PSA: couple nice imported Hamers

[Jim85IROC]

Had a couple imported models show up on my Reverb feed at good prices today.

First is a 2017 Monaco.  This is from the "new" Hamer.  I have the same guitar, and although the pickups are a bit lackluster, the guitar itself is spectacular.  

https://reverb.com/item/66646295-2017-hamer-xt-monaco-single-cut-electric-guitar-cherry-sunburst-finish-very-nice?utm_source=android-app&utm_medium=android-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=66646295

 

2nd is a korean Sunburst Archtop.  Seems to be well priced for a Korean model.  My experience with the Korean models isn't as positive as with the Indonesian, but usually once you replace the shitty pickups and electronics they're pretty good.

https://reverb.com/item/66642819-hamer-double-cutaway-sunburst-excellent-sku-9143gt?utm_source=android-app&utm_medium=android-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=66642819

[The Shark]

Is there such a thing?  Just sayin'...

[Jim85IROC]

10 hours ago, The Shark said:

Is there such a thing?  Just sayin'...

there is as far as I'm concerned.  The 3 imported models that I have currently are absolute keepers, and in fact, I'm going to be selling off a couple of my US models that I haven't bonded with and keeping those imports.

I've owned and sold a few other of the imported Hamers and none of them were bad guitars, and some of those were nearly as nice as the 3 keepers I have.

[Cboss]

I have the blue flamed version of that sunburst, and after replacing everything replaceable except the tuners with good stuff it is an amazing guitar, I wish it sat on my knee better though! Everything seems shifted to the right, but the tone, sustain and feel are wonderful, and it was not much money or work.. every time it comes out it makes me smile, and someone always comments on what a beautiful guitar it is

[Cboss]

[Jim85IROC]

2 hours ago, Cboss said:

I have the blue flamed version of that sunburst, and after replacing everything replaceable except the tuners with good stuff it is an amazing guitar, I wish it sat on my knee better though! Everything seems shifted to the right, but the tone, sustain and feel are wonderful, and it was not much money or work.. every time it comes out it makes me smile, and someone always comments on what a beautiful guitar it is

That's pretty consistent with my experiences with the Korean models too.  The early Korean models used nasty overwound ceramic humbuckers that sounded terrible.  The early one that I had also had pots that measured way, way off from what I believe they should have been.  After I replaced the electronics it was a fantastic guitar.

 

The later korean models had the Duncan Designed pickups, but instead of the lower output flavors, Hamer used their cheap overwound ceramic model, so they sounded pretty much just as bad as the early Korean models.  I've never played one of the older Indonesian humbucker models, but the later Chinese models had halfway decent sounding pickups, as do the newer Indonesian line.  They're not "great" but they're serviceable.  My newer Indonesian Monaco is one of my most resonant guitars though.  That and my US Studio Custom both have this hollow, almost reverb-like acoustic tone that's pretty remarkable.

 

Both of my P90 guitars are Indonesian.  One I believe is a 2011 and it sounds fantastic.  The P90s are vintage output and have alnico magnets.  The other is a very early Indonesian goldtop, but I bought used "hamer" branded pickups for it, so I don't know what year those are out of.  They're wound hotter than the 2011 pickups, but still sound very good.

[The Shark]

I don't want to get into "Epiphone Les Paul" territory here.  Just being flippant as I'm known to do.  

[kizanski]

1 hour ago, The Shark said:

I don't want to get into "Epiphone Les Paul" territory here.  Just being flippant as I'm known to do.  

No, you were right the first time.  

[Cboss]

5 hours ago, Jim85IROC said:

That's pretty consistent with my experiences with the Korean models too.  The early Korean models used nasty overwound ceramic humbuckers that sounded terrible.  The early one that I had also had pots that measured way, way off from what I believe they should have been.  After I replaced the electronics it was a fantastic guitar.

 

The later korean models had the Duncan Designed pickups, but instead of the lower output flavors, Hamer used their cheap overwound ceramic model, so they sounded pretty much just as bad as the early Korean models.  I've never played one of the older Indonesian humbucker models, but the later Chinese models had halfway decent sounding pickups, as do the newer Indonesian line.  They're not "great" but they're serviceable.  My newer Indonesian Monaco is one of my most resonant guitars though.  That and my US Studio Custom both have this hollow, almost reverb-like acoustic tone that's pretty remarkable.

 

Both of my P90 guitars are Indonesian.  One I believe is a 2011 and it sounds fantastic.  The P90s are vintage output and have alnico magnets.  The other is a very early Indonesian goldtop, but I bought used "hamer" branded pickups for it, so I don't know what year those are out of.  They're wound hotter than the 2011 pickups, but still sound very good.

Have been pretty tempted by that monaco, especially with your good experience

[Jim85IROC]

28 minutes ago, Cboss said:

Have been pretty tempted by that monaco, especially with your good experience

I can't say they're all great, but I know mine is.  Pickups are "meh" but the guitar itself is fantastic.  Had a little fret sprout when I got it, but aside from that it was great right out of the box.

 

The veneer and the rosewood fretboard on mine really impressed me.

 

 

[Cboss]

Holy shit that fretboard is gorgeous, WAY nicer than the PRS I just got rid of and that was an expensive guitar

[Steve Haynie]

I want to know more about the Vox drum kit. 

[shankyboy]

Calling these things Hamers is like Ford calling that electric SUV a Mustang. 

[Pieman]

Any experience with the Hamer Paul Junior imports?

[Jim85IROC]

On 3/14/2023 at 11:59 AM, shankyboy said:

Calling these things Hamers is like Ford calling that electric SUV a Mustang. 

I understand your perspective, but both the previous line of imported Hamers and the rebooted line have proven themselves to me.  They're excellent budget guitars.

[shankyboy]

35 minutes ago, Jim85IROC said:

I understand your perspective, but both the previous line of imported Hamers and the rebooted line have proven themselves to me.  They're excellent budget guitars.

I have no doubt. I own several, fantastic, non-USA made guitars. I just hate when a company, that did not earn the reputation, is able to just use the name. 

[Jim85IROC]

3 minutes ago, shankyboy said:

I have no doubt. I own several, fantastic, non-USA made guitars. I just hate when a company, that did not earn the reputation, is able to just use the name. 

just for discussion sake, what's the difference between a company like Hamer, which is dissolved and resurrected, and a company like Fender, which is sold, produces crap for years, and is sold again, then dilutes it's brand with imported models?  The only real difference is that Fender remained continuous, but still has really nothing to do with the brand that their reputation was built on.

[JGale]

[kizanski]

2 hours ago, Jim85IROC said:

They're excellent budget guitars.

A kind way of saying, "They exceeded my incredibly low expectations."

[Jim85IROC]

1 hour ago, kizanski said:

A kind way of saying, "They exceeded my incredibly low expectations."

you can keep crapping on them all you want.  That's fine.  I know better.  I have 3 that will be here long after some of my US models are gone because they're that good.

[JGale]

I dunno you know. Straight out of the box, maybe. After an upgrade to the accoutrement ensemble of tuners, pick-me-ups and bridge, they can become outstanding. I assume downgrading the parts package was necessary to meet costs, but when you reverse that, they, sometimes I will grant you sometimes, turn out to be a nice piece of ash after all. Sorta like me and Maggie McGee.

[JGale]

Case in point!

And pictures, everyone like the picture.

Boom! Babicz bridge

Boom! Brass big one and some fancy lo tension springs for the aerie ness of it all

Some big ass metal to wood to metal shite going on

Nicely aging bone nut and Ratio because your worth it!

Wizard neck, A2 Singles, HB in flux, glassy and I mean glassy edge of breakup every time. $350 initial acquisition fee.

Nice.

420/69 Nice.

[kizanski]

2 hours ago, Jim85IROC said:

you can keep crapping on them all you want.

Oh. Thank you. 

[veatch]

I'm a friend of all guitars. 

[The Shark]

On 3/13/2023 at 5:19 PM, kizanski said:

No, you were right the first time.  

I know, but I don't want to burst the bubble of those that don't have fifteen vintage Hamers and know, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are better in every way than the imports.  But some poeple think Jim Beam tastes better than Blanton's or Pappie Van Winkle.  It's just easier to leave them alone.