Hamer Sunburst and Studios

[SEA_AB]

Semi-new to the forum, and have seen it mentioned here a few times before - about 1979 Sunbursts being viewed as the "best year", and/or "holy grail". I've also seen a lot of positive talk about the mid-90's Studios. 

I recently purchased a 2007 Studio Custom, and think its an amazing guitar. Rock solid construction, high quality materials and hardware, precision fit and finish and great sound. Is there a knock on guitars from this vintage, or are people just nostalgic for some years?  Should I be watching out for any known flaws, or seeking any (non-altering) upgrades to my 2007?  Thanks for anyones thoughts on this!

[mrjamiam]

I'll take a run at your question, although in a general way since I can't lay my hands on my copy of The Book at the moment.  Sunbursts, Specials and Studios are all related.  The earliest Sunbursts (in 1978 IIRC) were basically outsourced to a one-man shop in Nashville, similarly to the way the early Standards were made in a basement in Chicago, until a dedicated production shop could be established.  Possible issues with the earliest Sunbursts were a one-piece neck that could twist, although I suspect that any that were going to twist have likely done so by now.  There was a changeover to a three-piece neck that solved that problem.

Specials are essentially Sunbursts without binding or crown fretboard inlays, although there may be one or two special orders with who-knows-what on them.  They started in 1980, which I believe was after the three-piece neck was introduced.  Production of Sunbursts and Specials was concentrated before the mid-1980's, when the shredder guitars got popular.  Pickups were DiMarzios, although there was always the possibility of a special order difference, bridges were the sustain block, and neck carves varied somewhat, with the 1981-82 era being generally somewhat slimmer.

The Sunburst and Special were re-introduced in the early 1990's as a re-emphasis on "Modern Vintage" was made, but you see mainly Specials from then.  The Sunburst went through some changes, first gaining an archtop, and then changing names until the Studio, which had an archtop but no binding in its basic form, had replaced it.  These had TOM bridge and stop tail and Seymour Duncan pickups.  The 1992-93 models tended to have skinnier necks, but they got fuller toward the middle of the decade.

This was the era of "Hameritis" and "Pizza Day", which are both finish imperfections found on some guitars.  "Hameritis" is thought to be a reaction to the glue used, and is found at and around the neck joint and at the edges of the fretboard, where the finish may even lift slightly.  "Pizza Day" is discoloration on the body as though someone had handled it with greasy hands before the finish was applied.  It seems to be limited to the back and sides, I'm guessing because a finish flaw on the top wouldn't have passed quality control.

As far as I can tell, the guitars from the 2000's are very well thought-of, but there were far fewer of them as Hamer's prices had started to soar in that decade.  There seem to be many more 90's and even 80's examples around than 00's, so people have less experience with them and are less likely to be able to reminisce.

I'm sure I'll get corrected if I've made mistakes.  And if I can find my Book, I'll edit if I find any mistakes myself.

[SEA_AB]

Thanks for the thoughtful response. I had heard of some of the finishing issues, but had assumed by the 2000's that had been ironed out. What you say makes sense in terms of number of guitars in circulation. Industry-wise, Hamer seemed to be at its highest profile in the early, and mid-80's, and still was visible into the 90's, but by the 2000's, Hamer was a small, almost boutique brand.  I had a Hamer back in 1982 (it was a Special - a Sunburst, with no binding, and dot inlays), but ended up selling it for a Kramer Baretta (I was in high school, and it was the 80's...). A few years ago, I thought back to some of the guitars I let slip away, and went back to the Hamer.  I'm very happy with the Studio Custom, its such a finely crafted instrument, and really sings, but wasn't sure if I needed to look out for anything.  Thanks again.

[Steve Haynie]

Yes, there is nostalgia for the earliest Hamers.  By 2007 Hamer quality was at its peak.  The only thing you have to look out for is growing a collection of Hamers because they can be addictive.