WTB - early Sunburst or Special

[Michael_s]

Hi All, new user here.

I have been playing for about 45 years now with all kinds of guitars coming and going except for a Hamer. 

I have been looking for a late 70s /early 80s Sunburst or early 80s Special for quite some time, but the supply over here (I live in Vienna/Austria) is far from abundant.

So far I had a closer look at two Specials

https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/-1982-hamer-special-flametop-vintage-/3067907562-74-9340

https://www.ebay.de/itm/135625897501

I have been in contact with both sellers, the first one comes without a case and looks rather battered (there is an ugly chip on the side of the headstock and the 43mm nuth width turned out to be measured at the first fret 😀) , the second one (from Italy) looks quite right.

No1 Music in Hamburg has a 79 Sunburst, unfortunately in natural...https://reverb.com/item/86319073-hamer-sunburst-from-1979-in-natural-with-original-hardcase

I would be thankful for any hints and opinions, also on what prices to expect (I am in Europe, mind you).  

Thanks and all the best,

Michael

 

     

 

  

[kizanski]

Welcome, Michael.

Good luck with your search.

[cornjulio]

Hi Michael,

I've seen two more on ebay Germany, a 1978 sunburst that looks kind of interesting, but the photos are bad and the asking pric is pretty steep (also no case, no tsure about the frets etc.).

then there's a blue hamer special from 1982 on ebay which I got a chance to look at. No sure if the paint job is original, the neck was great, not so thin, but someone changed the electronics and built in a mini switch on the back and the seller couldn't really explain any of this/ had no recollection. Otherwise a cool guitar. 

I'd say a special will be somewhere around EUR 1500-2000, an early sunburst will be more expensive (maybe EUR 3000-3500?). Just my 2 cents, no affiliation with either seller I mentioned.

I personally would want to play them first before I buy an old hamer and I would want correct case. The humbucker routing on the natural special in Italy (that you posted the link to) seems a little off. you can see a bit of a gap there. also not an original hamer case as far as I know.

Good luck!

 

[maxprs]

Hi and welcome!

Unfortunately in natural?
That '79 is like mine, my favourite colour for the Sunburst.

The Special in italy is natural as well but of course without the binding.

[Michael_s]

19 minutes ago, maxprs said:

Unfortunately in natural?

Sorry, no offense intended 😉

[cornjulio]

Turns out my friend Karsten is thinking of selling his. It's a red Special from 1981 or 1982 I think. I'll pm you his contact details. He's in Dusseldorf, Germany.

[Vintage Hamer-Lover]

Hi Michael,

maybe I can help you in your search for a 79 Sunburst. At the moment I have six and I want to downsize a bit. Maybe there is something for you and we will come to an agreement...

Greetings from Frankfurt to beautiful Vienna

Markus

[Disturber]

Check your pm's 

[Michael_s]

On 8/10/2025 at 3:14 PM, Disturber said:

Check your pm's 

PM sent.