epiphone explorer vs hamer standard ?

[fordnut02]

has anyone ever cpmpared the epiphone explorer vs the hamer standard ?

wanting to buy 1 of the 2 but looking for best sound and qualilty for the dollar .

thanks

any help would be great.

[Mindseyes]

If we are talking Hamer USA .....It would be like a one leged man in a a$$ kicking contest!

Import's??????? Good ?

[Willie G. Moseley]

Import to import, the crown inlay and neck binding on a Hamer is a plus. I personally like the neck profile on the Standard better as well.

[hamerhead]

I pulled an Epi off the wall at Best Buy and was surprized at how nice the neck felt. I think it was like $499, and was pretty well done - for the money. I didn't plug it in because...... well, it was Best Buy...........

It would never touch a USA Standard, but - with the imports - you gotta go by what feels the best to you, as opposed to the name on the headstock. I've never tried a import Standard, but the earlier Korean-made ones would probably be better (if they are like other MIK Hamers I've used). Pretty solid and, on the used market, pretty cheap.

[zorrow]

Several years ago I got a new Chinese Standard from Dave and it felt, played and sounded great. I sold it to a guy in a local band who was looking for an Explorer. He tried a Gibson Explorer (USA) and my Standard (import) side to side and he finally decided on the Standard. However, it must be said that the Gibson was 900 bucks while my Standard was 450. It must also be said that Dave hand-picked my Standard from all the imports he had in stock at that moment -- well, he told me so.

I've tried Epiphone Explorers too and they feel a little slimmer than import Standards. I prefer the slightly fatter neck on the import Standard. Also, the pickups on the Epi aren't very good to my tastes --they are a tad muddy. On the other hand, Duncan Designed pickups on Hamer imports sound great --I mean, really GREAT, and you all know I am a tone freak.

So, my conclusion is: the import Standard wins. And if in addition you are into the fancier features such as crown inlays, body and neck binding and a cute flame top, it's a no brainer --and you get "Hamer" printed on the headstock as a bonus.

But of course, all this is just my opinion. You should still try them all and judge for yourself.

Edited to add: FYI, I sold the Standard just because I never got used to its shape.

[cmatthes]

The Epi "Korina" Explorers from the original run back in the late-90s aren't bad at all, and are probably on par with the MIK Hamer Standards I've played. I agree with Zorrow that the stock pickups really aren't bad in those models - it isn't going to get you that boo-tikey tone, but you're also paying a whole lot less, and it'll get you where you need to go.

The more recent Epis I've checked out (with my son, before he bought his MIM Strat) were pretty lame, honestly. I haven't done a side-by-side with the newer XT Hamers, but I wasn't impressed.

I'd look for a deal on the older Epis or MIK Standards - good bang for the buck.

[fordnut02]

thanks guys !

this is really helping me in my picking 1 .

I have been leaning more toward the HAMER .

looking at the sunburst .

will keep you informed on what I get.