Hamer Finish Issues

[dboy66]

Folks-

Given that Hamer prides itself on quality (and for the most part I agree), it seems like they have had some pretty significant finish issues over the years - the hameritis and pizza day problems, clown burst, and now the 'trans gray' issue. How do these slip through QC? Any thoughts?

dboy

[kizanski]

Granted, the "hameritis" era was not an ideal representation of Hamer's QC, but they addressed it and you almost never see it anymore. Even in those cases, I would put their finishes against some of the best stuff that Gibson has allowed to leave their doors.

"Clownburst" is not a QC issue, but a sunburst variant that some like and many do not. I don't like green guitars, but Hamer makes them. That doesn't constitute a finish issue by any stretch.

The "Pizza Day Standard" (which I owned for about a year) is a marvelous instrument, even with the finish flaw. The flaw, which is on the back by the way, can only be seen when you turn the guitar at a certain angle in a certain light. It does not surprise me that it didn't get caught at the factory. What surprises me is that there are not more examples of this.

The truth is, I thought the "finish flaw" on that guitar was cool as hell. I know it's bizarre, but it set the guitar apart from the other scores of 1995 '59burst Standard Customs and secured its place in HFC lure. When you mention the Pizza Day Standard, everyone that has been on this board for more than a couple of years knows exactly what you're talking about (but if you don't, use the Search feature).

What is the "trans gray" issue of which you speak? Is it a finish flaw, or just another color with limited appeal?

[jginsj]

I get your point about the finish quality issues and I'm not going to try to gloss over them (no pun intended). Heck, I used to hate to own a guitar that had a scratch on it.

But now, every time I pick up my guitar, the feel of it just makes me smile. My hands don't care what the finish looks like, and that's what's important...

[seeker]

I think he's referrring to some trans-black looking more like trans-gray. They purportedly tweaked their process after a bit to make em look more black. Quality issue? Nah, just refining a color they more recently put in their palette.

[hamerhead]

My hands don't care what the finish looks like, and that's what's important...

Exactly. The beater the better.

[bubs_42]

I think he's referrring to some trans-black looking more like trans-gray. They purportedly tweaked their process after a bit to make em look more black. Quality issue? Nah, just refining a color they more recently put in their palette.

To each thier own, I love the Trans Gray myself !

[Mindseyes]

I love this "flawed" guitar!

[Stike]

I think he's referrring to some trans-black looking more like trans-gray. They purportedly tweaked their process after a bit to make em look more black. Quality issue? Nah, just refining a color they more recently put in their palette.

I never thought any trans black (from any manufacturer) looked very black.

[formula73]

You think Hamer transblack is bad? This Dean ZF is practically purple.

Punisher:

ZF:

On a black couch for emphasis:

PURPLE. That said, the Dean gets more play because of the better upper fret access.

[dboy66]

Thanks for the comments. You will note though, I never said "FLAW", but I did say "issue". I own a studio that has both Hameritis and significant pizza day issues, that are not cool. Its sad really, because its so much fun to play.

Does any one know any of the history behind the clown burst finish. Seems to me like Hamer has now gotten away from that color and moved towards a more traditional looking "59". There is a Monaco Elite that a forum member is having a hard time selling right now, and it was suggested that it could possibly be related to the finish (clown burst). And seeker is indeed correct about the trans gray issue. I'm not certain that this has been tweaked though. In my current search for the perfect Studio Custom I've seen pics of a trans black that hasnt yet left the factory and it looks pretty gray. I've also been told that because of the process, know one is really certain how the trans black finish will age.

All this is not to say that there arent any stunning trans black (mindeyes) or other colors out there. I truly love Hamers. In fact I'm gassing for another now. But the color issues have me spooked, and my Special's value is limited because of the mid 90's QA.

[kizanski]

Thanks for the comments. You will note though, I never said "FLAW", but I did say "issue". (

...and in the context of your posts, the difference is what?

[JGale]

Where is the pizza day standard these days?

[BubbaVO]

Thanks for the comments. You will note though, I never said "FLAW", but I did say "issue". I own a studio that has both Hameritis and significant pizza day issues, that are not cool. Its sad really, because its so much fun to play.

Does any one know any of the history behind the clown burst finish. Seems to me like Hamer has now gotten away from that color and moved towards a more traditional looking "59". There is a Monaco Elite that a forum member is having a hard time selling right now, and it was suggested that it could possibly be related to the finish (clown burst). And seeker is indeed correct about the trans gray issue. I'm not certain that this has been tweaked though. In my current search for the perfect Studio Custom I've seen pics of a trans black that hasnt yet left the factory and it looks pretty gray. I've also been told that because of the process, know one is really certain how the trans black finish will age.

All this is not to say that there arent any stunning trans black (mindeyes) or other colors out there. I truly love Hamers. In fact I'm gassing for another now. But the color issues have me spooked, and my Special's value is limited because of the mid 90's QA.

I ended up with a Hamer in the mid-90s because their QA at the time was better than the Gibsons/Fenders. That they were fun to play (even with the '59/JB pups) sealed the deal for me. They've only gotten better.

As far as the '59 finish goes, I thought it predates the 90s. I wonder if the "Clown" effect could even be traced to a single tech at the factory as their little embellishment on the theme. Some of the folks on this board should be able to weigh in on that.

There's a reason why we haven't seen transblack finishes until relatively recently - they're a bitch for anyone to get right. Problem will be solved if you buy one already made and have a chance to look at it.

Your Special's value is limited because of the mid-90s QA? You might want to do a search of the prior posts to see what factors really impact the value of your Special. I think it has primarily to do with herd mentality more than QA issues, but that's just under-informed opinion.

You'll find the Special Custom of your dreams, and I hope you pull the trigger and get it. You'll love it.

[Bloozguy]

A few very salient points on this topic:

1. Hamer has come a long way with finish quality in the last 10 years.

2. At their worst, they put the big boys to shame.

3. My fingers and my ears can't tell squat about the finish of what I'm playing.

I've got a '99 Newport Pro with serious Hameritis at the neck joint. Kim said he'd fix it for me, but I have a hard time letting go of it for that long!

[Mindseyes]

I think it would be safe to say that Hamer is on top of it's QA game right now, more than ever!

[Factree]

Not to mention the fact that Kim Keller is willing to bend over backward to get a guitar right for a person. There was a finish flaw in the neck of my Monaco, and its being totally refinished right now. Totally accommodating. My 3 other hamers finishes are completely flawless. Plus the guitars themselves are completely flawless.

[cmatthes]

I have ordered several custom guitars as well as purchased new store stock instruments from Hamer in the last decade. All have been, well, perfect. My expectations are always exceeded.

[dboy66]

I think it would be safe to say that Hamer is on top of it's QA game right now, more than ever!

Thats exactly why I want a new one.

Thanks for the comments. You will note though, I never said "FLAW", but I did say "issue". (

...and in the context of your posts, the difference is what?

I think of a flaw as a defect. Like hameritis, or pizza day finish problems. Whereas, the other issues (like clown burst) are just bad ideas.

Sheesh guys, no need to be hatin'. I've got lplenty o' love for Hamer.

[Kurt L]

I love Hameritis. I got my Artist Custom for $650 because of it.

[sonic1974]

You think Hamer transblack is bad? This Dean ZF is practically purple.

Punisher:

ZF:

On a black couch for emphasis:

PURPLE. That said, the Dean gets more play because of the better upper fret access.

I think it looks great!

[Steve Haynie]

That is not purple or black. It is a custom color called "Bruise."

[tomteriffic]

I was seeing "clownburst" LP's coming from Gibson in the early 70's, before Hamer even existed as a brand. There were hanging both on store walls and on players shoulders, so I guess people liked them and bought them.

To refer to clownburst as a "finish issue" is, IMO, mistaken, since it's really a matter of being a finish color that is not very popular at present.

[seeker]

I was seeing "clownburst" LP's coming from Gibson in the early 70's, before Hamer even existed as a brand. There were hanging both on store walls and on players shoulders, so I guess people liked them and bought them.

To refer to clownburst as a "finish issue" is, IMO, mistaken, since it's really a matter of being a finish color that is not very popular at present.

I had one of those, a 71 LP Custom. Somehow the gold hardware took the edge off a bit. But only a little.

[dboy66]

Ladie and Gentleman, I give you the cool as hell, instantly collectible......PIZZA DAY SPECIAL

......seems innocuous enough

but hmm. whats that milky discoloration?

this cant be good

what the f*#k?

cool! its an instant classic!

[Siaip Ciuvas]

ahem... Can someone give me a picture of a clownburst example?