum expressed interest when I mentioned that I was thinking of unloading it, and that was a couple months back.

Sort of like trying to sell a Jackson with a graphic. It can be more a liability than a selling point.

[tgreensl1]

Re: Thinning my Hamer herd.

Do they play and feel as good as a usa soloist would?

[diablomozart]

Re: Thinning my Hamer herd.

i can see that...i just never thought to pop over to the hamer forum...not even sure where it is...lol...still...a very cool finish imho...d.m.