Eclipse Neck Carve

[Jellyfish]

I'm considering picking up an Eclipse from the 90's. This would probably be an eBay purchase, because they come up for sale so rarely locally - which means that I wouldn't have the luxury of trying before I buy. My biggest concern is with the neck profile; I prefer chunkier necks these days and want to avoid anything too skinny.

So my question to the Eclipse owners here is: How would you characterize the carve of the neck? Is it skinny like the 80's Hamers, full like some of the later production (2000's) Specials or somewhere in-between?

As always, any input gratefully received!

 

[specialk]

For me, the mid-90s Hamer neck carves are perfection. Like it was made for my hand, and I have an average sized hand.

Not at all skinny like the 80s and early 90s necks, and not chunky like the 200s necks.

I'd definitely go with a mid 90s Eclipse.

Best of luck to you!

 

[mojo2001]

I like a bigger carve myself and my 96 Eclipse is chunky enough to satisfy. I agree with specialk...you could say it is perfect, not too thick and not too thin.

The Slammer Series Eclipse is very similar but feels a little bit chunkier yet. This could be within the range of sample to sample variation.

Both are a really good profile for me.

On the other hand, I have a 2001 Artist that is a tad too slim for me to call it perfect. Are there any Artists with more beef on the neck?

 

[Disturber]

I praise the Eclipse neck profile in this thread:

http://www.hamerfanclub.com/forums/topic/43464-eclipse-mods/

It's the best Hamer neck profile ever, if you ask me.

 

[Jellyfish]

Thanks for the great feedback - very encouraging. I've always admired the Eclipse from afar, mostly because there's really nothing else like it - a real Hamer original. Looks like the hunt is on...!

 

[JohnnyB]

For me, the mid-90s Hamer neck carves are perfection. Like it was made for my hand, and I have an average sized hand.

Not at all skinny like the 80s and early 90s necks, and not chunky like the 200s necks.

I'd definitely go with a mid 90s Eclipse.

Best of luck to you!

^^^ That's my experience too. I had a wraptail 6 and a 12-string, and they were just perfect. I don't do well with skinny necks because my fretting hand gets fatigued. My two Eclipses certainly hit the sweet spot.

The Eclipse is an ergonomic marvel in general anyway.

 

[Caddie]

iMHO, all mid '90s Hamer setnecks were uncanny carved the same, as if they were done by machine. If you've played one '95,'96,'97 Studio, Eclipse, Mirage, Duotone, Artist…the necks are all identical. At least that's the feedback from my hand. That's one of the reasons I can confidently buy a Hamer from that era and know what I'm gonna get. Plus the bonus of a Certificate of Authenticity Hamer birthmark… Hameritis.