Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

[guitarkid]

I also just got offered this for my Gretsch.... It is a Hamer Monaco Custom Elite! I have always heard GREAT things about these guitars, and that they are LP killers, but I have yet to play one. Here are a couple of pics of the guitar (the guy is going to send me more detailed pics in the morning).
View attachment 32406

View attachment 32407

So here are the choices (I'm thinking more of one of the first two though)

Trading my Gretsch 6120 (Here it is https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=248910 ) for one of these below...

-Hamer Monaco Custom Elite

-'93 Gibson BB King Lucille 345
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=248937

-'07 Gibson Les Paul Classic Custom 'Guitar Of The Week' w/ repaired headstock
https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?t=248966

Which would you choose and why?

 

[orpheo]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

That hamer....oh my...

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

That Hamer is a beaut. But look at the cutout - that small strip of body there looks like it would hamper your upper-fret access. That would drive me batty.

I'd also avoid the broken headstock/neck. No guitar is ever the same after that repair.

Lucille has messed my mind up...

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

Lucille. It's one of the best Gibson models ever made IMHO. If you can afford one, get one.

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

Is the Hamer pre-Fender ? Pre Joel leaving ? Both ?

Hamer makes the guitars Gibson only wish they could. As for the extra bit of wood in the cutaway, if Hamer didn't see it as a problem, there's nothing to worry about. Besides, if you spend that much time playing up there, you're probably irritating your audience (something that seems to be forgotten by most people wielding guitars and widdling away up there).

It's a big step to commit to a Hamer because i know they don't have the resale value of any piece of junk that has 'Gibson' on the headstock. But they are far superior instruments in every regard.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

the hamer usa monaco elite is the only guitar that i gas for, tobacco burst even!

ive owned custom shop gibsons and the elites ive played are every bit as good or better. $1500 isnt a bad price for them used though ive seen them go for a little less.

im not sure whats custom about that guitar. looks like a monaco elite.

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

Lucille every time.

 

[TheProphet]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

First choice would be the Monaco, followed by Lucille.

I wouldn't even consider the LP.

 

[3'scompany]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

Seeing as how you appear to have zero experience with any of these models, I'd say you should probably play these guitars before you commit and not look to other people (with different tastes than you) for guidance. I mean, its not like you're buying a guitar online knowing that you generally like those guitars. You're talking about trading for guitars that you have no real idea how they play/sound.

The only way I'd suggest trading for one of those guitars mentioned is if you undoubtedly know that the guitar you'll be receiving can be turned around and sold for more money than you could get for your Gretsch.

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

Is the Hamer pre-Fender ? Pre Joel leaving ? Both ?

Hamer makes the guitars Gibson only wish they could. As for the extra bit of wood in the cutaway, if Hamer didn't see it as a problem, there's nothing to worry about. Besides, if you spend that much time playing up there, you're probably irritating your audience (something that seems to be forgotten by most people wielding guitars and widdling away up there).

It's a big step to commit to a Hamer because i know they don't have the resale value of any piece of junk that has 'Gibson' on the headstock. But they are far superior instruments in every regard.

True, and I don't spend a lot of time playing above the octave myself. I only point it out because it looks like you could smack your hand into that little corner when moving up to the higher register. But if the OP is not going to play up there ever, why have a cutout at all?

Really, though, 3'scompany nailed it. We can't decide for you. You know exactly what you have there with the Gretsch, and I suspect you might have a hard time getting the same resale value out of some of these other options.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

that extra piece of wood on the cutaway didnt get in my way when playing up high. if i hadnt seen it, i wouldnt have known it was there

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

Just to up stakes a bit... FMIC is not going to revive Hamer. The Hartford factory has turned into a Guild acoustic and restoration center. The only Hamers that will be made in the future are über expensive custom builds. The Monacos that are out there today are the last ones that will ever be made (except for custom builds).

Hamer's resale problems only apply to retail purchases. They depreciate when the owner walks out of the retail store with the guitar and that's it. Used Hamers hold their value as long as the price is realistic. A Monaco Elite purchased at $1500 will be able to be sold for $1500.

Of course the Guitar Gods could smile on the Hamer brand and it could experience a resurgence of interest if the people who don't know about Hamer would get their heads out of their bums and recognize Hamer's excellence.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

lets hope that doesnt happen till i get my tobacco burst monaco elite lol

 

[orpheo]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

I have my own luthiers doing work for me,, so I won't be hit personally by that little piece of malmanagement, but still... it's stupid.

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

lets hope that doesnt happen till i get my tobacco burst monaco elite lol

The last production Hamers went to Wilcutts I think... that was over a year ago.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

im talking about the used prices going up. i know they arent currently being produced

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

im talking about the used prices going up. i know they arent currently being produced

Lolz. Got it.

It doesn't look like will happen though. It's fact that Hamer's nearly over with is common knowledge in the guitar world now and nothing is changing with the prices... just wishful thinking on behalf of a Hamer fan like myself I guess.

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

that extra piece of wood on the cutaway didnt get in my way when playing up high. if i hadnt seen it, i wouldnt have known it was there

You would know better than I, since I've never had the pleasure of playing one. And I am not knocking Hamer at all. They are excellent quality instruments, and an oft-overlooked brand, IMHO.

 

[tonello]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

I definitely wouldn't take the Les Paul. I wouldn't trust the repair job done on that headstock. If it breaks on you, then you're ****ed.

I think the Gretsch is pretty good actually. I wouldn't mind owning that.

I'd probably say the BB king is you're adamant about getting rid of the Gretsch. I have a BB King, and it's probably one of the best hollowbodies I've ever played. I tuned it to Eb and popped in some DD's (I know ruins the "BB King Factor"), and it sounds and plays like a wet dream.

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Ok One More... Hamer Monaco Custom Elite? Help Me Decide!

None of the above.
You have the premium sought after orange gretsch with f-holes.
Black guitars in general, and especially a non f-hole Lucille, are hard to sell. There just isnt the demand for them; a "nitche" guitar.
The Monaco is obviously a sweet axe, but you could do much better, probably save close to 3 top 5 hundred dolalrs by selling your guitar, being patient and picking up a Monaco on a cash deal..maybe even from the same guy.
A cracked headstock guitar would be a huge mistake, both in terms of value, and sound, yes sound, 'SOUND' TGWIF!! and thats IF the guitar neck is stable..who knows?
AH well, time for a littel character defamation I suppose..