Offshore Hamer Standard Mods

[gtone]

I acknowledge that some folks may feel that modding an import is time/money poorly spent (the term "polishing a turd" comes to mind), but in this case, there could be an exception. I have a Korina bodied XT Standard that is a great player (low action, decent intonation, stays in tune, well balanced), but the sound quality just doesn't quite meet that of my Hamer USA guitar. There's plenty of promise with what's there - Korina body (not one piece, mind), Duncan 59/JB pickups and a bone nut, but it just falls a bit short tone-wise (note clarity and "richness" slightly lacking).

FWIW, I tend to hold onto guitars for years (last guit I parted with was a blonde Tele I had for 24 yrs), so it's unlikely I'll be worried about mods that I have to get my money back on. As it is now, I'll probably keep this as a backup as it is a great playing guitar (a little better than my USA Hamer, actually...), notwithstanding any mods I may consider.

I suspect the controls and internals as perhaps being the weak tonal links in this case. Is it worthwhile upgrading these items (ie. will there be any noticeable tonal improvements)? Anyone have any experience with worthwhile mods for imports? Should I give up hoping that this axe will ever sound better than it does now or am I just dreaming in color?

[gtone]

Played the guitar for about 45 mins. tonight after picking it up from my buddy that'd installed the new wiring harness kit. Besides the tactile differences of the new pots, there is actually a notable improvement in tone, perhaps more than expected actually (I was skeptical, after all). Having said that, the differences are still fairly subtle - there is a slight improvement in note clarity across the board and the tone pot's treble roll-off is much more gradual and yields a greater range of sweet tonal options free of the inherent muddiness in the same positions previously.

Earth-shattering tonal differences? No - body/neck woods and pickups would obviously account for the largest portion of the tonal characteristics of most any guitar and make quantum differences in the richness of tone and coloration. Worth the $36? While YMMV, I'd say a definite yes to that one.

So, for me anyways, there seems to be something to this "turd polishing" experiment. Next up - Gotoh aluminum TOM tailpiece (claimed by some to add a bit more "air" to the tone) and an upgraded bridge to improve intonation (the import piece is so poor, it's almost impossible to set intonation with any degree of accuracy). This should keep me well under my $100 budget for the experiment, have a little fun along the way and possibly continue to improve a guitar that's a decent player (good enough for a backup, anyhoo...).

[gorch]

Played the guitar for about 45 mins. tonight after picking it up from my buddy that'd installed the new wiring harness kit. Besides the tactile differences of the new pots, there is actually a notable improvement in tone, perhaps more than expected actually (I was skeptical, after all). Having said that, the differences are still fairly subtle - there is a slight improvement in note clarity across the board and the tone pot's treble roll-off is much more gradual and yields a greater range of sweet tonal options free of the inherent muddiness in the same positions previously.

Earth-shattering tonal differences? No - body/neck woods and pickups would obviously account for the largest portion of the tonal characteristics of most any guitar and make quantum differences in the richness of tone and coloration. Worth the $36? While YMMV, I'd say a definite yes to that one.

So, for me anyways, there seems to be something to this "turd polishing" experiment. Next up - Gotoh aluminum TOM tailpiece (claimed by some to add a bit more "air" to the tone) and an upgraded bridge to improve intonation (the import piece is so poor, it's almost impossible to set intonation with any degree of accuracy). This should keep me well under my $100 budget for the experiment, have a little fun along the way and possibly continue to improve a guitar that's a decent player (good enough for a backup, anyhoo...).

The Korina Standard (your guitar) has "real" pickups built in stock. Most other import models have cheaper OEM stuff wired. Now, I think you've reached the best sound you can get from this guitar unless you don't like the SD 59ers. As far as I know, the Standards offer more than rock tone. Hence, there's room to play with.

[raythewrench]

Can I butt in ? I called Bill/ becky lawerence (not to be confused with imposters using lawerence pickup name) and put a set of XL 500/L500 is an import "flame job" explorer no pickguard (only way I can describe it) hamer made. BIg Improvement witth stock electronics. and beyond modest price like 55 bucks per unit the name they use is wylde pickups b/c of legal issues etc.. but all His stuff is great.This was like 2-3 years ago. later RTW......

[murkat]

FWIW,

you might be a lil disappointed in the results of the light weight

Tail piece for the guitar.....

Many times experienced that the light weight is too

light for a slab body guitar, they are great on a Les Paul type...

Example~ guys who pony up for a historic SG, but in the end

complain about the naselly midrange honk.

Change out light for a Heavy... Bingo.

A new improved bridge will wake it up big time.