hudpucker

While it is a Smith era strat it is NOT the model commonly referred to as a 'Smith Strat'; instead, it is a Standard strat (made from 83 thru late 84). Smith strats have the same old 70s crappy mazac trems instead of the Standard's cost-cutting 'Freeflyte' trem (you can't adjust the trem springs unless you remove the pickguard) and have the normal Vol-tone-tone knobs and input jack. What sets these 'Standard strats' apart are the then-newly introduced bi-flex truss rod, medium frets and flatter radius (12") along with sealed die-cast tuners. The location of the trem springs and relocation of the input jack to where there used to be a tone control was designed so that only a single route to the body was necessary. These strats do have their boosters as many love the flatter necks. Still, there's no denying that Fender was in full cost-cutting mode when these were in production.

The first Hamer I played extensively was a checkerboard Special that I borrowed for years from a buddy in the mid 80s. I was also able to borrow a SSII for long periods of time in the late 80s as well. MY first Hamer that I actually owned was this '93 Special FM:

Karma sent.

semi-hollow sustain block Artist? Yowzah, that looks friggin' schweet.

I'll take one (XL) for sure as well.

ProLine barrel style input jacks work well, too. I think it's model number GC1111 (yes, the evil Guitar Center sells 'em). They're stereo plugs but just wire it as mono and you get the added benefit of having 3 'clips' holding the cord in place instead of 2. They're a little shorter than the stock barrel jacks but there's enough thread to make 'em snug (got 'em on 3 of my Hamers). Plus, the jack input seems a bit 'undersized'---switchcraft plugs are TIGHT in these suckers. YMMV.

Shudder To Think The Inbreds Ours Hum

OMG!! Make it stop, please! My not-so-discerning 'classic-rock and blues' ears just can't distinguish/fathom all those wicked notes!!! Too much info for my penta-brain to process!! heheh. But seriously, the technique-o-phobes can really bring a musician down, can't they? Good wanking there, sir.

This one: 1997 'Cunetto' '60 Relic Strat. 9.5" fretboard radius, medium-jumbo frets, Gotoh vintage locking tuners and a no-load bridge/mid tone pot. One of the best strats I've ever picked up, too.

Had 'Stu' here for 6 years as of yesterday... This one's got that 'X' quality (whatever the hell that is). Hard to believe that someone let this particular one go but I'm sure glad they did. It simply outshines everything else I've tried in a similar configuration--even other Hamers.