old Hamer b8s 8 string bass

[TNC2]

I play 90s Hamer b8s and b12s string basses and just purchaced an single truss rod, mahogany neck, 4 dig serial numb basses and I need to date it and see if anyone here knows anything about this bass or if Hamer would have the records on the original color.

The bass was stripped on the front and the back of the neck, the back and headstock is a greenish gray silver or light blue metalic color with a white Hamer usa logo that has checkerboard strip under Hamer. This color is down in the electronics and pickup holes and it doesnt appear that its been goofed with as far as the pups and elctronics.

The finish has yellowed so it may have been silver.

I assume someone was a TP fan or just a dummy?

the wood on the front has some nice flamed with a few brown spots in the grain so I assume this was a solid color??

Like I said It looks like it has the original electronics and has 2 Pups X2Ns (pickups are right next to each other like T. Peterssons quad) has the led light and 2 tiny switches, a battery holder w/ 9volt and another with 2 AA (for the LED light?) and an epoxi box (preamp?) everything seems to work (needs adjustments and cleaning) a lil noisy and Im not sure how the electronics work as far as the positions and what theyre suppose to be doing, (maybe some of you can help me with that) It looks like the two pots are VOl. knobs??

its #0461.

the headstock has been repaired years ago on the back (has the usual V bust) the big G Shaller tuner is broken (does anybody have an extra?). The bass came to me without strings so Ive put 4 old strings on and it plays pretty good so far we'll see in a day or two.

the bass came with a black Hamer case with red insides.

I need someone to do the finish work.

any suggestions?

I will try to post some pics soon.

heres some crappy pics for now.

http://img514.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hamat0.png

thanks for any suggestions or info,

t

[tafkathundernotes]

Talk to BCRGreg.

[TNC2]

calling BCRGreg....calling BCRGreg....calling BCRGreg....

maybe he'll look at the post?

thanks db

[serial]

Talk to BCRGreg.

Greg can help ya get it restored, but I think I'm the only one who can date it for you. I'll try to get into my records this weekend and will letcha know the exact date/info from the factory logs.

[TNC2]

thanks...I wish I knew what color it was originally...its a yellowed out silver or pewter, under that were it is sanded around the edges its kinda silvery light blue. very 80's color.

I dont guess there is any records at hamer of each bass like rickenbacker keeps??

It would be easier if it had the regular Hamer black n white headstock then I could paint it any color but I dont think I should mess with it since I think it can be salvaged and it has that cool checkered board under Hamer.

oh yeah I forgot the headstock repair started lifting so I detuned it until I can get that looked at.

[serial]

thanks...I wish I knew what color it was originally...its a yellowed out silver or pewter, under that were it is sanded around the edges its kinda silvery light blue. very 80's color.

I dont guess there is any records at hamer of each bass like rickenbacker keeps??

I have everything that the factory has and more for four digit serialed instruments.

[cmatthes]

From the description, it sounds like that Ice Blue Metallic/Pearl Hamer did back in the early 80s. A guy in the floor above me in college had a Special in that finish (matching headstock too). Had a Kahler added though...ugh!

(Just posting this for no apparent reason)

[gerry]

i think it must be a 1981.

[TNC2]

From the description, it sounds like that Ice Blue Metallic/Pearl Hamer did back in the early 80s. A guy in the floor above me in college had a Special in that finish (matching headstock too). Had a Kahler added though...ugh!

yeah thats sounds right its kinda ugly looking really but Ill prob try to put it back original..

or does it matter since it has a busted head? It does still have all the paint n logo on the headstock.

I guess theres no getting a Hamer USA with the checkered board HS decal??

what do you guys think keep it Ice blue?

[BCR Greg]

Did I hear my name mentioned?

Let's have some better pics of that puppy, fella. Take a look at the back of the pots. There will be a code stamped around the back. The first 3 digits are the manufacturer, the next two the yar, the last two the week of the year. A code of 1378122 would mean the pots were made in the 22nd week of 1981 by the CTS company. The guitar was made within 6 months of that date, IF the pots are original.

Serial's right, he can date them............I marry them.

[TNC2]

well the pots say Hamer on them so, Ive never seen a company have the name on accessories, I have a friend that has another 8 string and his knobs have hamer on the bottom edge...

I will try to get some better pics posted it appears that the pots are 801378043.

thanks for your help...

3 questions:

should I keep it this Ice Blue color (which would have to have a yellowed clear coat to match the headstock).

It has a pretty decent looking top, I assume the back is prob fig'd under what is left of the original fin??

Who can do a finish??

Does Hamer still refurb old Hamers?

thanks db

[serial]

You'll want to preserve the old logo if you can-Hamer doesn't have those anymore. Greg is THE man for four digit headstock repairs. If he can post a link to my blueburst Standard that he rescued-that was completely splintered and snapped off and now you can't tell. Boy does some magic.

As for your 8 string, of course, it is not in the factory records. #0460 (orange Mini Standard-I think Steve Stevens might have had that one done IIRC) and #0462 (a black Floyd Rose Standard for Alex Parche). Hamer's record books have gaps, but it's almost like they intentionally didn't put some in the books-there is a blank space for the skipped number and many times I have recorded instruments with the serial numbers that should have gone there. No dates anywhere on the page, but the instrument on the line for #0462 is scribbled out w/o the number added. That being said, #0426 is dated 1/2/81 and #0544 is dated 9/81 with Pete Farndon's and Sting's Cruisebasses in between which were definitely 81s, I'd guess yours is a March or April '81 instrument. More four digits were done in 81 than any other year (maybe 150 or so) from what I can tell.

The odd thing is that Hamer used Dimarzio branded pots until late 81 or so I thought. Wonder if this one was done but not shipped out or finished until later?

Now PLEASE post us some pics!

[BCR Greg]

43rd week of 1980 for the pots, so they are original. Late in the year, they may have run out of Hamer branded pots.

[TNC2]

the pots say Hamer on them....

ok Greg I will post some pics asap and you take a look at it, see what its gonnna take and we'll go from there.

thanks to all that shared info, I appreciate it.

db

[TNC2]

heres a few pics... theyre not real great..I will try to take some in the daylight...

as you can tell its been pretty boogered up....some goon had stickers (prob those 80s Dean Markleys) on the back if you look real close you can see where the yellowing is missing. of course not to mention they thought it would be a great idea to strip the paint off the neck and the front.... without removing the pots I might add! the top is raw wood but they put some kinda crap on the neck that is soft and scrapes off with your fingernail for that cool, sticky, rubbery feel.

Why cant people leave shit alone!!??

if you look in the PUP cavs the serial numb is pensiled in, it is also written on the bottom of the nut.

The top is pretty nice for Hamer to have covered up with a solid color but I guess thats what they had on the rack and whoever ordered it wanted an Ice Blue to go with their silver blue leather suit (think The Romantics)??

[TNC2]

heres funny video of me from 1991 (the poster got the date wrong) playing me first Hamer 12 through a Vox AC100 (I paid $500) and a 2 15 Vox T-60 cab, this was recorded by some drunk frat guy so hold on its wavy.

Now keep in mind I had just got the bass so Im trying to learn my way around 12 strings so give the kid a break...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnY6IUjQdpE

we did a reunion last year ...heres me doing my best Pete Farndon (Im drunk this time) wish I had dat pink Hamer b4s....playing a Rick 4003.

[TNC2]

more pics :

[maxschrek]

When are you gonna bring that bugger over and show it to me?

I think that silver looks cool. It reminds me of the color of Ben Orr's

MM Stingray.

T-BO

[serial]

Oh that is just BADASSED!

[cmatthes]

DEFINITELY get that one restored! That's a keeper, for sure.

The headstock crack doesn't look too bad, and looks like it could be reinforced easily, if necessary. As far as the flame veneer - that's a nice one - I've seen trans finished Hamer basses from that era with less impressive tops. Hamer did put those flamed veneers on pretty much everything back then - even opaque-finished models (Specials, Sunbursts, the basses, etc.).

[TNC2]

yeah its a shame to cover the top but I want to do the bass right so its ice blue metallic...

I wish I could find out who this was made for or some history....

[TNC2]

Did we deside that the headstock (and back of the body) were the original factory fin/color?

Is there a way to find out?

what do you folks think?

keep it poop green (original ???) see my sig pick or make it purdy?

help me out go vote in my poll!

db

[gerry]

looks the same fading of the silver like on the anniversary fender strat of the late 70s. few of them are still silver, many are greenish.

but that is how it is, don´t know anybody who refinished such a strat because of the faded silver.

[gerry]

looks the same fading of the silver like on the anniversary fender strat of the late 70s. few of them are still silver, many are greenish.

but that is how it is, don´t know anybody who refinished such a strat because of the faded silver.

[cmatthes]

I know somebody getting something finished where you were thinking about getting your 8 done.

The initial pics are nothing short of spectacular!