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  • #1

    Hamer Custom Shop?

    Ok, being the brand-loyalist that I am, I've not kept up with Hamer. I know they did the Rick Nielsen models and I've always heard they'd build anything for anyone, but that's about it.
    However, I've always wanted two Hamers: A Glenn Tipton Inverted Star (white with black trim, maple with ebony blocks, OFR) and a KK Downing Mini-V (red, studs down the bevels, OFR).
    Since I've never seen these on Ebay, I'm assuming that Glenn and KK are the only ones to ever have one. I've seen the GT Phantom (basically a Phantom with a Centaura neck?) and maybe two of the Vector KKs (Gibson-style V with a Kahler and one hum and small pickguard), but never the Star and Mini-V.
    Anyone know if the Hamer Custom Shop is still doing customs, and about how much they run? Also, what about the quality? Has it gone downhill over the years like some others have?
    Anyone recommend a dealer for the absolute lowest price for both of these models?

    Newc
    I want to depart this world the same way I arrived; screaming and covered in someone else's blood

    The most human thing we can do is comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

    My Blog: http://newcenstein.com
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Hamer Custom Shop?

    Newc,
    you can forget about it. As far as I know they never made those guitars for anyone other than GT and KK. Also, they stopped making shredders in the early nineties and are very reluctant to do so today because they feel it's a step backwards.
    There is no custom shop at Hamer. There is no such thing as CS pricing, and you're pretty much limited to variations of current models. Somebody IS getting a Jeff Watson model built (archtop lp dc style with a 27 fret californian neck) however.

    The phantom gt is pretty much just a single pickup version of the phantom a5 (as in andy sommers). hamer replaced the 3-per-side headstock with the i-6 at some point on all phantoms.

    as for me i think it's no big loss. i think those priest guitars look like total ass, and if you'd look just like a priest wannabe loser anyway if you had one [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

    i also think it's retarded to pay up to 4-5 grand on guitars that are not much better than the used hamer shredders which can be had for 4-500 every day of the week on ebay.

    As far as the quality of current models, the consensus among those who've played all models is that they're currently putting out the best stuff they've ever done. They're a much lower volume operation now than they were in the 80's.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Hamer Custom Shop?

      For a dealer, I'd recommend Greg and BCR Music (www.bcrmusic.com) He specializes in custom orders. Their custom shop won't make just anything. Basically, as was already written, just variations on current models. As for quality, they are probably the best around right now.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Hamer Custom Shop?

        Call or email Al and see if it can be done. He's a local dealer in NJ where I'll eventually be ordering from. http://www.lostartvintage.com/mainframe.asp

        I got a quote on a Custom Monaco Elite (it's basically their version of a Les Paul) that I wanted to have with 24 frets... at first he said Hamer doesn't really like to do anything over 22, but then someone from Hamer got back to him and said that they would do it and it would be a little bit of an upcharge. And I also asked about a tummy cut on the back, a sound chamber in the body, extra inlays at the 1st and 24th frets, and suprisingly the price really isn't that much. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Hamer also gives you a choice of the standard vintage round neck or a thinner, slimmer modern profile without extra charge.
        I feel my soul go cold... only the dead are smiling.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Hamer Custom Shop?

          They have 2 neck sizes that are no charge but for a small upcharge they will match a neck you currently have.

          Either dealer mentioned will do a great job. The prices aren't too bad either.
          Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day, set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Hamer Custom Shop?

            tipton's got two inverted stars. the white one and a black one. however in an ernie ball ad I saw online, tipton's white star looked like it had a kahler trem on it...
            its in the news archives at erinie ball.com. i figured I'd put this out there.

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Hamer Custom Shop?

              Thanks fellers [img]graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

              I knew Glenn had two of them, but I always liked the black & white better [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] And I knew it had a Kahler, but if Custom is the only way to go, I'd hafta get a Floyd on both [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

              Looks like I'd hafta go with GMW then if Hamer won't do one [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

              Jerry - Nothing wrong with being a Priest wannabe - at least I'm not trying to be another Hetfield clone [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/poke.gif[/img]

              Newc
              I want to depart this world the same way I arrived; screaming and covered in someone else's blood

              The most human thing we can do is comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

              My Blog: http://newcenstein.com

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Hamer Custom Shop?

                just dont be a butt pirate like rob [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]


                in reality, i have nothing but respect for halford....he is awesome at what he does....just having fun [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

                Comment

                • #9
                  Re: Hamer Custom Shop?

                  Originally posted by Newc:
                  I knew Glenn had two of them, but I always liked the black & white better [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] - Nothing wrong with being a Priest wannabe -
                  <font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I always liked the JP Hamers, Newc, go for it!

                  Have you seen the vids where Tiptons is showing 'em off & playing 'em?

                  http://judaspriest.com/video/default.asp
                  "Quiet, numbskulls, I'm broadcasting!" -Moe Howard, "Micro-Phonies" (1945)

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Re: Hamer Custom Shop?

                    Sweet! Thanks Ron [img]graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

                    Too bad they didn't use Quicktime - I fucking hate Real Player [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

                    Ah well, I'll install it for a good cause [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

                    Newc
                    I want to depart this world the same way I arrived; screaming and covered in someone else's blood

                    The most human thing we can do is comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

                    My Blog: http://newcenstein.com

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Re: Hamer Custom Shop?

                      Yeah, you can find out why Glenn designed that huge lower wing! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
                      "Quiet, numbskulls, I'm broadcasting!" -Moe Howard, "Micro-Phonies" (1945)

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Re: Hamer Custom Shop?

                        Oh now I DEFINTELY gotta have me a black/white GT Star with the neck from the black Phantom GT - it's a fucking SG neck in maple with ebony inlays [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/drool2.gif[/img]

                        Prior to going on a Jackson kick, I was on a Gibson kick, and asked GMW about building me an Arctic White Gibson-style V with the specs of a '62 SG neck, ebony board and MOP split-parallelogram inlays [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

                        Here's a Paint Shop mockup I did of it at the time:


                        I also did one with the fretboard from an LPC and an LP Standard [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

                        KK's video was more like a running guitar commercial (especially for ESP) [img]graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
                        Love that Hamer mini-V he was wailing on - can't stand the tone he was using [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]
                        And I did not know the frets on that V were scalloped [img]graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img] Interesting

                        Newc
                        I want to depart this world the same way I arrived; screaming and covered in someone else's blood

                        The most human thing we can do is comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

                        My Blog: http://newcenstein.com

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Re: Hamer Custom Shop?

                          Dammit Newc, I thought I was the only one who wanted one of those Glen Tipton inverted star Hamers. I love the look of the maple boards on both the Phantom and the star thingy. I have long thought about trying to get one. If you order a GMW custom I will be so jealous [img]graemlins/images/icons/mad.gif[/img]

                          I had a chance a few years ago to pick up a Phantom pretty cheap. It had a Kahler and a triple humbucker. It was pretty damn beat up. I love the shape of the body, but I needed it to have the GT headstock instead of the LP looking shape...oh well.

                          Have you seen the "Live in London" DVD. Some great guitar shots. BTW, I think KK is back with Hamer for the reunion tour. Glenn is using his Hamers and some customs made by someone in England.

                          "Believe it, or believe it not"

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Re: Hamer Custom Shop?

                            Nope, I'd like to have the Tipton/Downing Hamers as well. IIRC there *are* a few KKVs running around in the wild but they're few and far between.
                            Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam!

                            Comment

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