what will the longterm impact of Dantzig's departure from Hamer be

[atquinn]

I don't really see any surprises coming out of Hamer

Aw, come on Austin!

Post Jol surprises list, to me, so far:

1-Crowns

2-Logo placement

3-FB's

4-?

I'm sure we'll be seeing more...

Hey, I'm not saying they're not cool, because they definitely are, but it seems as though what we will be seeing from Hamer is flexibility in options combined with a willingness to resuscitate dormant models. And as far as actual new stock models, like the Tallys and Monacos, it looks like we won't be seeing anything like that.

-Austin

[cmatthes]

Hey, I'm not saying they're not cool, because they definitely are, but it seems as though what we will be seeing from Hamer is flexibility in options combined with a willingness to resuscitate dormant models. And as far as actual new stock models, like the Tallys and Monacos, it looks like we won't be seeing anything like that.

-Austin

Austin - Jol didn't just invent all of those guitars, you know that, right?

[atquinn]

Hey, I'm not saying they're not cool, because they definitely are, but it seems as though what we will be seeing from Hamer is flexibility in options combined with a willingness to resuscitate dormant models. And as far as actual new stock models, like the Tallys and Monacos, it looks like we won't be seeing anything like that.

-Austin

Austin - Jol didn't just invent all of those guitars, you know that, right?

Yeah I know, but it seems his departure coincides with the custom-order only move, which doesn't really seem to support the ideas of new models being introduced. I suppose I'm guilty of conflating the 2 things in my mind without any evidence that they're related.

-Austin

[cmatthes]

Yeah I know, but it seems his departure coincides with the custom-order only move, which doesn't really seem to support the ideas of new models being introduced. I suppose I'm guilty of conflating the 2 things in my mind without any evidence that they're related.

-Austin

That custom order only policy was instituted under his watch over year and a half ago, IIRC.

[BubbaVO]

Hopefully, Hamer will make more money for the parent and the parent will keep them around. And Jol will be able to dabble into whatever he wants. Good luck to both.

[JohnnyB]

... Jol was one cog, albeit a big one, but just as we are cogs at our jobs too. YOMV.

It looks like Jol is being remembered more as a monkey wrench than a cog.

[specialk]

Hopefully, Hamer will make more money for the parent and the parent will keep them around. And Jol will be able to dabble into whatever he wants. Good luck to both.

+1.

[atquinn]

Yeah I know, but it seems his departure coincides with the custom-order only move, which doesn't really seem to support the ideas of new models being introduced. I suppose I'm guilty of conflating the 2 things in my mind without any evidence that they're related.

-Austin

That custom order only policy was instituted under his watch over year and a half ago, IIRC.

Well, shows you how much I've been paying attention!

Anyway, It would be nice if, eventually, Hamer could get away from custom-only sometime in the (far distant) future, but given that it was probably that or go belly-up, I'm certainly not complaining.

And has anyone tried to order a guitar like Kim's yet?

-Austin

[jisham]

All I can wonder is how many sales Hamer lost with Jol at the helm, denying some people (like me) then approving the same thing for others? Perhaps if he didn't operate that way, Hamer would be in much better shape these days. Perhaps not. I dunno but I always thought he was a prick.

[Zork]

It looks like you can pay 3-5 large and you DON'T have to get victory inlays if you want anything other than dots or nothing (if you love 'em, I'll love 'em with you and for you, but I never wanted them).

Gunpoint, loaded with pompous bullets.

[LefThanDed]

Meh - Danzig left The Misfits over 25 years ago and they are still recording/touring.

[hardheartedbill]

All I can wonder is how many sales Hamer lost with Jol at the helm, denying some people (like me) then approving the same thing for others? Perhaps if he didn't operate that way, Hamer would be in much better shape these days. Perhaps not. I dunno but I always thought he was a prick.

THEN the same models turned up @ Namm w/ much fanfare, truly amazing

[Scottcrud]

I never understood why companies specifically Hamer and Robin boast about their Custom shops, when you ask them for something custom they don't want to do it. Truly baffling.

[sw686blue]

I never understood why companies specifically Hamer and Robin boast about their Custom shops, when you ask them for something custom they don't want to do it. Truly baffling.

Cause it looks cool on their web page!

[cmatthes]

I never understood why companies specifically Hamer and Robin boast about their Custom shops, when you ask them for something custom they don't want to do it. Truly baffling.

In all fairness, there are different levels and expectations as to what a true "Custom Shop" is and can do. I don't think Hamer was (or is) all that different from PRS, Gibson, Fender, Robin, etc. as far as their respective Custom Shops. PRS isn't going to make you an Explorer bodied guitar, even though they've done that before. Fender isn't going to make you a Les Paul Style guitar, and Jackson won't make you a Firebird with the correct shape, no matter how much money you toss their way. Every Custom Shop that I'm familiar with allows any number of variations on several base model platforms. Tricking out a stock/standard model with exotic woods, inlays, boutique pickups and bizarre paint seems to be as far as most go these days.

True, Jol shot down dozens of ideas that some of us pitched, but guess what? So has Paul Smith and Joe Knaggs over the years. Same deal with Fender and Gibson - I'm sure Jay/Murkat could chip in on that point. I'm definitely not making apologies for anybody anywhere, but most of the time there's a reason something doesn't (or won't) get done...and sometimes there just isn't. That doesn't mean it's not a real Custom Shop. If you want a "sky's the limit" shop, try a small independent builder or one of those Chinese or Eastern European/Russian builders that'll build to any crazy spec you want.

I think the fact that Hamer has opened up the door to things they've done before is a really good thing. The way they're set up, that won't dilute a line of stock instruments, and also keeps things flowing up there. When and if FMIC decides to put more backing and effort behind the Hamer brand, then that might change, so as David B. said, now might indeed be the time to place that (reasonably) crazy order!

[Devnor]

You missed the point. The rub is when they refuse a custom option when asked by Joe but then build it for Jack 6 months later.

[JohnnyB]

In all fairness, there are different levels and expectations as to what a true "Custom Shop" is and can do. I don't think Hamer was (or is) all that different from PRS, Gibson, Fender, Robin, etc. as far as their respective Custom Shops. PRS isn't going to make you an Explorer bodied guitar, even though they've done that before. Fender isn't going to make you a Les Paul Style guitar, and Jackson won't make you a Firebird with the correct shape, no matter how much money you toss their way. Every Custom Shop that I'm familiar with allows any number of variations on several base model platforms. Tricking out a stock/standard model with exotic woods, inlays, boutique pickups and bizarre paint seems to be as far as most go these days.

How about painting a stock item white? Whoooo, scary!

[elduave]

Hey CM. Kinda makes you wanna throw the keys to the HFC at the screen and walk the fuck away, don't it?

[jisham]

Hey CM. Kinda makes you wanna throw the keys to the HFC at the screen and walk the fuck away, don't it?

Why? Because some of us think Jol was an asshole for treating some people one way and others another?

Some people think Jol is christ. Others think he's satan. It is what it is and those on both sides have valid reasons for their own personal beliefs as far as I'm concerned.

[cmatthes]

Hey CM. Kinda makes you wanna throw the keys to the HFC at the screen and walk the fuck away, don't it?

Why? Because some of us think Jol was an asshole for treating some people one way and others another?

Some people think Jol is christ. Others think he's satan. It is what it is and those on both sides have valid reasons for their own personal beliefs as far as I'm concerned.

I could care less what people think, EL. I would have given this up a long time ago if I focused on the negative comments. As far as the Jol deal, I don't have an opinion one way or another, and was simply responding to Scottcrud's point about the whole "Custom Shop" thing - not whether Jol sits/sat at the right hand of Zeus or eats babies. I've had some really simple things refused when I was there with money in hand too - probably times more than the people who bitch about it all the time, but hey - I realize that it isn't my company, and I don't call the shots.

I've also had ideas refused, only to see them pop up at in a booth at NAMM or on some dealer's list. If you bothers you that much, take your money somewhere else, but don't cry about it. Nobody's holding a gun to your head to buy a Hamer.

I happen to respect the hell out of the guys building the guitars up there, and think they make the best stuff going these days. THAT'S who I choose to support.

I have friends who build PRS guitars too, and think they do a great job, but you can't get ANYTHING custom done there without going through Private Stock - yes, even getting a stock model painted WHITE. Maybe that's the approach Hamer should have taken all along, but somebody would have just bitched about that too.

[elduave]

Hey CM. Kinda makes you wanna throw the keys to the HFC at the screen and walk the fuck away, don't it?

Why? Because some of us think Jol was an asshole for treating some people one way and others another?

No, it's 'cause some of the comments here come off so petty and small that it's infuriating, yet laughable.

Look, I know folks have their beefs. I'm sympathetic with "some people", even one of them in some respects. But for fuck's sake, let's rally to restore sanity here.

[cmatthes]

[MCChris]

Look, I know folks have their beefs. I'm sympathetic with "some people", even one of them in some respects. But for fuck's sake, let's rally to restore sanity here.

We can start by not being so over-dramatic.

I've had some really simple things refused when I was there with money in hand too - probably times more than the people who bitch about it all the time, but hey - I realize that it isn't my company, and I don't call the shots.

I've also had ideas refused, only to see them pop up at in a booth at NAMM or on some dealer's list. If you bothers you that much, take your money somewhere else, but don't cry about it. Nobody's holding a gun to your head to buy a Hamer.

If that's how you choose to react to that sort of treatment, that's your prerogative. Other people choose to be vocal about their displeasure, and most of them HAVE taken their money elsewhere. They remain on this forum for the people, not for the brand.

[elduave]

Look, I know folks have their beefs. I'm sympathetic with "some people", even one of them in some respects. But for fuck's sake, let's rally to restore sanity here.

We can start by not being so over-dramatic.

Really? I thought I was being rational and witty.

Oh well, it's all gone to shit here, hasn't it. Meant undramatic-ally, of course.

I was looking for that drama cat earlier.

[eightyfour]

I've been equally if not more phickle and inconsistant as a customer, than Hamer has as a source. My only frustration now is that as a quasi-adult with real responsibilities, I can no longer afford to play in the custom order world the way I used to years ago. But when asked, Hamer is and will likely always be my number one, Joel or no Joel. No other guitar brings the goosebumps the same way for me.