NGD: Incoming Steve Stevens I (1985)

[guitarplayer1]

Just bought a dead mint unplayed 1985 Steve Stevens I.  I've wanted one of these for a long time and I'm curious about a few things:

1) What gauge strings did Hamer ship these with?

2) What pickups are in it?  (I believe the single coils are made by Hamer and the Humbucker was by Duncan) 

I'll post some pics when it gets here but it literally looks new .... 

[Jimbilly]

Was the front strap button originally on the back of the neck where it meets the body? is there a hole there where there used to be a strap button? 

 Be careful not too offend the headstock, those can crack with even a sideways glance it seems: My ss1 and ss2 both have headstock crack repairs.

[kizanski]

1 hour ago, Jimbilly said:

Be careful not too offend the headstock...

Now that's a sensitive headstock!

[cmatthes]

Just played a very clean Ferrari Red SS-1 at a local shop yesterday.  Super clean too.  Not my thing, but I can get more info if somebody is looking for one…

[velorush]

7 hours ago, cmatthes said:

Just played a very clean Ferrari Red SS-1 at a local shop yesterday.  Super clean too.  Not my thing, but I can get more info if somebody is looking for one…

Was it this one? Hamer USA SS1 ss 1 Steve Stevens Signature Guitar with Case 1984 - Red | Reverb

It's amazingly pristine!

[hamerhead]

Holy crap. Steve Stevens lost his hair! AND his boots!

[Stike]

On 6/30/2026 at 9:45 AM, hamerhead said:

Possibly Hameritis? Sounds like a great guitar regardless. Can't wait to see it.

 

That didn't start until the early 90s when they switched from nitrocellulose lacquer to CAB urethane.

[guitarplayer1]

Just a quick update.  

 

1) I posted earlier that it came with the unfilled warranty card which also stated that the guitar shipped with .009s.  I restrung it with .009s and the floyd is set up perfectly!  I was literally wondering if the strings on the guitar were the original??  

2) The strap button is on the upper bass horn and there was never a strap button not the rear neck heel, I've also seen the placement in both places and wondered when/why it shifted?  But it obviously came from the factory this way as the back is pristine. 

3) No Hameritis here but the headstock does worry me .... it's fine now and honestly I doubt I'll take this on many gigs but it sits in my studio and looks great ... and I'll play it when I need that kind of thing.  I think many of those headstocks suffered damage as many people crank down the nut way tighter then needed, it just has to be tight enough to stop string movement but people really overdo it.  Let's hope the headstock holds up but I don't see any reason why it won't. 

4) I've figured out the switching system .... I think it's very versatile but also way more complicated than I would like .... I could easily have lived with a simple 5 way but ... it's fine.  

 

[cmatthes]

On 7/13/2026 at 10:09 AM, velorush said:

Was it this one? Hamer USA SS1 ss 1 Steve Stevens Signature Guitar with Case 1984 - Red | Reverb

It's amazingly pristine!

The same one.  They also have a black ‘85 SS-1 and a white ‘86 SS-1 hanging up there, but in nowhere near as nice condition and a few more changed parts.

[The_Cali_Kid]

16 hours ago, guitarplayer1 said:

Just a quick update.  

 

1) I posted earlier that it came with the unfilled warranty card which also stated that the guitar shipped with .009s.  I restrung it with .009s and the floyd is set up perfectly!  I was literally wondering if the strings on the guitar were the original??  

2) The strap button is on the upper bass horn and there was never a strap button not the rear neck heel, I've also seen the placement in both places and wondered when/why it shifted?  But it obviously came from the factory this way as the back is pristine. 

3) No Hameritis here but the headstock does worry me .... it's fine now and honestly I doubt I'll take this on many gigs but it sits in my studio and looks great ... and I'll play it when I need that kind of thing.  I think many of those headstocks suffered damage as many people crank down the nut way tighter then needed, it just has to be tight enough to stop string movement but people really overdo it.  Let's hope the headstock holds up but I don't see any reason why it won't. 

4) I've figured out the switching system .... I think it's very versatile but also way more complicated than I would like .... I could easily have lived with a simple 5 way but ... it's fine.  

 

I assumed the marks by the nut were from leaving the guitar hanging in a Hercules-type guitar hanger (without using a cotton inlay)…? Please post a pic when you have time.