Hamer News?

[Thundersteel]

I don't know if this is old news or not, but this was posted recently on leftyfrets.net by DHR music, a Hamer dealer

http://www.leftyfrets.net/showthread.php?t=2789

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Important News From Hamer Guitars !

To current or prospective Hamer Owners :

We just received some important news from Hamer. Effective immediately, Hamer will become a custom shop exclusively.

What are the implications of these actions ? I've spent a lot of time analyzing

the consequences since DHR is an authorized Hamer Dealer. For what it is worth, my conclusion of this devlopment is primarily, if not entirely, a positive.

These are my thoughts :

1) First of all, I must applaud Hamer (Fender) for this move, although it should have been initiated a while ago.

2) This initiative will enhance Hamer's reputation and desirability

in the marketplace for two reasons :

a )Becoming an exclusively build vs. order guitar maker transforms Hamer into one of the elite- names that come to mind are Hahn, Beard, Griffin, Nik Huber, New Orleans, etc.

b)When the overhang is absorbed into the market, aftermarket prices should firm up quite a bit. In the case of LH Hamer instruments, the firming effect should be more pronounced owing to the relative scarity. As far as I know,

DHR is the only LH dealer with any meaningful inventory.

3) Most buyers do not want to wait 6-12 months for a custom ordered guitar,

so as the word gets out, we should see supply fall and demand increase.

4) Assuming nothing else changes, a likely future development would be

an increased focus on product enhancement and innovation resulting in more expensive lines. Eventually,this could lead to overall price increases.

5)The most extreme outcome would be Fender deciding to eliminate the Hamer line completely. While I think this is quite unlikely, ultimately, Fender may be forced to do this to conserve cash. I for one would hate to see this happen as Hamer is one of the most innovative and highest quality makers.

I would think the current Hamer owners would benefit economically over time, however, I dont think any of us want to make money this way.

6) I understand that the Company was able to transfer most it not all of their luthiers to other divisions within Fender. While I do not know the entire impact on Hamer employees, on the surface, this shows the company's commitment to its stakeholders -another positive reflection on Hamer's management.

7) Hamer is/was a very lefty friendly maker- 100% of their models are available with no upcharge. We all know that this is quite costly, however, the committment to lefties has been unwavering.

[LostArt]

well

I have not heard anything official yet so I will reserve my thoughts

[mirrorimij]

Have any of the dealers here heard anything? Seems premature (almost irresponsible) to post that without an official announcement.

Not that it matters but I disagree with several of the "thoughts" listed.

Has anyone heard if the import line has been discontinued? My local dealer told me that a sales rep told him they were not building any more imports. I haven't heard or seen that anywhere else.

edited to add that I was referring to the leftyfrets thread in my second sentence. I didn't mean Thundersteel's post was premature or irresponsible.

[ArnieZ]

Hamer lefty's at no upcharge? News to me!!

ArnieZ

[Jason01]

Yea, I never heard they dropped their lefty upcharge either.

[ArnieZ]

Lefty upcharge still listed on the website as $300

ArnieZ

[serial]

I had heard rumblings about this over the past month or two. Nothing "official", but from sources that would seem to make sense. Still, I don't accept anything 100% without an actual "official statement" from the company, although this would not be a surprise, particularly judging from the realignment of duties there of late.

[BubbaVO]

Isn't this consistent with what BCRGreg said?

[Citrus]

yea, that along with their recent selloff of in house stock at reduced prices may have been a signal towards a different direction.

Hmmmm......................" Hamer will become a custom shop exclusively."

Wonder if they will become a "true" custom shop or a Henry Ford custom shop

You can get any inlays you want as long as theyare victories - or -

I'll take 1 with crowns and 1 with boomers

or even - I'll take a Standard with the original headstock shape!!!

Look forward to some official word

[polara]

Makes sense in terms of FMIC aligning all their brands to cover all markets. I only have one Hamer now, a "lowly" '93 P90 Special but I'd it against anything in terms of solid construction, great sounds, and top-to-bottom integrity so more power to 'em as a full custom outfit.

[HSB0531]

I'll wait for an official statement also.

My perfect scenario though, is Hamer USA being a true custom shop.

Custom orders are what they do, & enjoy doing best.

They're at the top of their game; truly outstanding work.

Witness Veatch & Moozaks' examples on the Hamer blog.

And, there seems to be plenty of used USA & XT models here and on ebay for the players who want a Hamer without the sticker shock.

[silentman]

Too obvious.

[bizzwriter]

Isn't this consistent with what BCRGreg said?

Yup.

[mirrorimij]

Isn't this consistent with what BCRGreg said?

Yup.

Can someone direct me to the post from Greg? I thought Greg's news was about Hamer's participation at the NAMM show. I can't find that thread anymore.

[BCR Greg]

Hamer is no longer producing stock models. The 100+ unsold guitars up in New Hartford have shown that the public is not interested in any more 59 Burst Studio Customs.

They ARE taking in custom orders, though most of the requests that we have made have been priced over what we consider an acceptable amount. You would think that they would encourage business, but so far it has not been the case.

We will see what happens.

More change is afoot, nothing is solid right now.

[specialk]

Gee, thanks Fender, (@$$holes)....

[bubs_42]

Gee, thanks Fender, (@$$holes)....

I wouldn't lay the any blame on Fender directly. This ship has been on course for some time, lets just hope it makes it to port.

Edited to correct for my poor education...

[bizzwriter]

Well -- maybe Jol and crew will be given the opportunity to buy Hamer back from Fender. THAT might be the best possible outcome...

[DaveL]

bash Fender all you want... but there are other companies that

have been better at reading the changing marketplace than Hamer.

Perhaps a custom shop house is their lot in life...

I spend my life in manufacturing, inventory control and materials

management... I feel the pressure of the world economy every day

of the week. I sometimes look at those list prices and wonder if

Hamer is oblivious to it...

my apologies if I'm too harsh.

[HSB0531]

Well -- maybe Jol and crew will be given the opportunity to buy Hamer back from Fender. THAT might be the best possible outcome...

I would hope that the only change will be that Hamer stays a full on custom shop.

But, if FMIC/KMC decided to sell, I would also like to see it offered to Jol & crew first.

If it was sold though, I don't know if there would be a high enough profit margin to keep it viable at current prices.

When Kaman Corp. owned it, wasn't the XT line the bread and butter that allowed the USA shop to have the freedom to create higher quality guitars & basses?

I guess it's just going to be a wait and see.

[Uncle Thor's Hamer]

Having tasted the fineness of Hamer, it would be difficult to go back to a cheap guitar. But honestly, most of us are just hobbiests and have no need for an expensive guitar. When we can afford the luxury, we get great enjoyment out of acquiring and playing fine instruments. Just look, though, at what has happened to many of our friends on these forums who have a financial crunch and sell their Hamer or other fine guitar.

The first thing to go in tough economic times are the luxuries. Unfortunately, that is what Hamer is to those who are not pro musicians.

I expect that we'll see the number of high end guitar makers reduced as the economy reduces the demand for their products. I sure hope Hamer is a survivor.

[BCR Greg]

Gee, thanks Fender, (@$$holes)....

WAY off base, and stupid to say in any situation.

I would love to tell you more, but suffice it to say that this is not directly a Fender decision. Hamer is owned by KMC, and THEY have the power.

Let's stop making rash statements and sit back and see what happens.

[specialk]

WAY off base, and stupid to say in any situation.

Thanks for setting me straight Greg. Do tell more....

[The Shark]

Time for 4-digit Standard relics for less than the vintage ones. "For less than the vintage ones" is probably THE roadblock. Oh, well. It was worth spending a fleeting moment wishing.

[Thundersteel]

I wasn't sure about the authenticity of the source, so that's why I posted it here--to get the facts.

Maybe an official announcement will be out soon.