Newbie looking for a standard

[ettev]

Hey guys. I'm new to your board but hope someone can help me out.

I've been on strat bodies (currently a Jackson Dinky DKMG) and have always wanted an explorer/destroyer bodied toy since the VH Woman and Children First days. For what I need to do with it, and from what I've been reading on this awesome message board I'd be happy with one of the import standards. They're more in my spending range anyway . I guess the Korean imports seem to get a bit better write-ups than the Chinese, so a Korean would be the play.

Do any of you have one you'd want to part with? If you do, or know someone that does drop me an email. If I had to be picky I'd prefer a solid colored body (black, etc) but would consider the burst.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Mike

[bubs_42]

Here you go, Not Mine, but very nice!

Ebay...

[cordroad]

Hey guys. I'm new to your board but hope someone can help me out.

I've been on strat bodies (currently a Jackson Dinky DKMG) and have always wanted an explorer/destroyer bodied toy since the VH Woman and Children First days. For what I need to do with it, and from what I've been reading on this awesome message board I'd be happy with one of the import standards. They're more in my spending range anyway . I guess the Korean imports seem to get a bit better write-ups than the Chinese, so a Korean would be the play.

Do any of you have one you'd want to part with? If you do, or know someone that does drop me an email. If I had to be picky I'd prefer a solid colored body (black, etc) but would consider the burst.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Mike

Welcome to the board, Mike. Stick around and enjoy yourself.

[ettev]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the response. I'll be making my decision by the end of today. I',m either going with a Gibson explorer (probably this one Ebay Gibson or a Hamer Standard. I'm still torn between the 2 pieces. Maybe you can talk me in to one or the other. Pros & cons of each?

Mike

[peedenmark7]

buy the hamer

[hamersandstrats]

If the choice is between a USA Gibson and a Korean Hamer, I say go with gibson. The Korean Hamers are nice guitars, but a USA Gibson will hold its value on the used market. One day you will want to upgrade to a Hamer USA Standard.

I've owned many Hamers, but only one Standard (Custom). It was easily the best of the lot, and by far the best Explorer type guitar I've ever seen or played. It rang like a bell unplugged and was an absolute tone monster plugged in. Playability was light years ahead of any Gibson you can buy today.

[tomteriffic]

That 80's Explorer is a nice piece and fairly priced. I played a new natural-finish Explorer in GC recently and it felt like a toy compared to a USA Standard, and generally equivalent to an original 'Slammer Series' Standard.

If it were me, I'd hold out for a USA Mahogany Standard. The going rate is around a grand for a decent one and the quality is so much better as to be in a different league altogether. The one-piece bodied '97's are, short of an original '58 Korina, probably the best damn Explorer-types out there.

[Hackubus]

I graduated from Gibson Explorers to Gibson Les Pauls. THEN, I graduated from Gibson Les Pauls to Hamer Standards. Hold out for a USA Standard. My $0.02.

[bubs_42]

GO HAMER! It's worth it, the vibe and quality are just so much better that a Gibby!

[ettev]

OK, not knowing much about Hamers can someone tell me if this is a real one or an imposter? Also is it an import or a USA model?

[David B]

OK, not knowing much about Hamers can someone tell me if this is a real one or an imposter? Also is it an import or a USA model?

IMPORT, worth about $225 used.

[DavidE]

If the choice is between a USA Gibson and a Korean Hamer, I say go with gibson. The Korean Hamers are nice guitars, but a USA Gibson will hold its value on the used market. One day you will want to upgrade to a Hamer USA Standard.

I've owned many Hamers, but only one Standard (Custom). It was easily the best of the lot, and by far the best Explorer type guitar I've ever seen or played. It rang like a bell unplugged and was an absolute tone monster plugged in. Playability was light years ahead of any Gibson you can buy today.

Ditto.

[BCR Greg]

Less than $225, it has a repaired neck joint.

[ettev]

OK. How about comments on this selection. Who should I bring home?

ebay Standard

Gibson #1

Gibson #2

Gibson #3

Gibson #4

I'm really liking the Hamer or Gibson #4 but would like input from you folks. I understand you're all partial to the Hamer so please try to be objective for me.

Thanks.

[tomteriffic]

Gibson #1 and #4 look like what an Explorer ought to be. That said, when I saw my first Standard in the '70's (I happened to be working in a Chicago Studio when Hamer got its start up there and several of the very first ones came through the doors there) I KNEW that that was what an Explorer would have been if Gibson had let it grow up. That Standard custom is a beaut. I waited 30 years to get my mitts on my first one. Don't be dumb like me. Get close pics of the front and back of the headstock first, though.

[cmatthes]

Obviously, I'd say go with the Standard - the quality difference is SO much better than any of the Gibs you listed. By a LONG shot! Of the Gibs, #1 and #3 are the only ones I'd bother with, and I'd be more interested in #3. I personally wouldn't give the other two a second look - I have not been impressed with the regular production 76 RIs I've seen at all.

Just my opinion, of course!

[ettev]

Here's something in a music store about 3 miles from my office. Is this what these things really bring? Seems WAY out of line. Maybe $2K? By the way, what does the phase switch do? Is this a Hamer item or an add on? I'm assuming it's the small thing that looks like a toggle down near the volume controls?

1980 Standard

[polara]

Trouble with Gibsons is that (my opinion) you need to play a Gibson first to see if it's a keeper. Their quality control is pretty random, and I hear it varies based on the batch of wood at hand, the pressure the management happens to be under to cut 20 seconds off assembly time, etc. I have only played one Hamer that was not very good. It's not that you can't buy a GREAT Gibson, but if you must buy based on photos and words (as we all must sometimes) the odds are better if you choose a Hamer, or for that matter a Suhr, Macinturff, Robin, etc.... a maker not as pushed to have a good bottom line.

P.S. Regrding the store near yer house... um, the dude's dangerous! Actually he's a leading poster here at the HFC and that is an early example that has a lotta collector value and probably plays like a dream.

[ettev]

So what about the phase switch? Factory or aftermarket? I've not seen any other standards with one.

[polara]

99% sure the phase was added by a previous owner.

[Gabe]

Here's something in a music store about 3 miles from my office. Is this what these things really bring? Seems WAY out of line. Maybe $2K? By the way, what does the phase switch do? Is this a Hamer item or an add on? I'm assuming it's the small thing that looks like a toggle down near the volume controls?

1980 Standard

Man, that is a 1980 four digit Standard. That is considered the holy grail for most of the people on this message board. And it is being sold by one of our highly esteemed (senior) members, BCR Greg! Call him and he can tell you everything you want to know about Hamer guitars.

And yes, about $4000 is what a four digit Standard is worth, and even more with crown inlays. So it's not out of line.

The phase switch reverses the phase of one of the pickups, giving a sort of nasal (or funky) sound in the middle position of the pickup selector, no change of the one pickup sound (I think). On early Hamer Sunbursts the pickups are wired out of phase to obtain that same kind of sound. I guess on this Standard it is an add-on, not done by the factory.

Gabe