While carrying a hefty list price Hamers just don't hold value. They are probably the best build quality of the day, certainly surpassing Gibsons, Fenders and Rics offerings. Blitzs are solid Mahogany construction and that is certainly part of the draw for me even with a P/J set up the have a distinctly Thunderbird tone. No two ways about it the bass is BIG, I'm just 6' and have long arms and the bass is almost more than I can manage. I sure feels like a longer stretch than a Non reverse Tbird. I'd love to find a Standard with Dimarzio Humbuckers and a bound maple top, I'm sure that will cost considerably more than a Blitz. Mark or Tom I say if you can find a Blitz I don't think you will be disappointed. One last thing to consider is the width at the nut. It feels more like a P width, not a J or Thunderbird width...............or even a bit like a Ric. For the most part I don't notice it but For certain songs it wouldn't be my first choice because of it. Also the more I play it the less I notice the difference.