Noob Needs Help Identifying Import Hamer

[Thurston]

Hello,

New to the boards and I could use some help. I've become obsessed with buying a Hamer. I live in New Hartford, CT and they used to be made right down the road in the same factory as Guild and Ovation (and I think the sign says Takamine too which I know KMC used to own but I'm not sure how they fit in). Since my obsession is stemming from the company being in my home town at one point, it may seem counter intuitive to seek out an Asian Hamer. To that I say: I'm not good enough to warrant spending thousands on an instrument and there are much better things to spend that amount of money on.

From poking around on here, I've been able to determine that there are levels to the import guitars...Hamer Slammer>Hamer XT> Slammer by Hamer. But where do the instruments that just say "Hamer" on the headstock fall into play? Here are two specimens I am considering on ebay, both from the same seller...

The orange one is described as a "Hamer Slammer" but only says "Hamer" on the headstock. The black has the same headstock but is only described as a "Hamer" and is going for about twice as much. Ignoring condition, other than the pickups, these look like the same guitar. So, what am I looking at?

[hamerhead]

The "Slammer Series' (in small letters under the Hamer logo) were the first and are the imports to get. The versions with just 'Hamer' on the headstock are next, probably followed by the 'XT' series. After that, don't bother. If you're going import, hold out for a Slammer Series.

And if you hold out just a little longer, you could get a previously loved USA Special. Waaaay better than any import.

Welcome. Hide your wallet, because your first won't be the last.

[serial]

See the advice above. You can get a New Hartford Hamer for under a grand slightly used if you're patient. I'd recommend that over the imports.

[mirrorimij]

Agreed on the fact that a USA Hamer is the way to go. The imports look the part but miss the mark on a few construction details that set the USA Hamers apart from other brands.

If you are going to get a USA model that was built in New Hartford, remember that it has to be a 1997 or later model ( the year the shop moved from Illinois). There are a few Illinois built Hamers from 1997. Anything after serial number 747992 should be a New Hartford guitar.

[cynic]

I'll echo the recommendation for a US made guitar, but between the two you asked about there's really no difference to speak of other than color and price. The added bonus of the orange one, aside from it being the least expensive of the two, is that it comes with a gig bag where the black one has no case at all.

[gorch]

The guitars from the Hamer series a great quality built guitars. I have a Standard from that series and can tell. It's worth to swap pickups and pots to quality replacements though. Go for the cheapest as there should be no difference between the two.

[Steve Haynie]

Echo. Echo. Echo.

You can sometimes find a beater USA model for the price of those imports. Sometimes you can find the USA models $700 or less. Save up. Buy right.

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

Word.

I have a USA Centaura in good shape that I got for $300 off of Craigslist.

Music Go Round had a USA Hamer with a repaired neck joint for $500 or so.

It takes time/patience, but the deals are out there. Even more if you are willing to take beaters...in my experience, the most beat-up Hamers are almost always still in kick-ass playable condition.

[Sugartune]

...the beat up ones usually mean they're great players. Someone stuck to it and gave it all it had. Yeah!

[specialk]

Or just start a Want To Buy thread in the For Sale forum. Post your maximum price and see what gets offered. It's worked well for me a couple of times.

[Thurston]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I guess I have a decision to make...hopefully patience and the subsequent long term satisfaction wins out over my impulsive nature.

[Carl.B]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I guess I have a decision to make...hopefully patience and the subsequent long term satisfaction wins out over my impulsive nature.

Your impulsive nature fit's in perfectly in the HFC just ask anyone here.

There are bargins to be had outhere, I picked up a 96 Daytona with a $125 BIN off ebay, and a craigslist eclispe for $200 so there outhere to be had.

Oh and welcome to the best place on the net!

Carl B

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I guess I have a decision to make...hopefully patience and the subsequent long term satisfaction wins out over my impulsive nature.

For instance, I'm about to put a USA Chaparral up for sale for $450. It has some problems, but is fully rockable as is. $200 to $250 of work would make it play as good as a $1k + guitar.

Keep an eye out for it, I'm going to post it in the For Sale section tomorrow, and on eBay simultaneously.

[mojo2001]

I have two USAs and they are both outstanding, amazing guitars...a 96 Eclipse and an 01 Artist. They are just alive and responsive instruments that stand out among the many guitars I own(ed).

The advice to save up for USAs is rock solid, however I have two "Slammer Series" imports and they are extra fine budget guitars.

Most recent one was received in the mail today, a Slammer Series Special. Excellent import, plays and sounds great.

The neck on the Slammer Series Special is too thin for me to love 100% but at $200 shipped, I can forgive a few warts. If you like slim necks, I can't imagine not thinking this is a smoking deal.

My Slammer Series Eclipse is an excellent guitar too, if not quite as awesome as my USA Eclipse. Cort did a great job on the Slammer Series.

I can usually afford and would buy a USA special, want one bad in fact, but fear of the skinny neck in many model years puts me off. I'd really have to play it or have it on good advice that I'm not getting a super slim neck if buying online. Gotta do some more research on that neck carve/year question.

It is always always always good advice to save up for what you really want instead of buying numerous bargain half-way items, but I never seem to follow this sage wisdom!

On the other hand, Slammer Series at $200 is a super deal. I'll go against the best advice and say that this is not a bad stepping stone until you find the USA model for your taste and pocketbook.

That's based on a sample of two.