Help IDing Hamer

[Cboss]

Would be grateful for any input from the experts on what the story with this is, just bought it for very cheap, it isn't here yet..

claimed to be mid-90s,  I don't see a serial number anywhere.  the construction seems to be very similar to my 96 diablo, the transfer on the headstock looks very legit, but no USA, the Floyd looks a little different? What do you all think, what have I got here?

[specialk]

Import.

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

9 hours ago, Cboss said:

Would be grateful for any input from the experts on what the story with this is, just bought it for very cheap, it isn't here yet..

claimed to be mid-90s,  I don't see a serial number anywhere.  the construction seems to be very similar to my 96 diablo, the transfer on the headstock looks very legit, but no USA, the Floyd looks a little different? What do you all think, what have I got here?

...*how* cheap?

It's probably a decent enough guitar. That's a 2nd generation Made in Korea import Diablo.  Probably built between 2000-2002?

Use this forum to ask before you buy any Hamer you aren't sure of in the future.

[cynic]

If you payed the full ask plus the shipping you spent more than many would have.  If you paid half you got a reasonable price.

The inlays and binding on that neck though...gawdawful.

[Cboss]

1 hour ago, Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame said:

...*how* cheap?

It's probably a decent enough guitar. That's a 2nd generation Made in Korea import Diablo.  Probably built between 2000-2002?

Use this forum to ask before you buy any Hamer you aren't sure of in the future.

$326 total, so not quite $350 waswas seduced by the binding/boomerangs, plus I love my usa diablo, and am under the impression the early mik imports are great quality.   Will switch the pickups

[Dave Scepter]

Regarding import Hamers, you really want the 90's MIK Standards or 1st Gen MIK... 

Everything else is doo doo

[Cboss]

3 minutes ago, Dave Scepter said:

Regarding import Hamers, you really want the 90's MIK Standards or 1st Gen MIK... 

Everything else is doo doo

How can they be identified? 1st gen

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

1 hour ago, Cboss said:

$326 total, so not quite $350 waswas seduced by the binding/boomerangs, plus I love my usa diablo, and am under the impression the early mik imports are great quality.   Will switch the pickups

If $326, then you might enjoy it okay. The boomerangs are not the same as USA boomers.  You'll get so you can tell at a glance if you keep searching.

You may have to replace the trem.  The pickups will be okay, but won't knock you out. 

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

1 minute ago, Cboss said:

How can they be identified? 1st gen

1st generation is Hamer in big letters, with Slammer Series in smaller letters right underneath it

 

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

These are all decent, but of course, can't compare to USA Hamers.

 

The ones that say Hamer with nothing else are 2nd generation.  They're okay.  A 2nd gen MIK "Stellar" was my intro to Hamer.  Gorgeous snakewood/lacey oak top with cherry sunburst finish, and it sounded okay.  Kinda miss it, but not enough.

[Nathan of Brainfertilizer Fame]

Stay far away from Slammer in big letters with by Hamer in small letters.

 

Some Hamer XTs are decent, I guess.  Giggable, per BCR Greg, but nothing to get excited about.

To be honest, with what Harley Benton and EART guitars and even guitars like SoloKing are putting out these days with stainless steel frets, ebony necks, stable trems, etc., I just don't think the import Hamers are worth it for anything but a curiosity.

[Dave Scepter]

9 hours ago, Cboss said:

How can they be identified? 1st gen

It's easiest just to look for early ones and to read  alot on the subject... here's a link to get you started but don't pay any attention to the prices as this conversation was in 2013...

Still though, IMO the Korean Standards are the only ones worth a darn "as far as collectibility"

That being said, and for what it's worth, I've personally never played a "non Standard/Explorer shaped " import Hamer...

The 90's Standards are fantastic!.. although getting pricey nowadays 

good luck in your quest 

[Cboss]

Thanks for the great info all