Opinions on Hamer Californian Deluxe?

[zyx345]

Does anyone own a Hamer Californian Deluxe? I've always liked these but have never had a chance to play one.

Can anyone offer any opinions on the neck size/shape & overall sound?

This is one of the few retailers that I found that has one. I'm not sure if its used.

Hamer Californian Deluxe

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Opinions on Hamer Californian Deluxe?

Isn't that a Korean made?

My friend used have a USA made one about 10years ago and it played great.
The neck was bit too skinny for me but not thin.

[1trussell]

Re: Opinions on Hamer Californian Deluxe?

Yeah, that's the Korean import model. The USAs are great, I've got one being refinished right now. Sorry, but I can't tell you any differences between the imports and USA models. Except that the one you provided a link for is probably a new one. At that price you could get a used USA model and have a much better guitar. The Californians were available with a bolt on neck with rosewood fretboard and dot inlays (like mine) or set neck with ebony and boomers. Personally I never liked the look of boomers or the feel of ebony so the standard Californian fits me perfectly. Plus it's cheaper, and the bolt on really doesn't affect upper fret access.

[slayer]

Re: Opinions on Hamer Californian Deluxe?

Import-worth about $299-350 new and about $125-150 used in my opinion, good guitars though, but the USA models are fairly priced and much better. Necks are like the Jackson Dinky and Fusion, very thin. Jack.

[quiksilver]

Re: Opinions on Hamer Californian Deluxe?

I had a Korean version and loved it (kinda got lost in the 27 frets, though). The neck on mine was extremely thin - probably the thinnest neck I've ever felt. It had fantastically low action, too. The pickups were lame. I replaced the bridge pickup with a Seymour Duncan Full Shred, which also sounded bad IMO. The body was beautiful to look at and extremely comfortable to hold. A very smart super Strat design. Loved the upside-down Strat-style output jack on the back edge. The hardware seemed fine - no problems. Only reason I got rid of mine was the weirdness of 27 frets, and too many guitars. I'd love to get a USA model someday, though I wish Hamer would make 'em in 24 frets or 22 frets (I can dream). [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[quiksilver]

Re: Opinions on Hamer Californian Deluxe?

Huh? I just checked out Hamer's web site, and they ARE 24 frets now! Looks like they're not making the 1H, 1S version anymore, though, and the only Floyded version has a bound body (not my cup o' tea).

[shredmonster]

Re: Opinions on Hamer Californian Deluxe?

I have a standard. I got it about 5 months ago because I heard they were suppose to be great guitars.
It is a very nice guitar. The necks are a smaller profile -sort of a cross between a soloist and a Charvel neck.
27 frets, bolt on. Access all the way up to the 27th fret.
Verfy fast neck. Fairly light.
I have EMGs and would prefer different pick ups but I have not changed them yet.
Definitely a shred guitar. The guy from Firehouse plays one. I saw him live. Sounded pretty good.
I like it as much as a Jackson Soloist but not as much as my PC1. Great guitar though. Very low string action, no buzzing.