Ok, f’reel this time: NHD — ‘95 Daytona Sunburst!

[draelyc]

Some of y’all know that I was recently all excited about picking my first new Hamer in years, a Centaura I found on GC’s used gear site.  And if you followed that thread, you know it didn’t work out.  I was never able to dial in the set up to feel like I wanted, so I returned it, deeply bummed.  The astute amongst you will have noticed I also started some threads after that asking folks’ opinions on everything from Daytonas to Monacos to Les Pauls.  Clearly, I was not satisfied to have come so close to acquiring a new axes, only to be thwarted…

Now, about the time I realized the Centaura wasn’t working out, this Daytona popped up on Reverb.  After much deliberation, I decided to go for it.  But I also decided not to post about it (this time) till I had axe in hand and could check it out first.

Welp, she arrived today, and after spending the afternoon on a detailed setup, I am STOKED!  This thing *feels* like a top tier, world class instrument, it looks gorgeous, and I am well impressed with the initial tone test.  As y’all have said when I asked about it, it’s everything I’ve loved about Strats, but with all the things I hate about them fixed or improved.

I’m even digging the Hot Rails in the bridge position in the tone test clip — figured it might be too dark, but I guess not being connected to a tone control balances that out.

Anyway, here’s the unboxing & the first tone clip, fwiw:

 

 

[specialk]

Congrats! Looks to be a well cared for Hamer. 

[draelyc]

Yes, this one showed up in MUCH better shape than the last.  Hard to tell honestly whether it’s been played at all… 😳🤷🏻‍♀️

[draelyc]

 

[tweed]

Congrats! Glad this one is working out for you. Quite a nice Hamer family you're building there. 

[JGale]

Dibs-a-rooney!

[draelyc]

One last cosmetic tweak:

 

 

[tweed]

Cool. 👍  Matching knobs and PU covers always looks good on a single coil set.

[BTMN]

Very nice choice. 😎👍🏁

[BubbaVO]

I love Daytonas…I had a blue one and a black one.  Totally fun guitars.  They aren’t strats but satisfied that itch just fine. 

[hamerhead]

You can't beat a good Daytona. Congrats!

....but you really need a blue guitar.....

[draelyc]

3 hours ago, hamerhead said:

You can't beat a good Daytona. Congrats!

....but you really need a blue guitar.....

Hmm, maybe a blue Special with P90s? 🤔😎

[Travis]

Very nice, congrats!

Now, bust out the chisel and bicycle spray paint and work up your own Frankie with it… 😜

[Jakeboy]

Damnit! @JGale beat me. Dibs #2.

[Brooks]

Very nice, love a sunburst.

I like single sized humbuckers, they have a quasi P90 thing all their own. I actually prefer a DiMarzio Super Distortion-S or even a GFS Lil Killer over the SD Hot Rail (Hot Mess!). YMMV

[draelyc]

On 7/9/2025 at 6:38 PM, hamerhead said:

You can't beat a good Daytona. Congrats!

....but you really need a blue guitar.....

Y’know, when I first saw this comment, I completely forgot about my Ibby! 😱

So here’s a clip to prove I do, in fact, have a blue guitar! 🤣

 

[hamerhead]

Nice!