59burst Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 I've been looking for a good deal on a Hamer Studio locally but haven't really played one that I can remember. Do they play/sound pretty much like a Les Paul standard? How does a McCarty compare soundwise and playabilty-wise? I have an '80 Les Paul for reference-one of the heavy ones. I'm leaning toward the Hamer or Prs because of the quality and the Hamer's resale value is good for used buyers like me. Anyone like the Custom 22 better than the McCarty?
Steve Haynie Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 My experience has been that only guitars with a body thickness of a Les Paul get a true Les Paul sound. The Hamer Studio and the PRS are not as thick. The Hamer Monaco Elite is in the Les Paul range. As far as sound goes, it really does vary based on more features than the body thickness, but it is a starting point.
59burst Posted January 19, 2007 Author Posted January 19, 2007 I have a Les Paul, but comparing the sounds would help me to know what to expect and what the differences are, since finding a studio in a store is not that easy.
Guest pirateflynn Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 I'm a guy who thinks that you can get good authentic LP tones out of other guitars that are made from a similar recipe. To me. it's really a sum of all the parts that include the guitar and the amp with the most important one being the player. Afterall, a lot of our favorite guitar heros played LPs but sounded different from each other. The Studio (in most cases) will feel lighter and more comfortable than a LP. If you are currently playing a LP you might need a little time to adapt to the new shape but once you do, no probelm. In my opinion, the sound of a Studio is very LP like but a little crisper at the bridge and more articulate at the neck. Both of these differences can be minimized by tone and amp settings, just as you would do from one LP to another.Personally, my favorite LP style guitar is the Original Sunburst/ Special. It deviates a little further from the LP recipe with it's flat veneer maple top and sustainblock bridge but man what a great guitar. Old school LP tone for days ......... I promise. Best of luck with your search. These guitars come up for sale here on the emporium at very fair prices.
Eric Weston Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 I'm a guy who thinks that you can get good authentic LP tones out of other guitars that are made from a similar recipe. To me. it's really a sum of all the parts that include the guitar and the amp with the most important one being the player. Afterall, a lot of our favorite guitar heros played LPs but sounded different from each other. The Studio (in most cases) will feel lighter and more comfortable than a LP. If you are currently playing a LP you might need a little time to adapt to the new shape but once you do, no probelm. In my opinion, the sound of a Studio is very LP like but a little crisper at the bridge and more articulate at the neck. Both of these differences can be minimized by tone and amp settings, just as you would do from one LP to another.+1.....my Studio does the LP thing for me
59burst Posted January 19, 2007 Author Posted January 19, 2007 Cool-I actually think a lot of LP's are a little dark sounding so a little brighter and more articulate is actually what I'm looking for. Lighter is good too.Can anyone compare the Studio to the McCarty? Thanks for the replies.
Mindseyes Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 my $.2........I did a side by side recording test with my 25th Anniversary with 59's in it and my bandmates McCarty......blindfolded you could not tell the two aparthope that helps...............but what do i know im just a bass player...lol
Dumo Posted January 19, 2007 Posted January 19, 2007 I associate low end chunk with Les Pauls. I've never owned a Hamer with enough mass to replicate it, but on the other hand the Hamers had much better upper mids and highs. It's usually a trade off of some kind. I guess it all depends on how you define LP tone. Probably any shorter scale, mahogany slab with a set neck and PAFs will get you 90% of what you want. I would just worry about your amp and the guitar's playability after that. Have a good weekend. BTW I just bought an Edwards Jimmy Page. I'll let you know how it stacks up when I get it tomorrow. It's only 7.5 lbs. so I would expect it to lean towards mids and highs. Which is good in my book. Later.
59burst Posted January 20, 2007 Author Posted January 20, 2007 Dumo, I'm interested in hearing how that Edwards works out-they look nice.Mindseyes, that's interesting that they sounded so similar-I've read that the McCarty pickups are very midrangy and lack the lows and highs of an LP. I saw a Youtube video of Jimmy Page playing a McCarty and later a Les Paul at the same concert and it pretty much confirmed that-the LP sounded better to my ears. Would anyone say that the Hamer favors the McCarty in tone more than a Les Paul? I like the way McCarty's look and play but I've only briefly played one and never played a Studio-only a special with p-90's. Some of my favorite LP type tones are Duane Allman, Warren Haynes, Barry Bailey (ARS) who used mini humbuckers, live Page, Gary Moore, etc. All use LP's, but Gibson has shown a disdain for their customers both with their policies with dealers and with warranty work in my experience, and tend to be overpriced imo-that's why I'm looking elsewhere, but I'm not ruling them out entirely. My '80 LP tends toward the darker side-I've had a treble rolloff put on the neck pickup so I can roll off the volume without it mudding up, but the neck pu by itself is still muddy to me, so a little extra brightness and articulation would be welcome-I like that sqawky bridge pu sound that Barry Bailey of ARS gets if anyone is familiar.
Brewmaster Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 I currently own a Studio a Studio Mahogany and a LP 57 RI Goldtop. To me a Studio doesn't have the the LP sound, it is missing the girth. The Mahogany Studio gets a litle closer and in a band situation can cover much of the same ground. That being said when I pull out my Goldtop the difference is quite apparent. The right pickup combination and amp will bring you closer but only a LP sounds like an LP.
Guest Meshuggah Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 I currently own a Studio, a Studio Mahogany and a LP 57 RI Goldtop. To me a Studio doesn't have the the LP sound, it is missing the girth...the right pickup combination and amp will bring you closer but only a LP sounds like an LP.+1 There is no substitute for cubic inches.
jwhitcomb3 Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 I always liked the idea of a Les Paul, but just never found a Les Paul I liked to play. I've had several studios and artists and all of them got me in the neighborhood I wanted to be in, each with its own special flavor.At this point I'm down to a 30th LTD and a Korina Artist P90. I don't have the slightest hankering for a Les Paul.-Jonathan
Kurt L Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 "I always liked the idea of a Les Paul, but just never found a Les Paul I liked to play. I've had several studios and artists and all of them got me in the neighborhood I wanted to be in, each with its own special flavor."That's exactly how I feel. I've had 4 Les Pauls and they all sounded different, so I view the "Les Paul sound" as more a ballpark than a specific thing. My Studio Custom and my Special FM are definitely in the ballpark and I like them better than the Les Pauls I've had. I think a "real" Les Paul, a McCarty or a Studio would all get you there...
Studioplayer Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 I have a Les Paul and a Hamer Studio Custom. I think the Gibson has more girth and fullness to the tone, but the Hamer is close but with more articulation and a more refined sound IMHO. I like both. The wood in both my guitars is of high quality I believe, and that fact is evidenced when listening to each being played unplugged. Try that test with your guitars and see what you think. Then plug each in turn, into your favorite amp and make that comparison. There are times when I want that humbucking sound but with more articulation and that is what the Studio Custom gives me over the Lester. But there are times when that bark and punch from the Les Paul really can satisfy.StudioplayerLes Paul Classic 2000Studio Custom 2005
Rocktuna Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 It may sound strange (no pun intended) but the most Les Paul sounding Hamer I've ever owned was an Artist Korina. My studio didn't have that bottom end thump and was muddy in the mids and highs. I have 2 LP's at present a 73 Custom with burstbucker 2 and 3 in it and a LP faded 50's neck with Burstbucker pros in it. 2 different yet similar sounding guitars. The Custom is articulate yet lacks the bottom end. To many laminates and an ebony fretboard. The faded one is the shit for tone. If you want articulate mids and highs plus that bottom end go for a Monaco Elite. Not a Lester tone but man did it wail. Why did I ever sell mine????
Sentinel Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 My studio didn't have that bottom end thump and was muddy in the mids and highs. So what was it's forte? None?! Was it a Studio custom? Which pup's? I think the pickups is an important factor here. Which pup's do you think are the most les-pauley for a Studio Custom... (I'm just about to get one...!) If you want articulate mids and highs plus that bottom end go for a Monaco Elite. +1 My Elite is my No.1! It's a dream guitar, honestly! But it's almost TOO articulate in the highs! (I use it mostly for my "progressive rock" songs...) And therefore I'm getting a Studio for the more "regular" rock sound.. (But as you dudes here above said, still haven't found a LP that i like to play - they don't even feel good to hold. (But my Hamer's do!!) So this thread is making me NERVOUS. Am I getting the WRONG guitar for this purpose? A shout-out to ALL StudioCustom owners: Which humbuckers for best LP type rock sound?!?
Guest pirateflynn Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 My studio didn't have that bottom end thump and was muddy in the mids and highs. So what was it's forte? None?! Was it a Studio custom? Which pup's? I think the pickups is an important factor here. Which pup's do you think are the most les-pauley for a Studio Custom... (I'm just about to get one...!) If you want articulate mids and highs plus that bottom end go for a Monaco Elite. +1 My Elite is my No.1! It's a dream guitar, honestly! But it's almost TOO articulate in the highs! (I use it mostly for my "progressive rock" songs...) And therefore I'm getting a Studio for the more "regular" rock sound.. (But as you dudes here above said, still haven't found a LP that i like to play - they don't even feel good to hold. (But my Hamer's do!!) So this thread is making me NERVOUS. Am I getting the WRONG guitar for this purpose? A shout-out to ALL StudioCustom owners: Which humbuckers for best rock sound?!? I don't really think you *need* a Studio Custom since you all ready have an Elite and a Special FM. Those 3 guitars overlap a lot in terms of tone, I'd say you have that covered. I would recommend a Sustainblock Special because they are pretty easy to come by and somewhat inexpensive. The other cool choice would be a Mahogany P90 Special.
Gino Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 I think it all starts with the wood!I've played very 'paulish' Les Pauls and some that sounded - well - weak.A good mahagony/maple body and a good mahagony neck is where it all starts, and I don't care about the shape and what it says on the headstock.Then there's the 'string path'. That's why a Sunburst or 80's Special sound different (sustain block).And pickups are a BIG deal!I noticed that when swapping the Duncans for the WCRs in my FM Special - not a Lester, double cut, flat top, not as thick a body - BUT: it definitely got me deep into Lester territory! The pups added bottom authority while leaving some of that cut that a Hamer doublecut has over a Paul.Mind you: Just as there isn't THE PAF-sound, just variations of a common theme and just as there are different shades of strat or tele sound even among instruments of the same Fender vintage, so and I believe even more so it is with Pauls.I had a mid-sixties Gibbi ES 330 (no sustain block, even shorter scale) where I had the pups changed from the (worn out) P-90s for standard Gibbi humbuckers in 1975 - I think they were 'patent-numbers' and that guitar sounded 110 percent Les Paul! Go figure...Gino
Sentinel Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 My Elite is my No.1! It's a dream guitar, honestly! But it's almost TOO articulate in the highs! (I use it mostly for my "progressive rock" songs...) And therefore I'm getting a Studio for the more "regular" rock sound.. I don't really think you *need* a Studio Custom since you all ready have an Elite and a Special FM. He, he, thanks Pirate'!! But you see... ehrm... I'm going to sell my Special to a (hamerless!) friend at work. I'm more into the 'newer' Hamer's and honestly dislike the un-bound neck on the FM. So a new StudioCustom is in my focus right now. Again I've got a case of "The Hamer's" or what one should call it..!
Guest pirateflynn Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 Yes, then by all means ....... get the Studio Custom. They are great guitars!I have 7 Sustainblock guitars so I'm guilty of redundancy to an extreme. Guilty and loving it!
tremolux Posted January 20, 2007 Posted January 20, 2007 I don't have a LP and its been a few years since my hamer sunburst archtop and studio passed on. But, Out of six current guitars, my McCarty is the guitar that I gravitate towards. It's the one that feels like home to me if that makes any sense. There are two features that stand out to me that make it tops on my list. One is the placement of the volume knob which i think is perfect for control and volume swelling etc... the other is the pull tap on the tone knob to split the coils for a more jangly tone. And of course the tone is sweet but sorry I don't have a reference for comparing it to the venerable Studio or LP.
Brewmaster Posted January 21, 2007 Posted January 21, 2007 I currently own a Studio, a Studio Mahogany and a LP 57 RI Goldtop. To me a Studio doesn't have the the LP sound, it is missing the girth...the right pickup combination and amp will bring you closer but only a LP sounds like an LP. +1 There is no substitute for cubic inches. That's what SHE said!!!
Guest Meshuggah Posted January 21, 2007 Posted January 21, 2007 I have 7 Sustainblock guitars so I'm guilty of redundancy .... Seek counseling my friend. [A shout-out to ALL StudioCustom owners: Which humbuckers for best LP type rock sound?!? I'm going to go out on a limb here and say a Seymour Duncan 59 in the neck and a Dimarzio PAF in the not-neck position. Just been through pickup swaps in a mahogany studio with a flame maple top, Seth Lovers Dakbursts Crossroads/Darkburst combo Crossroads/Goodwood combo Dimarzio VPAF/VPAF Hot Bridge 57 Classics IMHO, YMMV, LSMFT
Punkavenger Posted January 22, 2007 Posted January 22, 2007 are those the ones I sold you , Dude? Glad you like 'em!
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