Hamer USA Special (CO) 2003 Vintage Orange

The guitar for sale is a 2003 Hamer custom order. Like the Hamer Specials made in the 80's, the guitar carries a VVT/3-way control layout and Sustain Block bridge. Unlike the 80's Specials this guitar carries Hamer's Vintage Carve neck [1.76" nut width, 2.035" wide at the 12th fret, 0.903" thick 1st fret, 0.940" thick at the 12th fret].

The original Hamer Special was offered from 1980 until 1984.  It was a simpler version of the bound Sunburst guitar with a double-cut solid mahogany body, two humbuckers, a VVT/3-way control configuration, and the Sustain Block bridge.  The 80's Specials are great guitars I have owned and enjoyed with one caveat: the necks were typically very small / thin.  This CO fixed that.

Pickups are Rio Grande Genuine Texas / Buffalobucker with a push/pull tone for coil splitting.

Details:

• Weight is 8.65 lbs. on our UPS scale.
• As there have been a number of pickups in and out of this guitar over the years (prior my purchase 12 years ago), the neck Volume control can be a touch scratchy.  The original Tone potentiometer is included which could easily be repurposed as a replacement volume pot.  It just never bothered me enough to make the change.
• It hasn't been played regularly in quite a long time (I don't get to play much anymore).  It could use a set of strings and a fret polish (see photos).
• It's 20 years old.  It's in really good shape, but it does have its bumps, polish swirls and what not.  I see nothing through the finish and no Hameritis (a reaction seen beneath the clearcoat on some Hamer guitars generally found at the neck joint and along the fingerboard).  
• The original Warranty Card and hang tag are included.
• The case is in fine shape with all latches working as they should, just a bit tarnished.
• The color is Transparent Orange w/o Sparkle - due to the underlying hue of mahogany, in some light it looks orange, in others its brown.  Beautiful grain in either case.
• The zebra Buffalobucker was a custom order. The creme coil is (oddly) more of a mint green (not quite early 60's Fender pickguard, but a nod toward).  Not sure why that's the case, but that is the color Rio called creme at the time.  It's fine.  I just would have preferred it match the DiMarzio surrounds I bought for it.
• Always stored / used in a smoke-free / pet-free environment (at least for the past twelve years). No weird smells.

This is a spectacularly playing / sounding guitar. The build quality of the New Hartford Hamer guitars was outstanding and this example is no exception. If you love the 80's Hamers but can't get along with the small necks, this guitar is your answer.

Dropping the price to move this great guitar. Notice I have also taken free shipping out of the listing. Buyer pays actual shipping costs. My day job is with a UPS Preferred Shipper, so we get discounted rates. The $100 charge is Reverb's estimate cross-country. I will refund buyer the difference in actual and estimated shipping charges.