From: sarisky@a.chem.upenn.edu (Mark J. Sarisky)
Newsgroups: alt.guitar
Subject: Re: new guitar recommendations
Date: 23 Jan 93 16:18:05 GMT
Organization: University of Pennsylvania

In article <1993Jan22.155909.8134@chpc.utexas.edu> ezad133@chpc.utexas.edu (Jim A. Andrews) writes:
>Jeez, you can spend up to $1000 and you can't figure out what
>to get?  Why not something that's gonna hold its value (which
>the Carvin won't and probably not the Hamer either).  For that
>kind of money you can get a GREAT Les Paul/Strat/etc that will
>be (or is) a collector's item.  

I love this sort of thing.  This keeps the overpriced, vintage guitar dealers 
in business.  Remember, something is only worth $1000 if someone will hand
you $1000 in cash for it.  I'd pay $1000 for a 1978-81 Hamer Sunburst is good
condition in a heartbeat.  A new one runs $1450.  Of course, I don't have to.
$400 for a fine, handmade, Les Paul Special feeling, Sunburst is common used. 
If you collect guitars, fine.  I play them.  Carvin and Hamer offer good 
quality, handmade instruments that are working musician axes.  They both
have a reputation of using fine quality woods, real craftsmanship and the 
legacy of guitar making from the days when all Gibson and Fender axes were fine
quality guitars.  Hamer was founded by a couple of guys who ran a vintage 
restoration shop.  After seeing how much money people were paying for LP Jrs
and Specials, why not just make a guitar they way they used to, by hand, using
the best sounding woods available, at a price that isn't outrageous.

>I'm sure that there are so-called
>metal guitars that are really fine instruments, perhaps the ones
>you suggested, but at least around here you can get them for
>dirt, new or used.            

Cool, when you see any Hamer Specials, Sunbursts, or Blitz (Explorer type)
guitars around for dirt, drop me a line.  Can't get enough!

>Of course, the real answer to your question is to get the
>one that makes your blood race.  If you love that Carvin, and
>you just can't keep your hands off of it and end up practicing it
>four hours a day, you'll be a lot better off than if you get my
>fantasy-Strat and it sits in the corner.  HOWEVER, in general,
>the brands you're talking about will probably not resell real
>well.  Caveat emptor, and all that.  

Very good point.  I find myself playing more for the pure fun of it on the axes
that I really love to play.  On others it seems like just going through the 
motions, remember those piano lessons mom MADE you take?  Resale value is only
important if you are going to want to sell it.  None of my guitars are for sale
because I buy them to play and I spend the time to make sure I know what gets
me off in a guitar.  The best advice upon selecting a guitar is spend a good 
amount of time playing those that interest you and then make a decision.  For
some people, a thousand may not be a lot of money, but it is to me.  If a store
won't give you the time to really check out the axe, blow out of that store and
find one that cares.

Off the SB.

Mark
-- 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mark J. Sarisky					Quantum Beat Studios
sarisky@a.chem.upenn.edu			Philadelphia, PA 19147
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Newsgroups: alt.guitar