Help a newbie with an import Hamer 12 String Bass

[mathman]

So I bought a used bass that VincentYGB posted about in another thread.  I didn't want to continue my journey in his thread so I thought I would start my own.  I picked it up today.  It is in very good condition finish wise.  Almost looks new.  Very little swirling in the finish by eye. More shows up in the photos. The reason he returned it was that the bridge was tilting up, presumably from string pressure.  It is definitely tilting up but with the strings completely loose their is not movement or give in the bridge.  I can barely make it move.  Pictures below.  So, if someone has insight about that I would love to hear.

It has the double truss rod.  If I understand correctly it is a parallel rod system and I need to adjust mostly equally.  It came from dry and hot Arizona to normally dry and hot Florida.  But we just had major cool front.  Still dry.  I usually have to do small adjustments to my guitars as we move into "winter" in central florida.  If you have any guidance on the dual truss rod I would love the advice.

Finally,   Damn,  a lot of strings to tune.  I raised the saddle before I tried to do anything with the truss rods.  The strings were resting on the fret board when relaxed.  I knew that would change while tuning but for this first time I thought to give myself some extra room.

The D strings are giving me trouble.  I am using the tuner in Amplitube which is a computer based amp system.  It has a pretty good tune that adjust to the full range.  I have a digital tuner that clamps to the neck but it seemed very confused so I went to the amplitude version.  

It is a pain.  Any tips on tuning one of these?

 

 

[mathman]

Figured out the D strings problem.  One is a different type string.

The smaller ball end allows it to twist when tightening and seems to let it slip.  A new set of strings is not too much but seems like it will be an all day job!  

[hamerhead]

Guitar string?

[velorush]

With no string tension, can the tailpiece mounting screws be tightened to bring the tailpiece down to the face of the guitar?

The tailpiece doesn't appear to be beveled on the bottom so that this is the engineered position. With that, it appears it would be loose without string tension.

[mathman]

1 hour ago, hamerhead said:

Guitar string?

that is what I am thinking

[mathman]

34 minutes ago, velorush said:

With no string tension, can the tailpiece mounting screws be tightened to bring the tailpiece down to the face of the guitar?

The tailpiece doesn't appear to be beveled on the bottom so that this is the engineered position. With that, it appears it would be loose without string tension.

So I loosened  all the strings to be slack but not removed.  I could not make it move.   I will loosen even more and see what happens.

I am trying to find pictures of other import basses to see if I can compare.

[velorush]

1 hour ago, mathman said:

So I loosened  all the strings to be slack but not removed.  I could not make it move.   I will loosen even more and see what happens.

I am trying to find pictures of other import basses to see if I can compare.

Just spit balling, but I'd be inclined to (with string tension off) loosen the tailpiece mounting screws - not seeing it in person, I'm betting the bridge being in that position has artificially beveled the face of the guitar by digging into the wood. [Theory being: the tailpiece was installed originally with loosened screws and pitched forward under string tension, digging into the wood. It's been that way for so long it has attached itself in that position]. 

If you can loosen it up, then put it flat on the face, then retighten the screws, you should have the correct orientation when string tension is reestablished. [/spit ball]

[cmatthes]

The tailpiece should lay flat on the face.  If you really had issues or weren't able to intonate properly, you could probably drill out the Basswood body and plug with wider maple dowels or something, but that would be a lot of effort if you can get by "as-is".  12vers are FUN!

[svl]

Turn the tailpiece "backward", drill new screw holes and it will lay flat as a pancake.

[Hbom]

56 minutes ago, svl said:

Turn the tailpiece "backward", drill new screw holes and it will lay flat as a pancake.

 Picture shows the strings almost sitting on back of bridge already. Wouldn't reversing the bridge make for a really bad break angle?

[mathman]

5 hours ago, Hbom said:

 Picture shows the strings almost sitting on back of bridge already. Wouldn't reversing the bridge make for a really bad break angle?

I could move it back but it may be too close to the edge of the bass.  Still contemplating my options.

[mathman]

So for the non tuning guitar string.  I just removed it for now.  It seems the two octave strings are the same.  So I was able to tune it and play by removing the bad string.  Having fun now..   

Definitely a different beast but a blast.  First task is to relearn Need Your Love with the 12 string.

[veatch]

I'd go with Fool You. 

Glad you got it rockin. Have fun!

[Hbom]

22 minutes ago, mathman said:

I could move it back but it may be too close to the edge of the bass.  Still contemplating my options.

Any answer to why it isn't setting down flat? Are the screws bad? Can you put a piece of hardwood dowel in and reset the bridge with tight screws?

 

[mathman]

Plan to deal with that next week.  Just want to enjoy for a while.

[mathman]

Now it’s an 11 string. It goes to 11.😆

[mathman]

1 hour ago, Hbom said:

Any answer to why it isn't setting down flat? Are the screws bad? Can you put a piece of hardwood dowel in and reset the bridge with tight screws?

 

It is functional as of now so I am just enjoying playing a bass that I have wanted for over 40 years.  

Edited November 15, 2025 by mathman

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

So those tailpiece holes are stripped right??? Only one way I'd fix this: Drill>Fill(dowel/glue)>Re-drill 👍

[mathman]

4 hours ago, Victor (Fret Friend) said:

So those tailpiece holes are stripped right??? Only one way I'd fix this: Drill>Fill(dowel/glue)>Re-drill 👍

Actually I don't think they are stripped.  I think what Velorush said is a possible reason.  I am still playing it for now.  Working perfectly so far.

[seeker]

Loosen tension on strings till it lays flat.

Super Glue.

You're Welcome. 

[mathman]

Here is a very sloppy take as I am trying to relearn Need your love on the 12 string after playing it for years on my Cruise bass. (4 string)

I may try to fix this more later but it completely functional at this point.  A few, more than a few mistakes, this thing is a bear to learn to play.  String spacing so different from my other basses but it sounds so cool to play those songs and have them sound close to what they should and not be faking it by playing chords and octaves on my four string bass.   it does cut off before the end.  I didn't play the whole thing yet. still trying to remember how to play it.  Disclaimer,  this is the real version of the song with Petersen's bass removed.

 

 

Edited November 16, 2025 by mathman
Spelling

[RobB]

54 minutes ago, mathman said:

Here is a very sloppy take as I am trying to relearn Need your love on the 12 string after playing it for years on my Cruise bass. (4 string)

I may try to fix this more later but it completely functional at this point.  A few, more than a few mistakes, this thing is a bear to learn to play.  String spacing so different from my other basses but it sounds so cool to play those songs and have them sound close to what they should and not be faking it by playing chords and octaves on my four string bass.   it does cut off before the end.  I didn't play the how thing yet. still trying to remember how to play it.  Disclaimer,  this is the real version of the song with Petersen's bass removed.

 

 

Sounds good. You’re on your way to 12str mastery. 

[mathman]

31 minutes ago, RobB said:

Sounds good. You’re on your way to 12str mastery. 

Thanks.  Not sure about that but I am on my way to a fun learning curve.   I am enjoying the hell out of figuring this thing out.

[mathman]

Update!   I am having so much fun playing this bass.  All of my years of trying to play chords and octaves on my four string bass to try to mimic this sound. It was enough to get by with but damn it is fun to finally play all these songs and have them sound the way they are supposed too.  Gonna Raise Hell is a blast to play again.  Still working through the list.

Lots to get through with Cheap Trick and King's X and more

[topekatj]

@mathman if the anchor screws are tight on the L bracket (that the strings are attached to) then the L bracket is just bent. Have a machine shop fabricate something more HD and go with that.