Hi everyone – my first post here. I need some honest advice on Hamers, since I really want to own one again, but don’t know which would suit me best (if any).
I noticed that some diehard Hamer fans seem to go overboard in their praises – ‘fit and finish much better than any Gibson, beats a Les Paul in tone and playability’ and the like. I don’t believe in these (or any) hypes, and am only looking for those great/special guitars, regardless of their brand. I also never understood the workmanship kudos since so many older Hamers had binding or finish ('hameritis') issues which should not have been there in the first place, and should neither be pardoned. I add though that I do not have an issue with these flaws, as long as a guitar is a truly great playing and sounding instrument, and have always found Hamers to be totally cool designs. I currently own a variety of vintage and modern Gibsons, Fenders and Martins, plus some oddball stuff, but no Hamers, and that must change.
I am thinking of going for either a 1980/1 Hamer Special, or a 1990s Hamer Artist, Archtop FM, or Special FM etc. I had a ’93 Archtop for a while, but sold it because it sounded a little too thin for my tastes– I like a solid, full blooded rock tone a la Kossoff or Angus – plus the (3 piece) neck was too temperamental, and required adjustment during the seasons changes (never had this issue with any guitar I’ve owned, and there are/were many). I loved the lighter weight and nice playability though.
So what is the best sounding Hamer of the above in your opinion – the early 80s ones with the Dimarzios, or the 1990s with the Duncans, or is there not really much of a difference, and would a Hamer’s lead tone always sounds less fat/authoritative than a decent Les Paul, or was I just unlucky with my Archtop?
And what about any tonal difference between 1) the sustain block bridge Specials, and the 1990s 2) tuneomatic/stop and 3) Wilkinson bridge versions? Talking me out of a Hamer is fine too – just be honest please! Thanks in advance for your views.
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keef
Hi everyone – my first post here. I need some honest advice on Hamers, since I really want to own one again, but don’t know which would suit me best (if any).
I noticed that some diehard Hamer fans seem to go overboard in their praises – ‘fit and finish much better than any Gibson, beats a Les Paul in tone and playability’ and the like. I don’t believe in these (or any) hypes, and am only looking for those great/special guitars, regardless of their brand. I also never understood the workmanship kudos since so many older Hamers had binding or finish ('hameritis') issues which should not have been there in the first place, and should neither be pardoned. I add though that I do not have an issue with these flaws, as long as a guitar is a truly great playing and sounding instrument, and have always found Hamers to be totally cool designs. I currently own a variety of vintage and modern Gibsons, Fenders and Martins, plus some oddball stuff, but no Hamers, and that must change.
I am thinking of going for either a 1980/1 Hamer Special, or a 1990s Hamer Artist, Archtop FM, or Special FM etc. I had a ’93 Archtop for a while, but sold it because it sounded a little too thin for my tastes – I like a solid, full blooded rock tone a la Kossoff or Angus – plus the (3 piece) neck was too temperamental, and required adjustment during the seasons changes (never had this issue with any guitar I’ve owned, and there are/were many). I loved the lighter weight and nice playability though.
So what is the best sounding Hamer of the above in your opinion – the early 80s ones with the Dimarzios, or the 1990s with the Duncans, or is there not really much of a difference, and would a Hamer’s lead tone always sounds less fat/authoritative than a decent Les Paul, or was I just unlucky with my Archtop?
And what about any tonal difference between 1) the sustain block bridge Specials, and the 1990s 2) tuneomatic/stop and 3) Wilkinson bridge versions? Talking me out of a Hamer is fine too – just be honest please! Thanks in advance for your views.
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