HAMER:THE STEVE STEVENS ERA

[yngwie308]

As a relatively new HFC'er, I would really appreciate any information, stories, anecdotes and of course photos of the Hamer guitars developed by the great Steve Stevens.

I am familiar with the chronology of Steve's various Hamers, but need to flesh in as it were the details surrounding the various models and the progression from set necks through the end stage bolt ons, ect.

I know that quite a few members here have extensive SS collections and any memories and info around your guitars would be quite helpful.

It is always somewhat a delicate matter when an artist has a parting of the ways, with his guitar company and as at Washburn, Steve left as an endorser from Hamer in a somewhat acrimonious fashion.

That he deserves more credit personally for the development of these fascinating and truly awesome guitars, is a given as far as I am concerned.

Steve's guitars that he has had a major input in the design of, have the deserved reputation of being a players instrument. They are truly effective rock machines and he has managed to put some of his fire and passion for the instrument in all the guitars bearing his name.

I am particularly interested in any guitars that were personally owned by Steve and in the hands of collectors, fans and fellow players.

Also one-off specialty guitars are an interest of mine.

PM's are fine to discuss details, if certain information is of a private nature.

I have had unparalled access at Washburn regarding the period that Steve endorsed his signature models there, allthough again, due to the circumstances of his leaving there, it is a delicate matter and my first responsibility as a major fan of Steve, is to respect his wishes and privacy.

I can say that Steve is proud of all his acheivements in the past, but is very optimistic for the future and enjoys a great working relationship with Gibson guitars and the Suhr company, he having known John Suhr for going on 25 years now.

Steve is always at the cutting edge of the tools necessary to deliver top notch tone, whether through his pickup development with Bare Knuckles, or using the latest, high-tech wireless unit, he mangages to marry the past with the future, utilising the vintage effects he loves, with the most up to date equipment.

Again thank you in advance for any information that can be provided, as I know those who own the various SS Hamer guitars, love them and most certainly enjoy them for the incredible joy they give the player!

Thanks

yngwie308 (David)

[Disturber]

Spidey was the one with the biggest Steve Stevens collection. He's no longer around (don't ask). Kull had a few as well if I rember correctly. I've had three, great guitars. Serial might be able to chime in as well, or Fung?

[atquinn]

Spidey was the one with the biggest Steve Stevens collection. He's no longer around (don't ask)....

He's on TGP. I don't feel comfortable divulging his username, but if you ask the question there, he might be able to hook you up with some info.

-Austin

[hardheartedbill]

I want to know what pissed off 100% of the Hamer endorsers from the 80's

[Jimbilly]

I've got a black SSI Custom, and a Copper SSII Custom, IMO the II is much more playable. I think I've got a pic of the I handy, my II is a little rough (some paint missing, headstock repair) but a fantastic guitar. Neither of mine were owned by Steve. I still listen to Rebel Yell quiet often.

And then there's the Centaura and CentauraII (aka the SSIII?). I've heard that SS specified the 1 piece necks on those, somewhat unique to 'modern' Hamers.

I think SS had something to do with the Proto?, is that right?

[BillW]

I have a few:

1. an '89 SSI Custom in white

2. an '87 SSI Custom in copper that had to be put back together (hardware wise only)

3. an '87 SSII in copper

4. an '85 SSI in some sort of aftermarket brick paint with a fake handprint on it. It has a big white "S" on the back (looks like it was originally a Red guitar) and has some goofed up wiring. Not sure the history on it ...but I can tell you there's a picture of the exact guitar on Steve Steven's web site (somewhere on the page describing his sig models) ...curious to know what the story on that is ....

[yngwie308]

I want to know what pissed off 100% of the Hamer endorsers from the 80's

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

yngwie308

[serial]

I want to know what pissed off 100% of the Hamer endorsers from the 80's

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

yngwie308

A lot of the 80s Hamer endorsers were broke or falling on harder times in the 90s and since Hamer didn't give guitars away like BC Rich, etc, you stopped seeing a lot of them in peoples' hands.

Steve S. played the Prototype (after playing a Sunburst for a while). The Proto II wasn't his design, but it was the forerunner of the SSI/Prototype SS.

[yngwie308]

I want to know what pissed off 100% of the Hamer endorsers from the 80's

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

yngwie308

A lot of the 80s Hamer endorsers were broke or falling on harder times in the 90s and since Hamer didn't give guitars away like BC Rich, etc, you stopped seeing a lot of them in peoples' hands.

Steve S. played the Prototype (after playing a Sunburst for a while). The Proto II wasn't his design, but it was the forerunner of the SSI/Prototype SS.

I would love to tell you what Steve told me about his experience with Hamer, but it isn't too hard to figure out.

Dave

[hardheartedbill]

I want to know what pissed off 100% of the Hamer endorsers from the 80's

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

yngwie308

A lot of the 80s Hamer endorsers were broke or falling on harder times in the 90s and since Hamer didn't give guitars away like BC Rich, etc, you stopped seeing a lot of them in peoples' hands.

Steve S. played the Prototype (after playing a Sunburst for a while). The Proto II wasn't his design, but it was the forerunner of the SSI/Prototype SS.

I would love to tell you what Steve told me about his experience with Hamer, but it isn't too hard to figure out.

Dave

PM me!!!! I'd love to hear it

[cmatthes]

Ditto!

[andrew m]

Me too. Please!

[silentman]

DMK, LI

[HAMERMAN]

Me too please.

BTW: Here is mine. Definitely never owned by Steve! :-)

[andrew m]

I want to know what pissed off 100% of the Hamer endorsers from the 80's

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

yngwie308

A lot of the 80s Hamer endorsers were broke or falling on harder times in the 90s and since Hamer didn't give guitars away like BC Rich, etc, you stopped seeing a lot of them in peoples' hands.

Steve S. played the Prototype (after playing a Sunburst for a while). The Proto II wasn't his design, but it was the forerunner of the SSI/Prototype SS.

I would love to tell you what Steve told me about his experience with Hamer, but it isn't too hard to figure out.

Dave

Would Mark Younger Smith's endorement be mentioned???

[jisham]

I'm sure we all wanna know what Steve said so why not just post it for all to see?

[iownit4]

here is 1 of mine

[yngwie308]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

yngwie308

There is your answer, Steve wasn't paid by Hamer...................that's all I have, OK?

Thanks

yngwie308

[yngwie308]

Any more replies, thanks for those that did..........

yngwie308

[pesocaster]

here is 1 of mine

Looks strangely familiar...... he he he Helped fund the one in the sig....... I have been thinking about the Mirage 1 and the studio.... mostly the Mirage 1 (correct scale for me)....

Cheers Rob!

[mc2]

I sold all of my SSI's over the past year (the blue marble one just two weeks ago.) The only Steve Stevens I still have is the SSII sustain block one.

FYI...the bottom pic is Steve jamming onstage with his pal Nikki Camp who I got the SSII from (has his name on the headstock.) I think he said it was a gift from Steve.

[BTMN]

Nice thread. I dig what Steve did to a Special

Been thinking about parting ways with mine though, as I'm not much of a Floyd playing guy. Guitar plays so Cool though.

There's ANOTHER Vector calling my name though.

HMMM......

[yngwie308]

Nice thread. I dig what Steve did to a Special

Been thinking about parting ways with mine though, as I'm not much of a Floyd playing guy. Guitar plays so Cool though.

There's ANOTHER Vector calling my name though.

HMMM......

Very nice BTMN, any more pics..?

Here is an excellent Washburn SS100 signed by Steve:

yngwie308