4 Digit 1983 Hamer B8S...Need Pots...what type should it have?

[Baz Cooper]

Hi Guys!. Just picked up a 4 digit Hamer B8S...just wondering what type of pots should it have with the 2 Model G's?? It has 2 Alembic humbucker pickups in it but I want to return it to stock. It has the preamp and LED with the 3 way selector switch...Should it have solid shaft pots or split...and should it be 500k or 250k???? Anybody have a wiring diagram and or pics?? Any info would be appreciated...it's #0712.

Baz- jswoquinn@sbcglobal dot net

773-two 5 Nine-six Nine26

[Andrew]

As far as I know (for 1984) it should have two Dimarzio X2N bass pickups with 500k log-taper pots, also Dimarzio but stamped Hamer. I can't help further as the one I have has lost its preamp (replacement anywhere?).

[mc2]

Rex Bogue died in 1996, so you cannot find those old black box pre-amps Hamer used. This EMG is the closest thing to it and will work on passive or active PUPs...it even has the SAME toggle switch tip as the old Bogue one, so I'm thinking it was meant as a copy to his. I've used them and they work the same.

http://www.emgpickup...ducts/index/135

These guys always seem to have these in stock and ship same day. That's where I get mine from:

www.billsmusic.com (Web)

orders@billsmusic.com (Email)

410-788-8900 (Phone)

410-747-5203 (Fax)

1-800-3Guitars (Toll Free)

orders@billsmusic.com

[Andrew]

Rex Bogue died in 1996, so you cannot find those old black box pre-amps Hamer used. This EMG is the closest thing to it and will work on passive or active PUPs...it even has the SAME toggle switch tip as the old Bogue one, so I'm thinking it was meant as a copy to his. I've used them and they work the same.

http://www.emgpickup...ducts/index/135

Thanks, I will try one!

[Baz Cooper]

So no one out there can help?? Any spar harnesses?? Photos?? Any info would help!!

[Andrew]

So no one out there can help?? Any spar harnesses?? Photos?? Any info would help!!

I thought we did help with the make and values of pots (always split-shaft) and the correct pickups! DMZ Model Gs are only on the very earliest single pick-up ones and were changed for X2Ns in 1980. They are very similar pickups, though.

There are variations in the controls for these as they were often custom ordered, yours could be three knobs (two volume, 1 tone) or two knobs (two volume). I stand to be corrected here but the switches often do not select pickups but are tone options.

Standard set-up would be volume for each pickup, wired such that they act as the pickup selector. Third knob would be passive tone if there.

I think we would need a pic. of the current set-up to advise how to get back to original. I don't have an un-molested example but others do.

[Baz Cooper]

It should have a RED Flashing LED, which it does, a preamp attached to a switch and a 3 way selector switch. Like the original ones...But I don't know how it is supposed to be wired.

[mc2]

Check your email Baz...I sent you a schematic. The Model G's could be correct, as I've had Hamer basses around that period with them, although they were also using the X2N's. It would probably be determined on what was custom ordered, since it is a 4-digit.

[Andrew]

Check your email Baz...I sent you a schematic. The Model G's could be correct, as I've had Hamer basses around that period with them, although they were also using the X2N's. It would probably be determined on what was custom ordered, since it is a 4-digit.

Could you send me a schematic too, please?

largeat@yahoo.co.uk

The second switch on mine was a coil-tap!

Interesting, never seen a later one with model Gs but then, as you say, they were often custom ordered. I dismantled a Model G and the innards are the same as the X2N, just with poles instead of blades.

[Baz Cooper]

OK, anybody have any pictures on how the bass should be wired up with the preamp???

[mc2]

Check your email.

[Baz Cooper]

Jon....you rule!!!!!! Now I just need a Rex Bogue preamp!!

[Andrew]

Does the pre-amp (PA2 or Bogue) allow the passive single through when off even without the battery in place, or does it need powering even in the off position?

[Baz Cooper]

We'll find out later. I'm having it wired today by my guy, Jerry Loy, from Player's Guitars in Worth, Illinois. Should be finished tonight.

[Andrew]

Well, does the EMG PA2 do the job?

I don't quite know why Hamer fitted a +20db booster to a bass with a Model G or X2N as both these pickups have a DC resistance of 14K+, i.e.: very hot.

[RJoseph133]

Check your email Baz...I sent you a schematic. The Model G's could be correct, as I've had Hamer basses around that period with them, although they were also using the X2N's. It would probably be determined on what was custom ordered, since it is a 4-digit.

Hi Jon! Any chance you could shoot me one of "them thar skeematics" also? I have about 3-4 EMG PA's laying around, and as silly as it sounds, I would love to see a little light blinking when they are "on"...I know, I'm strange.