2008 Hamer Standard Custom

I like to think I have some unique idiosyncrasies that sort of make me weird, and others that I probably share with lots of people. For instance, are you into coats? I have a ton of coats for some odd reason, and I really can’t explain why I enjoy interesting jackets, parkas, vests, and raincoats. In addition to a lot of coats and guitars, I also have a lot of sneakers. I totally dig sneakers and am always on the lookout for retro designs and fascinating colors. I have a pair of Vans for every holiday and occasion. But sadly, as I age, Vans are not friendly to my aching feet. (Seriously, my feet hurt!) I already had rather huge feet but now I think they’re getting wider with age, and I have to be careful when picking out shoes. Aging is for the birds!

So the behavior pattern that I was examining within myself came down to the appeal of variety. Whether it was shoes, coats, or guitars, I liked variety, as well as weird and retro and odd. The variety totally spans my interests, and with guitars I think it manifests in my appreciation of rare colors and palettes. Think about guitar finishes for a moment. What are the really popular colors? I think of bursts, reds, blacks, and blues. Now think about rarer colors. Here I think of greens, yellows, and oranges. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed greens. Whether sparkles or bursts, green finishes have always been my jam. I think my second-favorite old guitar finishes were the yellows and off-whites. The old Gibson TV yellow (to appear white on black and white television) and the Fender butterscotch finishes are cool. And the off-white, smoke-stained colors are just super.