Educate Me, Please

[a42]

I'm looking for something lighter than my Les Paul, and the Artist looks awfully good. I'm a little overwhelmed by all the options, though. Can anyone weigh on on the differences between:

1) Current Artist vs. older Artist Mahogany HB -- much difference tone-wise? Other differences?

2) How does the Korina HB model compare?

3) What is the approximate weight range on the Artist? (Has to be less than my boat anchor, I mean Gibson.)

4) Anything else I need to know?

I used to have an SAT P90 (Goldtop) but it was way too heavy. (It was later destroyed in a horrible shipping accident. )

Thanks for you help.

[Camstone]

I can help a little bit.

A new Artist or Artist Custom model is going to have a brighter tone than a Mahogany version because of the maple top.

My Artist/Duotone (below) weighs 7.4 lbs.

There are lots of guys here that have Artists, so you should get some better info than mine. I have never played a Korina model.

Great guitars!

4) Anything else I need to know?

Yes, never pet a burning dog!

[Guest pirateflynn]

Man, I like those Artist guitars.

If your into LP type of tone the Artist or Artist Custom w/ a mahogany body and maple cap is the ticket. It's not exacly a LP, but in the same family of tone. The newer Hamers are generally considered the best made but the '90's guitar are very good, too. I had a '96 Artist Custom that was great.

[a42]

My Artist/Duotone (below) weighs 7.4 lbs.

Sweet!

4) Anything else I need to know?

Yes, never pet a burning dog!

Thanks. I'd been pondering that one for a while.

If your into LP type of tone the Artist or Artist Custom w/ a mahogany body and maple cap is the ticket. It's not exacly a LP, but in the same family of tone. The newer Hamers are generally considered the best made but the '90's guitar are very good, too. I had a '96 Artist Custom that was great.

Do you think the maple cap makes a significant difference? I've always been skeptical, but never done an A-B.

[BTMN]

I had a Korina Artist HB for about 10 months. It wieghed 7.5 Lbs. It doesnt feel like a LP at all. I never got use to the way it hung and sold it to a friend that loved it. Sounded great plugged in and unplugged. Top notch build. You could feel the air move the hair on your arm from the soundhole. The stock Duncan 59s were great in it. My $0.02.

Enjoy your hunt.

[Guest pirateflynn]

Do you think the maple cap makes a significant difference? I've always been skeptical, but never done an A-B.

Yes, I think the maple top will thicken it up a little and maybe add just a touch of high end.

[BubbaVO]

Top notch build. You could feel the air move the hair on your arm from the soundhole. :

When I make air move out of my soundhole, I can feel the air move the hair. The seat rumbles, too.

[BubbaVO]

Sorry my dear. That's not my arm.

[Travis]

Artist Korina with Duncan Ultimates: you need one of these. Enough said.

[a42]

Artist Korina with Duncan Ultimates: you need one of these. Enough said.

That is stunning.

[luiss]

I will wide the questions with a new one focused on Artists after seeing Travis guitar:

Is there enough difference in tone and fit and finish between an Artist Custom and an Ultimate? I really dig Ultimates and I´m crazy with themmbut not so sure to spend such a high money(and I have to add taxes because I´m in Europe).

Also...between an Artist Mahogany and Artist maple topped,is there sglight differences only?

I´m asking so many questions because I have to buy sight unseen as far as I´m not able to try any Hamer here....I´m pretty sure if I was able I would own many more Hamers for sure.

[Travis]

The fit and finish on any Artist is second to none, ranging from the base models up to the Custom and the Ultimate. It just depends on how much flash you want. If you're wanting all tone and not a lot of bling, check out a standard maple topped Artist. It's an amazing instrument that is extremely well put together and still looks better than the majority of guitars out there. It just doesn't have all the fancy binding and inlay work. But the sound will knock your socks off.

The Artist Mahogany and Artist Korina are a little closer to each other than the standard maple topped Artist and Artist Custom. The Duncan 59 pickups and the lack of a maple top give these guitars some more midrange and a slightly more rude and raw tone. The Seth Lovers in the Artist and Artist Custom really smooth out the tone and tame the extra bite and high end that the maple top adds.

If I wanted an Artist on a budget, I would find a used Artist Mahogany or Artist Korina. I would get a killer sounding, killer playing axe for less than a grand. Since I already have an AK, I would look for a standard maple topped Artist. My personal taste just leads me to the more understated elegance of dots and no binding than to the glam and flash of fancy inlay work and binding of the Custom and Ultimate. But that's just me.

Actually, on second thought, what I would really do is this: I would find a used Artist with a maple top and a wraparound bridge.

[a42]

Actually, on second thought, what I would really do is this: I would find a used Artist with a maple top and a wraparound bridge.

Hmmm. I'm right with you up until the wraparound bridge. Never had good luck with them, though I've never played a Hamer w/ one.

I'm leaning really hard towards a used Artist w/ maple top. There's one on eBay I've been watching, but I suspect it's going to go for more than I want to spend. Keeping my eyes open...

[a42]

He shoots... he scores!

Just pulled the trigger on a used Artist in natural flame. Should arrive Wed or Thur...

[Travis]

Awesome. post pics when you can.