RIP: Hamer Guitars
- Thread starter ratter
- Start date
59Bassman
Member
I've owned 5. 2 T-51's, 1 Daytona, 1 Cruise Bass, 1 Artist Korina (w/P-90's). While I will say that Hamer didn't make the same pickup choices I would have, I can say that there was not a single thing wrong with any of the guitars from a construction, tone, or playability standpoint. One of the T-51's was a boat anchor but had a single piece swamp ash body and sounded frikkin' amazing. The Daytona was one of the best strats I've ever played. Of them, I still own the Artist, and it is bar none the most fun guitar I've ever played on stage.
Leave it to Fender to F up a good thing.
Leave it to Fender to F up a good thing.
rupe
Active member
Hamer was done building any Fender clones back in the early 90's though...do you really think Strats and Teles were fighting for the same piece of the pie as Hamer's Gibson inspired designs? Seems to me that it's a very similar dynamic to your theory on Charvel and the Superstrat market seeing as Fender was never really able to crack that segment ("Gibson-ish") either with relative market failures like the Starcaster and Robben Ford Sig Models.Greazygeo":1ffx2v4n said:
mindseye
New member
Sad to see Hamer die out, hands down one of the best built best bang for the $ guitars on the used market you can buy. The guys building them took some serious pride in their craft, shit even the control cavity fit and finish was beautiful.
Hamer guitars are one of the few guitar brands I don't give a second thought to buying without playing first, I've had from to old 70's 4 digit Standards and Sunburst up to a newer Studio Custom and everyone of them has been great guitars.
Hamer guitars are one of the few guitar brands I don't give a second thought to buying without playing first, I've had from to old 70's 4 digit Standards and Sunburst up to a newer Studio Custom and everyone of them has been great guitars.
romanianreaper
Well-known member
I never thought Hamer did a great job at marketing. I've been playing guitar since 1985 and I don't think I've ever seen a Hamer in person (if I have I forgot). I know I've never played one. I knew that Rick Nielson, the guy from No Doubt, and Mick Mars played them but I can't remember many more. Heard they were great though.
Greazygeo
Well-known member
Hamer was done building any Fender clones back in the early 90's though...do you really think Strats and Teles were fighting for the same piece of the pie as Hamer's Gibson inspired designs? Seems to me that it's a very similar dynamic to your theory on Charvel and the Superstrat market seeing as Fender was never really able to crack that segment ("Gibson-ish") either with relative market failures like the Starcaster and Robben Ford Sig Models.[/quote]I'd have to think the majority of sales were in the Slammer line of cheapies....not the expensive stuff. The Hamer stuff may compete more with the Custom shop stuff (at least on price point)? I've not followed either lines to be honest. You are probably right with the Gibson line of thinking. They were probably wanting to cut into that piece of the pie.rupe":fz8c9hpz said:
rupe
Active member
Judas Priest, Night Ranger, Steve Stevens, Martin Barre, Vernon Reid, Lita Ford, Felicia Collins (Letterman's band), Kip Winger, Brad Whitford, Paul Stanley, Fernando Von Arb, Tom Peterson, Doug Pinnick...I'm sure I'm missing a bunch. A lot of pros played them.romanianreaper":1r6p0dtx said:
stephen sawall
Well-known member
Devin":2j4rfv2f said:My Hamers are my favorite guitars ever (especially my Californian)
... I had a Californian in the 90's .... It really was a great guitar.
David_kessler
New member
Better than any of my Gibson's.
Ventura
Well-known member
Honestly I was [this] close to posting my Custom Studio for sale. I've had this guitar for 17 years, and although it's a great player, I just haven't been playing it much as of late. Loaded with tapped Riff Raffs, and dead mint, I plugged 'er in last night and realized why it is I've had it for 17 years - it's an incredible sounding guitar.
So on the news of Hamer's demise, I'll be keeping my Hamer indefinitely. It may not be a solid slab body, it's definitely not a Lester, but man, the thing plays incredibly well and sounds off the hook.
So on the news of Hamer's demise, I'll be keeping my Hamer indefinitely. It may not be a solid slab body, it's definitely not a Lester, but man, the thing plays incredibly well and sounds off the hook.
Death by Uberschall
Active member
JTyson":p1ydj8z3 said:DBU's got a killer group of Californians that make me tear up when I see them
The necks are pieces of art!!! The Aztec Gold's neck plays perfectly at 3/32 off the frets, the Amber's neck plays perfectly at 2/32 off the frets. Unreal how well they are built and play. All of mine were made when Hamer owned Hamer, I had an endorsement with them right before the moved their production facility. When they told me they wouldn't build anymore USA Californians, I lost interest in them and moved on.
skoora
Well-known member
Good quality but they never, except for the USA Explorers and V's made a guitar I liked. I hate double cut's, the way they sit on a strap. Their LP style (Monaco?) had a ridiculously bulky looking neck joint. The USA stuff was incredibly expensive and re-sale was worse than G&L. Can't say I'll miss them. Didn't even know they were owned by Fender.
