Hamer owners?

[clifffclaven]

One ive been looking at, and Im a les paul guy. Are they (relatively) the same? Opinions, please... [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[El_Kabong]

Re: Hamer owners?

If you are talking about the Monaco Elite or Super Pro, they are different animals, with a different vibe. The Hamer is superior in build quality to a modern run of the mill Les Paul. The only thing comparable by Gibson is the Historic series. But if you can imagine that Hamer only turns out about 3 guitars a day, Hamer's quality control is excellent.

The only negative thing about Hamers is 'Hameritis'- sometines there is discoloration at the heal joint-it becomes cloudy. It is common with Hamer and it doesn't affect the tone or playability. Sometimes there are issues with the laquer and the neck binding-discoloration, etc. associated with Hameritis. It does not happen to all of them of course. They do not leave the factory like this.

The Monaco Elite is 24 3/4" scale, while the Super Pro is 25 1/2". You can also get the guitars with internal tone chambers.

Used, they are the true bargain of the high end guitar world.

[toejam]

Re: Hamer owners?

Hamers kick ass!! I want to order a Custom Shop Monaco Elite eventually. Here's the old Special FM I bought off of Pete (Twisteramps). I sold it last year to Travis.

[clifffclaven]

Re: Hamer owners?

kabong- no offense, but, ive got 3 gibsons, all excellent. you're wrong. toejam- that guitar is almost what im looking at, except its a studio. How did yours play?

[El_Kabong]

Re: Hamer owners?

Of course there are great Gibsons. They just aren't so consistent. If I wanted a Les Paul type, I would buy a Gibson. The high end Tokais slay Gibson, but I would still want the Gibson name.

[VinceV]

Re: Hamer owners?

[ QUOTE ]
kabong- no offense, but, ive got 3 gibsons, all excellent. you're wrong.

[/ QUOTE ]

No Offense but you are wrong. A/B any Hamer to a Gibson and the QC of the Hamer will stomp all over a Gibson. I've owned several CS and Historic Gibsons and they were no where near the level of quality of the several Hamers that have passed my way.

[toejam]

Re: Hamer owners?

[ QUOTE ]
toejam- that guitar is almost what im looking at, except its a studio. How did yours play?

[/ QUOTE ]
Mine played great!! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I didn't really care for the tone of the JB/'59 combo (well, I like the '59 in just about anything, didn't care for the JB). The pic shows it upgraded with the chrome 25th anniversary EMG 81 set... they sounded much better than the Duncans, IMO. I'm also a Les Paul fan, but Hamers definitely give them a run for their money. I got a quote a year or so ago on a Custom Monaco Elite with 24 frets... I was surprised at how inexpensive it really was for all the features I wanted. Someday...

[clifffclaven]

Re: Hamer owners?

cool. thats what I needed to know! [img]/images/graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[1trussell]

Re: Hamer owners?

The Special I bought from Joe that you see in the picture is an amazing guitar. I've had a few different pickup combos in there and earlier this week I threw in a pair of 59s. I figured, that's what is going into the Studios now so why not give them a try. They sound great, very dynamic and pure. They really let the natural tone of the guitar shine through. And that's what all my Hamers have, amazing natural tone. The Special FM I have is identical to the current Studios except it has a flat top instead of an arch top. The tone differences are negligible, it's more of a look/feel kind of thing. I also have a Korina Artist with a pair of 59s and a 94 Mirage I with the koa top and Hot Rails/Vintage Rails/Vintage Rails. I've had three other Hamers and I know I will be getting more in the future. To me, they are the best built, best sounding guitars I have ever laid my hands on. The thing I love most about Hamers is this: no matter what model, with whatever neck carve they use, Hamers instantly feel comfortable in myhands. The QC is pretty much the best in the business. And they've fixed the problem with "Hameritis" so you won't really have to deal with that unless you get something from the mid 90's. And that was only a cosmetic issue anyway. It's kind of like a fogging in the clearcoat. I've got some on the edge of the fretboard on my Mirage I. In my opinion, you really can't go wrong with a Hamer.

[shredmonster]

Re: Hamer owners?

OK guys I have an old Californian. Very nice neck on that guitar. Very good player, very fast. All in all a great guitar.

The new ones don't seem as good in quality as the original ones. I mean they are like $400 or something new.

I would have interest in a Custom Californian if they would build one. Maple/Mohagony combo instead of just the original mohagony, original Floyd Rose pro, etc...

Think they would build one of those?

[toejam]

Re: Hamer owners?

You'd have to get in touch with a dealer to run it by Hamer and find out. There's certain things Hamer doesn't like to do, but with enough prodding, they sometimes give in. They don't seem to like to do many guitars with Floyds or more than 22 frets nowadays, but you never know.

[1trussell]

Re: Hamer owners?

Hamer will NOT do a custom Cali right now. A ton of people on the Hamer boards have asked and the answer is always no. The new import Calis are nowhere near as good as the old USA's. I had an 88(?) Cali that I kind of regret selling. It played great. I just couldn't get used to the medium frets at the time. Now, medium frets don't bother me at all. Oh well, you live, you learn.

[Rupe]

Re: Hamer owners?

Speaking of Cali's there's a cool one on the 'bay right now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA%3AIT&rd=1

If this is in the wrong place, I apologize.

[toejam]

Re: Hamer owners?

Holy crap, look at that flamed maple body!! [img]/images/graemlins/drool2.gif[/img]

[Chrisb]

Re: Hamer owners?

Thats not a 1 piece body as he says, you can clearly see the bookmatch line. Even so that may be one of the nicest 2 piece bodies I have ever seen. Wow. Incredible looking guitar.