Hamer Guitars

custom53 · 10-17-2009, 09:15 AM

I am a newbie here but what I have noticed in a glaring obscurity is there is no mention of USA Hamer guitars.

I have owned a few Specials. Right now I have a '81 Special that I bought new in '81 and a '95 three hole Duotone.

In my own personal opinion (yeah I know, there are like assholes, everybody has one). A used USA Hamer is the best "bang for the buck' guitar out there.

They made quite a few "shredder" models in the 80's also.

They do have a Gibson feel and they won't deny that they based the first four models on Gibsons. (The Vecter / Flying V - The Special and the Sunburst / Les Paul Junior - The Standard / Explorer) They figured if they are going to make a quality guitar, copy the best out there and make it better. They have many more models. Check out their website.

If you get a chance to play one, put it through it's paces and then decide.

http://www.hamerguitars.com/

or listen to some serious Hamer owners...

http://www.hamerfanclub.com/forums/i...hp?showforum=2

Here is a picture of my 12 string bass (Hamer was the first to do this. For Tom Petterson of Cheap Trick) that I sold and regret deeply...

3 Hole Duotone

Special

A couple of "one off" Hamers with a Dan Armstrong headstock

or see who actually plays them....
http://www.hamerguitars.com/?fa=artists

watchtheskies · 10-18-2009, 01:32 PM

came close to buying a Hamer Explorer a few years ago but just missed out, I did play it for a couple of days though and I really liked it,

build quality was superb, beautiful flame maple top with white binding, played like a dream, I would definitely buy one if I could find a good one

steelhorse · 10-20-2009, 02:06 AM

Had an early 90's sunburst w/floyd. Great rig.

MartyStrat54 · 11-06-2009, 09:24 PM

Started to get a HAMER, but then Musician's Friend cut me a frickin red hot deal on a new Gibson Explorer for $850 and then I didn't need the HAMER.

Gtrman58 · 11-08-2009, 08:26 AM

Sweet explorer Marty! Great deal!

One of the best guitars I ever let get away was a 1980 double cutaway Hamer cherry sunburst with dual hummbuckers made in the USA. Bought it for like 150.00 from a pawn shop with a hard case. Had it for about 5 years. It was every bit as good as any Gibson I ever owned. Sold it about 1987 or 1988 for about 400.00 of 500.00. As soon as I did I was sorry. It was worth much more that I sold it for and have yet to see another like it for the price! One of the many I let get away....boo hoo!

MartyStrat54 · 11-08-2009, 03:48 PM

Oh I really like HAMER's. I had one in the early 80's. I played it through an 800 and it seemed so right. They have become quite expensive and are very hard to come by used. I sometimes go online to the big Hamer dealers and drool over some of their creations.

Every bit as good as a Gibson. Most guys do not do a pickup change, they keep the stock one's.

Hey...I still have my Hamer T-shirts!

hawkmoth · 11-09-2009, 06:03 PM

Got 2 Hamer Studio Customs ,both mid 90's models,awesome guitars,better quality than anything owned before including Gibson,Fender,Prs etc 1 piece mahogany backs 2 piece book matched tops ,Stunning guitars.

carnada · 11-09-2009, 09:03 PM

custom53 · 11-10-2009, 10:07 AM

MartyStrat54 · 11-10-2009, 09:09 PM

Here are some more of Rick's guitars.

During the 1970s Nielsen's guitar playing was much sought-after; he was the session guitarist on albums by Hall & Oates, Alice Cooper, and Kiss bassist Gene Simmons among others. He has owned some 2000 guitars throughout his career, and never tours with less than 45. He has been a steady customer of the Hamer guitar company, having dozens of "Rick Nielsen" models built for himself over the years.

Oh, one other thing. In 1978, I was in the Air Force and stationed in Japan. Four of us went to the "Live At Budakan" show. I still have my "SONY" Master vinyl disc. It was available over in Japan, but not in the US until March of 1979 (and then on regular vinyl). Then the album went nuts and Cheap Trick became one of the hot bands of the late 70's early 80's. After seeing them live at Budakan, I got to see them many more times. I actually got to work one of their shows in Phoenix as a stage hand. I have some really fond memories of that.

custom53 · 11-11-2009, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

Here are some more of Rick's guitars.

During the 1970s Nielsen's guitar playing was much sought-after; he was the session guitarist on albums by Hall & Oates, Alice Cooper, and Kiss bassist Gene Simmons among others. He has owned some 2000 guitars throughout his career, and never tours with less than 45. He has been a steady customer of the Hamer guitar company, having dozens of "Rick Nielsen" models built for himself over the years.

Oh, one other thing. In 1978, I was in the Air Force and stationed in Japan. Four of us went to the "Live At Budakan" show. I still have my "SONY" Master vinyl disc. It was available over in Japan, but not in the US until March of 1979 (and then on regular vinyl). Then the album went nuts and Cheap Trick became one of the hot bands of the late 70's early 80's. After seeing them live at Budakan, I got to see them many more times. I actually got to work one of their shows in Phoenix as a stage hand. I have some really fond memories of that.

Sweet, I got to see many good bands while in the service. I actually got to meet Rick and Robin in the mid to late eighties (after I was out of the service). Nice guys... He also had an extensive guitar collection BEFORE they got famous... Also did you ever notice the connection with Rick and Hamer on the early guitars...? The checkerboard features... My '81 Hamer has the checkerboard headstock... (That and Jol Dantzig loves racing... The Talledago model, The Mirage model, The Chaperral model, The Monaco model, the Newport model, the Checkerboard theme = the checkered flag)

Gtrman58 · 11-11-2009, 01:34 PM

I use to own a mid 70's telecaster that was previously owned by Rick Nielson. I bought it up in Ye old Music in Marrisa Ill. It was a good sounding and playing guitar but from the twelfth fret on the intonation was really wacked on the guitar. Thats probably why he dumped it cause thats sure as hell why I did.

custom53 · 11-12-2009, 08:14 AM

Had to post a few more pictures of some of the different models...

10-17-2009, 09:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
custom53 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 106	Hamer Guitars I am a newbie here but what I have noticed in a glaring obscurity is there is no mention of USA Hamer guitars. I have owned a few Specials. Right now I have a '81 Special that I bought new in '81 and a '95 three hole Duotone. In my own personal opinion (yeah I know, there are like assholes, everybody has one). A used USA Hamer is the best "bang for the buck' guitar out there. They made quite a few "shredder" models in the 80's also. They do have a Gibson feel and they won't deny that they based the first four models on Gibsons. (The Vecter / Flying V - The Special and the Sunburst / Les Paul Junior - The Standard / Explorer) They figured if they are going to make a quality guitar, copy the best out there and make it better. They have many more models. Check out their website. If you get a chance to play one, put it through it's paces and then decide. http://www.hamerguitars.com/ or listen to some serious Hamer owners... http://www.hamerfanclub.com/forums/i...hp?showforum=2 Here is a picture of my 12 string bass (Hamer was the first to do this. For Tom Petterson of Cheap Trick) that I sold and regret deeply... 3 Hole Duotone Special A couple of "one off" Hamers with a Dan Armstrong headstock or see who actually plays them.... http://www.hamerguitars.com/?fa=artists __________________ 2004 Gibson Les Paul Flametop 1995 Hamer Duo Tone Sunburst 1991 Ernie Ball EVH Trans Black 1981 Hamer Special Trans Green Quilt Sustain Block Bridge with Checkerboard Headstock 1975 Ovation Breadwinner Black Marhsall JMP 2203 Half Stack Marshall JTM 45 Reissue Half Stack 2ea 370/301 Acoustic Bass Amps Peavey Classic 100 Half Stack Tweed Soldano HR50+ Half Stack Black Peavey Butcher 120 Watt Half Stack Last edited by custom53; 10-18-2009 at 11:19 AM.

10-18-2009, 01:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
watchtheskies Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England Posts: 117	Re: Hamer Guitars came close to buying a Hamer Explorer a few years ago but just missed out, I did play it for a couple of days though and I really liked it, build quality was superb, beautiful flame maple top with white binding, played like a dream, I would definitely buy one if I could find a good one

10-20-2009, 02:06 AM	#3 (permalink)
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,888	Re: Hamer Guitars Had an early 90's sunburst w/floyd. Great rig. __________________ www.ricojronline.com 760-956-6619 Garmopat Pedal Mods "I wouldn't mind hearing your head smash through a glass door. That would be cool..." luekmeyer

11-06-2009, 09:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Hamer Guitars Started to get a HAMER, but then Musician's Friend cut me a frickin red hot deal on a new Gibson Explorer for $850 and then I didn't need the HAMER. __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

11-08-2009, 08:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
Gtrman58 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 148	Re: Hamer Guitars Sweet explorer Marty! Great deal! One of the best guitars I ever let get away was a 1980 double cutaway Hamer cherry sunburst with dual hummbuckers made in the USA. Bought it for like 150.00 from a pawn shop with a hard case. Had it for about 5 years. It was every bit as good as any Gibson I ever owned. Sold it about 1987 or 1988 for about 400.00 of 500.00. As soon as I did I was sorry. It was worth much more that I sold it for and have yet to see another like it for the price! One of the many I let get away....boo hoo! __________________ 2009 JCM 2000 Dsl 100 MLB MC412A 1951 Fender Deluxe 2006 Hot Rod Deluxe 1995 Blues Junior 1994 Blues Deville Vox Path Finder 1982 Legend A 30 1980 Gibson Herritage Cherry Sunburst Standard 1980 Explorer White with gold HW 2000 52 Telecaster USA RI 1983 57 Strat LH USA RI 2003 57 Strat USA RI 1960 Silvertone Danelectro 1994 Fender P-bass 68 RI Acoustic guitars....not enough space to list !!!!!

11-08-2009, 03:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Hamer Guitars Oh I really like HAMER's. I had one in the early 80's. I played it through an 800 and it seemed so right. They have become quite expensive and are very hard to come by used. I sometimes go online to the big Hamer dealers and drool over some of their creations. Every bit as good as a Gibson. Most guys do not do a pickup change, they keep the stock one's. Hey...I still have my Hamer T-shirts! __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

11-09-2009, 06:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
hawkmoth Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 18	Re: Hamer Guitars Got 2 Hamer Studio Customs ,both mid 90's models,awesome guitars,better quality than anything owned before including Gibson,Fender,Prs etc 1 piece mahogany backs 2 piece book matched tops ,Stunning guitars.

11-09-2009, 09:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
carnada Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: 22 Acacia Avenue Posts: 662	Re: Hamer Guitars

11-10-2009, 10:07 AM	#9 (permalink)
custom53 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 106	Re: Hamer Guitars __________________ 2004 Gibson Les Paul Flametop 1995 Hamer Duo Tone Sunburst 1991 Ernie Ball EVH Trans Black 1981 Hamer Special Trans Green Quilt Sustain Block Bridge with Checkerboard Headstock 1975 Ovation Breadwinner Black Marhsall JMP 2203 Half Stack Marshall JTM 45 Reissue Half Stack 2ea 370/301 Acoustic Bass Amps Peavey Classic 100 Half Stack Tweed Soldano HR50+ Half Stack Black Peavey Butcher 120 Watt Half Stack

11-10-2009, 09:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Hamer Guitars Here are some more of Rick's guitars. During the 1970s Nielsen's guitar playing was much sought-after; he was the session guitarist on albums by Hall & Oates, Alice Cooper, and Kiss bassist Gene Simmons among others. He has owned some 2000 guitars throughout his career, and never tours with less than 45. He has been a steady customer of the Hamer guitar company, having dozens of "Rick Nielsen" models built for himself over the years. Oh, one other thing. In 1978, I was in the Air Force and stationed in Japan. Four of us went to the "Live At Budakan" show. I still have my "SONY" Master vinyl disc. It was available over in Japan, but not in the US until March of 1979 (and then on regular vinyl). Then the album went nuts and Cheap Trick became one of the hot bands of the late 70's early 80's. After seeing them live at Budakan, I got to see them many more times. I actually got to work one of their shows in Phoenix as a stage hand. I have some really fond memories of that. __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

11-11-2009, 01:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
Gtrman58 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 148	Re: Hamer Guitars I use to own a mid 70's telecaster that was previously owned by Rick Nielson. I bought it up in Ye old Music in Marrisa Ill. It was a good sounding and playing guitar but from the twelfth fret on the intonation was really wacked on the guitar. Thats probably why he dumped it cause thats sure as hell why I did. __________________ 2009 JCM 2000 Dsl 100 MLB MC412A 1951 Fender Deluxe 2006 Hot Rod Deluxe 1995 Blues Junior 1994 Blues Deville Vox Path Finder 1982 Legend A 30 1980 Gibson Herritage Cherry Sunburst Standard 1980 Explorer White with gold HW 2000 52 Telecaster USA RI 1983 57 Strat LH USA RI 2003 57 Strat USA RI 1960 Silvertone Danelectro 1994 Fender P-bass 68 RI Acoustic guitars....not enough space to list !!!!!

11-12-2009, 08:14 AM	#13 (permalink)
custom53 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 106	Re: Hamer Guitars Had to post a few more pictures of some of the different models... __________________ 2004 Gibson Les Paul Flametop 1995 Hamer Duo Tone Sunburst 1991 Ernie Ball EVH Trans Black 1981 Hamer Special Trans Green Quilt Sustain Block Bridge with Checkerboard Headstock 1975 Ovation Breadwinner Black Marhsall JMP 2203 Half Stack Marshall JTM 45 Reissue Half Stack 2ea 370/301 Acoustic Bass Amps Peavey Classic 100 Half Stack Tweed Soldano HR50+ Half Stack Black Peavey Butcher 120 Watt Half Stack Last edited by custom53; 11-13-2009 at 10:20 AM.

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