Sunburst appreciation thread
- Thread starter Travis
- Start date
Frank Neli
New member
Uhhhh, these fine cracks in the paint surface, beautiful!
HamerHamburg
New member
Hello everybody !
Here's my 1978 that I recently bought on eBay Germany. It came with a non original recent case. Just a few days ago I snagged a beautiful and very well worn original case on eBay. All latches working and handle not broken. Just well worn and period correct ... /emoticons/default_biggrin.png
When the guitar arrived it had a replaced upper strap pin. The original pin was gone and the screw was sheared off. I had my local luthier drill the old screw out and plug/refinish the screw hole and fitted my favorite locking pins - Kluson Multi Locks. They have screw on caps and look very "Gretschy". I fit all my guitars with these strap pins. The guitar did not have the original pickups anymore and was fitted with push/pull pots for coil splitting. I put some nice Bourns pots in (love the loose feel of these) with an RS Guitarworks capacitor. It's wired normally (according to the available schematic), but I had the Neck pickup built reverse for the sweet out of phase sound in the middle position. Wolfgang Damm of Amber Pickups in Germany made a pair of sweet "Spirit of 59" Humbuckers with lightly aged bobbins in the correct colors. The pickups really compliment the guitar with very sweet highs and a nice PAF "honk". High gain leads in the middle position are my favourite !! /emoticons/default_tongue.png
It had a fret dress and a new nut installed. It plays and sound like a dream. Currently my main guitar. I love it and I'm definitely keeping it, so don't ask ... /emoticons/default_tongue.png
Here we go:
Here's my 1978 that I recently bought on eBay Germany. It came with a non original recent case. Just a few days ago I snagged a beautiful and very well worn original case on eBay. All latches working and handle not broken. Just well worn and period correct ... /emoticons/default_biggrin.png
When the guitar arrived it had a replaced upper strap pin. The original pin was gone and the screw was sheared off. I had my local luthier drill the old screw out and plug/refinish the screw hole and fitted my favorite locking pins - Kluson Multi Locks. They have screw on caps and look very "Gretschy". I fit all my guitars with these strap pins. The guitar did not have the original pickups anymore and was fitted with push/pull pots for coil splitting. I put some nice Bourns pots in (love the loose feel of these) with an RS Guitarworks capacitor. It's wired normally (according to the available schematic), but I had the Neck pickup built reverse for the sweet out of phase sound in the middle position. Wolfgang Damm of Amber Pickups in Germany made a pair of sweet "Spirit of 59" Humbuckers with lightly aged bobbins in the correct colors. The pickups really compliment the guitar with very sweet highs and a nice PAF "honk". High gain leads in the middle position are my favourite !! /emoticons/default_tongue.png
It had a fret dress and a new nut installed. It plays and sound like a dream. Currently my main guitar. I love it and I'm definitely keeping it, so don't ask ... /emoticons/default_tongue.png
Here we go:
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^^^ Beautiful top. Wowza!
Frank Neli
New member
Your sunburst is in amazing condition for its age. WOW!
One question: is the bridge with wooden base original?
One question: is the bridge with wooden base original?
The earliers ones had the rosewood shim to raise the height up to the fretboard. The creation of the Sustainblock was final remedy.
Frank Neli
New member
Thanks! I did't know that. You never stop learning /emoticons/default_smile.png
Brentrocks
New member
My 1979 Sunburst...
ARM OF HAMER
Well-known member
Some amazing guitars fellas................"Sunbursts" are the ones to have! /emoticons/default_smile.png Beautiful! /emoticons/default_wub.png/emoticons/default_wub.png/emoticons/default_wub.png
HamerHamburg
New member
That's one nice top ! It's got more of a darker tone to it, that looks stunning too. Also well kept !!
I'm into the '77s and '78s for the shimmed bridge and the one piece neck. Sort of a sexy and charming faulty design ... /emoticons/default_smile.png
And I just love low serial numbers (8 0425). Next one is a '77, if I ever get my hands on one at a decent price ... preferably unbound and dotted.
Cheers Todde
I'm into the '77s and '78s for the shimmed bridge and the one piece neck. Sort of a sexy and charming faulty design ... /emoticons/default_smile.png
And I just love low serial numbers (8 0425). Next one is a '77, if I ever get my hands on one at a decent price ... preferably unbound and dotted.
Cheers Todde
Frank Neli
New member
Brentrocks. Hell. What a Flat Top. Close to mine, serial number 9 0751 
hamer_sunburst
New member
Guys, you are KILLING me! I thought I didn't like flat top sunbursts, now I want one badly!
How could I have missed this awesome thread!?
How could I have missed this awesome thread!?
hamer_sunburst
New member
The first Hamer I "saw" was an aztec gold fat quilt maple top special from the mid 90's on ebay, I still regret I didn't buy it, the price was ridiculous as well.....
I was looking for a Les Paul kind of high quality alternative. After I'd bought an LP Custom MIJ Burny, I wanted a USA made high quality instrument. The burny was well built, but it was chambered and the pickups were crap, the finish was a really fat poly finish as well.... I didn't know much about these details back then and today I probably would've swapped the pickups of this Burny, it was CHEAP and had a certain vintage vibe to it as well.
I sold it, and first bought a Heritage CM150 LP Ultra which was an AWESOME guitar and I sold it, D'oh! Still kick myself in the butt for that. At the same time I got a Monaco Elite in TS finish, which was also awesome and which I also sold, D'oh! I still miss it!
After these stupid deeds I had to get a Hamer again, and I got a 92 sunburst custom! Awesome guitar, but different. An awesome guitar is never possible to replace completely, every guitar is different!
I was looking for a Les Paul kind of high quality alternative. After I'd bought an LP Custom MIJ Burny, I wanted a USA made high quality instrument. The burny was well built, but it was chambered and the pickups were crap, the finish was a really fat poly finish as well.... I didn't know much about these details back then and today I probably would've swapped the pickups of this Burny, it was CHEAP and had a certain vintage vibe to it as well.
I sold it, and first bought a Heritage CM150 LP Ultra which was an AWESOME guitar and I sold it, D'oh! Still kick myself in the butt for that. At the same time I got a Monaco Elite in TS finish, which was also awesome and which I also sold, D'oh! I still miss it!
After these stupid deeds I had to get a Hamer again, and I got a 92 sunburst custom! Awesome guitar, but different. An awesome guitar is never possible to replace completely, every guitar is different!
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Frank Neli
New member
we warned everyone: one click in this treat and you are addicted ... forever
Brentrocks
New member
Thanks man. It is a killer player.I would like to find another someday.Brentrocks. Hell. What a Flat Top. Close to mine, serial number 9 0751
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HamerHamburg
New member
Well, new guitar day today again ... 82 Sunburst B&C all original down to the frets. Killer sound and slightly bigger neck than my 78.
What do you think ? /emoticons/default_tongue.png
Cheers, Todde
What do you think ? /emoticons/default_tongue.png
Cheers, Todde
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HamerHamburg
New member
Here are some more pics:
Dont's ask me ... dunno what the rose is about ... it was there when I got it ... and the case seems to be original to the guitar.
Cheers, Todde
Dont's ask me ... dunno what the rose is about ... it was there when I got it ... and the case seems to be original to the guitar.
Cheers, Todde
ARM OF HAMER
Well-known member
Another fine looking Hamer /emoticons/default_smile.png ..................great color! /emoticons/default_smile.png CONGRATS! /emoticons/default_smile.png