PSA: '96 Hamer USA T-51 With Fishman Piezo Bridge At DGS

[crunchee]

No affiliation:

T-51 w/Fishman Piezo Bridge '96 – Dave's Guitar Shop

[Saul Goodman]

That is tempting!!

[Saul Goodman]

Any way to know if that's actually a Hamer body?

[hamerhead]

Thank you, Crunchee! He shoots, he scores!

Too many good things not to pull the trigger: I've been wanting to build a Nashville Tele for years and just never did, I've never seen another T-51 configured like that, 7.4 lbs is a feather, the color matches my LP, and case is included! WOOHOO!!

With the possible exception of the pickups, it appears (to me) to be all factory.  Anybody see anything otherwise?

 

Edited July 12, 2025 by hamerhead

[django49]

Congrats. That is something that mighta gotten me off the sidelines!

[holLoWskull]

Nice grab!  If that middle pickup isn’t factory (I think it is?) it looks professionally done regardless.  You probably got an alder body one (based on the year and weight) instead of the earlier ash body ones.  Still sound awesome IMO.  Only downside to that bridge are the piezo saddles…it’s been my experience with those Fishman powerbridges of that era that they like to break the thinner strings (if you leave a set on for a few shows).  Really cool spec’d T-51F…enjoy 

Edited July 12, 2025 by holLoWskull
Edit…replaced word Wilkinson with Fishman…it’s late lol

[cmatthes]

It's a rare T-51F, and the middle pickup route looks to be original.  Helluva score, and VERY tempting, especially for one that light!

Great score, sir!

[Saul Goodman]

Glad you got it, @hamerhead. I woke up this morning and was relieved I didn't buy another guitar. 

[atomicwash]

@hamerhead - Did you spend your TM DR amp money?!?

[hamerhead]

I did, dammit. I know one's gonna pop up now...

[Joe G]

Great score. Congrats!

[hamerhead]

"Out for Delivery".

[hamerhead]

This morning said by 1:40. Now it says end of the day.

 

[hamerhead]

It's Here! 

First glance: Clean. Body has a few dinks and doinks but nothing thru the finish. For 30 years old it's actually pretty amazing. No cracks at the neck pocket. There's an extra hole at the low E tuner and the neck is a little more thin/wide than expected. The cowboy chord area shows some wear. The guy was a strummer because the upper frets look nearly unused while the chrome around the bridge pickup shows pick wear. The original Hamer hardshell case even has the key!

Haven't plugged it in yet - waiting for my wife to leave......more to come......

ETA: OK, played it for a bit and it does all that guitar stuff. The switching is different, though. The 5-way is Strat-like and the first volume control works on all 3 pickups. Then it gets weird - there are no push-pulls and no tone control. The first small toggle is like a 'blower' switch and it's controlled by a volume control located in the tone control position. The second mini toggle is a 3-way and also works off the second volume control, but I haven't figured out what it does yet. In the middle position it adds some highs to the regular pickups (maybe it's 'off'?) while the other 2 positions darkens the tone. I'm assuming it runs the Fishman pickups, but it only works with the 'blower' switch on. Like I said - weird. Tomorrow I'll pull the plate off and see what's what but it's definitely interesting. 

Thanks again, Crunchee, for posting that. It plays good and looks great. Once I figure out how it works, it should be a keeper.

Edited July 16, 2025 by hamerhead

[topekatj]

@hamerhead I was curious if you'd received the guitar. Does the guitar have 2 output jacks? It sorta looks that way (below). Was the mule kicking in the right stall, so to speak (cord plugged onto the correct jack)?

[hamerhead]

It's a one-holer, but you have me wondering if it uses a TRS cable. It wouldn't surprise me, considering how it all works.

[holLoWskull]

The T51F guitars do require a TRS cable (if you want to hear the piezo signal).  The “tip” carries the magnetic/pickups and the “ring” carries the piezo signal .  Assuming the wiring is stock, if you’re testing it with a normal 1/4” tip/sleeve cable  you’re only hearing changes to the mag pickup signal when you change settings on the3-way mini switch.  If memory serves correct I believe on a regular T51F the mini 3-way On/On/On toggle would control mag/both/piezo .  If you’re using a normal tip/sleeve guitar cable and still hearing guitar signal in all 3 mini switch positions then the wiring may have been altered, or it may have been different from the factory (since it is an unusual pickup config for a T51F)?  It’s amazing to think these are now almost 30 year old guitars (where did the time go!?), so who knows what may or may not have been altered by a previous owner(s)? 

[hamerhead]

5 hours ago, holLoWskull said:

....the wiring may have been altered....

See the 'Rat's Nest' thread. 

[geoff_hartwell]

Some thoughts: an insert cable is the cheapest and easiest “Y-cable” solution.

The 3-position switch is likely Electric-Both-Acoustic, with first knob as master Elec Vol, and normal-tone-position as Acoustic Vol. 
The extra toggle would be great if it was to disconnect the Fishman and battery when just using it Electric?

I love my Duotones best, but I’ve tried using Fishman bridges- I couldn’t get it to work and also power a set of EMGs.

Please let us know what the wiring scheme turns out to be!

Edited July 23, 2025 by geoff_hartwell