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Now that it is over, it is over. None of the original creators of the band is associated with it anymore. The builders will be moved to different projects. If a millionaire bought the name tomorrow and started building Hamers, the only connection with the legacy would be the name. Not the driving force, not the design braintrust, and not even the experienced builders. If I grabbed four guys from Liverpool and called them the Beatles, would they be the actual Beatles? No. If two of Alex van Halen's grand-kids joined up with friends and started a band using the name Van Halen, would they have Eddie's approach to the guitar and songwriting? Of course not. Queen wasn't Queen after Freddie Mercury died, and I don't care who they got as the singer. They were halfway between a tribute band and an original band with talent but no spirit. Hamer is gone. But the company left behind some cool guitars and great memories.

So true... and I believe Country of origin means nothing to today's up and coming players. When we were young, Gibson and Fender did not offer any imports. I started with a Japanese Tele copy, but what I really wanted was the Fender name on the headstock! Would I have settled for a Fender import if offered? Maybe, as long as it said Fender on it. I don't think at 13 I would have known the difference in a guitar that played like butter, and one that did not, lol. This past summer, I picked up a '97 Studio from a high school kid. He had this one, and an imported one. He chose to sell the US model, claiming the import played better. Personally, I think it was because the import had binding, and was more appealing to the kid. But they both said "Hamer" on the headstock.

That's exactly what's funny. They have had it all, but didn't prevail. It's a marketing issue for sure, but the cause of that issue is management and the vision they have had. Jol was a capricious guy.

Crap. I didn't need to see that.

Good man, Pete!

If Hamer stays dormant for more than a couple of years they are going to lose all of the tribal knowledge of the craftsmen who built Hamers. When a new employee comes in he can be trained by one of the luthiers currently building a guitar, but once production ceases the pool of knowledgable luthiers is going to slowly diminish, and their knowledge is going to fade even if they are working on Guilds or other instruments. A guitar is more than a spec sheet. A new Hamer factory can make better guitars. Or worse. But it will not be the same.

Grrrrrrrrr! That is a company that makes motorcycles that are dressed up to look somewhat like classic Triumphs. It's not better, it's different If a Triumph doesn't mark its' territory, it AIN"T a real Triumph!

Great names have come and gone throughout our lives, and will continue to do so long after we're gone. The best we can do is relish the memory, and appreciate & enjoy the legacy. With my Newport in hand, knowing that it was featured as the prime example of the model in the last Hamer catalog published, will be a memory that I will love until the day they close the lid on my life. Here's to all the guys I had the opportunity to meet when I had the chance to visit NH. A nicer gang of artisans you'll never meet. Thanks for the memories...

Congratulations, team - we've collectively made it through the 5 stages of grief: Denial Anger Enough said. Bargaining Depression Acceptance Me, i'm still stuck on Anger - i'll need more time...

Strange how they go under and a company like Suhr Guitars is backordered a year. Music Man seems to be doing fine to.

Lot's of knowledge/experience /talent/ quality wood stock and proven design at risk of being scattered . Hard to put it all together to start with. It takes an irrational commitment that has little to do with profit. Best wishes for the crew from an appreciative fan !!!!

Think they can repair my Cali? It's currently in a slightly disassembled state:

Depressing. Not surprising though. As a Trombone player I've watched as merger after merger resulted in UMI, later Conn-Selmer, and then Steinway. I watched as famous brands with decades, even a century of history get gutted by the corporation, their development staff and artisans laid off, and their product lines 'streamlined' to get rid of everything but the best selling stuff. Like hamer, many of these famous and sought after trombones can only be found now by looking for used examples. What pisses me off the most though is that FMIC had GOLD in their hands. They had models, know how, and history that could have been a major competitor to Gibson, however they decided that "Charvel" made more sense on Gibson-style guitars than "HAMER". Of course, they also may have wanted to protect their gretsch brand, which is for all intents and purposes just a bunch of reissued crap lacking innovation. It's sad that one company that was actually working to develop new pickups, styles of guitars, etc was shuttered.

From your lips to God's ears, brother. 'Cause it could easily go the opposite- NO name out there at all (as opposed to the tiny name it's been over the past decade or so) leads to no value except to the hardcore fanbase which is (sorry, old bastards, of which I am one) steadily dying off. If it goes the other way from what I suspect I'll die happy surrounded by every Hamer I ever wanted purchased for the standard going price of $350

Yowza. The news we all knew was coming seems to have arrived. Maybe Paul will buy back the brand and hire yours truly to be the marketing director. A guy can dream, can't he?

I've heard this one is pretty cool.

I will play...although I am partial to my Chappy http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq175/coolfeel/2011%20Chaparral%20Custom/Side5.jpg"]http://

I guess I'm partial to my Standard Custom. Of course, that's just me. conorb

Another classic...