The Various Superstrats (Chapparal, Caifornian, Diablo, Centaura

[jco5055]

Hey guys! I've recently gone down the rabbit hole of being into "vintage"/discontinued guitars, particularly USA or MIJ superstrats a la Hamer. I've been into Hamer for a while (well more like Mike Shiskov, I am very interested in his current work), but this is my first time posting here.

Regarding all the superstrat-esque shapes Hamer produced- Californian, Chapparal, Diablo, Centaura- other than obvious differences one can determine just by looking at a spec sheet or the guitars themselves, is there any particular model(s) and/or years of production that are particularly regarded as the best? 

I've assumed the Californian Custom may be, just because 1) it was not a bolt-on 2) it had the most "modern/over the top" features with said set neck as well as the 27 frets etc 3)it is by far the priciest model on reverb/ebay and 4) Mike himself has made the Super C which the Californian is the obvious inspiration.

There is a Chapparal Elite at a store near me so I will try to try a USA Hamer finally.

Thanks!

[Biz Prof]

I've only ever owned a Centaura, but I've played many examples of all of classic Hamer superstrats (including the SS1 and SS2).  To me, each has it's own vibe and focus.

The Chap and SS1 were Hamer's first real forays into an intentionally designed hot rod S-style platform although the SS1 was really a variant of the Prototype made to Steve Stevens' specs, and both were short scale and had set necks.  At that point in the mid-1980s, Hamer had only built set neck guitars, so I suspect these designs were partly a result of what they knew/preferred and were tooled-up to produce (e.g., Richardson copy lathe on which they rough milled necks) and partly a nod to what Grover Jackson had accomplished with his Soloist design.   Early Chaps (set-neck, shorter scale) had the relatively stubby, sharply-drooping hockey stick headstock. After almost two production years, Hamer switched the Chap to a bolt-on neck, longer scale, and more mildly raked headstock similar to what you see on Calis.   The SS2 featured a slightly sleeker body shape than the SS1 and introduced a H-S pickup configuration.  Pretty sure there were many less SS2 units made compared to SS1s. 

The Cali, in my mind, was Jol's attempt to show the world that Hamer could build the ultimate high-performance guitar (we're looking at you, Jackson, Kramer, ESP, and Ibanez) in manner that was both elegant and jaw-dropping. The 27-fret neck, boomer inlays, angle neck pickup, recessed Floyd, minimal controls, and a body shape that was both ergonomic and sexy.  I always saw it as the Ferrari of shredder guitars. The ultimate stallion in the hair metal horse race. The Cali started life a set-neck design, but eventually became available in bolt-neck. I think there was overlapping production of set-necks and bolt-necks with the Cali.  Calis, especially those with solid quilt/curly maple bodies, fetch relatively high prices in the market compared to all other Hamer superstrats not named "Virtuoso!". 

The Centaura was slated to be the third iteration of SS model before Stevens bolted for Washburn and while a cool design, seemed a bit overpriced for its place in the stable. It has some telltale elements of Stevens' "Glow" Charvel:  a dinky body, bolt-on neck, 25.5" scale, 1 vol/1 tone.  IIRC, Hamer built Steve a few SSIII prototypes, one of which was a close facsimile of his old Charvel Dinky, right down to the hum/single configuration. angled pickups, maple neck/board.  I think Cents look badassed, especially with the reverse headstock, offset dots, and slim proportions (and when equipped with black hardware).  They're not the most popular Hamer superstrat by any measure, but they were definitely built for speed.

The Diablo came last and appears to have become revered as the Hamer shredder than punched well above its weight class.  Radiused alder body, two humbuckers (the neck unit of which was curiously angled), maple/rosewood 24 fret bolt-on neck in 25.5" scale, Floyd, and simple 1 Vol/1 Tone/selector controls, and mostly clear-over-stain finishes.  I should have bought one 50 times over when a person could easily snag one for the HFC-approved price.  I much prefer the H-H configuration now over the more common H-S-S setup.  If I had only one Hamer shredder I could own, it would probably be a Diablo. 

Honorable mention:  Paul Hamer's Virtuoso! design was produced in very small numbers in a manner similar to the 4-digits; mostly by hand and requiring a painstaking attention to detail, such as a scalloped fretboard and perfectly blended neck/body joint.  So few exist, yet this model is worth mentioning as a shredder....because that's the type of player it was geared toward. 

[jco5055]

wow what an amazing write up, thank you so much!!

[diablo175]

FYI, Japan did not manufacture any of Hamer's import line. Pretty much all Korean initially, if memory serves.  And while being very solid for imports, they are pale in comparison to the USA's. No comparison, actually.

[Travis]

I’ve had a first year Chap: mahogany body, short scale maple set neck 24.75” HSS. A Cali standard: mahogany body with bolt on maple neck and rosewood w/ dots and a Kahler Floyd copy (Spyder or Steeler or something…). And the Diablo: alder body, bolt on maple neck 25.5” H/H. Of the three it was the most stripped down but had a nice beefy neck (seemingly rare for that model) and a non-reverse headstock. 

They were all 3 great. Got rid of them because I was veering away from floyded guitars. If I could get one of them back, it would be the Diablo. Played and sounded the best of the 3. 

[Dave Scepter]

I just recently whipped out my Chappie "after a couple of year hiatus" and immediately blown away & fell in love with it... it's a set neck, long scale, ebony with boomers... there is not one thing I would change about it... the neck profile, tone & playability is perfection... and just look how thick the ebony fretboard is... 🥰

[scottcald]

1 hour ago, Dave Scepter said:

I just recently whipped out my Chappie "after a couple of year hiatus" and immediately fell in love with it... there is not one thing I would change about it... the neck profile, tone & playability is perfection... and just look how thick the ebony fretboard is... 🥰

Yeah, the fretboard's cool, but that finish!

[diablo175]

5 hours ago, scottcald said:

Yeah, the fretboard's cool, but that finish!

This /\

 

[Jimbilly]

 I've had quite a few, but no set neck Chap or Cali, I always wanted to find a setneck Chap with boomers.  My favorite of all is my SS ii.  My Prototype with Kahler is growing on me.  I would love to find an SSiii.  

[Dave Scepter]

15 hours ago, scottcald said:

Yeah, the fretboard's cool, but that finish!

I finally captured the true color of this guitar