Canada. Replacing the former P and J-style pickups were a pair of Duncan Vintage Jazz J-style units, one pickguard-mounted, the other on the top near the Gotoh bridge/tailpiece assembly. First was the Phantom A5 guitar. Vintage guitars were called used guitars in those days, laughs Dantzig. Hamers second model was the Standard Bass. Hamer Guitars Inc. was incorporated in Illinois in 1976 by John Montgomery, Jol Dantzig, Paul Hamer and James Walker. The early instruments produced by this company were similar to the Gibson Flying V and the Explorer. . Futura is the name applied to some early 58 Gibson Explorers which were closer to the prototype sketch in the patent application than subsequent production models. Controls were a three-way select, with two volume and one tone control. In order to better balance the pickups in this environment, Hamer began to de-wind the neck pickup to decrease the output slightly. Relocation Great Condition USA MADE! As mentioned, ca. Upgraded with a solid Maple top on Mahogany body, the tone is beefy yet Tuners were the Art Deco Grover Super Rotomatics. Looking at the company today, its interesting that Hamer still has somewhat of an ambivalent image, somewhere between high-end boutique and budget vintage, perhaps best summarized (yea, perpetuated) by its own well-used advertising slogan, modern vintage. Well, after surviving this long, Hamer can now lay claim to some real vintage guitars, too. Two covered Duncan pickups were operated with a three-way, volume, and two tones. There would be further variations on the Artist Series, as it became known, but well come back to this in a moment. Pezband Mike Gorman 8-String Bass Joining the Prototype later in 83 was the Prototype II, which added a slanted single-coil pickup in the neck position and a top-mounted Kahler double-locking vibrato system. By 1996, Hamer had begun to modify its import strategy and made a transition for its Ko-rean models which would end up being called the Import Series - basically upscale copies of its better Hamer USA guitars, still made in Korea. By 81, a number of black-and-white graphic finishes were offered, primarily a series of stripes in various thicknesses. However, 74 was the year the first Standard (Explorer) appeared, so that is apparently the marker being used. Besides, I thought guitarmaking was going to be a short run and Id end up a famous musician or race car driver or something. Then he quickly quips, But Dantzig is still available.. Bass Guitars for sale in 85346 | Facebook Marketplace Basically, Dantzig and Hamer considered most 60s guitars a joke. Built with a full depth From these beginnings, Hamer USA Guitars was born, with all four as partners. We would buy old Strats for $150, Jazzmasters for $80, he adds. One thing led to another and in 73 Dantzig and Hamer opened a music store called Northern Prairie Music in the northwestern suburb of Wilmette, Illinois. The staff had grown to 12 and Hamer Guitars continued to launch new models, such as the "Special", "Cruisebass", "Prototype", "Blitz" and "Phantom". When we created Hamer, we created the high-end boutique guitar category, but we didnt intend it that way. Stink Band Peter Aykroyd Sunburst The bridge was the Sustain Block with strings passing through the body. A streamlined version, the Phantom GT, was also offered beginning in 84. And these contacts would prove useful. switch orientation. #2. However, the truly deluxe features were 25th Anniversary engraved sterling silver truss rod cover and back control plate, a line of sterling silver purfling on the inside of the body binding, and a special silver-colored hardshell case! Shoes Gary Klebe Standard, Sunbursts (2) The History of Hamer, Part One | Vintage Guitar magazine I love the guitar and I don't feel like I overpaid at all. Otherwise it was similar to the f-holed Artist with one exception it was finished entirely in silver sparkle. Hamer Guitars 'da BOMB ! Surprise, AZ. Recently, the CruiseBass began to offer an option 2-Tek bridge. With better facilities and the infusion of new enthusiasm, Hamer introduced its next model, a slightly downscale version of the Sunburst called the Special, in 80. 12-string bridges were originally a Hamer design, which allowed individual intonation of each string. I'd had an interest in a P90 Sunburst for a while now, but never saw any out in the wild. . The pickguard was laminated pearloid. A few Standards are seen with the Sustain Block bridges used on Sunbursts (see below), so presumably they date from about this time. So our perspective has always been a little skewed. 1985-ca. If so I'll own it,I'll let you all know how I made out and once again thanks for all the replies and info. The top was carved, highly figured silky maple. The unbound two-octave fingerboard had pearl dot inlays. In 1977 the company set up shop in Palatine, Illinois and employed seven workers. Roy Buchanan Roy Buchanan Standards (2) By around 82, Hamer had turned the corner on the road to success. The body is one piece of select British Honduras Mahogany, avilable with or without a twopiece "bookmatched" curly maple top. #4. 4 String Bass Guitar. The new version (Model BCRS) was redesigned to have a much more rounded form, much closer to a Fender bass design, just slightly more exaggerated waists. Hamer began publicizing its instruments in 1974, with small black-and-white ads in guitar magazines. Maybe $265.00 aint bad? It sounds like a Hamer Special, but those have 2 volumes and one tone. The 8-String Bass remains in the line to this day. Beginning in around 88 Hamer basses increasingly used EMG pickups, which began replacing Hamer Slammers. The name had changed but the appearance was still generic. Except for the bound flame top, the Standard was pretty close to a Gibson. However, this first version did not survive through 84. Dantzig still has that first bass. Pickups were initially the same Hamer-spec DiMarzio PAFs, which by 83 had become re-dubbed Hamer Slammers. Numbers were stamped on the guitars, either in ink or black paint, or in yellow on dark instruments. Great Condition USA MADE! It met the same specs as the original, with a one-piece mahogany body, bound bookmatched flamed maple top, glued-in mahogany neck, droopy six-in-line headstock, twin humbuckers, finetune, stoptail, three-way, volume and two tones. The Eclipses were eclipsed in 98. All rights By 84, Hamer pickups were called Slammers, still produced by DiMarzio. There was a small black pickup, three-way select, volume and tone controls. Probably a set neck. However, recent 12-strings have been fitted with a stock Wilkinson design. While many early models were adaptations of Gibson designs like the Explorer and Flying V, Hamer readily brought more modern finishes and features to their instruments. Instead of a lever, the Phantom Custom featured a five-way rotary selector which offered the neck single-coil, neck and bridge single-coils, bridge single-coil, all three bridge coils, and the bridge humbucker plus master volume and tone. Technically speaking, Dantzigs 73 Flying V bass was the first Hamer, the model never went into production. The 243/4 scale, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard was unbound with dots, joining the body at 21 for excellent access. The Import Californian was our old 27-fret friend, again pretty much the same except for having a solid maple neck and body. Mesa, AZ. 1987 EMG Also in 97, Hamer reintroduced one of its earliest original designs, the Prototype, using another model name, the Phantom (PHAN). This was the same as the new 84 Phantom A5, with the addition of a Roland hex MIDI pickup in front of the vibrato, with a three-way toggle (MIDI/regular/both) and two other parameter control knobs. I don't know what years they were made but it looks good and played well. $250. $500 $600. After all, a late-50s Les Paul was just a little more than 10 years old.. It has a few chips around the tremolo cutout. Thats where Dantzigs huge vintage collection came in handy. [7], Hamer Guitars on display at a music exhibition, 2008, "Fender closes Hamer. It remains available. . By 84, the Phantom A5 was available with a Kahler top-mounted double-locking vibrato system. Pickups were the specially modified DiMarzio PAFs (de-wound zebra neck, cream bridge). In 84, the Phantom A5 changed to a second version basically the same as the earlier one, except it featured a six-in-line headstock and Kahler Flat-Mount vibrato system was standard. Beginning in 85, Alembic Activator pickups were offered as a $250 option. Dantzig controlled 60 percent of the stock, the rest was split between Hamer and Untermeyer. Beginning in late 1987 serial numbers were again stamped into the wood. Bridge units on the multi-string basses were of Hamers design, allowing individual intonation of each string. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Crushed, Dantzig returned to Chicago. All copyrights are by the author and Vintage Guitar magazine. #12. The Hamer guitar is entirely handmade. The neck is carved from the same choice mahogany and is reinforced with a carbon steel trussrod that is fully adjustable. How do you date a Hamer guitar? - Guitar Reviewed This was similar to the Prototype II except for a more dramatically extended upper-cutaway horn and a contoured body with offset waists. Before this expansion Hamer's customers were limited to big-name touring groups such as Kiss, Bad Company, Wishbone Ash, Jethro Tull and Savoy Brown. It was available in two versions the Custom (Model GTSC) and Standard (Model GTSS). Similarly styled four-string basses were occasionally produced as custom orders. Prior to that point production had been one-off custom variations on the original "Standard" and "Flying V" guitars. Dantzig and Hamer were well-matched in those early days. I don't know the model or what year it was made but it played very well with excellent balance across the pickup positions. After the relocation, the Artist Archtop became known as the Artist Custom, the name it carries today. This had the Prototypes equal double-cutaway body with the extended upper horn and rounded lower bout. The Sunburst was a double-cutaway Les Paul Junior copy, with a British Honduras mahogany body, glued-in mahogany neck, tapered three-and-three headstock, and a bound, flamed maple top with red-to-yellow sunburst finish. Some recent basses use Seymour Duncans. Jun 16, 2012. Unlike the Standard, it did not feature flamed maple tops, but came in opaque finishes. The beginnings of Hamer Guitars (pronounced Hay-mer, not hammer) go back to those heady days of the early 70s, when Chicago was the breeding ground of soon-to-be-famous rock bands such as REO Speedwagon, Styx, and Cheap Trick. $140 is good but I'd offer $250 for both. Until recently, virtually all four and five-string basses featured Schaller-made bridge units with the Hamer logo. 1986-89 OBL (German) The Rolling Stones Keith Richards Standard As evidenced by Hamers artist list from around 79 (see sidebar), the company was garnering a pretty high-visibility clientele and sales continued to climb. By the time the Sunburst appeared in 77, bound rosewood fingerboards with crown inlays were offered as an option, and these appointments begin appearing on some Standards. Guitar #8 0196 would be from 1978 and was the 196th guitar numbered that way. From this era stems the appearance of Hamer models for heavy metal pioneers Judas Priest. The Daytona, Mirage and T-51 have either Wilkinson VSV vibratos or HT100 stoptails. Ca. 5 String Bass. The Import Sunburst Arch Top Flame Top was basically the equivalent of the Hamer USA Studio, which descended from the Sunburst Archtop Standard. By late 98 the logo treatment on the Indonesian Slammers changed to a more contemporary italic typeface. In 97, the name changed again to just plain Artist. In 1980, Hamer moved to larger quarters in Arlington Heights, a suburb of Chicago. Dantzig and Hamer had to work hard, schlepping examples around the world and getting them into the hands of players. In other words, while you may encounter mostly standard Standards as shown in brochures and ads, there are also many special features that occasionally show up. The Standard had no binding on the fingerboard, and dot inlays. And now you know all about them. This was essentially the same as the 12-String Bass except it had only one course of octave strings above the principal string and, of course, four fewer tuners. Soon they were selling vintage guitars to some of the biggest bands of the time, including Bad Company, Wishbone Ash, and many other big-name outfits. Hamer guitars didnt take off like a rocket. All copyrights are by the author and Vintage Guitar magazine. Hamer DC Flame Maple Studio Archtop Guitar Tonerider P90 Pickups Made in Korea . The Eclipse (Model GECS) was a new asymmetrical offset double-cutaway design with short horns, the upper somewhat larger and rounded, the lower more pointed, and a rounded lower bout. Kiss Paul Stanley Standards (3) In 81, finish options included sunburst, transparent cherry, natural, yellow, green, opaque red, blue, green, orange, and black. Production was reportedly around 10 guitars per week. You will find original articles, full lists of Hamer USA models as well as old catalogues and articles from various sources. dovetail neck joint and fitted with a Hamer Dog Eared P-90, the SPJ provides resonance galore. New were three-and-three Hamerlock tuners, which allowed the guitarist to lock down the strings at the tuner, similar to the Sperzel concept. The Phantom had a Honduras mahogany body, glued-in neck, three-and-three headstock, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, dot inlays, finetune bridge and stop tailpiece. Hamer Guitars are among the finest guitars ever built. This article originally appeared in VGs Sep. 00 issue. I came across a Hamer guitar that is made in Korea, sort of a red subtle flame color with 2 hum buckers. The Phantom A5 was available with Sustain Block string-through bridge or a new Sustain Block Tremolo vibrato, which basically transformed the fixed bridge into a non-locking Fender-style vibrato. Paul Hamers bound flametop Explorer was given the name Standard and became the first of a long line that would be offered from 74 until 85 during its first run. The first order was from Ted Turner (VG, June 92), bassist for Wishbone Ash, who ordered an Explorer Bass with serial number #0001. In 99 Hamer introduced the Vanguard, yet another in its semi-hollowbody Artist series. Another custom guitar was a seafoam green Teardrop made for Elliott Easton. The Who Pete Townshend Sunburst The 22-fret rosewood fingerboard had a 243/4 scale and dot inlays. Beginning in 85 most were fitted with Hamer Slammers (by DiMarzio), which feature covers, not open coils. Hamer offered a wide array of electric guitars and electric basses and since its foundation, placed an emphasis on producing high-quality instruments with vintage aesthetics as well as creative innovations.[3]. Double expenses and not operating at full capacity at one plant that could easily absorb the other operation. The guitar has quailities of Sunburst and Standard. Recent Studio versions of the Archtop and Archtop Artiste feature Wilkinson single-piece hardtail bridges. Ca. 92, as the vogue for locking vibratos began to wane, guitars such as the Vintage S and T-62 were fitted with a non-locking ABM roller-saddle bridge. By 79, the 12-String Bass was offered with four quadraphonic outputs (plus one mono output five in all) as the 12-String Quadbass. I came across a Hamer guitar that is made in Korea, sort of a red subtle flame color with 2 hum buckers. I was the hands-on guy who liked to make guitars and do marketing. Basically, it did with the Sunburst what it had done with the Explorer. In September of 78 a Standard would set you back $1,199.95, list. the right to change pricing and specifications without notice. This came with a special alligator hardshell case. Pickups include two Duncan Phat Cat single-coils, with three-way select, volume, and tone controls. How to differentiate a Korean or Japanese Hamer From USA Made Curiously enough, most have held their own very well in the used in vintage markets in terms of value, a tribute to their intrinsic quality and the heart that the Hamer folks put into their products. The Standard 4 String Bass Guitar. In 76, a meeting was called with everyone who worked at Northern Prairie Music Dantzig, Hamer and two repair guys. The MONF-CS is visually stunning with a Cherry Sunburst The Eclipse and Mirage Maple Top disappeared after 98. Ive always been a gearhead.. This looked like the old model, complete with pickguard, but was now made of solid maple with a glued-in neck and scimitar headstock. 97 Hamer began to shift its Korean imports from the Slammer Series into the Import Series, switching Slammer production to Indonesia. What they didnt understand was that Hamer wasnt competing with Gibson, it was competing with the growing vintage marketplace. Finishes included 59 Burst, Honey, Kool Blue, Red Transparent and Tobacco Sunburst. Mine was made at the Cort factory in 92 but I can't say for sure if all Slammer Series were made by Cort. In 1997 Kaman Music relocated Hamer to a small shop in New Hartford, Connecticut, home of Ovation Guitars. To appeal to a broader market, Hamer introduced its first production guitar, the Sunburst, 1977. From 86 to 88 some came with German OBL pickups, including HB types. So did their friend (and occasional jam partner) Rick Nielsen, of Cheap Trick (VG, January 92, September 97). If it has no issues, $265 sounds reasonable. By 1998 these logos had changed to a more stylized, italicized typeface. Hamer Slammer DA21 SSH Black Electric Guitar. As with most other features, Hamer will install any bridge, so if you find something not described here, that doesnt mean it has been modified. Many guitars built between 86 and 89 came with OBL pickups made in Germany. Other out there models included various doublenecks, a Standard-shaped mandocello (mandocello scale with double strings tuned in fifths), a mandar (Standard-shaped with four pairs of strings tuned as a mandolin, but in a guitar scale), and at least one 20-string harp guitar (six-string neck with seven tunable sympathetic strings on either side). They remain in the line. Fender Stratocaster Bass Guitars for sale in 85346 - Facebook
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