Can you tell me something about this? - Part 2

[yuominae]

I thought I'd start a new thread I now have the Sunburst and would like to know if the Hamer experts can maybe tell me more about it? I hope it's ok that I started a new thread for that?

So, I received the guitar today. Before I go any further, photos are here on Google photos: https://goo.gl/photos/ohTugsK1TspAbgL89. I'd add some here directly, but I haven't figured out yet how to link to photos on their service.

Here are some observations I've made so far.

• It really has no serial number, with no indication that there might have been one at any point.
• The finish is definitely nitro and it's thin, because you can see it conforming the wood underneath.
• It's a flat top... I expected it to be carved, but it's actually very similar to my special.
• The top is quilted. The top and back appear to be one piece, with the neck being three pieces as on all the Hamers I've had so far.
• The middle pup was definitely added later. It's got stupid wiring with individual volume for each pup and no tone.
• It probably had a refret, because the frets are really nice and there is a scar right against the nut.
• The control cavity cover plate is metal. It's not the brushed aluminium I've seen until now.
• The case looks old. The lining is similar to that in the case of my 1980 Gibson Les Paul Firebrand. There are four latches with one being right in between the feet at the bottom of the case (never seen that before...).

That's all I've got for now. It plays fine with a chunky, but slightly narrower than Gibson neck. Very similar to that on a Hamer Studio I owned (and still regret selling) a couple of years ago.

The overall feel of the finishing is very similar to that of other Hamers I've owned before, except for the nitro. I actually prefer the modern finish they use, which really slides and keeps the guitar shiny and new for ages, but hey... Oh yeah, and the binding is creaked in quite a few places.

Based on all this, is there any way to say for sure that it is a Hamer Sunburst from the USA and not a cheap knockoff? Is there maybe something else in the control or pickup cavities that might help date it or otherwise place its origins?

[serial]

No question that it's a real 1979 Sunburst. Tuners are not original-serial numbers sometimes fade, but usually it's the yellow ones. Top finish I'm reasonably certain is original. When you look under the middle pickup, I suspect it looks like raw wood. I've never seen anyone (including Hamer) be able to recreate the '79 finishes. Maybe back and neck were refinished?

Only 5 or 6 old Hamer Sunbursts didn't have flat tops. That wasn't a feature until 1989/90.

[cmatthes]

1990/91.

[hamerhead]

Wait a minute - who wrote the book?!?

[yuominae]

No question that it's a real 1979 Sunburst. Tuners are not original-serial numbers sometimes fade, but usually it's the yellow ones. Top finish I'm reasonably certain is original. When you look under the middle pickup, I suspect it looks like raw wood. I've never seen anyone (including Hamer) be able to recreate the '79 finishes. Maybe back and neck were refinished?

Only 5 or 6 old Hamer Sunbursts didn't have flat tops. That wasn't a feature until 1989/90.

Thanks for the info Serial!

I take it from your saying that the serial numbers faded on some models that on the Sunbursts the serial numbers were not stamped in the headstock like they are now?

The back could well be refinished as even though I can see that the binding is cracked, I can't feel the cracks when running my fingers along the edge. I'll have to check it out in more detail tonight.

[crunchee]

Even if the back is refinished, you could always check it with a black light, and see if anything shows up. It can't hurt.

[yuominae]

Even if the back is refinished, you could always check it with a black light, and see if anything shows up. It can't hurt.

That's a great idea! I'd just need to find a black light though...

TBH I'm not that bothered by the actual serial number. I was wondering if the guitar was made in the US or not. I'm in Japan, so I do sometimes worry about unwittingly buying knock offs. Everything points to this one being a 79 model, like Serial said.

The bottom pin appears to have been moved at some point in the past. It's back in its original position now and the second hold has been dowelled. The dowel is under the clear coat, so it's definitely been refinished (and probably refretted at the same time). If the serial number was stencilled or silk screened, then it would have come off. It corroborates what Serial said and it's good enough for me.

Just gotta decide if I'll keep it or not now. It's so similar to my special, that I'll probably end up letting one of them go...

[gorch]

Wherever the discussion goes. The guitar looks fabulous!