Punkavenger Posted February 15, 2008 Posted February 15, 2008 I've always been interested in the proto ... to me the shape and very cool but somewhat quirky design was fascinating... a guitar that was all Hamer, not a copy of a Gibson or Fender (although there is nothing wrong with that, lol) Seems like it would be perfect for the time period they were created in ...perhaps for a 80's new wave or punk bandcould I get a witness, I mean some information on the different years, what they really sounded like, typical neck size, weight, which musicians actually used the proto etc. etc Thanks!
serial Posted February 15, 2008 Posted February 15, 2008 I LOVE Prototypes. Mine's like the one James Honeyman-Scott played. Other artists were Andy Summers (he was the first big name to use 'em), Van Temple, Eddie Martinez, Steve Stevens and others in the early 80s. Most are featherweight and the necks are usually smallish to medium. Introduced in 1981, they were configured with a three coil pickup (hum and single in same surround) and a sustain block hardtail. 1982, sustain block trems were available although I haven't seen many Protos with these. Proto 12 strings were also done in 81-84. The Prototype II came out in 1984 with a standard Kahler Pro trem and an added single coil in the neck position (same electronics/setup as the Phantom A5). A few in 85 had Floyds, but then they were kind of phased out in favor of the Proto SS which became the Steve Stevens model.
MCChris Posted February 15, 2008 Posted February 15, 2008 Me on stage with mine at the Metro in Chicago, circa 1995: Mine was awfully bright sounding, and the neck was pencil thin (in width more so than depth). But it was a workhorse and served me well.
Travis Posted February 15, 2008 Posted February 15, 2008 Here's a picture of my old one. Cool guitar, but the neck was just a little too small for my taste.
David B Posted February 15, 2008 Posted February 15, 2008 Protos are as cool as any Hamer. Here's a pic from around 1985...
sonic1974 Posted February 15, 2008 Posted February 15, 2008 Me on stage with mine at the Metro in Chicago, circa 1995: Mine was awfully bright sounding, and the neck was pencil thin (in width more so than depth). But it was a workhorse and served me well. Hey it's Jimmy Page with a psychadelic shirt, or what a a sec, who is that rock star?
Jimbilly Posted February 15, 2008 Posted February 15, 2008 1984, I'm really not a Kahler fan, but this is a cool guitar with an awesome neck.
serial Posted February 15, 2008 Posted February 15, 2008 1984, I'm really not a Kahler fan, but this is a cool guitar with an awesome neck. Dude-is that my old one?! Cool guitar!
Jimbilly Posted February 15, 2008 Posted February 15, 2008 I don't think it's your old one, I rescued it from a NW area pawn shop about 3 years ago, maybe it is though...
Punkavenger Posted February 16, 2008 Author Posted February 16, 2008 YES! every single post was cool on this thread ... thanks for the info
Punkavenger Posted February 16, 2008 Author Posted February 16, 2008 RIP James Honeyman Scott ... That first Pretenders album is one of my top all time favs alsoIs the triple bucker just a standard size humbucker and single coil ? Could they be easily replaced ? Or is it some tricky all in one pickup assembly from Hamer?
kizanski Posted February 16, 2008 Posted February 16, 2008 Is the triple bucker just a standard size humbucker and single coil ? Could they be easily replaced ?Yes, and yes.
Andrew Posted February 16, 2008 Posted February 16, 2008 How about the Prototype 2-coil, built for ProSound of Koblenz (ordered by Peter Wolf, now of PRS)?http://uk.geocities.com/largeat/2xtwocoil.jpg(IMG:http://uk.geocities.com/largeat/2xtwocoil.jpg)
Andrew Posted February 17, 2008 Posted February 17, 2008 You know, the old Prototype Article is still here, but without a link on the menus.Needs a little updating, though!Andrew.http://www.hamerfanclub.com/proto.html
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.