Re: Anybody Know? Hamer Limited Pickups
Hahaha! I know the answer! The SLU stands for "Slightly Less Ultimate." The Duncan Ultimates were handwound expecially for the Hamer Artist Ultimate. They were labeled with matching serial numbers to the guitars. The extra pickups that were not installed in the Artists, were not serial numbered and were so dubbed "SLU." Here is some info on the Ultimates that came with the Artist, I got from someone on the Hamer board:
"The
magnets are alnico v bar magnets with nickel silver bottom
plate, nickel plated studs, wood spacer and cloth braided
single conductor hookup wire. The pick up covers are made
from a special grade of nickel silver commonly called German
silver. The covers adjustable pole pieces and ferrous studs
are plated with 24 karat "hard gold". The specs on mine are
bridge: 8.52k gauss 20 neck 7.15k gauss 20. they are all
individually hand done but I'm sure the specs are relatively
close."
The only way to get the Ultimates is to buy an Artist Ultimate or get them used. The only way to get an SLU is to buy a new LE Studio Custom, call up Hamer and see if they have any left, or call up Duncan and see if you can have them made as a custom shop order.
I found a set of Ultimates on ebay that someone yanked out of the Artist. The second he got home, he took them out and put in a set of Anniversary EMG 81's (in a semi-hollowbody!!!!). Anyway, I grabbed them and put them in my Hamer Artist Korina, replacing the stock 59s. The difference was noticeable and I am extremely happy I did it. These pickups are "Ultimate" indeed. They are extremely clear, punchy, and articulate. Yet they are warm enough and aggressive enough to satisfy my tastes. Since they are essentially PAF type pickups, with the right amp they can do darn near anything. After dropping a set of them in, I'm wanting to try the Anniversary Seths and see how they compare. They are a little brighter and punchier, perhaps a touch hotter too, than stock Seth Lovers. I'm willing to bet they sound extremely close to the A% Anniversary Seths.
