1970's Hamer Neck issues

[Craig]

I've read on the board in the past that the late 70's Hamer bound and crowned Sunbursts are prone to neck problems near the joint. Does anyone have pics, and is it fixable? I think mine has this issue. Thanks

[silentman]

One piece necks can be more prone to twisting. I don't remember of any other types of problems.

[serial]

No pics, but I've seen several b/c ones that twisted pretty good (bad). Most cases the fingerboards were levelled on one side a bit, which seemed to correct them from a playability perspective, but if you look at the headstocks when sighting down the neck, they can look like this " / ", rather than " l ", if that makes sense.

[BCR Greg]

Pics?

[Craig]

Here is the issue, on the thick E string, the fretboard curves up towards the pickup ring, rendering a lot of frets useless on that string, which needless to say, really pisses me off.

Neck issue

[silentman]

Can you post a pic looking down the neck, from the headstock end?

[Guest pirateflynn]

Is it more common on the B/C models? ........the binding?

I think I remember serial saying that the twisting probelm could have been the rosewood boards that were commissioned from an outside source by Hamer. I'd like to know.

[Craig]

Here is a link to a few quickie shots, I'll have to try for better ones later tonight after work.

5 shots of the neck

[kizanski]

Is that the one that LewGuitars was selling a couple of years ago?

Christ! Even the dog can see it's twisted!

[kenjones]

I think I remember serial saying that the twisting probelm could have been the rosewood boards that were commissioned from an outside source by Hamer. I'd like to know.

I talked to Tom Holmes (who built the early Sunbursts) at the last Dallas Guitar Show in April. He said that Hamer sent him a stack of fretboards that were built by another vendor. When Tom received the fretboards they were all bound together for shipping. When Tom took the binding straps off to separate them, each fretboard bent backwards. Tom called Hamer and told them that whoever built the fretboards cut the fret slots too small and that the installed frets were causing the boards to bend backwards. He warned Hamer that this would be a problem and cause the necks to warp/twist. Apparently, whoever Tom spoke with at Hamer said "Use them anyway - we've already paid for them and need you to finish those guitars ASAP".

[Guest pirateflynn]

Thanks Ken.

[serial]

That's pretty close to what he told me a few years ago. I got a slightly different version from Hamer, which is understandable since the two camps didn't see eye to eye after a while, but I think it was clear that the b/c ones were the most problematic as a result.

[Craig]

Any constructive ideas? Greg?

Hey Kiz, Elvis says to kiss his brown eye and leave his owner alone. This is a totally different guitar that was purchased at Guitar Center on Long Island. It was still worth what I paid, even with the issue.

[hardheartedbill]

I had a bound and crowned blk Sunburst w/ one piece neck, never would stay in tune

[BCR Greg]

I can fix it.

Call me.

[kizanski]

Hey Kiz, Elvis says to kiss his brown eye and leave his owner alone. This is a totally different guitar that was purchased at Guitar Center on Long Island. It was still worth what I paid, even with the issue.

That's cool. I was just askin'.

BTW: If I come knocking on your door with a big ass bun and a jar of mustard, you'd better hide the dog.

[Craig]

LOL - I wanted to find a pillow shaped like a bun for him.

Greg - I call you tomorrow afternoon, thanks

[Disturber]

I have two Bound & Crowned 79's.

One I got from BCR Greg. It had a sligt bump where the

neck meets the body, on the high E string side. Not so

bad, deffinately playable and quite hard to see with

only the eye to measure. But when I left it to my tech

for a fret job he had to level the fretboard a bit to

get it fully straight for the new frets. Now it plays

like a dream.

My 2nd 79 is the natural one. My favourite, a very

special guitar indeed, sounds and plays SOO GOOD.

THis one had the exact same problems as the first one.

Played fine when I got it. No string buzz, neither did

it feel strange when I played it. But when I left

if for a fret job he had to level the fretboard a little.

Now it plays like a super dream!

All I can say is that after new frets, which these two over 20 year old

guitars needed anyway, I really think that these fretboards are

very stable after being fixed. No problems what so ever, and I don't

think that problems will reocur.

The 70's B&C Sunbursts are very fine instruments indeed.

Just be sure to check the necks when looking at buying one.

And if they have a slight bump... we´ll if they will soon

need a re-fret anyway then this is an easy fix to do at the

same time.