mrjamiam Posted December 15, 2016 Posted December 15, 2016 ^^^^ Were I not practicing so hard to be a responsible adult, I'd have snapped that up already. But OP said he wasn't interested in the Artist.
JohnnyB Posted December 15, 2016 Posted December 15, 2016 I have to put in here for the Phantom Custom of the late '90s. It has several things going for it that the other candidates do not: It has a longer upper horn for better balance than you'll get from any Studio, Archtop, or Special. It has a belly cut for more comfort. It has a single coil PU at the neck and three coils at the bridge, comprised of a single coil PU nestled next to a humbucker. The single coil and humbucker can be accessed separately or together, which provides access to an enormous range of tones and settings from just three knobs. It could carry you through an entire 4-hour gig, as it can sound like a Les Paul, a jazz guitar, a Tele, or a Strat, and not just in a half-ass way: Its maple cap is thicker than a Les Paul's, meaning you can get more snarl from it. It has a single coil neck pickup, which when combined with the single coil can give you lush Strat sound. Turn on all the coils and it does a Tele quite well. If you like to do Billy Gibbons-style pinch harmonics, you wouldn't believe how easy it is to ge them when all four coils are engaged. And when you find one the price is usually right. These are pretty rare; not many were made. And yet, here's one on Reverb.com for $1095. Last year a couple of them were listed on Reverb for $900.
DaveH Posted December 16, 2016 Posted December 16, 2016 2 hours ago, mrjamiam said: ^^^^ Were I not practicing so hard to be a responsible adult, I'd have snapped that up already. But OP said he wasn't interested in the Artist. And that's a shame... Freaking awesome price on that one.
JohnnyB Posted December 16, 2016 Posted December 16, 2016 5 hours ago, DaveH said: And that's a shame... Freaking awesome price on that one. When I think of what the humble Anniversary or Artist Mahogany HB can do, I can't fathom categorically dismissing it because it's semi-hollow (or whatever). It's absolutely amazing and can do the things people like Les Pauls for, but with more air, bloom, and body (and controllable feedback).
JoeO Posted December 16, 2016 Author Posted December 16, 2016 Boy, what an indefatigable lot you are when it comes to guitar recommendations! ;-) But I see that as a good thing - the enthusiasm you guys have for a variety of Hamer models and eras supports my sense that they are all (well, at least the USA-built ones) uniformly high quality instruments (as long as individually cared for). This gives me confidence in my dipping my toe in the Hamer waters, since the ability to personally check out/play one before buying is not very probable. (Even living in the Chicago area, not many to be found in the local GCs, CL, or indy/vintage shops). I appreciate the suggestions for the Artist or Phantom, but since I'm only looking to buy one guitar right now, I'm more comfortable with a style and aesthetic similar to my previous experiences (LPC, SG copy). Not to say I haven't in the past thought about getting something like an ES335, to see what that would be like. But I have to make sure I spend enough time playing one guitar before I even remotely consider adding to the pack! (Heck, next guitar after the Hamer probably ought to be a replacement classical for my Sigma that's seen better years...)
JohnnyB Posted December 16, 2016 Posted December 16, 2016 The Artists are not like 335s at all. They are like their solid body Studio counterparts, but with more bloom and air, and the chamber and your strumming arm right over the single f-hole maked it easy to add and control feedback. Artists really rock. My oldest stepson has led a punk rock band for decades, and his wet dream guitar is a Les Paul (he's a big Slash fan). When he was visiting us at Christmas several years back, I let him whang on my Anniversary, and he had to admit that, yeah, the Anniversary or Artist Mahogany can do everything he would have wanted from a Les Paul, and then some. I'm sure, however, that some LP aficionados here might take issue with my opinion. Still, I love the sound of an Anniversary from jazz-clean to insanely overdriven.
Jakeboy Posted December 16, 2016 Posted December 16, 2016 Welcome to our forum....! Oh hell yeah we will help you buy a Hamer!! Get a 1980 or 81 Special. Pretty much a less fancy Sunburst but same bridge, wood, pickups and awesome Hamer quality and playability. You can find them easy enough. i keep considering selling my 1980 to fund a Newport....but then I don't because it is my only vintage guitar. Plus it is MEGA resonant and is such a nasty rocker. Hmmmm, I think she needs some play time today..... Again, welcome to the HFC! You'll dig it here. Your LP was beautiful, BTW.
Hbom Posted December 16, 2016 Posted December 16, 2016 This looks good; http://www.ebay.com/itm/142213467190?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649 But if I were in your shoes I'd hold out for a nice mid-nineties Studio
JoeO Posted December 16, 2016 Author Posted December 16, 2016 35 minutes ago, Ralph said: I second Hbom on a Studio. I think that is where my head is going right now...
murkat Posted December 16, 2016 Posted December 16, 2016 1 hour ago, Ralph said: I second Hbom on a Studio. that would be a good introduction to a usa Hamer and fit you well. But.... After that one, the next one ( oh yes, there will be a next one ).... Michael_B's will re peek interest
Hbom Posted December 16, 2016 Posted December 16, 2016 While I believe that a mid 90s Studio is fantastic guitar, esp. when wrapped correctly, I am actually am an even bigger fan of the Artist series. And while not a blingy example, the '99 Anniversary model is a really nice Hamer. And there are 4 of then currently at Reverb under a grand! https://reverb.com/item/3241526-hamer-usa-25th-anniversary-artist-1999 https://reverb.com/item/3518546-hamer-25th-anniversary-artist-1999-maroon https://reverb.com/item/3596072-hamer-25th-anniversary-artist-mahogany-1999-cherry Ooops! This one is a bit higher but still a good deal IMO https://reverb.com/item/3202715-hamer-25th-anniversary-artist-1999-red I think any of these would Rawk your world and not kill your pocket book.
JohnnyB Posted December 16, 2016 Posted December 16, 2016 22 hours ago, Michael_B said: Today, a working musician who was new to Hamers came by my house and tried out just about every one in my collection. His favorites: Talladega, Artist, Newport and '79 Sunburst. Here's a picture of a Pesocaster-hosted Puget Sound area summer cookout and get-together from some years back. At the far right (at the time) was Hamer endorser Charlie Drown. She brought her made-to-spec artist stock Monaco SuperPro topped with blue flame maple. But the whole evening she didn't want to hold or play anything but my humble little red Anniversary. From the left, Jimbiilly, Pesocaster, me, and Charlie with my Anniversary.
cynic Posted December 16, 2016 Posted December 16, 2016 There are lots of Chicagoland area members here. You may try to seek out a few and see if you might be able to try a few models before committing to anything. Barring a few obvious clones (Daytona, T-51, early Standards, later Specials) Hamer guitars don't try to be anything they're not. You won't find the perfect LP tone, or the end-all-beat-all 335 sound. They're very much their own animal and imo very successfully steer clear of the typical cliche sound signatures. It's not always easy to tell in a mix or during routine playing, but anytime you A/B a Hamer against this or that, you can almost always hear and feel something in the Hamer you'll find more pleasing.
killerteddybear Posted December 16, 2016 Posted December 16, 2016 For a blingy Studio, there's this if you can spare a kidney:https://reverb.com/item/544170-hamer-studio-custom-2007-trans-white
Michael_B Posted December 16, 2016 Posted December 16, 2016 ^^^ That's a nice one. I'd spend twice the HFC approved tree-fiddy on that!
JoeO Posted December 16, 2016 Author Posted December 16, 2016 1 hour ago, killerteddybear said: For a blingy Studio, there's this if you can spare a kidney:https://reverb.com/item/544170-hamer-studio-custom-2007-trans-white Wow, no kidding! They're asking more than my cars are worth!
Hamer95USA Posted December 17, 2016 Posted December 17, 2016 Hey JoeO, Welcome to the forum! I read your thread and noticed you might be looking for a Hamer guitar of your own to get back into electric guitar playing. Here's a few Hamer guitars for sale on my local Craig's List: 1993 Hamer Sunburst 1996 Hamer Artist1996 Hamer Studio 1999 Hamer Vanguard 25th Anniversary Guitar George
Camstone Posted December 17, 2016 Posted December 17, 2016 Monaco Superpro There are a couple of nice ones on Reverb right now. Once you go 25.5" it's hard to go back.
django49 Posted December 17, 2016 Posted December 17, 2016 Hard to go wrong with a Studio. There is a reason I have too many of them. That said, the suggestion above about the Artist is worth consideration. Way back when, it was described as what would happen if a Les Paul and ES-335 mated. YMMV, but I always liked that description. I also have too many Artists, but I do consider them an "essential" Hamer.
django49 Posted December 17, 2016 Posted December 17, 2016 I have been trying to think what I have that MIGHT work. My sunburst color Studios are of the Ltd Edition variety, including the Triple Threat, and would be above the stated price range even if I was interested in selling. (At least a couple of them have "dibs" in place for if/when I change my mind). The Ultimate Artist falls into the same category, price-wise. So......The only thing I can find that fits (sort of) is a 1993 Sunburst......Hard to keep the names straight as they changed over years. But it is pretty much that guitar. The question would be if you could go for a Sunburst (model) that is NOT "sunburst" (color). (Another funny thing about Hamers). Anyway, long story short, I am grabbing some pictures and will post a separate for sale thread shortly.
custom53 Posted December 19, 2016 Posted December 19, 2016 Martin Barre is the main reason I bought my first Hamer.. Saw Tull live and he was playing one at the show.. I went out and bought new a 1981 Special right after that....
pirateflynn Posted December 20, 2016 Posted December 20, 2016 I 'think' I read somewhere in this thread that you prefer figured tops over painted ones but, if it were me, I'd definitely inquire about currypowder's Black B/C Sunburst. He hasn't stated the neck shape yet so check on that to make sure it's to your liking. Totally Martin Barre's look and potential tone and it's in your budget at $1,800. You won't find many B/C Sunbursts at this price. 1979 is arguably the best year, too. Good luck!
ARM OF HAMER Posted December 20, 2016 Posted December 20, 2016 4 minutes ago, pirateflynn said: I 'think' I read somewhere in this thread that you prefer figured tops over painted ones but, if it were me, I'd definitely inquire about currypowder's Black B/C Sunburst. He hasn't stated the neck shape yet so check on that to make sure it's to your liking. Totally Martin Barre's look and potential tone and it's in your budget at $1,800. You won't find many B/C Sunbursts at this price. 1979 is arguably the best year, too. Good luck! I concur!
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