1978 Sunburst with a toggle switch plate?

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Pixdaddy3

New member
Hi, I'm a three-time Hamer owner who is new to HFC. I just purchased a guitar that's been posted here in the past (URL below). A subsequent owner replaced the clearly non-stock speed knobs. My question involves the toggle switch plate. They seem to be fairly common on Hamer Standards, but I don't recall seeing them on Sunbursts. Is it possible that the person who ordered the original guitar asked to have a switch plate? I don't want to remove it if there's a chance that it was original to the instrument. Any thoughts from people in the know would be truly appreciated.

Thanks!






 
The "poker chip" toggle switch washer was never original on a Sunburst, and Hamer only put them on the first (maybe 100 or so?) Standards.

A lot of people added them on an aftermarket basis over the years, but they're either put on there for aesthetic reasons (which I don't get on a Sunburst, personally) or to cover up damage.

Very cool guitar, and welcome!!

 
cmatthes said:
The "poker chip" toggle switch washer was never original on a Sunburst, and Hamer only put them on the first (maybe 100 or so?) Standards.

A lot of people added them on an aftermarket basis over the years, but they're either put on there for aesthetic reasons (which I don't get on a Sunburst, personally) or to cover up damage.

Very cool guitar, and welcome!!
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Thanks for the insight, cmatthes! The chip is off, a black toggle switch tip (I think that's right) and black speed knobs are now on. Much better!

 
                                                              Pictures now........................... PLEASE! :)

 
I remember that guitar -- and subsequent debate -- from Facebook.

It came up a few times and went something like this:

Owner of guitar: "Hi, I'm selling my '78 Sunburst. Anyone interested?"

Pretty much everybody else (including, albeit silently, me): "Those knobs! That poker chip! Make it stop!"

Owner of guitar: "I like the knobs and poker chip. If you buy it you can do with it what you want."

Personally, I'm happy to see it found a home and the new owner has seen fit to remove/replace the offending plastic.

Those period-correct long toggle tips are really hard to find. As many of you may recall, BCR Greg came across a few NOS switch tips a while back and I was lucky enough to snag one for my '78.

 
Dana_V said:
Owner of guitar: "Hi, I'm selling my '78 Sunburst. Anyone interested?"

Pretty much everybody else (including, albeit silently, me): "Those knobs! That poker chip! Make it stop!"

Owner of guitar: "I like the knobs and poker chip. If you buy it you can do with it what you want."
Click to expand...
Oh, THAT guitar??
Yes, horrendous knob choice.  I was on record at the time.

 
It's finally clean and ready for pics! Thanks to all for your kind words. I haven't stopped grinning since I took it out of the case!

A little elbow grease, new pickup ring for the neck (kept the original), replaced the aftermarket speed knobs and toggle switch tip, and gave it a poker chip-ectomy. 

The headstock looks like the longer version to me. If it is, would this be one of the later guitars to have the old headstock (SN: 8 0460)?

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Dana_V said:
Those period-correct long toggle tips are really hard to find. As many of you may recall, BCR Greg came across a few NOS switch tips a while back and I was lucky enough to snag one for my '78.
Click to expand...
I was afraid that might be the case. I did find some previously rocked '78 speed knobs, which are on the way. As for the switch tip, I may have better luck finding the elusive rainbow-pooping unicorn. The current black knobs and switch tip are spares I found in a drawer.

 
The ones being sold here weren't Hamer parts, but from old radio equipment.  They're easy enough to find if you are motivated.

Your '78 should be one of the first with an unshimmed bridge.  8 0451 was the first w/the newer production bridge. If it is shimmed (can't see on my phone, but it doesn't look like it), it would be one of the last with one.

Beautiful guitar-thanks for "fixing" it!

Poker chips on Standards ceased around 0050.

 
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