Hamer 8 string bass

[P Franco]

Heading out tomorrow to check out an 8 string Hamer bass. Is there anything specific I should be on the lookout for other than the normal cracks, fret wear, action -neck relief etc. ?  Thanks!

[cmatthes]

42 minutes ago, P Franco said:

Heading out tomorrow to check out an 8 string Hamer bass. Is there anything specific I should be on the lookout for other than the normal cracks, fret wear, action -neck relief etc. ?  Thanks!

Depending on the year, the biggest issue is the single truss rods on the earlier ones (pre-90s) can have twisting issues - not all, but the necks on some of the older ones should definitely be checked out.  Sometimes, the preamps go on the older ones too, and they don't make replacements.

If it's a '90s or newer bass, you have very little to worry about.  The twin truss rods and 3 piece stressed maple necks made a huge difference in stability.

Apart from that, it's tough to go wrong.  Definitely check the neck for any issues, but as mentioned, on a newer bass, things should be fairly stable.

What model 8 string bass are you looking at?

[P Franco]

42 minutes ago, cmatthes said:

Depending on the year, the biggest issue is the single truss rods on the earlier ones (pre-90s) can have twisting issues - not all, but the necks on some of the older ones should definitely be checked out.  Sometimes, the preamps go on the older ones too, and they don't make replacements.

If it's a '90s or newer bass, you have very little to worry about.  The twin truss rods and 3 piece stressed maple necks made a huge difference in stability.

Apart from that, it's tough to go wrong.  Definitely check the neck for any issues, but as mentioned, on a newer bass, things should be fairly stable.

What model 8 string bass are you looking at?

It’s a B8S with dual EMGs and a 6 digit serial number (I’m thinking it’s on the newer end). 

[Steve Haynie]

Dead strings make a difference.  If the octave strings are fresh the 8 string will have that wonderful bite you are looking for. 

[P Franco]

We’ll I’m now the new ‘first time’ owner of an 8 string bass now. Everything is great on it , a few surface scratches & tiny nicks but a great instrument. It does have dual truss rods. 
 

Now some follow up questions, is the tuning normally just an octave on each respective string?
Also, with string changes - is there a trick to it - or straight forward if I use the same gauge strings? I don’t want the action changing just because I removed all of the strings at the same time. Thanks!

[Hbom]

Congratulations!

Kind of an unwritten rule that you have to post pictures before you can get answers to questions. 

[P Franco]

[cmatthes]

Whoah!  That’s a nice grab!   What’s the first digit of the serial number?  “1”?  “2”?  

[P Franco]

5 hours ago, cmatthes said:

Whoah!  That’s a nice grab!   What’s the first digit of the serial number?  “1”?  “2”?  

The first digit is a 1. 

[cmatthes]

Gotcha - I thought it was either a ‘91 or ‘92!

[P Franco]

Good to know that it’s a ‘91 thanks for the info. Anything else that stands out to you, especially the color - is that original (like what’s the official name of the purple hue”). 
the fretboard appears to be ebony. All in all I am extremely happy with it. 

[JGale]

Looks like sparkleberry to me.

[HamerCustomEr]

On 8/21/2021 at 12:39 PM, P Franco said:

Oh, God, I think I'm in love!!  Where did you find her, and does she have a sister?

[TNC2]

Nice that it has a stadium logo. Ive only had 1 with that and it was a natural B12s.