Hamer: the first boutique tragedy

[Deleted member 8175]

I totally know what you mean. A legit Standard, Vector, or Scarab has been on the "must own" list for me for my entire adult life but ive never had the cash, and the price keeps going up

Fender owned Hamer for awhile and never did anything with it. They sold the name to a company that makes imported copies.

Why Fender didn't grow the Hamer brand is a mystery to me, especially with how well they've done with Charvel/Jackson.

 

[DanTravis62]

If I ever find an original Vector in Transparent Red that still has the stock DiMarzios in it, I'll sell my left nut to buy it. LOL

It's funny because i know the exact finish you're talking about, it's one of those "holy shit" unforgettable guitars

You don't see them often but always remember when you do

The KK model seems hard to find too, which sucks

I would be more than happy with either one

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

If I ever find an original Vector in Transparent Red that still has the stock DiMarzios in it, I'll sell my left nut to buy it. LOL

A friend of mine who is about 15 years older than me and very successful, but not a tycoon, showed up one day in a newish Lambo Murcielago.

A complete shock to our circle of friends as he doesn't lead an overly indulgent life in general.

I asked him "what motivated you to do this"? He said "this has always been on my bucket list, and my bucket's getting shallow". Food for thought, I've never forgotten that statement. There are certain things you dream of for years but may NEVER get around to in your lifetime. Or will you?

I don't think he kept it more than a few years, but he fully experienced it and may have even sold it at a profit, as you can often do with collectible items, including guitars.

 

[Fiesta Red]

Saved for later

Always wondered about Hamer. Didn't hear about the good stuff until the internet.

 

[Wayniac3]

As a kid when I first started playing (1982 or 83) I drooled over those, the Jacksons & ESP's that I couldn't afford at my local stores.
I ended up owning several over the years - great guitars in both strat & Gibson scale. I regret selling each of them when my first real band broke up and I was jaded on music. Biggest regrets are a loaded Cali, a loaded Chap with sustainer, and a 5 string bass.
The only one I have left is a Chapparal bass, which I'm selling.

Shame they killed that company, but they had a few missteps over the years with marketing & diluting the brand.

 

[ZEEGLER]

I always wanted a Scarab in that rare black/red paint scheme.

 

[DanTravis62]

I always wanted a Scarab in that rare black/red paint scheme.

View attachment 442719

Yep, that's one of my dream hamers right there. I would 100%, like johnny, give my left nut for one of those

 

[* velcro-fly *]

Yep….My Korina Vector and Korina Special. Epic guitars….gigged regularly

Just sold the 25th Anniversary Artist here, had immediate sellers remorse :-(

 

[Killcrop]

I don't regret too many guitars that I let go but I had a Korina Vector that I wish I still had. That guitar had such a unique sound to it.

 

[DanTravis62]

I don't regret too many guitars that I let go but I had a Korina Vector that I wish I still had. That guitar had such a unique sound to it.

Bro you're killing me

I wish you had it still too

 

[VonBonfire]

I don't regret too many guitars that I let go but I had a Korina Vector that I wish I still had. That guitar had such a unique sound to it.

One of the best sounding guitar demos I've ever heard on youtube period was one of those Korina vectors. I can't seem to find the exact demo though, it disappeared into years of uploaded crap.

 

[DanTravis62]

One of the best sounding guitar demos I've ever heard on youtube period was one of those Korina vectors. I can't seem to find the exact demo though, it disappeared into years of uploaded crap.

I played one of those (an early 80s one) at emerald City guitars in Seattle and it was the most naturally resonant electric guitar I've ever played, hollow bodys included

 

[VonBonfire]

I played one of those (an early 80s one) at emerald City guitars in Seattle and it was the most naturally resonant electric guitar I've ever played, hollow bodys included

I can believe it. The demo I'm referencing was some dude that had swapped the pickups for Vintage Vibe/Pete Biltoft humbuckers. I can't comment on Hamer pickup quality, it was just a demo I came across in the mid 2000's....I had one of those cheaper Vectors and found a cheap set of HS-90's to try in it so I was looking around at demos of Biltoft stuff. I can't find that video for the life of me but damn, that thing was insanely good sounding.

 

[DanTravis62]

I can believe it. The demo I'm referencing was some dude that had swapped the pickups for Vintage Vibe/Pete Biltoft humbuckers. I can't comment on Hamer pickup quality, it was just a demo I came across in the mid 2000's....I had one of those cheaper Vectors and found a cheap set of HS-90's to try in it so I was looking around at demos of Biltoft stuff. I can't find that video for the life of me but damn, that thing was insanely good sounding.

Yeah i believe it had duncans. But that isn't what i mean.

That guitar would have sounded amazing with any pickups - it was so resonant you could feel the notes vibrating through the body

 

[* velcro-fly *]

I can believe it. The demo I'm referencing was some dude that had swapped the pickups for Vintage Vibe/Pete Biltoft humbuckers. I can't comment on Hamer pickup quality, it was just a demo I came across in the mid 2000's....I had one of those cheaper Vectors and found a cheap set of HS-90's to try in it so I was looking around at demos of Biltoft stuff. I can't find that video for the life of me but damn, that thing was insanely good sounding.

Stock they come with a Duncan JB bridge and 59' neck. I swapped a set of Wolfetone Dr' V's in there, had em in a for a few years but they don't do high gain very well, but had super clarity. Ended up up with the Suhr Thornbuckers in there now and its awesome. I've had that guitar 16+ years, paid $1000 for it. The Korina Special was a score too....I saw it listed on G-Base, ad said call for price, I called the shop and the shop owner answered, told I was calling about the Hamer. He says "what Hamer?" I told him which one and he says hang on. Comes back on the phone while he's yelling at an employee in the background, says he didn't even know they had the guitar and it needs to get gone, he'll make me a deal I cant refuse... says send me $1000 and I'll ship it to you. This was about 7 years ago, and it was $800 - 1000 under going rate then for that model. I couldn't buy it fast enough. It's a next level good guitar. The guy that bought my 25th Anniversary has an F'ing magic flame top Special, sweetest neck ever.

 

[VonBonfire]

That guitar would have sounded amazing with any pickups - it was so resonant you could feel the notes vibrating through the body

Yeah exactly. One of those sort of solid bodies where the whole thing seems alive. Not very often you run across a solid like that. Last summer I snapped a string at a jam. The host who is a very cool dude let me use his relic'ed sunburst masterbuilt strat, your favorite LOL. But man, it was truly a next level instrument. Through his HPTT it basically played itself. Effortless.

Stock they come with a Duncan JB bridge and 59' neck. I swapped a set of Wolfetone Dr' V's in there, had em in a for a few years but they don't do high gain very well, but had super clarity. Ended up up with the Suhr Thornbuckers in there now and its awesome. I've had that guitar 16+ years, paid $1000 for it. The Korina Special was a score too....I saw it listed on G-Base, ad said call for price, I called the shop and the shop owner answered, told I was calling about the Hamer. He says "what Hamer?" I told him which one and he says hang on. Comes back on the phone while he's yelling at an employee in the background, says he didn't even know they had the guitar and it needs to get gone, he'll make me a deal I cant refuse... says send me $1000 and I'll ship it to you. This was about 7 years ago, and it was $800 - 1000 under going rate then for that model. I couldn't buy it fast enough. It's a next level good guitar. The guy that bought my 25th Anniversary has an F'ing magic flame top Special, sweetest neck ever.

Man that's a killer score velcro! I had always wanted one for the Albert King factor and if I recall Gibson was not manufacturing a korina in the '58 shape for most of the 90's. 1000 bucks, you lucky dog!!!

 

[CrystalSky]

I'm sure there are, but i'm also sure all the "Collectors" have ruined the dream of anyone who actually plays the guitar owning one

A solid color hamer standard (doesn't need to be a fabled four digit - just a USA) is one of my dream guitars but ill never be able to afford one. Or a shishkov. They always priced well into the insanity zone thanks to all the hobbyists

Shishkov is Fender’s Yuri Shishkov’s brother’s company, right? Expected to be pretentious af.

 

[Shreddy Mercury]

Bedrock went out first, though, and basically were the first boutique amp company.

 

[SoooRad]

I think the only guitar I really regret moving on from was my old (black) Hamer Sunbrust I got that had been modded with a Kahler. I don't really care about the Kahler one way or the other, but I should've kept it around. I got it for so cheap that it didn't make sense for me to "sell it", it just fell victim to being a part of my swapping era.

 

[DanTravis62]

Shishkov is Fender’s Yuri Shishkov’s brother’s company, right? Expected to be pretentious af.

Yes. He makes his own versions of the explorers, and they are basically the best on earth (and cost it)

I think the only guitar I really regret moving on from was my old (black) Hamer Sunbrust I got that had been modded with a Kahler. I don't really care about the Kahler one way or the other, but I should've kept it around. I got it for so cheap that it didn't make sense for me to "sell it", it just fell victim to being a part of my swapping era.

Man i wish I had a USA hamer at some point but it's never happened for me