Some advice for a complete hamer newby

[Tim]

so I'm looking for an affordable, US made rock type guitar. I've been a strat guy for too long lol. I just want something with a fatish neck and big thick HB tone. I'm seeing some specials in the sale area for under $500...it's tempting. Can someone tell me just how small a "skinny" neck is? Also, are specials mahogany only? Are there years where hamers were better than others (like Gibsons "Norlin Era" syndrome).

Hope this isn't too much or too annoying. I do know my guitars but I've seen people rave about hamer for some time now but never played one. I may got for a studio with FMT but I'd have to wait a few months for that. Depends on you guys heh.

Tim

[killerteddybear]

Find a dealer near you and pay him a visit. Try as many models as you can.

There's a well stocked one in San Diego county if you're nearby.

[John E]

I'd look for a recent-ish artist mahogany with a "vintage" profile neck; if you don't mind the looks, keep your eye out for a Monaco Elite Mahogany used (a single cutaway guitar that, in my experience, has buckets of bottom end). Even Hamer's vintage necks aren't baseball bats in my experience; sort of like .85 at the first fret. I think the odds are good that a "skinny" Hamer neck would be pretty thin.

Where are you located? I agree that it would be best to try before you buy, because there is a lot of variation in even something as specific as "big thick humbucker tone."

[Steve Haynie]

There is no bad period for Hamer. The company has been managed carefully all along. Quality control is tighter than ever right now.

Necks on some of the early 90's Specials and Sunbursts (renamed Artist, Studio, and who knows what is next) were thin. Later 90's necks got a little thicker. A lot of the used P-90 Specials you see in the $500 range are from the early 90's. Without pulling out a set of calipers, the thin neck is about as thin as a Strat neck but not as wide. Hamer went to a thicker neck based on the theory that a thin neck will feel good if you noodle around for a few minutes, but your hand will be fatigued after hours of playing. A thicker neck more closely fits your hand's natural grip. It is possible to request custom neck thickness when you order a Hamer. In general, the necks are consistent, but you may run across a Hamer with a thicker than normal neck because it was ordered as such.

I'd like to add that if you run across an early 80's Special with a sustain block bridge instead of a TOM/stop, they have a different neck shape and overall feel. There are guys who live for those guitars.

[DaveL]

I'd recommend an artist mahogany with hums (aka

the 25th anniversary). It has the f-hole but the thing

will definitely fit the bill for chunkier neck fuller HB tone.

Don't let the F-hole fool you, they rock. I love mine.

You may have trouble finding one for $500 but if you

shop around, you may get one under $600.

[Tim]

thanks guys. I don't think going to a dealer with these in stock will be possible. I am going to get one based on reccomendation...I know enough about axes to know any of them will probably do what I want....keep the suggestions coming though.

[tbabinec]

+1 for the monaco elite mahogany. You'll see them from time to time on ebay. Comes stock with SD 59s, it's solidbody, no chambers or holes. Plays great. I love mine, and having gotten Hamer g.a.s., I eventually got a maple top Monaco Elite, but I play them both, along with a strat. The strat has a longer scale and higher action. Hamers have great action.