First post, lots of questions - Cruise Bass

[J_Bass]

Hi, this is my first post, thank you for reading.

Forgive my bad english, but it´s not my native language.

I have a Hamer Cruise Slammer Series bass made in Korea, which i bought in 1999. For what i´ve read in the forum this past few days, this is - theoreticly - the best import model, is it not?

I´ve never seen a Hamer USA in the stores of my city and don´t feel confidant enough to buy a USA model from ebay, so i decided to upgrade mine.

I have a new amp on the way, the ashdown mag 115-300.

For the bass i ordered the Seymour Duncan Antiquity II pickups and the Elixir 40-95 coated strings.

What do you think about this choices? Did i make the wright move upgrading my bass? I like the sound of it very much, but i think that with better pickups it will improve a lot. I like to play Jazz, Funk and Blues, so i picked the antiquity II instead of the SJB-2. Was this the wright call?

Just one more thing. Can you tell me if i´m going to have a rough time installing the pickups? Are they compatible with the holes, or will i have to enlarge them?

Once again, thank you very much for your help, and sorry about all this questions.

[sonic1974]

Hi, this is my first post, thank you for reading.

Forgive my bad english, but it´s not my native language.

I have a Hamer Cruise Slammer Series bass made in Korea, which i bought in 1999. For what i´ve read in the forum this past few days, this is - theoreticly - the best import model, is it not?

I´ve never seen a Hamer USA in the stores of my city and don´t feel confidant enough to buy a USA model from ebay, so i decided to upgrade mine.

I have a new amp on the way, the ashdown mag 115-300.

For the bass i ordered the Seymour Duncan Antiquity II pickups and the Elixir 40-95 coated strings.

What do you think about this choices? Did i make the wright move upgrading my bass? I like the sound of it very much, but i think that with better pickups it will improve a lot. I like to play Jazz, Funk and Blues, so i picked the antiquity II instead of the SJB-2. Was this the wright call?

Just one more thing. Can you tell me if i´m going to have a rough time installing the pickups? Are they compatible with the holes, or will i have to enlarge them?

Once again, thank you very much for your help, and sorry about all this questions.

Welcome to the page! Which country are you writing from?

Your English is great, I had no problem reading the post at all.

I don't play bass so I can't answer your questions but I wanted to welcome you just the same.

rob

[Willie G. Moseley]

I have no problem with modifying utility instruments with upgrade materials; I started doing that in the late 1970s. Excellent choice on the pickups and strings; I have used both (on guitars not basses) and been well-satisfied. Cannot offer any input regarding installation. You're in the right place to ask for such advice, however. I've asked for help numerous times and have always gotten courteous and prompt responses.

[Bass Guy Dave]

Welcome!

Glad you like your import Cruise. I've played several of both the 4 and 5 string import model and was especially impressed with the 5 string model.

The Duncan anitquity pickups should be very nice. I would recommend changing the pots along with the pickups.

Being the owner of a USA Cruise 4-string, I will have to say that buying a USA Cruise used from a reputable dealer will provide you with a significantly better quality instrument. Playing one against even an upgraded import will suprise you with the difference. (and then, you can still use the Antiquity pickups in your USA model if you like If you've bonded with yours, then keep with it if it inspires you.

That being said, I still have an import Hamer bass, (the Chaparral) that I have upgraded with some active Duncan pickups. I like that it's light weight, and while it doesn't feel as nice as the USA models, it's still not bad.

Here's a photo.

and one of my Cruise

I don't know if Elixir still does two different thicknesses of coatings (Nanoweb was thinner, Polyweb was thicker,) but the Nanoweb I liked much better for what it's worth. If you like a bright sounding coated string, the best I've found were the GHS coated bass strings (which used to be red 3-4 years ago--haven't bought any in a while.)

Also, your English was just fine!

again, welcome!

Best Wishes

[J_Bass]

Thank you for all your welcomes and help.

I´m from Portugal, by the way.

I e-mailed Hamer some questions about the bass yesterday and they´ve allready answer me! Great support, shows they really care about their customers.

Here is the e-mail i received:

"Thanks for emailing us regarding your Hamer Slammer Cruise bass. The body and neck are maple, with a rosewood fingerboard and dot inlays. The jazz style pickups and bridge are imported versions of what was used on the original USA versions. I'm not sure what manufacturer made them. The only way to find out would be to remove a pickup and the bridge to see the name underneath. Hope this helps."

If anyone else has some experience with putting the new pickups on the bass, please tell me.

Thanks.

Edit: I´m sorry i don´t know what you mean by pots. Is it the knobs?

[Willie G. Moseley]

"Pots" is short for "potentiometers", the actual controls underneath the knobs. The center shaft of a potentiometer is what a knob is installed on.

[tomteriffic]

As regards the pickup change, I would see about possibly using the Seymour Duncan "30 day tryout" program. Or alternatively, just about any Duncan USA Jazz bass pickup would do just to check the fit. That way you could at least see if they're going to fit the routs (holes) in the body. Those things are fairly standardised, but in the translation from Metric to English measurements, there are sometimes very small differences.

[J_Bass]

Well, already order them, and have a 30 days tryout, hope i like them, they are expensive!

Thanks for all the help!

[belgian]

Just what we missed here, somebody from Portugal.

There was a discussion on Ports overe here a while ago, give us some good suggestions (unknown treasures, I mean).

A warm welcome from a fellow Euro HFC member.