Cali, Chap, Centaura, Diablo.......Help?

[Feynman]

I want a flat out 80s SuperStrat / Shredder thing for my next guitar... I have read all the model summaries of 80s-90s Hamers, but I still feel confused. Is there anywhere other than our old model listing pages that could shed more insight on the real differences in these guitars?

The model that really grabs me is the Cali Custom, but I'm guessing that those are impossible to find since I've seen only two for sale in the last couple of years. By "impossible to find" I guess I also mean "not cheap."

Also, can anyone compare/contrast the Cali (or others) and the Jackson Soloist as much as possible? I dig the wide, flat fretboard on the Jackson, but I am unfamiliar with what Hamer was doing back then.

I don't want to make anyone type too much, so any handy links would be great.

Let's see, we've had Special and Standard porn - how about some GAS-inducing shredder porn, por favor...

Thanks.

[atquinn]

This first question to ask yourself is: Do I want a singlecoil sized pickup in the neck slot of a 24-fret guitar or a humbucker? That will help you cut out half the shredders. While I love Cali's I prefer a full-sized humbucker in the neck, so that means a Diablo or Chap. Then it's a set-neck vs. bolt-on question. I would think a Centaura or a Diablo would get closest of Hamer's line to the "classic" superstrat/shredder sound. I'll have to zip up a bunch of pics I have and email them to you. I have all sorts of Hamer shredder pics, specifically Calis.

-Austin

[ZR]

I guess that's why they make so many different guitars...different strokes etc.

I love the single coil in the neck spot of a super shredder. Then, I can get strattish type sounds and HB bridge rock/ metal sounds.

My 1st Hamer was a USA Centaura. Great shredder w/ a HB/s/s PU configuration. I always thought the body was too dinky for me as far as proportions.

The Diablos looked like a Cali w/o the scalloped edge in the upper fret access horn area, and generally looked more rounded on the edges. It had the regular or reverse strattish headstock and 2 Hb's

I have a Chap Custom (that means set-neck for this model). It has a full size Super strat body, droopy headstock, stadium Hamer logo (means large), Boomerang inlays in an ebony board (a must for a Hamer shredder ...for me anyway!), H/S/S PU's. Sounds incredible.

The Cali is probably top of the heap, especially the rarer set neck models. I sold a nice bolt-on before because I still always reached for the Chap Custom (even though in my head the Cali is the king of shredders!). I likened it to the Cali being like the hot younger sister of the girl you can actually see spending the rest of your life with. On first appearance the Cali seems like the obvious choice but after you get to know them you keep going back to the Chaparall (at least I did)!

Good luck on your search. Plus, they can do a lot more than shred and are very comfortable to play.

[Siaip Ciuvas]

I must warn that Diablo is definitely not a slim neck lover's guitar (and that why I love it ). Its not vintage LP neck, but Cali sports way "shreddier" neck.

[serial]

I've had several killer Californians (two trans blue solid flame maple bodied ones and a set-neck Custom), but this one always had the edge for me. Fingerboard is very Jacksonesque shred-worthy.

[BubbaVO]

Here's a pic of a Centaura with a maple fretboard/neck that did the superstrat thing really well. But I think most came with a rosewood fretboard.

If memory serves, the pups were SDs and served their purpose (IMHO) very well. Then again, maybe memory makes the guitar sound better than it really did - after all I did sell her.

Here's an interesting link to the various Soloist models (can't vouch for accuracy since I got the Hamer bug well before any Jackson bug) : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackson_Soloist

Seems like the guitars are generally comparable. But the Soloists had a neck thru design that Centauras didn't have (at least mine didn't). Hopefully Lord/Lady Scary can chime in. I think they've had one or two of those Hamer shredders in their hands at some point. : )

[silentman]

IMO, you can't beat a diablo for their current prices. It was a Hamer offered at a low list price when it was made, but no corners were cut. I've owned a few cali elites and a few diablos. Both are great but like Austin mentioned, it might come down to pup configurations.

Depending on how much you want to spend, Ibanez makes some great guitars and I've liked some schecters as well. Also, peavey wolfgangs are nice. And you know how much I like the EBMM stuff.

Here's my 93 diablo with not so common maple board:

Couple of guits I used to own:

[Devnor]

Shredfest Dallas Style:

I love going home to these

[Jimbilly]

Centauras are a stupid-cheap bargain these days, great shredders IMO. If Calis are out of your price range (and they're out of my price range now too), look for a Centaura. Get a Diablo or CentauraII if you want a hum at the neck.

lets see if I can find a pic of my Centaura... nope, I guess I need to get a better picture of that one by itself.

one of my Cali:

group photo since I'm diggin' out photos:

[e-isle rock]

Hamer rules! Pics of my babies. From top to bottom:

Centaura

1989 Vintage S

1993 Diablo

1992 Vintage S

1995 Studio

1994 Daytona

T-62

The top three I'd consider shredders.

[Zoner]

Hey Silentman, I now own this Diablo! I'm hoping to pass it on soon to a fellow HFC'er, but it is definately your old one and a sweet guitar. Z

[Feynman]

Thanks for the replies, all. Keep the porn coming, please.

What's the fretboard radius like on a Cali?

-mitch

P.S. Devnor, do you own one of EVERY cool guitar out there?! You've got some NIIIIICE stuff...

[silentman]

I believe all Hamers sport a 14 inch radius.

[Devnor]

What's the fretboard radius like on a Cali?

-mitch

P.S. Devnor, do you own one of EVERY cool guitar out there?! You've got some NIIIIICE stuff...

They say 14" but the Cali feels flatter...Petrucci flat. Thanks Mitch!

[Zoner]

Off topic I know, but has anyone noticed that the Anderson, Suhr, and USA Schecter bolt-ons have a near identical headstock shape - that is also similar to the Hamer's if you squint a bit? Those Cali's are cool, but I kick myself for not grabbing Earachemyeye's candy red Chappy Custom when it was dangled in front of me. Nice guitars! Z

[Feynman]

...I kick myself for not grabbing Earachemyeye's candy red Chappy Custom when it was dangled in front of me. Nice guitars! Z

And I kick myself for Austin's white badass Cali thing. Austin - at least post a pic of that one (pretty please).

Devnor, I'm sure I'd be like 800th in line, but if you want to part with that sexy green beast, you know...

[Roli]

lemme play: ´91 Cali in the sun

[veatch]

If i recall, the Cali is a 14" radius, but i agree, it seems flatter compared to the others. It might be a wider fretboard. (not that this would change the radius...)

As far as shredders, don't rule out a custom shop Brian Moore. The necks are all over the place, but i occasionally find one with the thin shredder style neck. There's a C-55 in the fold currently that holds its own, though i do like both Calis better.

It's all opinion, so trust yer own hands and ears. Best bet is to obviously put yer hands on a few and get what you like. Good luck!

Oh, and i'll post some pron when i can.

[Jimbilly]

My long awaited Centaura photos, (nice evening for shootin pics!), Centauras are cool, even with some parallel-line finish checking...

[kurtsstuff]

Yeah...Cali's are pretty cool

[Brooks]

did a search for shredder pics and found this old thread.

still trying to capture w/ camera the way my mutt shredder looks in person;

[jettster]

There is also a Chap in the pics that I no longer have due to the neck profile (Narrow "D" shape) , other than that it was a great guitar.

[Joe G]

Don't know seller, or if its still available, etc. but I saw this cali fs $800 or trade for a surfboard located in Oregon:

http://oregoncoast.craigslist.org/msg/1557180326.html

[proxmax]

saw this over here

very nice finish.

[diablo175]

Seems I don't own anything BUT shredders. Here's a REALLY bad digital of the bulk my collection.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/v...50/DSCF0964.jpg