Hamer Artist vs Studio construction

[Guitarsforever]

Ok, I've been look,n for a Hammer DC and seems I like I end up looking at mid 90's-2000 studios or artists.

Is the Studio a solid body, or is it like the Artist with out the F hole?. Seems that some of the artists and studios have one piece necks, Is there any year this happend? I know the Artist is semi-hollow. Does the Artist balance nice with a strap( not neck heavy)? I won't ask about sound , but I wounder !

Any other info on these is helpful

Thanks

[atquinn]

99.9% of Studios out there are completely solid with 3 piece necks. They could be special-ordered chambered and these are like an Artist without the f hole. There was a very limited run that had 1 piece necks and some other custom features, but those are so rare you don't really have to worry about coming across one. And I think Artists balance fine if you are using a rough-back strap (like a leather one. If you use a slick strap they'll tend to be a bit neck-heavy.

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Austin

[Guitarsforever]

Thanks Austin,

One other ting also. Whats the story with some of these having body binding, some not - maybe also crown inlays and fret binding . Are these referd to as customs ?

Thanks

[tbonesullivan]

Yes, and no. The "studio" went through many changes. Originally they were called "Sunburst" models. And then they had Sunburch Archtops. Then for a while they were called "Archtop" and there was the Archtop Studio, with no binding and dots, and the Archtop Custom, which is "bound and crowned"

And then it just because knowm as the Studio, and the Studio Custom.

I think I left out a few in there.

[atquinn]

Yup, that pretty much sums it up. For anything recent it's:

Artist/Studio - no binding, dot inlays

Artist Custom/Studio Custom - body and neck binding (headstock binding if after 2006) and crowns or victory inlays. Also Artist Customs never came stock with f-hole binding, but you could special-order it, so you might see some out there with it.

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Austin

[Guitarsforever]

Thanks Guys. That lesson cleared up alot of things . Now all I have to do is find the right one !

[django49]

Too bad there were not more with the f hole binding. I think it is a great touch, whether on the Artist or Newport or Monaco.

[bubs_42]

Oh, how i've pined for that Artist. I'm sure she sound big, bright and snappy.

[Tres Aardvarks]

Too bad there were not more with the f hole binding. I think it is a great touch, whether on the Artist or Newport or Monaco.

Agreed. Wish I'd had the foresight to ask for f-hole binding on my B12M. It'd make her just that bit more snazzy!

[atquinn]

Too bad there were not more with the f hole binding. I think it is a great touch, whether on the Artist or Newport or Monaco.

I had that one for a while. The f-hole binding is definitely a nice touch (so was the birdseye maple top on that one).

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Austin

[tbonesullivan]

I had heard in passing that there was different chambering in various years of Artists? I'm really not in the market, but just in case I see one.

There was that lovely artist korina hanging out at BCR for a bit.

[Guitarsforever]

Now THATS a Bass ! I think You've done very well - even without the binding. Almost feel like switching instruments !

[burningyen]

I had heard in passing that there was different chambering in various years of Artists? I'm really not in the market, but just in case I see one.

There was that lovely artist korina hanging out at BCR for a bit.

I remember reaching into the f-hole of my '96 Artist Custom with my pinky and feeling a thick layer of extra wood under the top. I didn't feel the same with my 25th Ann. At some point ('99 maybe?) I think they switched to carving the entire top of the chamber to the same even thinness.

[atquinn]

I had heard in passing that there was different chambering in various years of Artists? I'm really not in the market, but just in case I see one.

There was that lovely artist korina hanging out at BCR for a bit.

I remember reaching into the f-hole of my '96 Artist Custom with my pinky and feeling a thick layer of extra wood under the top. I didn't feel the same with my 25th Ann. At some point ('99 maybe?) I think they switched to carving the entire top of the chamber to the same even thinness.

Yup, that's correct. I've never owned any of the older ones through (the earliest I ever owned was a early 2000's Vanguard). And I'm not sure what they do to the top in chambered Studios; if it is carved or not.

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Austin