Indonesian Juniors Question

[JPDIII]

I see these on the auction and sale sites. Some have a scarf joint and some do not.  What is the quality of these third world "Hamer" Juniors?

 

Pete Davis 

[cmatthes]

Think Epiphone, but not as good.

[Steve Haynie]

The recent Indonesian guitars in general, not specifically those branded Hamer, have been good, but as for which Indonesian factory makes which guitar it is up in the air.  The current Indonesian stuff from some other brands has been better than what Chinese instruments were a decade or two ago. 

[Jim85IROC]

I've had a lot of imported Hamers, and generally as long as you avoid the real low end crap, it's all been very good.  I've only got one of the Indonesian models from the rebooted brand, a 2017 Monaco, but aside from the mediocre electronics, it's the best imported Hamer that I've played.  It's actually hung around longer than some of my US Hamers.  Flawless build, and exceptionally resonant.  When you move up the neck the notes take on that sort of reverb-y sound that you usually get from strats with a floating trem.  It also has one of the most chatoyant veneer tops that Ive seen.

I wouldn't hesitate to get another from the rebooted line.

[Willie G. Moseley]

I recently got an Indonesian Custom Telecaster "as-is" from a pawn shop (had to replace the toggle). It's a "special edition" with JB and Pearly Gates Duncans, Mahogany body w/ carved maple cap, contoured neck heel. The (bound) neck profile is almost Mosrite-like. Abalone dot markers. Plays like butter and is ergonomically comfortable as well. This is an online photo; not the one I bought. Will probably have it donated to my college alma mater, on accounta it's finish is school colors; finish is called Black Cherry Burst.

[Jimbilly]

I had a Epi LP Custom not long ago, I think it was a '23 model, made in China. It was good, much better than the Epis I flipped 10-20 years ago, I showed it to a trusted friend with good taste in guitars, he agreed. My experience with Indonesian builds has been positive, an Ibanez BTB that I had zero complaints about, and I've currently got two Ibanez Premiums (which are made in Indonesia), and they are very very nice. 

 I would have higher expectations of newer production, over older builds.

Edited March 25 by Jimbilly