Hamer Standard Korean Necks and Serial Numbers

[sledhead44]

Hi!

I have tried to check out any old posts on this topic, but can anyone tell me the the difference (if any)between the Korean Standard necks and the USA Standard necks?

Also, my two Korean Standards have the Serial Number (starting 08) on the back of the Headstock parallel to the tuning keys, but I'm looking at another Koeran one that has the Serial Number (starting 15) on the back, but at the bottom Headstock. Any body know what years these are from and if there was a difference in production? (where made, neck size, quality)

Thanks!

[Jem]

I know very little about the non US stuff but i can tell you that it's been discussed before and the serial numbers on the 'imports' relates to nothing at all.

[mathman]

The wood and construction of the USA's are superior to the imports. That said the imports are pretty good for the money. The Hamer XT series are good guitars, The old Hamer Slammer from the 90's are good, but the Slammer By Hamer are generally lower on the scale.

Many guys on here know much more about the USA's than I.

[gorch]

There seem to be a difference on the labeling of the guitars. Korean Standards made in years around 2000 up to at least 2002 are labeled "Hamer" on the headstock. The younger models are labeled "Hamer" with "XT-Series" underneath the Hamer logo.

I have one Korean Standard that's said being produced in 2002 and the serial number starts with a 2.

I case you have the simple Hamer logo printed on the headstock of your guitars and assumed a similar serial numbering system applies to the Korean made as it applies to the USA made then yours are from 2000 and 2001.

On ebay I have seen new guitars for sale in the past that had first digits on the serial number that were close to the year of sale.

Although, many HFC members say the numbering system relates to nothing at all. I see a similarity to the USA serial number system but on a much higher production quantity. In this case the first digit would be reserved for the year of production whereas the rest of the number is a continuous count. I wonder how they distinguish the various production facilities.

[cmatthes]

There seem to be a difference on the labeling of the guitars. Korean Standards made in years around 2000 up to at least 2002 are labeled "Hamer" on the headstock. The younger models are labeled "Hamer" with "XT-Series" underneath the Hamer logo.

IIRC, the "XT Series" are not Korean, but of Chinese/Indonesian origin.

I was told directly from the guy who handled Hamer's import line that the serial numbers assigned have nothing at all to do with the year, and that was not a reliable way to date your guitar. The numbers have more to do with batch and location codes than production year.

The import numbering scheme is not at all like the USA progression.

[mirrorimij]

I have an XT that was built in Indonesia- never saw one from Korea. It is a nice guitar for the price I paid. I would consider it a Hamer in name only. IMHO, it ain't a true Hamer unless it is built with the "stressed neck system" discussed here..

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1315676775234

http://hamerguitars.com/?fa=details

Please don't take my comments the wrong way. There is nothing wrong with the imports. I'm just trying to save you the trouble of buying an import, upgrading it with parts that you can never recoup the cost on, deciding it still isn't like the USA models, taking a huge hit on resale on the import and purchasing a used USA model. Save some time and hold out for the USA model if at all possible.

Oh yeah, WELCOME!

[mathman]

Please don't take my comments the wrong way. There is nothing wrong with the imports. I'm just trying to save you the trouble of buying an import, upgrading it with parts that you can never recoup the cost on, deciding it still isn't like the USA models, taking a huge hit on resale on the import and purchasing a used USA model. Save some time and hold out for the USA model if at all possible.

Oh yeah, WELCOME!

Go ahead and succumb to USA GAS. Save yourself a step in the HAMER assimilation process.

[Punkavenger]

And if you're concerned more about neck shape, playability etc. etc. The Korean Standard I had, had a nice medium shape but a really really flat fretboard radius. The frets were rough on the edges which is why I sold it.

Wish I would of thought to take it to a competent luthier. I probabaly would have kept it. Put Duncan distortions in it and it screamed.

[Bennyboy-UK]

I have no useful knowledge or information at all about this question.

However Guitarist magazine rated an import Hamer V as top of the pops in a comparison with a pile of other 'shape' guitars. Of note were playability, 'fat' sound and excellent value for money. It gave me a warm glow to read!

The others in the roundup included some much more recognised brands and corresponding higher priced guitars that were less impressive.

Over the last 5 years or so the UK guitar press (that I've seen) has given Hamer instruments accross the boars fab reviews irrespective of the country of manufacture, and nicely in context with their competition.

So about that neck profile...!

B