Scott Granger Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Hello! I've acquired a black MIK Hamer Californian (has only "Hamer" on hs). It has a bound 27-fret fretboard (looks like rosewood) with boomer inlays, gold FR Special with matching locking nut and gold volume knob + gold tuners with "W" on them. Can anyone tell me more about this? Thanks!
zorrow Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 They are usually from the late 90's, have maple necks and alder or basswood bodies. Those are KILLER guitars, even if they don't sport the famous "Slammer Series" logo. Sadly, there's not much more I can say about them, as imports don't use consistent serial numbers and remain "underdocumented" to these days. But again, those are absolutely great players. Congratulations! PS: I bet someone will post the accustomed "pictures please, or it never happened" reply to this thread, so I encourage you to share some pictures with us as soon as you can.
Bennyboy-UK Posted March 7, 2012 Posted March 7, 2012 Chop Chop - get it out, lets have a look at the little fella!Cheers, and welcome aboard!Ben.
Crimsontider Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 It can do professional work. I found a in great shape 94 Californian for $125 in a pawn shop, just rediculious how the names have confused sellers.It was most likely made in the Cort Factory and equals the Japanese Charvels and others high quality imports of the late 80's into the 90's.From 94-98 they were called the Slammer series and from 98 to 2000 (I believe), they were called the Import Series, dropped the Slammer name the same time the custom shop added the USA to the front. During this time, these guitar were included in the Hamer advertisement lineups and were together with the rest of the USA guitars in magazines. Hamer wanted to offer a mid level tier, with high quality like their peers (at the time) . They picked the best place to have them made and had strict specs to follow. The Californians MIK;s were made of Mahogany. Not the grade or maybe exact type that some of the USA model's used, but it was not cheap Mahogany either. The Diablo Slammer's were solid Maple. These imports used Duncan Designed HN 103 single coil and HB-103 humbucker which closely resembles the Seymour Duncan Distortion Pickup. They sound very good, not great.......very good for heavy metal. The neck pickup is weak in my opinion. These imports used multi pieced maple necks that are very sturdy and hold up over time.These imports, 94-2000 can be found for great deals sometimes because buyers confuse them with the Slammer by Hamer, a separate company that has licensed the Hamer name. These guitars made in Indonesia are stock everything and use some sort of plywood for the bodyThe latest Hamer imports from the last several years after Hamer packed up and moved their overseas operations to poorer Asian countries are good but are not of the quality of the Slammer and early import series like you have. They are nice and new and shiny, but the older one's are good enough for professional use, right on the cusp.IMO, if you fit one of these with a more active pickup, they are very comparable to the entry level USA DiabloI have the PDF with the Hamer guitar lineup and specs for all their guitars in 1996 if anyone wants.
Crimsontider Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 They are usually from the late 90's, have maple necks and alder or basswood bodies. I think you are confusing the Basswood and Alder with the new CX. None of the Korean Slammer and import series used either Alder or Basswood. The Cali's, Archtop and Flatop were Mahogany and the Diablo 1&2, Daytona'sand Centuara are solid Maple.
Scott Granger Posted March 8, 2012 Author Posted March 8, 2012 I really appreciate all of the helpful input & info. I bought it for $350 w/ brand new Tantrum HSC from a guitarist who liked it but did not prefer the feel of the neck to some of his other axes. Here are some pics:
cmatthes Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 The bound board with boomers on the imports places that in the early-mid 2000s. The tuners, Floyd and knob are aftermarket parts.
Scott Granger Posted March 8, 2012 Author Posted March 8, 2012 I knew it was very nice just by playing it, but wanted some background on it as well. I think I am going to sell it, as I am paying down a guitar that I have a hold deposit on at present that I want more. I thought it to be a safe investment with the upgrades. If any of you know anyone interested, just have them shoot me an e-mail at sg1517@gmail.com.
cmatthes Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 Sadly, you won't make any profit on that one, even with the changed parts (not really upgrades).On the positive, you probably won't lose more than $50-$100 on it. Those aren't bad guitars, but not overly valuable.
Scott Granger Posted March 8, 2012 Author Posted March 8, 2012 Sadly, you won't make any profit on that one, even with the changed parts (not really upgrades).On the positive, you probably won't lose more than $50-$100 on it. Those aren't bad guitars, but not overly valuable.Thanks; I like many things about it, esp. at the price point. I’m not totally sure I want to sell, and if I did, I’d be looking to get around $300 (with a gigbag). I guess I’m just thinking out loud somewhat on all of it. The main reason is that I bought another guitar yesterday after work and am still gassing to add about 2 more in the next month. I’m running out of hiding spots in my house and my wife is in early Spring cleaning mode, bound to spy out some of the treasures!I’ll have to think on it some more. There’s hardly a ding on this one, no fretting out anywhere, straight & true neck, and the gold hw looks killer against the black. I love these headstocks as well, and the binding was well done. I’ve been impressed with most of the Korean production. There are pros & cons for consumers when a manufacturer(s) gain the corner on the market. Right now, I think we are seeing a bubble where stiff competition has vastly improved the quality of a lot of overseas production. You can get some great gear at a lower price point for sure. = Thanks all!
Crimsontider Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 The bound board with boomers on the imports places that in the early-mid 2000s. The tuners, Floyd and knob are aftermarket parts. Yes . The stock MIK licensed Floyd has angled tuners as opposed to straight up on the USA and this one. Did they still make Hamer's in Korea in the mid 2000's? There seems to be 1st and 2nd generation MIK's and I assume they moved to a different manufactorer at some point between 1998 and 2000, maybe away from Cort, but am not sure how long they stayed in Korea. A poster BrainFertilizer has had both and can detect subtle difference but likes them both. The head stock is different from mine made in the mid 90's. I am 100% positive about the body wood types of the Slammer Series and the 98-2000 import series, but not into the mid 2000's. All the MIK's seem to share the same pup's and tremelo, just not sure of the wood type's after year 2000. Not to steal the picture stage but here is a mid 90's 1st generation MIK that I paid $125 for in a pawn shop. It is a heavy guitar and sounds better than my 80's Basswood Charvel 3A which go for $450 or more on the net. The MIK's Hamer's are underpriced. Granger's black Californian is in great shape. I would be interested in knowing it's weight. I noticed that it has a slighlty differnet shape that my older where the bottom seems to be a little wider than the top cutaways, his seems to be the same, which is more modern. Mine is shaped like my 76 strat.
Brooks Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 scott i'd buy your sexy import if someone would buy my jackson. i almost bought one at GC that looked exactly like gregs a few years ago (except it wasn't a slammer series). it played great, was maybe $200? whata dealio, awesome cheap guitars.
Crimsontider Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 scott i'd buy your sexy import if someone would buy my jackson. i almost bought one at GC that looked exactly like gregs a few years ago (except it wasn't a slammer series). it played great, was maybe $200? whata dealio, awesome cheap guitars. Nice version of YYZ. When I was growing up that was the gold standard to shoot for. "Yeah, but can you play YYZ?" Seperated the men from the boys
Brooks Posted March 8, 2012 Posted March 8, 2012 thanx, our own zenmindbeginner shot & edited the video from our 1st 2 shows, and expertly synched it to a live rehearsal recording.
Scott Granger Posted March 9, 2012 Author Posted March 9, 2012 scott i'd buy your sexy import if someone would buy my jackson. i almost bought one at GC that looked exactly like gregs a few years ago (except it wasn't a slammer series). it played great, was maybe $200? whata dealio, awesome cheap guitars. Brooks: Shoot me an email at sg1517@gmail.com. The bound board with boomers on the imports places that in the early-mid 2000s. The tuners, Floyd and knob are aftermarket parts. Yes . The stock MIK licensed Floyd has angled tuners as opposed to straight up on the USA and this one. Did they still make Hamer's in Korea in the mid 2000's? There seems to be 1st and 2nd generation MIK's and I assume they moved to a different manufactorer at some point between 1998 and 2000, maybe away from Cort, but am not sure how long they stayed in Korea. A poster BrainFertilizer has had both and can detect subtle difference but likes them both. The head stock is different from mine made in the mid 90's. I am 100% positive about the body wood types of the Slammer Series and the 98-2000 import series, but not into the mid 2000's. All the MIK's seem to share the same pup's and tremelo, just not sure of the wood type's after year 2000. Not to steal the picture stage but here is a mid 90's 1st generation MIK that I paid $125 for in a pawn shop. It is a heavy guitar and sounds better than my 80's Basswood Charvel 3A which go for $450 or more on the net. The MIK's Hamer's are underpriced. Granger's black Californian is in great shape. I would be interested in knowing it's weight. I noticed that it has a slighlty differnet shape that my older where the bottom seems to be a little wider than the top cutaways, his seems to be the same, which is more modern. Mine is shaped like my 76 strat. Nice one there!
Scott Granger Posted March 9, 2012 Author Posted March 9, 2012 Will have to weigh it. It's got a good & solid weight to it though.
cmatthes Posted March 9, 2012 Posted March 9, 2012 scott i'd buy your sexy import if someone would buy my jackson. i almost bought one at GC that looked exactly like gregs a few years ago (except it wasn't a slammer series). it played great, was maybe $200? whata dealio, awesome cheap guitars. Nice version of YYZ. When I was growing up that was the gold standard to shoot for. "Yeah, but can you play YYZ?" Seperated the men from the boys From last night's "Archer"... "YYZed".
Scott Granger Posted April 2, 2012 Author Posted April 2, 2012 http://www.hamerguit...HT_SEP_2000.pdfLooks like maple neck & body on this MIK import Californian. Nice read to boot. All I know is that it was 1998 or later production.
Scott Granger Posted April 2, 2012 Author Posted April 2, 2012 Regardless, I sold it for $300....I sort of regret it, but, at the same time, I didn't really take a loss. Having said that, I feel this one rivaled some of my guitars that were much more expensive. I don't think I will ever learn.....
Crimsontider Posted April 3, 2012 Posted April 3, 2012 I had to blow these up a little and they are blurry, but I sharpened the body wood name. This is a portion of the Hamer guitar lineup from a brochure that also includes the USA models, that was placed in various Guitar magazines around 1996. I hope this answers questions about the Body Wood used in the Korean line "Slammer Series" 93-98 and Import Series" 98-2000ish. They are the same. The only difference is I believe the Slammer Series used a three piece neck. Only woods used were a variety(good)of Mahogany, Swamp Ash and Solid Maple(most guitars). All the Cali's are Mahogany, and the Diablo's Maple. No Alder or Basswood or cheap light wood was used any any of them. Solid as a rock.
Scott Granger Posted April 5, 2012 Author Posted April 5, 2012 I'm guessing that I should have held onto it, considering the price point for the practical value. I wasn't sure though. On the one hand, it was said earlier in the thread that it's not a bad guitar, and then, on the other, that it could do professional work and could be comparable to an entry-level US Diablo w/ a PUP upgrade. Would you all have sold yours at the $300 price point? My collection mostly consists of a mix of Kramers, but I was impressed with this MIK import.
paulcozby Posted April 5, 2012 Posted April 5, 2012 I just put my Hamer Cali (MIK) on CL...http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/msg/2941069752.html
Crimsontider Posted April 5, 2012 Posted April 5, 2012 I'm guessing that I should have held onto it, considering the price point for the practical value. I wasn't sure though. On the one hand, it was said earlier in the thread that it's not a bad guitar, and then, on the other, that it could do professional work and could be comparable to an entry-level US Diablo w/ a PUP upgrade. Would you all have sold yours at the $300 price point? My collection mostly consists of a mix of Kramers, but I was impressed with this MIK import.The problem is that it's worth more than you can get for it most of the time due to it having the Hamer imports vary so much while keeping the same name. Then on top of that you have people selling Slammer by Hamer's as Hamer Slammer Series........huge difference and one that I saw one ebay just last week.If you have a Hamer "Slammer Series" or just Hamer and it has the DD pickups and Licensed Floyd, then you have a very good rock guitar. Better than any of the new Hamer XT series guitar's and imo and others that I have read, far closer to a USA Diablo than any other Hamer import.If the early imports quality never changed and there was not a slammer by hamer, good one's from back then would sell in the $400 range, similar to the Charvel Model series.$300 is probably a good price considering, but it sure is nice!
Crimsontider Posted April 5, 2012 Posted April 5, 2012 I just put my Hamer Cali (MIK) on CL...http://tampa.craigsl...2941069752.htmlThe pickups have been changed, they look like good one's though. That's a steal right there. Have you had it long or just in the business?
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