The End of Hamer Guitars

[Devin]

Found this on Ishibashi a few years ago for cheap. Mint condition. Killer super strat. '93 USA Hamer Centaura.

Had a '92 (I think) exactly like that one

 

[hirah5150]

have a chapparel. love it.
always dreamed of a flamed californian. that was my dream guitar for a long time.
got 2 a while back and didn't bond with them.
1 solid maple flame body with block inlays.
1 mahogany body painted red with dots.
but the chap is great and not going anywhere..

 

[Racerxrated]

Found this on Ishibashi a few years ago for cheap. Mint condition. Killer super strat. '93 USA Hamer Centaura.

That's the Granite finish, brother to my old iridescent.

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

This is what I think of when I hear Hamer:

Wanted a Californian so badly as a yoof...Hockey Stick inlays probably in my Top 5....

And this as an adult, so much rarer and also cooler to me than a PRS, even though some obvious similarities:

 

[stephen sawall]

I bought a Californian I think in 1994. It was one of the best guitars I ever owned.

 

[Frehley12]

That's the Granite finish, brother to my old iridescent.

Back in 2001 I had a Centaura with the black sparkle finish. I think it was called StarWars. A friend of mine had the Granite finish but with a maple neck. Those are rare.

 

[blackba]

Honestly never seen one in the wild, but always heard good things.

 

[squealie]

My USA Diablo needs work. But I'll get to it one day.

 

[Uzi Nein Millimetah]

My USA Diablo needs work. But I'll get to it one day.

Does it have the onboard preamp?

And if so, how do you like it?

 

[RaceU4her]

i think i remember the last new Hamer i saw was like $6k or something ridiculous when i didnt even know they still existed?

 

[napalmdeath]

I've owned 2, they were both fantastic. Great guitars.

 

[napalmdeath]

Jam Music. That's a dumpster fire company. They own Randall and have been regurgitating the same Fortin amps since 2013, and I believe ran Washburn into the ground too. Just a brand owner.

 

[Chubtone]

I have 2 of the USA Hamers. A 1981 Vector (V) and a 1997 or 98 Standard (Explorer). You can take the boy out of Chicago but you can't take the Chicago out of the boy.

 

[kurtsstuff2003]

Only one I still have is the snakeskin finished one. I've had many,many others of the Hamer line but the Cali's have been my go to guitar for over 30-35 years
Oh wait..I also have a first edition red Hamer Slammer series Cali that is much on par with any of my USA Cali's ..after a few modifications of course. Real Schaller trem,pickups etc.. It really is a great guitar and thinking of selling it but just can't bring myself to do it..lol!

 

[kurtsstuff2003]

This is what I think of when I hear Hamer:

Wanted a Californian so badly as a yoof...Hockey Stick inlays probably in my Top 5....

And this as an adult, so much rarer and also cooler to me than a PRS, even though some obvious similarities:

Those fret inlays are known as "Boomers"

 

[WizardAmpIphoneClip]

KK, Glenn, Trey Azagthoth and David Vincent had some gnarly ass Hamers back in the day

 

[squealie]

Does it have the onboard preamp?

And if so, how do you like it?

Naw. My Diablo had the JB/59 combo.

 

[Findthetone1]

I've had 5 Hamers, including a Custom Shop Studio #1 of 9. The only thing some of them had that I did not care for was the 1-5/8" nut. They are stellar guitars and it's sad that the company ended the way it did.

 

[Devin]

89' Californian Standard (was white when I got it but it's very 'nanner pudding now)

'97 Diablo Limited

'92 Centaura

Also owned a few import models that were shockingly good

 

[SoooRad]

89' Californian Standard (was white when I got it but it's very 'nanner pudding now)

I think your Cali is one of my favourite guitars I've ever seen on any forum, since getting into the forum thing around 2005. Its not even that I really am like "I WANT THAT", rather its obviously a great guitar that has been lovingly played for a long time. It looks like a great old friend.