Anyone play a Hamer like Martin Barre's?

[Flatpicker]

Things may have changed since I last tried one out (3 or 4 years ago), but the Hamer imports were very underwhelming to me, especially compared to comparably priced Korean PRS SE, Schecter, Dean, or even LTD models. Like I say, it's been a while since I last bothered to pick one up & play it, and maybe they've upped their game to compete. Their USA guitars are fantastic.

Probably not.They don't have any real care about their import line. It's there because of Kaman. I heard that Fender may disco the imports.

[1trussell]

Yep. Here's a shot of my 1978 Hamer Sunburst. All original and in really good shape for being over 30 years old. These guitars are amazing, and I highly recommend you try one out if you can find one.



These Sunbursts are absolutely killer guitars in every way. The vintage Sunbursts sound quite a bit different from the current Hamer Studios & the Specials from the mid to late 90's.

The old Sunbursts and Specials had an extremely thin maple veneer so they really sounded more like an all mahogany guitar. The current Studios have a thick maple cap which, while sounding very good, produces a different tone than the 70's-80's models.

Honestly, the imports don't come anywhere close to the USA models. If I were you, and cash was an issue, I would look for an early 80's Special. Sunbursts had body binding and could be had with an unbound neck with dot inlays or crowned and bound like mine. The Special was essentially the same guitar as the Sunburst without the body binding. You'll get the same great tone without the extra bling.

[zeegler]

Very similar to the old Washburn Wing series too.

I always wanted one of these.


Howards Leese from Heart used to play them I believe. I'm not sure which model though.

[KevinDguitar]

I've had an Archtop Sunburst '91 and a flat top Special FM..both awesome guitars. I did an endorsement with Hamer through the mid-late 90s and have owned a pile of Chaps, Standards, Vectors, Diablos, Diablo IIs and Cali's.. my sig Nocturnes are based on the Cali's.

[lefty]

[QUOTE=MartinBarre1;1260058]I mean like this one:



Since I got my white DK2M I don't really have genuine GAS for any more guitars....except perhaps one of these sorts of Hamers.
Anyone got one similar. I'd be looking at the import/lower end models if I ever did get one.

Not just like that one, but I've owned 2 flattop Specials, and still have
one. Great guitars. Beautiful wood, comfortable neck. Impeccable
build quality. You won't go wrong if you get one, and they can be had
pretty cheap if you poke around some...

[84sups]

There's a nice one on evilbay right now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hamer-Special-US...3A2%7C294%3A50

[GGGman]

I mean like this one:




Since I got my white DK2M I don't really have genuine GAS for any more guitars....except perhaps one of these sorts of Hamers.
Anyone got one similar. I'd be looking at the import/lower end models if I ever did get one.

Martin had fantastic tone when he was using Hamers.

They are fantastic guitars indeed, but the early stuff has NO relation to the stuff that they make now. The early models was built with some of the best tone woods out there, and went underneath the radar for a while, though the last couple of years, they have come back with a force. Early Hamer Sunbursts are bringing over 2 grand in most cases(clean, no breaks and all original, and super flamey tops bring more) and Hamer Specials that were once a few hundred at max are bringing way over a Grand and are still climing quickly(again, super flamey tops bring more). I believe that these guitar will be more expensive than that soon, so get while you can. GGG-out..............

[1trussell]

The early Specials can still be had for under a grand. The early Sunbursts with the dot necks and unbound fretboards are selling for less than $1300 most times. The crowned and bound Sunbursts will bring over 2k if they're original with no major repairs and in decent condition. And I don't think there was ever a bad year for Hamer. I've owned Hamers from practically every "generation" and they've all been absolutely fantastic guitars. You really can't go wrong.

[GGGman]

The early Specials can still be had for under a grand. The early Sunbursts with the dot necks and unbound fretboards are selling for less than $1300 most times. The crowned and bound Sunbursts will bring over 2k if they're original with no major repairs and in decent condition. And I don't think there was ever a bad year for Hamer. I've owned Hamers from practically every "generation" and they've all been absolutely fantastic guitars. You really can't go wrong.

The most attractive Specials and Sunbursts have done better than the prices you've mentioned, but you are right when you say that some don't. Some prefer the 70's guitars more since the feel was changed when the bridge size changed in the beginning of the '80's.......................GGG-Out.

[1trussell]

They have done better, but not in the current market...

[GGGman]

They have done better, but not in the current market...

Everything is having a rough time in the current marketGGG-out.