Studio Custom Restore

[Noodler63]

Have my eye on a nice Studio Custom that needs a complete refinish. Does anyone know if I can get a new Hamer USA waterslide for the headstock? Also, are the specs correct in that all of the Studios have a flame maple top? This one was painted solid black... what a shame if they are.

[FrankieIII]

Between '93 and today, I don't recall Hamer ever offering an Archtop/Studio Custom catalog model that didn't have a maple top. There were probably some made as a custom order though, but I do recall someone here saying several years ago that Hamer won't do binding on a mahogany or korina body anymore. They did offer a stripped down all mahogany "Studio Mahogany" model.

The biggest concern with an opaque black refinish would be is a repair from major damage being covered up.

[atquinn]

There were a small number of Studio Customs with with mahogany tops. The more likely scenario would be Studio Custom GT's with unfigured maple tops. Depending on what you have it could have started life as that, especially since they came in goldtop and black finishes.

-

Austin

[cmatthes]

Black was a stock finish for a Studio Custom for most of the run. Those models were just made with a plain rock maple top, not a flame top.

Hamer also did/does not use waterslide decals, and those will NEVER look 100% right on a black headstock face. You'll need an opaque dry transfer logo. Several HFC'ers have had those done over the years, and there are options, but I'd strongly advise against using a waterslide decal.

[serial]

Best bet would be to have someone like HFCer Stike do the refin-he can do non decal logos too I believe.

[Noodler63]

Thanks for all the info... might have to wait for one in better condition to come my way. I've never even heard of a dry transfer logo... thought if it wasn't inlay the only option was waterslide. Learn something new every day...

[Noodler63]

So... I ended up pulling the trigger on it, but it's been sitting in it's case because I don't know where to start with the headstock. Any thoughts on how to get it back to original? The body I can handle...

http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv346/fs63/Hamer/P1000537.jpg

[cmatthes]

WHY would somebody do that to that guitar?!

I'll look around to see if I still have a Dry Transfer logo left - let me know if you're interested.

[sixesandsevens]

So... I ended up pulling the trigger on it, but it's been sitting in it's case because I don't know where to start with the headstock.

http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv346/fs63/Hamer/P1000537.jpg

You thread the end of the strings through the tuners, tune, and then rock proudly with that beast!

I can see where you'd want to refinish it if jazz isn't your thing though...

[atquinn]

[Noodler63]

Yea... unusual choice of guitar for the skull crowd. If you can find a transfer that would be great! If I totally mess it up I'm close enough to the old Hamer factory in New Hartford to see if they'll show some pity on me and refinish it. Would probably cost more than what I paid for it though! After seeing the pic can anyone identify it correctly for me?

[Stike]

So... I ended up pulling the trigger on it, but it's been sitting in it's case because I don't know where to start with the headstock. Any thoughts on how to get it back to original? The body I can handle...

http://i698.photobucket.com/albums/vv346/fs63/Hamer/P1000537.jpg

It looks to me like the original logo is there and has been oversprayed with a trans red. Maybe it could be sanded down to the OEM clear and rebuffed?

[crunchee]

Y'know, if this was a '80's Hamer, I could KINDA see somebody wanting to go the "customization" route back then. But THIS guitar can't be much more than ten years old, if that!

One thing's for sure, the owner that had that done was/is a dumbass. WHY couldn't they have done that instead to an import model?

[bcsride]

If not overpainted, the guitar has a quick sale price of around $1100-$1200. I'd let a pro see if they can sand through the "custom" graphics and reclear. That might be

cost effective and get you a bargain. If you want something special color wise, of course, do whatever.

You could always relic it.

[Feynman]

LOL!

I can see where you'd want to refinish it if jazz isn't your thing though..

[Never2Late]

I really dig the fretboard inlays, the trussrod cover, and the binding. She's worth saving....git 'er dun!

[Noodler63]

Yea, if it had a bound headstock it would be perfect.