4 String Bass Guitar. Body and neck were maple. As part of our commitment to improve design and quality of our instruments, Hamer Guitars reserves CruiseBass The Vector Surprise, AZ. However, recent 12-strings have been fitted with a stock Wilkinson design. Cheap Trick had also ordered at least one 10-string bass for Petersson (one octave string on the G and D, two octave strings on the A and E), and a custom 12-string guitar for Robin Zander. Hamer Guitars was founded in 1973 by Jol Dantzig and Paul Hamer in Wilmette, Illinois. Only a 3 way tangle and 1 volume and 1 tone control. By 1930, and already known as a banjo maker, Epiphone was offering its Masterbilt guitars, and it went on to rival Gibson as the top jazz guitar maker of the era with its Emperor and other archtop models. The bridge was a Wilkinson Hardtail Wrap Around, and the nut a Lubritrak. The Hamer Standard, the upscale Explorer copy that started it all back in 74, was discontinued in 85. Jethro Tull Ian Anderson Standard, Sunburst The bridge was the heavy-duty Sustain Block. Guitar #8 0196 would be from 1978 and was the 196th guitar numbered that way. Controls were two volumes and one common midrange tone, with the three-way again behind the bridge. This is my tribute to the fine guitars and basses made by Hamer USA. introduced in 1977. A slightly downscale version of the Sunburst was originally released in 1980. It is sometimes incorrectly applied to guitars which look similar but are made of other woods, such as ash. It was shaped like a Vox Phantom with Hamer Phantom electronics(! And now you know all about them. It wasnt long before word got around and other musicians began to order guitars and basses. With limited orders coming in, existence was tough. Hudson Falls, New York, 128**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Cheap Trick Rick Nielsen Standards (7), Sunburst Artist 25th Anniversary Jethro Tull Martin Barre Standard, Sunbursts (2) The vibrato was a non-locking Wilkinson VSV vibrato combined with chrome locking Sperzel tuners. The bridge was the Sustain Block with strings passing through the body. The pickguard was a natty laminated tortoise affair, sort of oval extending under the strings from the neck, but with a kind of batwing extension over the treble cutaway horn. For pick players, these could be reversed. A few 3/4-size Standards were also built from 78 to 82, identical except for their diminutive size. Basses The Import Echotone and Stellar 1 did not have USA equivalents. It had no serial number, and when it was done, Dantzig began to take it to gigs. The primary difference between the new Phantom and the old Prototype was pickup selection. This page is to help you identify the year of any Hamer. It has a chip mark in back and the wood is light tan. The Sex Pistols Steve Jones Sunburst Otherwise, it was similar to the Mirage. The first Hamer guitar, a Flying V bass, was built at Northern Prairie Music, a vintage instrument shop in Wilmette, Illinois, owned by Hamer and Dantzig. Slammer Hamer Guitars: Good or Bad? - Audio MAV While the Flying V-shaped bass didnt go into production, there were a few guitar versions produced between 77 and 81. This featured a maple body with a set maple neck. The MONF-CS is visually stunning with a Cherry Sunburst High-end or budget, theres no doubt Hamer Guitars have been successful and earned the allegiance of players and collectors alike. $41. 1982-85 DiMarzio P- and J-type (open-coil, passive) This was the source of the mistake mentioned earlier. The list of Hamer artists currently featured on their website (www.kaman music.com/hamer) is considerably smaller than the peak of the mid 80s, but includes Gary Bell, Felicia Collins, Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Gadogan of Third Eye Blind, Shane Theriot of the Neville Brothers, Joel Shearer, David Sinclair (Sarah McLachlan), Mark Rivera, Lyle Workman, Billy Joel, longtime friend Wolf Hoffmann, and of course, Rick Nielsen. Import Series Hamer gave its specifications to the young pickup maker Larry DiMarzio, who began making versions of his own DiMarzio PAFs to Hamers spec, with a de-wound neck pickup. The Phantom GT followed the more traditional design of a superstrat double cutaway guitar, equipped with EMG pickups. Finally, all three Cruisebasses were available in fretless versions (Models BCRTF, BCRSF, and BC5TF) identical except for a Madagascar ebony fingerboard inlaid with maple markers. The MONO M80 Vertigo Ultra Dreadnought Acoustic and Semi-Hollow Guitar Cases come complete with a range of game-changing design features, including the patent-pending attachable FREERIDE Wheel System, premium water-resistant and reflective materials, shockproof shell structure, and improved ergonomic features. Through a friend, guitarist Gary Gant, Dantzig met another guitar player named Paul Hamer, and the two struck up a friendship. Paradise Derek St. Holmes Standard A finetune bridge and stop tailpiece completed the outfit. In 81, finish options included sunburst, transparent cherry, natural, yellow, green, opaque red, blue, green, orange, and black. cond. 96 Indonesian-made models began coming in with Slammer by Hamer logos by Hamer small underneath, Slammer in block letters. Hamer then began concentrating on a core of high-quality designs targeted at the high-end and collector market. Next month, well pick up the Hamer chronicles as the company begins to pick up steam in the early to mid 80s. Mine is a black flame, found it used at Sam Ash. The History of Hamer, Part One | Vintage Guitar magazine Authorized Dealer Locator | Fender The body was now made of alder, and the maple neck was bolted on, with the four-in-line headstock. The Hamer guitar is entirely handmade. Wishbone Ash Martin Turner Standard Bass. It may look like a one-trick ponybut what a ride. After five years with Kaman, Dantzig left the company in 1993, moving to California to begin a design and consulting business. Other musicians would ask what it was and would be incredulous when told he made it himself. I found the neck to be a bit soft for me as I'm heavy handed. Hamer Californian Slammer Series Korean from the Cort factory in 1994. #4. Guitars Its essentially a hollowbody version of the Artist, but with a wider body and a pair of f-holes. Eclipse The Phantom A5 was available with Sustain Block string-through bridge or a new Sustain Block Tremolo vibrato, which basically transformed the fixed bridge into a non-locking Fender-style vibrato. Paul Hamers bound flametop Explorer was given the name Standard and became the first of a long line that would be offered from 74 until 85 during its first run. Dantzig isnt sure, but he thinks they may have gotten the plans from another Chicago luthier named Jim Beach. Hamer, Monaco and Slammer are registered trademarks of KMC Music. When the headstock on the Blitz was changed to an angled version, a Floyd Rose was employed. The Hamer 25th Anniversary Edition (AN25E) featured Hamers now trademark equal double-cutaway shape with the slightly larger bass horn, glued-in neck, three-and-three head, f-hole, Seymour Duncan JB and 59 humbuckers (covered), Grover tuners, finetune bridge, and stop tailpiece. By 96 the name had changed to become simply the Artist Studio (Model GATA-SO). They copied the Explorer shape but added the flamed maple top and binding of a Les Paul Standard. Bad Company Boz Burrell Standard Aerosmith Brad Whitford Standards (2) The Sunburst Arch Top Flame Top, Californian, Diablo, and Cruise basses were continuations of previous Slammer models. In an undated promotional piece that sports the Palatine address (making it before 78), the Standard was being promoted as The Ultimate, a line that would be used for a few more years. They were, in fact, one of the early vintage guitar stores, before there was such a thing as the vintage scene we know today. In 84, the Prototype listed for $799.90, the Prototype 12-string was $849.90, the Prototype II $999.90. I came across a Hamer guitar that is made in Korea, sort of a red subtle flame color with 2 hum buckers. These remain in the line, and pretty much define the state of the Hamer art! It was acquired by Kaman Music Corporation in 1988, which was purchased in turn by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in 2008. Hardware was gold. Fender instruments made after the CBS takeover in 65 had gotten a bad rap from guitarists by the end of the 60s, based in part on some quality control problems and the infamous three-bolt neck controversy (Fender engineers felt four bolts were overkill and they could save money without sacrificing stability; players didnt see it that way). Hamer Guitars | Musician's Friend Other out there models included various doublenecks, a Standard-shaped mandocello (mandocello scale with double strings tuned in fifths), a mandar (Standard-shaped with four pairs of strings tuned as a mandolin, but in a guitar scale), and at least one 20-string harp guitar (six-string neck with seven tunable sympathetic strings on either side). This looked like the old model, complete with pickguard, but was now made of solid maple with a glued-in neck and scimitar headstock. Find great deals and sell your items for free. Questioned why the truss rod cover said "Sunburst", they didn't know so I bargained on the price and got it for $175 with a free PRS gig bag. The Special also carried the special-wound Hamer/DiMarzio PAF humbuckers. Circa 1980, the 8-String Bass acquired a figured maple top and back, and by 81 these featured an onboard active preamp with an LED indicator and three-way tone switch. The Vector was offered until 87. Founded in New York by a Greek violin maker and luthier, the Epiphone name came from Epi Stathopoulo, the founder's son and company president. Apparently, a number of people around town were beginning to make copies of Gibson designs. Bridge units on the multi-string basses were of Hamers design, allowing individual intonation of each string. The body is one piece of select British Honduras Mahogany, avilable with or without a twopiece "bookmatched" curly maple top. The Mirage and Mirage II lasted until 97 or 98, when they were replaced by the Mirage Maple Top (essentially the Mirage II with a flamed maple top), Seymour Duncan 59 and JB humbuckers, and locking Schaller tuners. The body was Honduras mahogany with an optional unbound flamed-maple top. TGP is the best! Grover tuners were replaced by Schallers in 80. Modern players Following delivery of the 12-String Bass, Hamer was challenged again in 78 by an order for an 8-String Bass. In September of 78 a Standard would set you back $1,199.95, list. By 77, the other two original partners sold their shares, and the company was in the hands of Dantzig and Hamer. $500 $600. Eventually, Hamer began to stamp its name into the baseplates of the pickups, and these would come to be known as Hamer Slammer pickups (they dont rhyme!). By 81, a number of black-and-white graphic finishes were offered, primarily a series of stripes in various thicknesses. From 82 until the early 90s Hamer used Hamer Slammers black-bobbined humbuckers with Hamer stamped on the bottom plate. However, an early American model may or may not have USA as part of the logo, but after 98 absence of USA in the logo indicates the guitar is imported. Hamer archtop - Korean made | Reverb what happened to Hamer Guitars? | The Gear Page They remain in the line. I don't know what years they were made but it looks good and played well. Hamer Standard 1997 | Reverb Despite slow going, in 77 Hamer introduced the second classic design of its early period the Sunburst. The Blitz was a more basic take on the Explorer/Standard idea, again catering to the contemporary taste for guitars with less traditional styling. Until this point, Hamer guitars were essentially derivative, inspired by Gibson designs. There were never import Prototypes. . Rockpile Dave Edmunds Sunburst Hamer Electric Guitars for sale | eBay 15,688. We thought we could make guitars just as good and sell them for a third of that price. The irony was that to everyone else, we were this upstart company selling guitars for twice the amount of the most expensive Gibsons at the time! By the 70s, guitar players were cranking up much larger amps in large arenas. The Phantom guitar series lasted through 86. The Standard lasted only through 97 and the move, when it became part of the Import series. However, the truly deluxe features were 25th Anniversary engraved sterling silver truss rod cover and back control plate, a line of sterling silver purfling on the inside of the body binding, and a special silver-colored hardshell case! Outputs included 1/4 and synth DIN plugs. Built with a full depth It was also in 98 that Hamer shifted its Korean-made guitars from Slammers to Import Series and began applying the Slammer by Hamer brand to guitars made in Indonesia. Theyd take them to concerts passing through. In 98 the Import Series included the Sunburst Arch Top Flame Top (SATF), Standard (STD), Rick Nielsen Signature (RNS), Echotone (ECO), Stellar 1 (ST1), Californian (CAL), Diablo (DAB), and Cruise 4 (CRS) and Cruise 5 (CRV) basses. Surprise, AZ. Numbers were stamped on the guitars, either in ink or black paint, or in yellow on dark instruments. The mahogany body had slightly offset double cutaways, vaguely Strat-ish, though the waists remained equal. Also offered was the upscale Hamer 25th Anniversary Limited Edition (AN25L). The Rolling Stones Ron Wood Standard You guys have sold me on it,I will contact seller tomorrow to see if he still has it. Reactions: modavis99, cmatthes, Guitarzandstuff and 4 others. The pickups are Duncan "designed" but they seemed pretty good. I don't know the model or what year it was made but it played very well with excellent balance across the pickup positions. The Sunburst was a double-cutaway Les Paul Junior copy, with a British Honduras mahogany body, glued-in mahogany neck, tapered three-and-three headstock, and a bound, flamed maple top with red-to-yellow sunburst finish. Blues Brothers John Belushi Sunburst The ones I watched on Reverb tended to sell anywhere from $275 to $450, with no rhyme or reason as far as I could see. [7], Hamer Guitars on display at a music exhibition, 2008, "Fender closes Hamer. The radical idea of a top-quality electric guitar made in small runs is thanks to Paul Hamer, Jol Dantzig, James Walker and John Montgomery of Hamer Guitars. 5 String Bass. Pickups were now Seymour Duncans. Several ads were reproduced, including one for Pastore Music of Union City, New Jersey, promoting Hamer and Travis Bean guitars, Risson and Orange amps, Anvil cases, and Tychobrahe effects pedals; a good snapshot of a real guitar shop of the times. Hall & Oates Daryl Hall Mandocello, Mandar . The pickups are Semour Duncan,its neck thru and a double cut away body. The 8-String Bass remains in the line to this day. You must log in or register to reply here. These were outfitted with a 12-saddle bridge and stop tailpiece. And these contacts would prove useful. The Who John Entwhistle 12-String Quad Bass The Import Standard basically replaced the old USA Standard. However, in the new vintage environment of the 90s, the model was revived in 95. Ten employees were relocated to New Hartford along with Dantzig, who was re-hired as technical director. The Eclipse and Mirage Maple Top disappeared after 98. All rights Curiously enough, even back then their best customers were not Americans. They felt they could make and sell a cheaper modern vintage guitar to these same people, and they wouldnt be afraid to take them on the road. In 76, a meeting was called with everyone who worked at Northern Prairie Music Dantzig, Hamer and two repair guys. Stink Band Peter Aykroyd Sunburst So did their friend (and occasional jam partner) Rick Nielsen, of Cheap Trick (VG, January 92, September 97). Rockpile Billy Bremner Sunburst Seller might even be ok with $250, but it's your call. zekmoe. McCarty, by this time, was running Bigsby, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Color options in 96 included two-tone sunburst, black cherry burst, candy red, candy blue, candy green, emerald green, and white transparent. Upgraded with a solid Maple top on Mahogany body, the tone is beefy yet focused and a Transparent Black on figured Maple veneer results in a visually inspiring instrument. Upgraded with a solid Maple top on Mahogany body, the tone is beefy yet focused and a Dark Hamer began publicizing its instruments in 1974, with small black-and-white ads in guitar magazines. Also in 97, Hamer reintroduced one of its earliest original designs, the Prototype, using another model name, the Phantom (PHAN). fingerboard that is capped off with classy victory inlays. But in 81, Hamer took its first tentative steps toward creating original designs and introduced the Prototype, not to be confused with the Les Paul-style guitar with that name offered by Aria Pro II at the time. Once Jol left they loosened up a bit but it was already too late. 12-string bridges were originally a Hamer design, which allowed individual intonation of each string. The company's early instruments featured guitar designs based on the Gibson Explorer (The Standard) and Gibson Flying V . Indeed, as you read about special features that come online, these might appear on any instrument as a custom-order feature, so if you find an unusual Hamer, think twice before you conclude that it has been modified. Colors were Amberburst and Vintage Orange. Hamer Guitars and Basses | Reverb Not only were the highly figured maple top, soundhole, ebony fingerboard and headstock bound, the body binding included mother-of-pearl. Great Condition USA MADE! This was a spectacular guitar, substantially the same as the carved-top Artist but with some extra-fancy features. How to differentiate a Korean or Japanese Hamer From USA Made The Eclipse (Model GECS) was a new asymmetrical offset double-cutaway design with short horns, the upper somewhat larger and rounded, the lower more pointed, and a rounded lower bout. Hamer Guitars Inc. was incorporated in Illinois in 1976 by John Montgomery, Jol Dantzig, Paul Hamer and James Walker. There were two primary differences; first the Artist Archtop was a semi-hollowbody with a sound chamber and f-hole, and the second was in pickups, which were Seymour Duncan Seth Lovers. Twin humbuckers, three-way, two volumes and two tones, finetune bridge, stop tailpiece and elevated black laminated pickguard completed the picture. 2023 Hamer Guitars | Hamer Guitars is a division of JAM USA LLC. One thing led to another and in 73 Dantzig and Hamer opened a music store called Northern Prairie Music in the northwestern suburb of Wilmette, Illinois. Fender Stratocaster Bass Guitars for sale in 85346 - Facebook A few Standards are seen with the Sustain Block bridges used on Sunbursts (see below), so presumably they date from about this time. Untermyer left the company in 2012 and now oversees the global supply chain of guitar manufacturer C. F. Martin & Company. The earliest examples have a pickguard, but by around 84 this was eliminated. Korean made Hamer guitars, are they any good? | My Les Paul Forum C $853.11. Ca. The 12-String Bass was offered until 97. 1982-ca. An Eclipse 12-String was also available with the same specs. It remains available. Pickups were hand-wound using oxygen-free Monster Cable wire, with gold covers signed by Seymour Duncan himself. When we created Hamer, we created the high-end boutique guitar category, but we didnt intend it that way. This article originally appeared in VGs June 00 issue. Hamer products for sale | eBay Tuners were Grover Super Rotomatics, with the Art Deco buttons. The beginnings of Hamer Guitars (pronounced Hay'-mer, not hammer) go back to those heady days of the early '70s, when Chicago was the breeding ground of soon-to-be-famous rock bands such as REO Speedwagon, Styx, and Cheap Trick. Ted Nugent Charles Huhn Sunburst As before, this new Phantoms triple-coil pickup was a combination of a humbucker and single-coil in a single pickup ring. Kaman marketed a lower-priced line of Asian-built instruments called the Hamer XT Series and Slammer by Hamer, which was discontinued in 2009. Cheap Trick Tom Petersson 10 & 12-String Basses With a glued-in neck, the Echotone had bound solid maple top and back with bound f-holes. New Partner, New Digs Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited. Along with its parent company Kaman Music, Hamer was acquired by guitar giant Fender Musical Instruments on December 31, 2007. Dick & Alex Alex Parche Standards (2), Sunburst From 86 to 88 some came with German OBL pickups, including HB types. 1986-89 OBL (German) Pickups were original Gibson PAFs. 1986-88 OBL (German) Dantzig left Fender in 2010 to build instruments under the Jol Dantzig Guitar Design name. Can't get over how nice this thing looks and plays, its a good day! $250. Kenny Passarelli Kenny Passarelli Mandocello How did they survive? Part of the early Hamer philosophy was making guitars the way Gibson did when Ted McCarty was running the company.
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