Hamer Scepter Bass with LED inlays

[Guest TommyHahn70]

I'm considering selling this, but am unsure as to what it might be worth. (I tried to get help from Hamer, but they said that fixing it wasn't "cost effective." I'll be the judge of that. Just give me an estimate, guys!) If anyone has any suggestions, please write.

[MCChris]

I'm considering selling this, but am unsure as to what it might be worth. (I tried to get help from Hamer, but they said that fixing it wasn't "cost effective." I'll be the judge of that. Just give me an estimate, guys!) If anyone has any suggestions, please write.

tobereeno recently did some extensive work to the neck of a bass with LEDs. Wait for him to chime in, or you can PM him.

[Luke]

That is what this guys does

[serial]

Post pics!

This would be a pretty pricey repair and depending on why the LED isn't lighting up, could be a more or less complicated fix, but complicated nonetheless.

The repair of the LEDs would involve removing the fingerboard. Without seeing pics, I would guess that the LEDs that are out are closest to the body as that seems to be the most common (they don't usually "burn" out randomly). I have an SS2 with LEDs and the last dot is out. VERY cool looking effect, but I doubt Hamer would want to take on that repair as busy as they are. SIMS is pretty pricey, but if you'd like, I know one or two of the original Hamer guys who installed those-I can ask to see if they'd be interested. Oddly enough, I've been talking with one of them as of yesterday after not being in touch for more than a year and he does guitar work still. Where are you located?

[marcnorth]

email sent.

[cmatthes]

I'm sure that you've probably already tried this, but as corny as it sounds, my SS1 with LEDs had the last marker out when I got it. The previous owner mentioned that it didn't work - not a problem for me. I switched from the Duracell that was in ther to an Energizer 9v for the LEDs, and it WORKED. Later, I switched back to a Duracell, no light. Popped another Energizer in and it came right on. I have done this several times, and every time, the Duracell brand battery is a dud and the Energizer works.

Could it possibly be a battery issue? Could the Battery contacts be slightly different or something?

Just an idea - I haven't had any "Lights Out" in several years now.

[Guest TommyHahn70]

I've been told that LEDs just don't burn out. However, if you remove the AA battery adapter and use a 9V, it gets them burning hot enough to eff up the contacts. That was what i did. I didn't know any better.

[serial]

True from what I've heard. Compromises to the filament going up the neck is apparently also a common culprit.

[Guest TommyHahn70]

Whatever the case, I'm thinking about unloading it. That's the only problem with it. I just don't play it. I don't know what to ask for it?

[serial]

Post some pics. You'll certainly get the $350 offers here (an inside joke-not to be taken seriously!), but it should do ok-those aren't very common to begin with and when you add LEDs the cool factor jumps even more.

[Guest TommyHahn70]

I'll take some new pics, but here are the before an afters from '92.

[HamStd]

Tommy: cool bass you have there. As discussed above, I think the problem most people have with LEDs in the neck burning out is due to most people sticking a 9 volt battery in there after the adapter for the two 1.5 v double AAs get lost and it toast the LEDs as the pins look similar.

Major cool bass you have. Is it long or short scale???

Here are a couple of mine and I believe another HFC'er will chime in with his 12 string monster!!!!

Peter.

Long scale bass:

Short scale bass made for Jack Blades of Night Ranger

[Guest TommyHahn70]

Wow! A Jack Blades bass is a holy grail to me! That is teriffic! You lucky duck! Mine is a long scale. Do you have piccolo strings on yours, too? I have new photos to post, but i can't figure out how to get them up there--even after doing it yesterday!

[mc2]

OK Peter....I hear ya! Here it 'tis...the infamouse "Willie Basse" Scepter 12ver

--shaved down 3/4 body w/upper horn cutaway access

--pink pearl snakeskin finish all around

--red LEDs

--triple-coil Bartolini PU with custom electronic config

--ebony w/boomers

--and yes..."Willie Basse" on the headstock (bassist for the 80s all-black metal band out of Hollywood "Black Sheep"...he's also in the classic metal video "Hearing Aide" with all the metal gods of the day;)

Unfortunately, this bass does not make a sound unless I put on my skin tight red leather outfit and multi-colored Afro wig before pluggin it in

Willie's been offering to buy it back for the last 2 years...seriously.

[BCR Greg]

mc2, you are the Baddest of the Bad.

[Guest TommyHahn70]

Man, that thing is BRUTAL!!!

[mc2]

Gee Uncle Greg...does that mean you look up to me?

Oh wait. You HAVE to...I'm 6"1"

[HamStd]

mc2, you are the Baddest of the Bad.

Oh Sure Greg, just because Jon has the long flowing hair and has been on TV-you love him more than me, fine.

Peter.

[SirDouglas]

at least some people still HAVE hair to show hahaha

Sir Douglas

Randy

[Guest TommyHahn70]

By the way, Jon...I actually sent the Scepter back to Hamer where they redid the whole paint job--not just the blue areas. Same thing with the purple Chap.

[cmatthes]

Jon's bass is a bit on the subtle side...

[copper blue]

subtle like a love note taped to a brick and thrown thru the front window!

[serial]

Speaking of Jack Blades, this one's headed out in a few days... He played this one when I saw them in '84-I think that predated his Blades Bass. He also had the American Flag 7/8 Standard that night.

[Guest TommyHahn70]

That's a great bass! What ever became of those Hamer Impact basses he played with Damn Yankees?

[serial]

I think he still may have one or more of those. He still had the Hamer Violin bass with Ringo.

Speaking of Impacts, here's the first prototype.