Hamer Guitars USA might be coming back soon.

[Dasein]

Imports just make me sad.

[crunchee]

I have about as much interest in Hamer imports now as I did five years ago.  Which is to say, very little.

Somebody give me a 'heads up' when Joe Bonnamassa, Rick Nielsen, Tom Dumont, and Lita Ford start playing 'new' Hamers.  

[RobB]

1 minute ago, crunchee said:

Somebody wake me when Joe Bonn amass a, Rick Nielsen, Tom Dumont, and Lita Ford start playing 'new' Hamers.

To sleep. Perchance, to dream?

[sw686blue]

On 2017-01-12 at 0:14 AM, The Shark said:

My friends that were friends before I ever came here don't seem to be friends anymore.  That sucks.  Had two teeth pulled today.  Glad I missed this thread until now.  I won't be reading any more of it. 

 

Well good for you. 

[cmatthes]

My point about the imports not doing shit for the USA brand - how many buyers/players/dealers in 2000-2014 had any idea that Hamer USA even existed?  That misunderstanding fell on a FAR larger scale than the handful of people here who started with an import and moved upstream to a USA Hamer.  In general, it caused confusion in the marketplace, and actually minimized the USA brand, and more people thought Hamer was an import only brand with a formerly innovative past.  Sure, the imports helped pay for the US line and keep it afloat, but in the end, maybe did as much to tarnish the image as the lack of advertising/promotion or relevant endorsers.  Keep in mind, this was after multiple perfect reviews, awards and kudos for every new USA Hamer model released - the workmanship in New Hartford was probably the best of all of Hamer's years in business too, but they weren't able to break out - either by design/strategy or bad timing.

If you think that a new Hamer USA is going to be an avenue for cool custom orders, great - keep that fantasy going!  I don't see it at all.  For the model to work in the current MI industry and with the projected global economy for the next decade, they're going to have to stick to a predictible, safe, repeatable line that is going to allow them to turn a proft and keep those shareholders/investors happy. Taking custom orders or doing a lot of customer-specific prototyping and other stuff that doesn't fit the mold is a huge expense.  It's also going to have to be putting out guitars at a price point where they can justify keping the lights on and the place staffed.  That is not going to be the Hamer that people in the '70s, '80s, '90s or 2000s that people here (and elsewhere) dug.  

But hey, just MY OPINION.

It's fine dreaming about a custom order factory churning out graphic Californians and other boomered delights, but I don't think that's grounded in reality unless you move production to China.  Hell, people here (and elsewhere) bitched about Hamer's pricing 15 years ago - I don't see new full-out Hamer customs that people are discussing in this thread going for less than boutique builder prices.  The math just doesn't work in the corporate world, and that's what we're talking here.

[RobB]

Lock, lock, lock, lock!!!!! C'mon, sing with me! 

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

49 minutes ago, cmatthes said:

My point about the imports not doing shit for the USA brand - how many buyers/players/dealers in 2000-2014 had any idea that Hamer USA even existed?  That misunderstanding fell on a FAR larger scale than the handful of people here who started with an import and moved upstream to a USA Hamer.  In general, it caused confusion in the marketplace, and actually minimized the USA brand, and more people thought Hamer was an import only brand with a formerly innovative past.  Sure, the imports helped pay for the US line and keep it afloat, but in the end, maybe did as much to tarnish the image as the lack of advertising/promotion or relevant endorsers.  Keep in mind, this was after multiple perfect reviews, awards and kudos for every new USA Hamer model released - the workmanship in New Hartford was probably the best of all of Hamer's years in business too, but they weren't able to break out - either by design/strategy or bad timing.

If you think that a new Hamer USA is going to be an avenue for cool custom orders, great - keep that fantasy going!  I don't see it at all.  For the model to work in the current MI industry and with the projected global economy for the next decade, they're going to have to stick to a predictible, safe, repeatable line that is going to allow them to turn a proft and keep those shareholders/investors happy. Taking custom orders or doing a lot of customer-specific prototyping and other stuff that doesn't fit the mold is a huge expense.  It's also going to have to be putting out guitars at a price point where they can justify keping the lights on and the place staffed.  That is not going to be the Hamer that people in the '70s, '80s, '90s or 2000s that people here (and elsewhere) dug.  

But hey, just MY OPINION.

It's fine dreaming about a custom order factory churning out graphic Californians and other boomered delights, but I don't think that's grounded in reality unless you move production to China.  Hell, people here (and elsewhere) bitched about Hamer's pricing 15 years ago - I don't see new full-out Hamer customs that people are discussing in this thread going for less than boutique builder prices.  The math just doesn't work in the corporate world, and that's what we're talking here.

 

Personally, I'm not *dreaming* of custom orders. I was just riffing on what made Hamer "Hamer" instead of just another boutique builder.

I don't know what's being discussed inside the talks of the potential owners' group. I'm sure they have enough business experience to know what will work, and won't listen to anything I say, even if I have good ideas, which I probably don't.

I just think the world is a better place with a Hamer USA that continues as many of the older traditions as possible.  But if it doesn't work out, it won't kill me.

I'm not going to buy another new guitar again, whether Hamer comes back or not, so I'm just an interested spectator.

[The Shark]

1 hour ago, sw686blue said:

Well good for you. 

Yeah, good for me.  Bub...

[LucSulla]

This whole thread:

 

[Pieman]

Post-90's, Hamer didn't look for endorsements, didn't build what the higher-end customers wanted and didn't advertise at all (I used to buy lotta Guitar magazines and Hamer was almost never advertised).

I remember when Hamer owned the back cover of Guitar Player. For years.

[gorch]

11 hours ago, cmatthes said:

It didn't do shit for Hamer the entire two decades they had imports out before, except kind of crap up the name and confuse people in the end.

Definitely were are on a different bost here. There is no popular mainstream oriented guitar brand not running both industrialized and custom production lines. Regardless of successful marketing, itis the usual way to go opening up production to keep up with growth. Looking back, it appears natural to me the way things happened in the 80s. Obviously Hamer and Kaman failed to lead the brand into success. However, that's a total different animal. 

Btw. I'm another one of the few who had started with a MIK.

[geowolves]

20 minutes ago, gorch said:

 

Btw. I'm another one of the few who had started with a MIK.

^^^ Same with me. 

[kizanski]

How many of you who started with the imports bought or ordered a brand new USA Hamer?

[geowolves]

26 minutes ago, kizanski said:

How many of you who started with the imports bought or ordered a brand new USA Hamer?

6 USA Hamers and all used. Then again my first USA was about 2 1/2 - 3 years ago. I have 8 imports all used. All of my guitars have been purchased used except for one. 

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

27 minutes ago, kizanski said:

How many of you who started with the imports bought or ordered a brand new USA Hamer?

I didn't find Hamer until long after they stopped building super strats, which is my preferred guitar style. Since they weren't tooled for super strats and didn't seem to want that business, I couldn't have gotten a Hamer super strat for anything close to a reasonable price.

I'd buy a brand new production Diablo or Centaura if they made one now.  With technology improvements since those lines were shut down, I'd think they'd be able to hit a price point between $900 and $1500 now, and I'd hit that in a heartbeat. 

But if the new Hamer would be focused only on the boutique Gibby stuff, or only custom orders, I'd admire it from afar. Not my bag.

[polara]

38 minutes ago, geowolves said:

 All of my guitars have been purchased used except for one. 

This is why one would enter this business only for love, not money. I'm tempted to round up investors though to offer a brand called HFC.

One model.

Made in USA.

Oil finish.

No inlays. No case. No options.

$350

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

1 minute ago, polara said:

This is why one would enter this business only for love, not money. I'm tempted to round up investors though to offer a brand called HFC.

One model.

Made in USA.

Oil finish.

No inlays. No case. No options.

$350

I might hit that, too.

[jisham]

Ha, the "real" Hamer USA couldn't survive so I see no reason a resurrected Hamer USA in-name-only could even begin to compete in today's market, especially if they're starting with an import line for a demographic that's beyond saturated with sub-$1000 guitars.  Hamer is dead and should stay that way IMO.

[Biz Prof]

20 minutes ago, Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame said:

I didn't find Hamer until long after they stopped building super strats, which is my preferred guitar style. Since they weren't tooled for super strats and didn't seem to want that business, I couldn't have gotten a Hamer super strat for anything close to a reasonable price.

I'd buy a brand new production Diablo or Centaura if they made one now.  With technology improvements since those lines were shut down, I'd think they'd be able to hit a price point between $900 and $1500 now, and I'd hit that in a heartbeat. 

But if the new Hamer would be focused only on the boutique Gibby stuff, or only custom orders, I'd admire it from afar. Not my bag.

You're coming from a different angle, but you are making the same point I attempted a few pages back. Arlington Heights Hamer and New Hartford Hamer, to me, were two very different business models. I don't see either as superior to the other, as they were built for different missions. My personal preference was strongly canted toward AH Hamer, as I was partial to the product line of the late '80s and most of the '90s. I bought one new during that era and influenced three peers to buy USA Hamer guitars at about the same time. Fat Sound in Cary, NC sold a good number of them in the '90s, and the brand seemed to have a solid reputation. The imports (post Slammer Series) certainly did sully the brand's rep over time. 

While I recognize the fact that the NH Hamers were likely the best quality instruments ever to carry the logo, they simply did not appeal to me as strongly. 

[mathman]

I would love to see the Hamer we knew resurrected but it's not going to happen.  Even if it did I doubt I could afford one anyway.  So I wouldn't be buying anyway.

[geowolves]

With Hamers like this one for sale, why would I buy a new one even if they were available to buy new?

19 hours ago, Jim P said:

Up for sale is a lightly-used 2008 Hamer Studio Custom in excellent to near-mint condition. While I've played this guitar on a handful of gigs, it's primarily been a case queen. I originally purchased this guitar new from Jay Wolfe Guitars in 2009. The only minor blemish I can find is a tiny little dimple near the bridge. It's basically all stock, but the arm of the 3-way toggle switch has been filed down to accommodate shorter switch tips that are commonly used on Gibson guitars. I've also replaced the stock tone capacitor for a Sprague Vitamin Q. The pickups were once swapped out for a pair of Tom Holmes pickups, but the original SD '59s have been re-installed. The guitar has been well-maintained in a properly humidified environment and smoke-free home. All in all, this guitar sounds and plays great, so I'm quite certain that the new owner won't be disappointed. 

The reason for the sale of this guitar is because I've simply accumulated way too much gear over the years, and the time has finally come for me to let a few items go......"thinning  the herd" as some might say.

 Asking $1550 shipped using Paypal F&F. If using regular payment of Paypal, please add 3%. Certified bank check accepted as well. As always, please don't hestitate to ask any questions you may have, and thanks for looking!

Specifications (partially from the Hamer website):

TOP
Finish: Aztec Gold
Material: Flame Maple
Configuration: Arched
BODY
Material: Mahogany
Binding: Single Ply Ivoroid
NECK
Material: Mahogany
Shape: Vintage Round
Thickness: Vintage carve
Binding: Single Ply Ivoroid
FINGERBOARD
Material:Rosewood
Radius: 14 1/2"
Inlays:Victory
Fret Dimensions: Hamer Wide Oval: .100
Nut Type/Width: Ivory, 1.650
Scale Length: 24 3/4"
PICKUPS
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan '59 (7.62k)
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan '59 (8.31k)
ELECTRONICS
Controls: 2 Volume, 1 Tone,
Switch: 3-Way Toggle
HARDWARE
Bridge: Tone Pros TOM
Tailpiece: Tone Pros Stop-bar
Tuners: Schaller
STRINGS
Current strings are D'Addario EXL110+ (10.5 - 48)
WEIGHT
8.1 Pounds

I love all my used Hamers and that's the problem! The Hamer production era was great! One of the few brands of guitars you can buy without ever picking it up and not be disappointed.  

If I was going to buy new, Shishkov guitars is the way I would go as I believe any new Hamer USA if it ever happens is going to have a hard time catching up to what Mike has been putting out. The neck heel on the Cobra alone along with the spectacular wood and finishes are mind boggling!

[zorrow]

I never bought a new production Hamer USA --when I was finally able to afford them, they weren't to my appeal any longer.

I never ordered a custom Hamer USA --same than above.

I did buy three brand new imports --they were excellent guitars.

I have purchased three brand new Gibsons so far --they were fairly priced and also were excellent guitars.

So, I would have purchased some brand new Hamers if they had appealed to me and if they had been priced like middle-level Gibbies, or if Hamer had built for me a guitar exactly to my wishes. Neither happened. I just could find what I wanted in the used market: a well-built, dependable, in the 1K to 1.5K range and to-my-tastes American Hamer.

And I bet the same story applies to many of us here, right?

[edgar_allan_poe]

This thread has brought back some great memories and made me LOL more than once.  I miss this place and a lot of you as well.  I hope to be around here more often in the future.

[kizanski]

7 minutes ago, zorrow said:

I never bought a new production Hamer USA --when I was finally able to afford them, they weren't to my appeal any longer.

I never ordered a custom Hamer USA --same than above.

I did buy three brand new imports --they were excellent guitars.

I have purchased three brand new Gibsons so far --they were fairly priced and also were excellent guitars.

So, I would have purchased some brand new Hamers if they had appealed to me and if they had been priced like middle-level Gibbies, or if Hamer had built for me a guitar exactly to my wishes. Neither happened. I just could find what I wanted in the used market: a well-built, dependable, in the 1K to 1.5K range and to-my-tastes American Hamer.

And I bet the same story applies to many of us here, right?

Yes, many of you, but that's what I was getting at when I asked "How many of you who started with the imports bought or ordered a brand new USA Hamer?"
Not many people in this thread who have custom ordered a new USA Hamer, or bought a brand new USA Hamer off of a guitar shop wall are looking for Hamer USA to return.
Because we know that the USA models they were selling lost money for the parent company, and the concept of a "$1,500 USA Hamer is a complete pipe dream.
Even if they did make one, why would anyone - especially a fan of the defunct company - want one?

This whole thread is nothing more than a mic drop for the OP. A masturbatory exercise in futility. Not that I'm opposed to this sort of thing, mind you, but let's get real for fuck's sake.

[zorrow]

Well, looking at the current imports, I think if they added a semi-hollow and at least a super-strat (or maybe two: Centaura & Californian) to their USA-made line (good quality, but all with striped-down features to keep the prices low enough), they would already have an interesting offer to people like many of us.