currypowder Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 Last week, I posted a near miss on this guitar, I thought it had been sold before I could snag it. I guess the initial buyer decided not to get it, so I was ultimately (pun intended) able to make it mine. In my periodic searching of Japanese guitar stores, this Hamer Artist Ultimate popped up for a more that reasonable price. Even though this really isn't the type of guitar I would typically target, I couldn't resist it given the model's history and reputation. It's #10 in the series made in 1998. From my research, I'm guessing no more than about 80 were made since its release. But I could be wrong. Of course it's gorgeous in every respect. It's in very good condition. Outside of just very light pick marks on the top that can only be seen at an angle, I can't find a mark on it. The original case has a little wear on the top corner, but nothing major. There are no COAs with it, unfortunately. That certainly didn't make a difference to me, it's pretty obvious what it is. There was an older Hamer brochure and price list, though. Haven't had a chance to play it yet as it was delivered to my office. But I'm sure it'll be as good or better than every other Hamer that had passed through my hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cynic Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 What's that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
currypowder Posted November 29, 2018 Author Share Posted November 29, 2018 I saw that. I'll have to let others that are much more knowledgeable than I opine on that. I haven't been able to find neck pickup cavity pictures of other AUs to see if it's consistent with them. There's nothing in the control cavity that looks like it was added, all looks original to me. And the coated wire is consistent with the striped coated wire that's grounded in the cavity. So I just figured it was some part of the grounding and put it out of my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArnieZ Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 Looks like a ground to me arniez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Shark Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 Nice score. Glad you were able to get it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disturber Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 3 hours ago, cynic said: What's that? Smoke bomb trigger device. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixesandsevens Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 9 hours ago, currypowder said: At first glance I thought that was the headstock sticking out of the soundhole. 🤦♂️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamerica Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 Congrats on your latest acquisition. Hamerica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Scepter Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 49 minutes ago, ArnieZ said: Looks like a ground to me arniez +1 "grounded to shielding paint" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
currypowder Posted November 29, 2018 Author Share Posted November 29, 2018 1 hour ago, Disturber said: Smoke bomb trigger device. That's what I want it to be, now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamerhead Posted November 29, 2018 Share Posted November 29, 2018 Gorgeous. The SBTD is just a plus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakeboy Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 What a beautiful finish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrjamiam Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 Beauty! Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArnieZ Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 Welcome to the club, Iwould have sold you mine😀 arniez Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchman Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 Dib’s and double dib’s!!! Beautiful!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl.B Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 5 hours ago, Disturber said: Smoke bomb trigger device. Nope that's the Ultimate talent switch if you notice it is screwed down tight. It is unobtainable for most of us mere mortals in the HFC. 😋 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travis Posted November 30, 2018 Share Posted November 30, 2018 Absolutely gorgeous... loved those pickups as I snagged a pair years ago from someone who pulled them from their ultimate and replaced them with a set of EMG’s.. 😱 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
currypowder Posted December 1, 2018 Author Share Posted December 1, 2018 On 11/30/2018 at 1:27 AM, Travis said: Absolutely gorgeous... loved those pickups as I snagged a pair years ago from someone who pulled them from their ultimate and replaced them with a set of EMG’s.. 😱 That would certainly be a questionable decision. Today, I finally got to spend some time with the Ultimate. Put some fresh strings on and got it set up to my liking. It didn't require much, the neck is straight. Just needed to lower the bridge a little and raise the pickups. I also took the chance to really look it over from top to bottom. It's not in like new condition, but there is very little in the way of wear. Only the lightest of surface scratches that can only be seen at an angle, and very few of those. The frets have no wear at all. And the ebony board is a smooth and dark as I've ever seen. No surprise, but it plays absolutely great. I'm enjoying playing it unplugged, it sounds so good by itself, resonant and alive. The Ultimate pickups are interesting. Clear and bright with pretty low output, resistance readings of 8.36 and 7.26. That seems to be consistent with others sets I've seen. I'm sure I'm not telling anyone anything they haven't already heard. I've owned a lot of Hamers over the years and this one is definitely one of the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl.B Posted December 1, 2018 Share Posted December 1, 2018 Congrat's 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugby1970 Posted December 1, 2018 Share Posted December 1, 2018 On 11/29/2018 at 12:55 PM, cynic said: What's that? Me thinks t'is a ground wire. Beautiful guitar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cynic Posted December 1, 2018 Share Posted December 1, 2018 1 hour ago, rugby1970 said: Me thinks t'is a ground wire. Beautiful guitar! Yep....that's the consensus....my question was less about what it is than why it's there. I've seen shielded humbucker cavities, but never grounded humbucker cavities. Does it or should it make any real or valid difference? Is there something unique about the "Ultimate" pickups that makes it necessary? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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