Hamer Chaparral/Californian Tremolo Variants in Late 1980's

[Jon C]

Looking at Hamer Chaps online and I see different tremolo configurations for 1987 models.  Some have the longer string lock screws protruding backwards, some of these have recessed routing to allow going sharp/some do not.  Others have the more compact tremolo where the locking screws do not protrude very far towards the back.  Were these all available on these Hamers at that time or am I seeing mods?  {They don't look like mods, but....}  Thanks in advance for your answers.

[Bennyboy-UK]

I';m sure someone more learned will give you a more accurate answer presently, but I have had/have a few guitars from this period I'll list them with the trems that were fitted:

90 Cali Standard - Hamer Logo'd Schaller FR, recessed with short bolts)

90 SS1 Custom - Hamer Logo'd Schaller FR, recessed with short bolts)

88 Cali Custom - Hamer Logo'd Schaller FR, recessed with short bolts

2x 86 SS1 Std - OFR, top mounted, non-recessed with long bolts

88 SS1 Std - OFR, top mounted, non-recessed with long bolts

87 Chaparral - OFR, top mounted, non-recessed with long bolts

86 - TLE Custom - OFR, top mounted, non-recessed with long bolts

 

So the transition period looks like around 1988.

....... however, you do very occasionally see a recessed OFR on a late 80s model - but those are probably the very infrequent exception to the rule.

I guess Hamer were using up their last OFRs in 88 when their first orders of Hamer Logo'd Schallers were delivered.

 

...however, however, never say never with Hamer - you sometimes see other odd variations, like Small Logos in Stadium Logo period - and I guess its what was available in the shop or sometimes customer specific order variations.

 

Hope that helps until a responsible adult arrives  

 

[Cboss]

5 hours ago, Bennyboy-UK said:

I';m sure someone more learned will give you a more accurate answer presently, but I have had/have a few guitars from this period I'll list them with the trems that were fitted:

90 Cali Standard - Hamer Logo'd Schaller FR, recessed with short bolts)

90 SS1 Custom - Hamer Logo'd Schaller FR, recessed with short bolts)

88 Cali Custom - Hamer Logo'd Schaller FR, recessed with short bolts

2x 86 SS1 Std - OFR, top mounted, non-recessed with long bolts

88 SS1 Std - OFR, top mounted, non-recessed with long bolts

87 Chaparral - OFR, top mounted, non-recessed with long bolts

86 - TLE Custom - OFR, top mounted, non-recessed with long bolts

 

So the transition period looks like around 1988.

....... however, you do very occasionally see a recessed OFR on a late 80s model - but those are probably the very infrequent exception to the rule.

I guess Hamer were using up their last OFRs in 88 when their first orders of Hamer Logo'd Schallers were delivered.

 

...however, however, never say never with Hamer - you sometimes see other odd variations, like Small Logos in Stadium Logo period - and I guess its what was available in the shop or sometimes customer specific order variations.

 

Hope that helps until a responsible adult arrives  

 

Do you remember what the pickup set was in your 86 tle?

There is a set of Duncans in mine and I thought they were still all Dimarzio at this point, 86

[Jon C]

9 hours ago, Bennyboy-UK said:

I';m sure someone more learned will give you a more accurate answer presently, but I have had/have a few guitars from this period I'll list them with the trems that were fitted:

90 Cali Standard - Hamer Logo'd Schaller FR, recessed with short bolts)

90 SS1 Custom - Hamer Logo'd Schaller FR, recessed with short bolts)

88 Cali Custom - Hamer Logo'd Schaller FR, recessed with short bolts

2x 86 SS1 Std - OFR, top mounted, non-recessed with long bolts

88 SS1 Std - OFR, top mounted, non-recessed with long bolts

87 Chaparral - OFR, top mounted, non-recessed with long bolts

86 - TLE Custom - OFR, top mounted, non-recessed with long bolts

 

So the transition period looks like around 1988.

....... however, you do very occasionally see a recessed OFR on a late 80s model - but those are probably the very infrequent exception to the rule.

I guess Hamer were using up their last OFRs in 88 when their first orders of Hamer Logo'd Schallers were delivered.

 

...however, however, never say never with Hamer - you sometimes see other odd variations, like Small Logos in Stadium Logo period - and I guess its what was available in the shop or sometimes customer specific order variations.

 

Hope that helps until a responsible adult arrives  

 

Looking at your list of Hamers....Question:  Where do you keep them, is there an alarm system, if so, what is the code?  When will you be out of town.   Thanks for the info....really seems to be a mixed bag for Hamer.  The Calis and Chaps I have are all short bolts with recesses....1989 thru 1991.

[Bennyboy-UK]

5 hours ago, Cboss said:

Do you remember what the pickup set was in your 86 tle?

There is a set of Duncans in mine and I thought they were still all Dimarzio at this point, 86

Yep the TLE was a set of Hamer  Slammer pickups (made by Dimarzio

for Hamer), One Slammer HB and two Slammer SCs.

 

That’s standard fare for all the 80s Hamer guitars up to about 1990 when Seymour Duncan’s came in.