Sorry guys, I know most of you are probably like "I wish this guy would just shut up about Hamer imports!" I have totally revamped my entry in my database on Hamer imports now, realizing serials can't tell people much and instead just described some of the differences between import eras. This is my info as it currently stands. I post it here just so it's on the boards and maybe someone in the future could get some use from it:
Hamer Imports
Note: The models listed below are not exhaustive for each period, just samples. There is crossover between periods with some guitars having elements of two periods. All periods share model names being copies of USA-made Hamers. Serial numbers are not much help (with perhaps the exception of most recent Indonesian models at bottom). Your best bet is to narrow down the period by characteristics listed below. Perhaps try to cross-check with pot codes as well. Good luck!
Slammer Series (Korea)
Korean Slammer Series guitars began manufacture in the early 90s and went until approximately 1997-98. These guitars say “Hammer Slammer Series” on the headstock and their 6- or 7-digit serial numbers appear printed on the back of the headstock along with “Made in Korea.” Serial numbers do not appear to indicate production year. Some sample serials seen in the wild:
309542, 423640, 2551001, 6011692, 7071005, 8083800
Import Series (China/Korea)
Around 1997 Hamer transitioned from the Korean Slammer Series into what has been called the “Import Series.” These say only “Hamer” on the headstock, which appears similar to USA-made Hamers, but does not say “USA.” (These can easily be confused with later Indonesian models but the serials on those will look different—see below). These were made in China and Korea. Some of these were continuations of previous Slammer models. The 7-digit serial should appear printed on rear of headstock. However, some had a sticker on back of headstock. If you ever see a guitar that says on “Hamer” on the headstock and says “Made in Korea” on the back with no serial, it is probably due to the sticker falling off. This series may have run as late as 2005 (unconfirmed). Sample serials in the wild:
1701186 (Stellar 1), 1702638 (Echotone), 9802283 (Stellar 1, sticker back of headstock), 9806571 (Diablo), 1702559 (Duotone)
Models: Sunburst Arch Top Flame Top (SATF), Rick Nielsen Signature (RNS), Echotone (ECO), Stellar 1 (ST1), Californian (CAL), Diablo (DAB), Centaura, and Cruise 4 (CRS) and Cruise 5 (CRV) basses
XT Series (China/Indonesia)
XT Series guitars are hard to pin down. Around 2005 the Import Series was renamed the XT series, and this iteration of the XT Series appears to differentiate from later XTs by having “XT Series” printed on the headstock (later models have “XT Series” on the truss rod cover—USUALLY, THERE IS CROSSOVER). Most serial numbers are 7 digits printed on back of headstock and will say “Made in China” or “Made in Indonesia” below the serial. There are examples with a 9-digit number on a sticker as well. Samples in the wild:
1550512 (Vector), 3857208, 5880056, 8901517 (indonesia), 311419554 (sticker)
Models: Vector (Flying V), Standard (explorer), Sunburst, Scarab, Monaco, Special, Velocity Bass, Californian 5
Slammer by Hamer Series (China, possibly Indonesia/Korea)
These guitars seem mostly to have been produced in China, though you do see a few Korean crossover models and possibly even Indonesian models. In any case, the headstock will say “Slammer by Hammer.” Serial number will often be a sticker on the neck plate, and possibly have a sticker saying where it was made at the base of the neck. These are generally thought to be the lowest quality Hamer imports. This budget series may have run from approximately 2005 to 2009. Serials are generally 7 digits. Examples seen in the wild:
1151145, 1700031, 1905510
Models: Pacer, Centaura, Special/Special Bass, T5M-SB (sunburst Tele), WG1, XP Standard (XP-1 Explorer), Impact Bass, Blitz Bass, Chaparral Bass
Newer XT Series (Indonesia)
Like the Import Series detailed above, the newer Indonesian-made XT models say only “Hamer” on the headstock. Some say “XT Series” on the truss rod cover. Rear of headstock should say “Indonesia” or “Made in Indonesia.” Most serials begin with “IW,” though there are a few models you’ll see that begin with “P.” It is possible this period is better at indicating year by the serial number. The first two digits following the letters often seem to indicate year. Seen in the wild:
P11040850 (2011?)
IW12070188 (2012?)
IW18020545 (2018?)
Models: Monaco Special, SATF, STDF (Standard Flame Top), The Special Jr