Current run of Hamer XTs... What do you think to them?

[hamerhead]

Wow they have Vics,

Yeah - I was surprised by that, too. Blurring the line like that isn't going to help Hamer USA. How can you justify spending $2000+ on a guitar when the $400 one looks exactly like it? Bad move, IMO.

[Carl.B]

Wow they have Vics,

Yeah - I was surprised by that, too. Blurring the line like that isn't going to help Hamer USA. How can you justify spending $2000+ on a guitar when the $400 one looks exactly like it? Bad move, IMO.

It looks like they wanted something to compete against the ephiphones and shcecter lines. If these are well done imports I think in the long run it will build the Hamer brand name. Since the US Hamers are custom shop only there value should remain solid. My thought is every kid who starts with a ephiphone will want a real Gibson in there guitar playing future. You have to admit the price for a used US Haner are in general vey low compared to Gibson and Fender.

[mirrorimij]

I liked them better when I thought they were discontinued.

Good guitars that aren't good for the brand IMO.

[atquinn]

I liked them better when I thought they were discontinued.

Good guitars that aren't good for the brand IMO.

What he said.

-Austin

[elduave]

Totally disagree.

[Carl.B]

Totally disagree.

I agree elduave!

I almost think that the XT line could bring Hamer back from being a custom shop only! Sorry I don't have the $3K or more to drop on a custom shop guitar. From what I can tell most people here buy used Hamers well that does the Hamer US line no good at all, they get no money from the sale of used guitars. For $3k I can buy 3 to 5 used US Hamers. I think musicorp is going after Gibson/Epiphone first take bite out of there Epiphone buyers then go after there Gibson buyer's.

[zorrow]

I got once an import Explorer from Dave (elduave) and it played, sounded and looked amazing. It got me longing for an American Hamer in a snap, so I don't see how that can be bad for the brand. I must admit however that all the US-made Hamers I've owned so far were used; but I still plan to order a custom in two or three years.

[Ranger]

QUOTE(crunchee @ May 19 2011, 12:20 AM)

QUOTE(bisonkills @ May 11 2011, 09:14 AM)

"I’m curious what folks here at the HFC think of the current import Hamer XT series?

Speaking for myself, I don't think about them at all. Not unless somebody else brings up the topic. My USA made Hamers suit me just fine, thanks."

Well, buddy, if I recall the numbers correctly, yer on a site where most members have LOTS more import Hamers than those made in the USA. Feel free to continue to live in a narrow world where you don't think about what's really going on. You guys are the easiest to rip.

(Aw, I reread that above and it seemed very mean. I get frustrated with people sometimes. I can easily pardon ignorance but have little patience with stupid. And I know I'm a mix of both to this site! How ironic. Cheers!)

[kevinbower1959]

I've posted this pic before, but here's my ten cents' worth. The USA Standard (on the right) is utterly sublime, but there's no way I could afford to drop another several $k on second one to have sat on the stand as a spare for gig string breaks (low E's and A's, usually ). So I picked up the used XT (on the left) on ebay for a coupla hundred, I rewired it, put decent Seymour Duncans on it, replaced the nut and put on some better hardware. The result is worryingly close to the USA guitar which was ten times the cost. Works for me.

[gorch]

I've posted this pic before, but here's my ten cents' worth. The USA Standard (on the right) is utterly sublime, but there's no way I could afford to drop another several $k on second one to have sat on the stand as a spare for gig string breaks (low E's and A's, usually ). So I picked up the used XT (on the left) on ebay for a coupla hundred, I rewired it, put decent Seymour Duncans on it, replaced the nut and put on some better hardware. The result is worryingly close to the USA guitar which was ten times the cost. Works for me.

Very nice - both guitars.

[mirrorimij]

They don't share the design/build characteristics that separate Hamer USA from the other guys.

In my mind if it doesn't have the stressed neck system and the neck isn't aged prior to putting the radius on the fingerboard it ain't a Hamer. It might be shaped like one.

I have an XT. It has a low budget scarf joint behind the nut. I upgraded the pickups and wiring. Its a fine guitar.

[hamerhead]

Wow they have Vics,

Yeah - I was surprised by that, too. Blurring the line like that isn't going to help Hamer USA. How can you justify spending $2000+ on a guitar when the $400 one looks exactly like it? Bad move, IMO.

Alright - I should be a politician for flip-flopping like this: When I wanted a Les Paul, the only thing in my price range was a used lawsuit Ibanez. It was way better than what I had, but nowhere near the real deal. And it led me to my first (and only) real Les Paul.

So looking at it like that, I see the logic. If young players use the imports as a stepping stone, it'll hopefully help keep Hamer alive. As long as they don't 'step up' to a Gibson.

[bond]

Hey just wanted to introduce myself, big Hamer fan from way back I had some great ones back then,

Sunburst, Prototype's and eight string basses, now I have a couple of imports and I have to say I think they hold up very well to the competition at a much higher price at least the ones I have, which are a natural Sunburst and a Korina Standard, I put Seymour Duncans in the Sunburst to more closely match the pups in the Standard.

They are great gigging guitars and get quite a workout since I play professionally for a living.

[jex]

Hi

I got a sunburst XT, with duncan pickups (59' and JB) it sounds and looks really nice

the neck is a three piece mahogany, the body is one piece mahogany I think

What is the thickness of the maple top ?

Hamer doesn't give it on the website

[LarryC]

My first Hamer was an import...SATQ. I swapped the pickups out on it soon after I got it, I installed a pair of Seymour Duncan 59s on it, which made a world of difference in the sound. I was so impressed by the imports, mainly due to the price, that I've ended up with 6 of them. The last import I bought was brand new, I wasn't even in the market for one and I wouldn't have bought it except that it was only going to cost me $100...right place at the right time, dealing with a kid who didn't know what he had and all he wanted was a new skateboard because he had no desire to learn how to play guitar. Sad sad sad deal, but good for me.

I currently have the following from the XT line:

Sunburst Quilt Top

Sunburst Flame (cherry sunburst)

Sunburst Flame P-90 (amber burst)

Sunburst Flame (natural)

Vector Flame (cherry sunburst)

Standard Flame (cherry sunburst)

Then I have my 2 USA models...Artist and Monaco Elite. Love 'em both to pieces too, baby!

Here's a head's up for you though...since the acquisition of the Kaman Music Group by Fender, Hamer is in the midst of reorganizing and I just learned yesterday that the guitar store here where I live just cleaned out the Hamer warehouse of ALL REMAINGING XT Models, and the owner of the shop told me that Hamer offered them to him for a STUPID LOW PRICE that he couldn't pass up...there were only like 35 of them left. It is unclear at this point whether this means that Hamer has permanently discontinued the XT line, or if they have plans to start it back up again in the future. But for right now NOBODY is able to order any more XTs for their shops, so if you have your eye on one that may be available today, you better jump on it because tomorrow it may disappear.

[jex]

No more Xt in Europe

and on the web too !

[LarryC]

Wouldn't it be ironic if the XT models would become collector's items? Jeeesh. LOL. Well, the Korean-made Hamers sort of already are in as much as what I've been able to tell, they are considered the best of all of the Hamer imports.

[Ted]

I've posted this pic before, but here's my ten cents' worth. The USA Standard (on the right) is utterly sublime, but there's no way I could afford to drop another several $k on second one to have sat on the stand as a spare for gig string breaks (low E's and A's, usually ). So I picked up the used XT (on the left) on ebay for a coupla hundred, I rewired it, put decent Seymour Duncans on it, replaced the nut and put on some better hardware. The result is worryingly close to the USA guitar which was ten times the cost. Works for me.

Very nice - both guitars.

++1 with Gorch above!!!

[LarryC]

My own experience with the XT line has been a favorable one. I think the overall construction is pretty sound, although I do not like some of the neck construction I've seen with the joints near the nut, or even on the peg head. The neck construction of the Hamer USA is obviously superior to most guitars made ANYWHERE, but as for the rest of the guitar they do pretty well. I think there is much less contrast between the Hamer XTs and the Hamer USA than there is between Epiphone and Gibson...personal opinion but I think I'm correct. And there is no question at all that a Hamer XT will kick the ass of ANYTHING made by Epiphone, and I'd be bold enough to put some of my personal XTs up against some of the Gibsons I've seen in the past few years. I grew up playing Gibsons, still own a few, but I have become very dismayed with them and their business practices. Their VOS and Re-Issue programs are the biggest scams ever in my opinion. No sir, my blood no longer runs Gibson...hasn't since around 2004. Hamer has opened my eyes and I've SEEN THE LIGHT! I LOVE me my Hamers...even my XTs.

[jex]

Here is mine...

I changed the pickups (59' + JB nickel), the pots, and strap-locks

Here are some quick samples made today

sounds good to me :

Clean (neck - both - bridge)

ZOOM0010.MP3

Dirty Bridge

ZOOM0012.MP3

What do you think ?

[LarryC]

Nice! Before I changed anything on my SATQ I called and spoke with Frank Untermeyer about what I was going to do. He suggested that the only thing I should change out would be the pickups, but I had it on my mind to change the pots, wiring, and the tuners as well, but that would have left exposed screw holes on the back of the peg head. The tuners that came on it, which I believe are probably Gotoh tuners, have not given me any trouble, and I followed Frank's advice about not changing the pots and wiring, and I have been very pleased with it. I went with a pair of Seymour Duncan 59s with exposed bobbins with a zebra at the neck position.

Video frame-grab...

[bond]

I also did something very similar to my Sunburst (natural) with two Duncan 59's

And changed nothing else , it's one of my regular gigging guitars and it's been as good as any of my Gibsons.

[jex]

The tuners that came on it, which I believe are probably Gotoh tuners, have not given me any trouble

Yes, the tuners are good enough

And the reason why I changed the pots, is because I wanted to change the black buttons, and I broke one pot

But anyway, I prefer the amber button

[LarryC]

...it's one of my regular gigging guitars and it's been as good as any of my Gibsons.

I LOVE watching the faces on the dyed-in-the-wool Gibson fans I know when I say something like that to them about my imported Hamers. HAHAHA. Whenever they dismiss me for a fool I remind them that I have been playing Gibsons since I was 8 years old, before some of them were ever born or even thought of, and have owned 5 of them...and still own 3. I tell them that Hamer has been very consistent in turning out a great product, while Gibson has only been consistent at being inconsistent...ROFL! Gibson has also been very good about eating their own...read-up on their affiliation with people like Les Paul, Bill Lawrence, and Seth Lover sometime, it will make you see Gibson in a different light.

[gorch]

Although the tuners were fine, I have had replaced them with Sperzels as I wanted to put a trem on.