1995 HAMER ECLIPSE 12 STRING

Can't speak to a Ric 620/12 since I've never had my mitts on one, but my 366/12 was a squeeze even for my skinny fingers.  The Eclipse 12 solved all that and gave me all the classic electric 12 tones right out of the box.  Would have loved a Newport 12 but me, the guitar and the money never got together at the same time and place.

PS, +1 on the pearloid tuner buttons.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I have played a lot of 660/12s and always thought that would be what brought me back to owning a Rickenbacker 12, but it wasn't significantly better than my 360s, and nowhere near as comfortable to play as the Hamers.  I'm a stickler for that "Rick" sound, and think it's one of the coolest sounds/tones ever recorded, but until I find one that works for me, I'm more than happy with my Hamer 12s (all strung like Rickenbackers).

MyNewport12andbestfriend.jpg

 
Can't speak to a Ric 620/12 since I've never had my mitts on one, but my 366/12 was a squeeze even for my skinny fingers.  The Eclipse 12 solved all that and gave me all the classic electric 12 tones right out of the box.  Would have loved a Newport 12 but me, the guitar and the money never got together at the same time and place.

PS, +1 on the pearloid tuner buttons.
TT, I edited my post to correct it to 660/12. Numbers have never been my thing, apparently.

 
I'm not sure where "the Dude" got his numbers, but I think that number is probably made up.

I will agree 100% that the Eclipse 12 will cure any Rickenbacker woes - playable everywhere on the neck, and there were several custom ordered with "Rick Stringing" from the factory, although that's a simple nut switch if you want that.  I've owned two (both '95s - a black and a flip/flop Green/Blue), but now have a Newport 12, which is like a much better 360/12 string - mine was ordered with the Rick stringing too, and the PhatCats can really nail that perfect 12 string sound.

If you replace the metal tuner buttons on your Eclipse with either plastic/pearloid or ebony buttons, it is amazing at how much better the guitar balances - Great guitars!

Eclipse12head.jpg
🥇

I know that one. Time to restring, I guess. 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I have played a lot of 660/12s and always thought that would be what brought me back to owning a Rickenbacker 12, but it wasn't significantly better than my 360s, and nowhere near as comfortable to play as the Hamers.  I'm a stickler for that "Rick" sound, and think it's one of the coolest sounds/tones ever recorded, but until I find one that works for me, I'm more than happy with my Hamer 12s (all strung like Rickenbackers).

View attachment 30013
That’s awesome!

I gotta ask, why “Rick stringing”? What do you love about the low string first? 

And what was the Hamer thinking behind switching it?

Inquiring minds 😆

 
The fundamental string sounds first, that’s why. Most of any brand electric 12s are set up like acoustic models, with the octave string first. 

I prefer the Ric setup. Sounds ballzier when crunching chords. YMMV. 

 
While on the subject of Hamer 12-strings, is there any way to find out how many Special 12s were made? Mine has a 1295XX serial number, which I guess makes it a '91? The pickups are not original- I put in some GFS Retrotrons when I got the guitar about 15 years ago. They work much better with the 12 strings than the high output Seymour Duncans that someone else loaded into it before me.

View attachment 29992
jeebus christmas. I put far more hours on the 12 string neck of my Californian doubleneck than any other guitar, and it's been that way for literally 20 years now. I've wanted a single necked version for 20 years, but none have fit the bill. There's literally just a couple 12 string Californians, but they're not setnecks. There's the Eclipse 12, but it doesn't have the same bridge/stoptail, and that hardware is a huge part of the magic. And here before my eyes is, if not a Californian body, a Hamer 12 string with the key features - 1 5/8" neck, super heavy bridge/tailpiece, set neck, mahogany body. There's gotta be more out there....?

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I am down to the two Hamer 12vers. DID have one Eclipse, but could not keep one of everything. i did like it a lot.

I still do have the one Newport and the one Duo--Tone (the latter apparently one of two in that set of specs). I am sure they could be sold very easily, but I take a step back every time I play either one. Best to hold on to these once you get your hands on one.

 
Yeah, they're great.

View attachment 29973

Playable in tune anywhere up the neck.

God I've sold soooo many good guitars........ :(
My first Hamer-USA was a vintage orange Eclipse-12 I bought used at a vintage guitar store in Seattle. It was pretty easy to play and produce convincing jangle. It required patience, but I found it surprisingly easy to restring. I liked it but  sold it in late 1999 to get a freshly minted Hamer Anniversary.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I am down to the two Hamer 12vers. DID have one Eclipse, but could not keep one of everything. i did like it a lot.

I still do have the one Newport and the one Duo--Tone (the latter apparently one of two in that set of specs). I am sure they could be sold very easily, but I take a step back every time I play either one. Best to hold on to these once you get your hands on one.
Is your Duotone 12 the Gretsch orange one, three holes but with Custom electronics? I got one from Mobster and it was terrific but I couldn’t find a practical use for it, so it went to Joe (Spidey) and it went on from there. It was very playable, and of course beautifully made. 

 
Is your Duotone 12 the Gretsch orange one, three holes but with Custom electronics? I got one from Mobster and it was terrific but I couldn’t find a practical use for it, so it went to Joe (Spidey) and it went on from there. It was very playable, and of course beautifully made. 
No......As I recall, there were exactly two made to those specs. Mobster (Greg) had that one. Mine is a natural finish. I have had good offers on it, but know I would never be able to replace it.....Even though I (also) have no practical use for it. 😉

 
Back
Top