Hamer USA guitar

[GKeiser]

Hello,I`m new to this forum.I have what I was told is a Hamer Chaperal guitar.It has boomerang inlays,Floyd Rose locking system.I was just wondering what it could be worth?I found out it is an 1986,serial number is in ink on the back of the headstock: 615120. I purchased the guitar around 1994 from a guy I was taking lessons from.Was told it had Seymour Duncan pickups in it,all I know is that it sounds great.I`m not sure if I want to get rid of it or not,Just looking for info on it.

Thanks,

Greg K. Cincinnati,Ohio

[tomteriffic]

Welcome from just up the road in Dayton. I don't have one, but Chapps are a popular item around here and I'm sure that some experts on the matter will pop up shortly.

By the way,

Welcome aboard!

[GKeiser]

Thank you.Yep,I`m still learning how to post pics.

My Webpage

[cmatthes]

Cool! Definitely an '86 Chap - set neck, 3 mini toggles and a great color, too.

[GKeiser]

Cool! Definitely an '86 Chap - set neck, 3 mini toggles and a great color, too.

Thank you for posting a bigger pic.It is a great guitar.The pickups in it scream!

[chap]

Welcome to HFC!

As you described, an 86 Chap with boomers, all original, in exc. condition, include original HSC ... I say around the $1000 USD range if you sell it on Ebay. I'd say average $650-800 USD range and probably less if you sell it locally.

Although I seen them for as low as $150 CAD for a broken one (headstock) with no finish (removed), no case, no serial number. Recently I saw a $395 CAD one locally but with issues.

The yellow chap is mine, it's an '86 ... bought it for $400 USD probably 8-10 years ago now just to show how these things are appreciating in price

Here's my favorite '86 Chap (not mine)

If you're thinking of selling it, you'll likely regret it.

[Steve Haynie]

There was a period when set neck Chaparrals were breaking $1000 on eBay, but it seems like they have come down in the last year or two. Of course, condition is everything when putting a value on a guitar like that.

[atquinn]

I don't think anyone mentioned it, but that's a shortscale Chap as well (3 mini-toggles).

-Austin

[JGale]

Don't let these guys mislead you, they SUCK..

Send it ot me immediately to avoid furhter embarassment.

[ET_KenW]

I'm thinking you could probably get between $550 to $800 for this. On a good day it may go up to $1000. What color is it? Looking at the picture, especially at the headstock, it almost looks like seafoam green.

[GaryT]

I agree on the Seafoam Green. I like the short-scale with the super switching. You have a nice Axe. I also get the feeling you will miss that one. Specially since it came from a music teacher of yours. There's a story behind it.

If you thinking of selling/trading it post it in the For-Sale forum here. It will catch some action.

[Brooks]

i have been unsure of the differences in chaps and centuras,

so i looked it up here on HFC (main page, "guitars A-M");

Centaura (1989 - 1995) - Downsized contoured body (alder or swamp-ash) with offset double cutaways, 24 fret bolt-on maple neck (25.5 inch scale length). The peghead is not angled back and is reversed on early examples (up to 1992). The fingerboard has dot inlays towards the upper edge and can be rosewood, pau ferro, maple or ebony (with twin boomerang inlays, Deluxe version only). Pickups are a humbucker and two single coils (EMG on Deluxe) and all are fitted with a Floyd Rose trem..

Chaparral (1st version) (1985 - 1987) - contoured body with offset double cutaways, glued-in maple neck (24.75 inch scale length) with 24 fret rosewood fingerboard, dot-inlays and steeply angled peghead. Fitted with a humbucker and two single-coil pickups (usually Hamer Slammers) and Floyd Rose trem.. Some guitars are fitted with Kahler trems.. The Chaparral Custom is as above but has an ebony fingerboard, boomerang inlays and upgraded pickups (usually OBL). Usually fitted with three mini-switches and front mounted output jack.

Chaparral (2nd version) (1987 - 1994) - the Standard version is as above but has a bolt-on neck (with a modified peghead) and a 25.5" inch scale length. The Elite has optional figured maple- top, ebony fingerboard, boomerang inlays and upgraded pickups. The Custom is essentially the same as the 1st version but has a 25.5 inch scale-length. Also sometimes fitted with Sustainiac circuitry (circa 1990 only). All are fitted with 5-way switch and side mounted output jack. Single humbucker versions are also seen. 12-string Chaparral has a glued-in neck.

SEEMS THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IS THE BODY STYLE (CENTAURA IS STRAT LIKE, CHAPARRAL HAS A WIDER WAIST).

i have a "mutt" (cent body w/ a chap neck) which is the best shredder i've owned.

[Jorge]

The model you have there is, IMHO, the most beautiful production-line Hamer ever made.

The fact of Hamer being unable, with a product as good as most in the competition ("shredders in general") to make a killing in the market testifies as to the difficulties of the company positioning its products.

In fact, in lieu of introducing the Daytona/T-51 line, they might have concentrated in producing the short-scale Chap (and *maybe* long-scale, but with the same looks) in different versions: Floyd, normal floating bridge, fixed bridge. They would have KILLED.

And yes, prices are in the mentioned ranges, but that's because most are either broken, waisted, have bad or replaced frets, are refinished, etc. If yours is in primo condition, you should get more then $1K.

[chap]

I think the over $1K is reserved for custom Chaps (boomer inlays), exc. non modified condition, orig case and RED... also getting $1K for a chap I think also depends on the profile of the seller on ebay. At least up here ... chaps for over $600 CAD don't sell locally.

Realistically, I think you'll get around the $800 mark for it. But you'll regret it for sure.

[Punkavenger]

Yeah ... Thats a keeper. You couldn't find a better guitar for the price.

[chap]

Yea keep it, you'll be posting a "what have I done" thread the minute after you sell it.

Seafoam green is not a color that strikes passion in anyone except for us Hamer nuts. Surely others have noticed that there is some kind of a relationship between color and price.

[marcnorth]

Welcome to the board, cool looking guitar. I don't agree with seafoam green being the color.

[specialk]

I don't agree with seafoam green being the color.

+1.

Not Ice Pearl either, but some Ice color I think.

[cmatthes]

I believe it is Sky Blue Pearl.

Looks very similar to Serial's '86 that was built for Fernando Von Arb. Yours is a very early '86 and has a Floyd - his is numbered about 900 or so guitars after yours (and has a Kahler).

[bubs_42]

Its the story of the ever Hamer. You will not find a better guitar for the Money. Don't let it go for less than 1K.

[harry65]

i have been unsure of the differences in chaps and centuras,

so i looked it up here on HFC (main page, "guitars A-M");

Centaura (1989 - 1995) - Downsized contoured body (alder or swamp-ash) with offset double cutaways, 24 fret bolt-on maple neck (25.5 inch scale length). The peghead is not angled back and is reversed on early examples (up to 1992). The fingerboard has dot inlays towards the upper edge and can be rosewood, pau ferro, maple or ebony (with twin boomerang inlays, Deluxe version only). Pickups are a humbucker and two single coils (EMG on Deluxe) and all are fitted with a Floyd Rose trem..

Chaparral (1st version) (1985 - 1987) - contoured body with offset double cutaways, glued-in maple neck (24.75 inch scale length) with 24 fret rosewood fingerboard, dot-inlays and steeply angled peghead. Fitted with a humbucker and two single-coil pickups (usually Hamer Slammers) and Floyd Rose trem.. Some guitars are fitted with Kahler trems.. The Chaparral Custom is as above but has an ebony fingerboard, boomerang inlays and upgraded pickups (usually OBL). Usually fitted with three mini-switches and front mounted output jack.

Chaparral (2nd version) (1987 - 1994) - the Standard version is as above but has a bolt-on neck (with a modified peghead) and a 25.5" inch scale length. The Elite has optional figured maple- top, ebony fingerboard, boomerang inlays and upgraded pickups. The Custom is essentially the same as the 1st version but has a 25.5 inch scale-length. Also sometimes fitted with Sustainiac circuitry (circa 1990 only). All are fitted with 5-way switch and side mounted output jack. Single humbucker versions are also seen. 12-string Chaparral has a glued-in neck.

SEEMS THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IS THE BODY STYLE (CENTAURA IS STRAT LIKE, CHAPARRAL HAS A WIDER WAIST).

i have a "mutt" (cent body w/ a chap neck) which is the best shredder i've owned.

that is one badazzz mutt bro , i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GKeiser]

Thanks for all the compliments on my Hamer.I`m really looking for a reason to tell the wife why I "need" to keep it.It really shreds,I`ve never heard a guitar with such a "sting",even through my little Crate amp I have.I take good care of all my guitars (Hamer,Epiphone Les Paul and my acoustic).I guess I should buy some new strings and break it out again.

You all have some sweet axes too.

[chap]

Thanks for all the compliments on my Hamer.I`m really looking for a reason to tell the wife why I "need" to keep it.It really shreds,I`ve never heard a guitar with such a "sting",even through my little Crate amp I have.I take good care of all my guitars (Hamer,Epiphone Les Paul and my acoustic).I guess I should buy some new strings and break it out again.

You all have some sweet axes too.

Tell her "If the guitar goes, so do I" - then put your headset on and turn it up a notch.

And when buying new gear, try:

"It's an investment, I'll sell it in a year after I have some fun with it and probably make some money"

"Well I have 3 Chaps and 2 kids, I want to be fair so I need one more"

"I just want to see which one I like better"

LOL