Hamer vs. Gibson

[Bobby Marshall]

Maybe I should have put specific models like the standard vs explorer or sunburst vs les Paul.

Anyway, my band mates give me huge crap about my recent Hamers - "why didn't you get a Les Paul?"

I know my reasons but I thought it would be nice to read other opinions. And those who favor Gibson please speak up too. I figured there has to be enough members who have had a few from both manufacturers and can give good insight. I have a Les Paul Custom, some SGs and a 335 clone along with my sunbursts, standards and vectors.

Thanks in advance for your input. And if there is already a thread on this please put the link here.

Bobby

[crunchee]

I suppose the real difference to me is:

I've never played a bad Hamer....

+1!

So, what kind of music does your band play, and what kind/type/brand of instruments do your bandmates use? I'm curious about WHY they're biased toward a LP. Sounds like they're on the image-conscious side, if their only complaint is what the guitar looks like.

[rj2858]

I'm guessing that the question came from the guy who plays a Les Paul, no?

I've only owned one Gibby, but a friend has been a Gibson player since the early '70's, and I've played all of his, and for me it came down, (in 1982), to this;

The Sunburst I tried, and bought, looked cooler, had a double cutaway which was more comfortable than a Les Paul, was lighter than any Les I'd played, and simply sounded fuller than any SG or Les Paul I'd played (through a clean silverface Fender Twin, this guitar has the best humbucker sound I've ever heard - even my Gibby owning friend remarked how great the low strings sounded).

I also loved the fact that I could buy a humbucker equipped guitar that wasn't a Gibson, after I'd taken crap from friends for years, because I grew up a "Fender guy". After that Sunburst came 2 Standards (#'s 0166 & 0223) in 1986, then a Phantom (A5) in '87, Chaparral in '88, and it's just kept going.

Quality has been great on all of them, and they either gave me something Gibson didn't offer, or gave me a much better value, while still letting me wave my "I'm not one of you guys" flag.

[Morris Davis]

I think a lot of people on this board own a few Hamers and a few Gibsons.

IMO, it's hard to beat a Les Paul. There's just something about it - probably not related to any particular guitar itself but the history of great players that have used a Les Paul. IMO, Hamer just doesn't have that history with any of its guitars, except maybe the Standard. Hamer missed a huge chance in the 90s, they should have been as big as Paul Reed Smith.

I also own a Hamer Korina Vector and a Standard Custom. I think that the Korina Vector and the Standard are "better" (construction, wood, pickups, etc) than the comparable Gibson V and Explorer. At least the ones I've played.

[django49]

I have had a mess of Gibsons. Inc a bunch of Pauls, even one original '56. Many Semi-hollows, even several full archtops, up to and including a Super 400 and Byrdland. Some SGs. Once upon a time, 335s and Les Pauls were out of favor and a decent one could be bought (in the 80s) for $350.

I heard some good things about a Hamer Artist. Had a hard time finding one (then). Heard it had the best of a Paul and 335. Finally found one and I became a believer. Owned several different Hamers before downsizing my collection. Then started back within the past two years. Great new things with names like Monaco, Newport and Talladega. As someone said above, hard to find a bad Hamer. But I would have a hard time buying most any Gibson model sight unseen........Too many stories of people paying up big time for things like '59 reissues and sending them back due to poor quality.

Opened the door for PRS, for sure. I suppose they were more agile at marketing than Hamer, which COULD HAVE been more (in terms of mass exposure). Gibson has history and a ton of classic recordings.

To me, Hamers have more character to go with the, generally, higher quality. And less of "what everyone else has" can be a good thing. I have great fun with people who see and hear one of mine and go, "Wow, where can I get one?".

Now down to 3 Gibsons (335, 347 and a Chet Atkins solid body with nylon strings). Still hanging on to 2 PRS (Swamp Ash Special and Hollowbody w/piezo). Will likely wind those 5 down to 3......As much as I like Hamers, I will not let this 335 go.......But many Hamers (a large portion of which as a result of finding this site). I like the fact that they often can be found for a lot less that the Gbsons. Yeah, not so good for resale, but I can explore a lot more guitars on my budget........Not a lot of people appreciate them (they do not know what they are).

No Les Paul. Sometimes I do miss the 2 v, 2 t setup. However, the Tally Pro comes close to making me loosen my grip on the 335.

Remember the old Stones lyric....."He can't be a man 'cause he doesn't smoke, the same cigarette as me"? (Hey man, "Get off of My Cloud!". I have "Satisfaction") I htink ther eis a lot of that. If it was me, I would be more concerned about the sound and feel I am getting from bandmates than the look and name on the headstock. (Now if I was in a Led Zep tribute band and only a Paul would do.....) But I enjoy the times when someone playing a Paul or similar at a jam drops his guard and asks why he cannot get THAT SOUND when I am using my Hamer Artist----Or Duo Tone----Or even my Parker Fly or Turner Model One........I don't use something just to be different. But if I can stand out with something different AND get the sound and feel I like, to me it is a no brainer.

I have been around a long time and no doubt gone through over 200 guitars. Probably at least 25% of them were Gibsons. And as many Hamers, I think. At this time, Hamer is it (well, 80-90% of it) for me. Someday I may like something better. Right now I doubt it.

Last, re PRS.......I have had multiple people comment that "Your Hamer looks like a PRS copy". I love showing them the date of the guitar and telling them how that shape (Sunburst, Studio, Artist, etc) predates PRS. Yep.....Paul is an innovator. But more than that he is a marketer. Would that Hamer could have been.

[polara]

I just say they're updates to construction and design that Gibson pioneered in the 50s, but actually handmade instead of done by the thousands at a time. Point to the "USA" on the headstock.

[kizanski]

I just say they're updates to construction and design that Gibson pioneered in the 50s, but actually handmade instead of done by the thousands at a time.

That's a big part of it for me.

I've never played a bad Hamer....

Don't kid yourself. They're out there, believe me. I've owned a couple and played a few more.

[HoboMan]

I've owned LOTS of Gibsons over the years and several Hamers.

Lately I've been playing my Gibsons (Les Paul DC Standard & 62 SG Reissue).

I dropped both of Gibsons off with my tech to get new nuts installed so I brought my Hamer Artist to rehearsal last night.

Been a while since I played it and I really enjoyed it.

It's not better or worse, just different.

There is something about the Artist's body shape that just fits me.

Found myself playing a little more aggressive than usual.

Damn good guitar.

[gtone]

There`s room for both on this crazy little planet. Vive la difference, as the French say...

[diablo175]

I own both, I'll play both. Use 'em for different purposes- My Hamers are for shredding and the Gibby's are for classic, iconic looks & tones. I'll be anxious to compare the build quality and playability of my CS Les Paul Axcess to the CO Cali come Nov.

[Sentinel]

I wanted a Les Paul but didn't find any good. Got myself a Monaco Elite and stilled my LP cravings for good.

Then I wanted an Gibby SG, but same thing. So I custom ordered my Studio Custom and bam - happy days.

Instead of a 335 i got my Artist Custom. Honestly, Hamer makes finer and better instruments, imo!!

[belgian]

The Gibson board sucks.

[lincsman]

I have had a mess of Gibsons. Inc a bunch of Pauls, even one original '56. Many Semi-hollows, even several full archtops, up to and including a Super 400 and Byrdland. Some SGs. Once upon a time, 335s and Les Pauls were out of favor and a decent one could be bought (in the 80s) for $350.

I heard some good things about a Hamer Artist. Had a hard time finding one (then). Heard it had the best of a Paul and 335. Finally found one and I became a believer. Owned several different Hamers before downsizing my collection. Then started back within the past two years. Great new things with names like Monaco, Newport and Talladega. As someone said above, hard to find a bad Hamer. But I would have a hard time buying most any Gibson model sight unseen........Too many stories of people paying up big time for things like '59 reissues and sending them back due to poor quality.

Opened the door for PRS, for sure. I suppose they were more agile at marketing than Hamer, which COULD HAVE been more (in terms of mass exposure). Gibson has history and a ton of classic recordings.

To me, Hamers have more character to go with the, generally, higher quality. And less of "what everyone else has" can be a good thing. I have great fun with people who see and hear one of mine and go, "Wow, where can I get one?".

Now down to 3 Gibsons (335, 347 and a Chet Atkins solid body with nylon strings). Still hanging on to 2 PRS (Swamp Ash Special and Hollowbody w/piezo). Will likely wind those 5 down to 3......As much as I like Hamers, I will not let this 335 go.......But many Hamers (a large portion of which as a result of finding this site). I like the fact that they often can be found for a lot less that the Gbsons. Yeah, not so good for resale, but I can explore a lot more guitars on my budget........Not a lot of people appreciate them (they do not know what they are).

No Les Paul. Sometimes I do miss the 2 v, 2 t setup. However, the Tally Pro comes close to making me loosen my grip on the 335.

Remember the old Stones lyric....."He can't be a man 'cause he doesn't smoke, the same cigarette as me"? (Hey man, "Get off of My Cloud!". I have "Satisfaction") I htink ther eis a lot of that. If it was me, I would be more concerned about the sound and feel I am getting from bandmates than the look and name on the headstock. (Now if I was in a Led Zep tribute band and only a Paul would do.....) But I enjoy the times when someone playing a Paul or similar at a jam drops his guard and asks why he cannot get THAT SOUND when I am using my Hamer Artist----Or Duo Tone----Or even my Parker Fly or Turner Model One........I don't use something just to be different. But if I can stand out with something different AND get the sound and feel I like, to me it is a no brainer.

I have been around a long time and no doubt gone through over 200 guitars. Probably at least 25% of them were Gibsons. And as many Hamers, I think. At this time, Hamer is it (well, 80-90% of it) for me. Someday I may like something better. Right now I doubt it.

Last, re PRS.......I have had multiple people comment that "Your Hamer looks like a PRS copy". I love showing them the date of the guitar and telling them how that shape (Sunburst, Studio, Artist, etc) predates PRS. Yep.....Paul is an innovator. But more than that he is a marketer. Would that Hamer could have been.

I agree well said

[Jorge]

I love showing them the date of the guitar and telling them how that shape (Sunburst, Studio, Artist, etc) predates PRS. Yep.....Paul is an innovator. But more than that he is a marketer. Would that Hamer could have been.

Sure it does predate PRS, that was a Gibson shape (Les Paul Special Double Cut) that Hamer used.

And Hamer would have been like PRS, had Jol actually listened to his fans.

[Bobby Marshall]

We cover stones who Zeppelin petty Foo fighters green day kings of Leon collective soul. We rock but no shred.

Other guitarist plays Les Paul. Think I may need to tweak electronics. Hamers just feel better to me than a Les Paul. Just feel right. I cannot explain any better and I don't want to really. I just want to get to the place where I am comfortable with the feel and sound. I think i am close.

[MCChris]

And Hamer would have been like PRS, had Jol actually listened to his fans.

What would have been the point of that?

[Disturber]

The other guitar player in the band I play with now has this 3 500 euro 1957 Les Paul Custom Reissue Prototype. It's a plain mahogany LP with silver finish for a SHITload of money. I am not the one to tell him Gibson ripped him off on this one, but he already had to change the tom bridge out to Tonepros. The soft metal in the original saddle screws just got ripped first time he was adjusting the guitar, (now how's that for quality).

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/gibson-custom-1957-les-paul-custom-reissue-prototype-electric-guitar

I have played a bunch of my Hamer's at rehearsals and he always brings his LP, and EVERY time he has made comments on how good my Hamer's sound, and how nice the feel to play. I think we'll have a convert soon. The quality is better than his super expensive custom shop gibby, it's just fact and the guitars speak for themselves - side by side comparison.

Buying a new expensive gibson, many update hardware and electronics right away. Buy a new Hamer and you are set to go, might change out the Duncans if you prefer something else but other than that it's all TOP CLASS.

[formula73]

I have no preference, really. I love my Vectors and Standard and my LPs. If Hamer made a straight up LP copy, that'd be something (and I'd surely play it), but until then, there's a feel you get from a Les Paul that can't be matched. I'm not going to go into this wood this, this neckjoint that. I just like the feel of a Paul and if I want to play one, I want to play one. If I want to play a V or an Explorer, I'll play a Hamer just because Gibson doesn't make anything close to that quality at a remotely reasonable price point. I don't want to say they're good for the money; they're just good. The only real thing Gibson has on Hamer, imho, is that they make Vs that come decked out like LP Standards and Customs. I'm sure Hamer would make one, should somebody ask.

[burningyen]

I suppose the real difference to me is:

I've never played a bad Hamer....

I've only had one Hamer that was somewhat disappointing (a T-62). The vast majority have been outstanding.

[Bennyboy-UK]

I had an '86 SG Standard that was OK - apart from it sounded 80% the same in either neck or bridge position (I swapped an '89 MM silhouette for it - which was stupid... - it got stolen, so picked up an early 90's LP STD in Black with the inusrance money - it was the best of the 5 varied LPs in the shop (inlcuding an old custom, and a few others) pointed out by Stu at Music City in Worcester (under different ownership for years now).

It was a good piece of kit, and was exactly right for what it was - the finish was a bit iffy around the edges of the headstock, but played well and did me for years.

Of the Hamers I've had since - and purely from a finishing POV - they have all been perfect in my opinion - or were when they were made.

I have a hankering for a Howard Roberts FIII one day, it was one of these of the LP when I had the opportunity, and always will want an early 60's LP/SG JR - but anything else?

I'm really not fussed by what they're making these days.... With so many variations on the same model that they and Fender and knocking out - I can't help wonder about their motivation of pure box shifting based on the brand strength.

I'm told the Custom Shop is fantastic - I've never had a look to be fair, but for that much cash? - I'd probably buy something else and save a bundle...

Anyway, what do I know - I'm not in the trade or know very much really...

[Hamer Dave]

My main attachment with Hamer is that as I was growing up, they were made in my backyard. Seeing a lot of local artists etc. playing them in the late 70's, 80's. They are beautiful hand made instruments. The older stuff gives me that warm feeling, y'know?

I admit, I'm also crazy with Gibson stuff. Not so much the current, but once again the older, nostalgic stuff. Heck, I just love guitars! Doesn't everyone? Oh, except wives. lol!

Dave

[silentman]

Been playing for 26 years and proud to have never owned a Gibson or Fender.

[Disturber]

Been playing for 26 years and proud to have never owned a Gibson or Fender.

Ditto!

(not the 26 year thing, I've played electric guitar since around 1982 - that's even longer. Scary, I still can't play... ..I don't want to think about things like this... ...gotto go for coffee...)

[tommy p]

I've got Gibsons and Hamers and enjoy both, as well as a Fender and a Gretsch.

I have a few Les Pauls including a LP Special double cutaway, but I also have a Hamer Special. One weird thing is that although I've always like the Gibson Explorer shape, I never really wanted one (I don't know why), but I've always wanted a Hamer Standard and now own two. Thinking about it now, it might just be the tops on the Hamers that made them so much more appealing to me.

[velorush]

I have a hankering for a Howard Roberts FIII one day, it was one of these of the LP when I had the opportunity, and always will want an early 60's LP/SG JR - but anything else?

I've not owned too many Gibsons, but this '91 has been mine since '94 (bought NOS) - one of the best necks I've ever played.

It has P-Rails/Triple Shots in it right now, but I think it would be better with some low-wind humbuckers. I absolutely hated the stock 490s in it. I replaced the 'fingers' tailpiece with the trapeze and put a set of RoyB's (RS) electronics in it (highly recommended, BTW).

I just really really like guitars; Hamer, Gibson, Fender, Danelectro (GusS ), Charvel... all of 'em...