DiMarzio Pickups in HAMER Chaparral Standard USA

[FrankB]

I´ve bought last month in ebay a Chaparral Standard (made in 1989) with original Sustainiac pickup and Hamer Pickups. It seems to be a standard model because of the rosewood fretboad.

I get to know recently that the Hamer pickups were made by Dimarzio (and not by SD like in the elite-modells) exclusively for HAMER on their specifications.The Humbucker looks - a little bit strange - exactely like an Seymor Duncan Jeff Beck.

Although it is rather unlikely:
Does anyone have more information about these pickups (HSS-combination). Which "normal" DiMarzio-pickups are similiar to those ones?

I have no idea if these pickpups are good or if it would be an improvement to exchange them. The guitar - by the way - sounds excelent. The only negative issue is that the pickups are susceptible to feedback (compared to SD-Jeff Beck-Humbucker in my Fender).

The interesting question is now, if it sounds so good because of the pickups or despite the pickups. Just to buy a new set would answer this question but this would be an expensive way to find an answer.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: DiMarzio Pickups in HAMER Chaparral Standard USA

The Humbucker looks - a little bit strange - exactely like an Seymor Duncan Jeff Beck.

just so you know, there is no such thing as a Seymour Duncan Jeff Beck.

JB stands for Jazz/BLues or Jazzy/bluesy...depends on which Duncan rep answers the question.

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: DiMarzio Pickups in HAMER Chaparral Standard USA

I think Hamer was using DiMarzios early on in the business & later switched to Duncans, which are in use today. I have a prototype for the Hamer Sunburst Archtop (now called Studio Custom) and the pups are the standard Duncan JB & '59 set, but the creme colored pickup rings say DiMarzio on them. Apparently when they made that guitar (in 1990 or 1991) they used whatever they had laying around.

Jeff

P.S. Welcome to the Forum, Frank.

 

[Travis]

Re: DiMarzio Pickups in HAMER Chaparral Standard USA

A lot of Chaparrals were equipped with OBL (Bill Lawrence) or Slammer (Hamer brand) pickups. Later on they used Duncans. Just yank out the pickups and check the stickers on the base. If the guitar sounds excellent, then the pickups are good. As far as the feedback, check to see if they are wax potted (I can't see why they wouldn't be). You can always swap the pickups if you feel like it (I'm notorious for doing that as are a lot of others on this board).

I'm a Hamer freak also. I've got 5 USA Hamers but I did sell my old Chap a while back. I should get another one of those someday. Anyway, welcome to the board.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: DiMarzio Pickups in HAMER Chaparral Standard USA

just so you know, there is no such thing as a Seymour Duncan Jeff Beck.

JB stands for Jazz/BLues or Jazzy/bluesy...depends on which Duncan rep answers the question.

The meaning of JB!

 

[FrankB]

Re: DiMarzio Pickups in HAMER Chaparral Standard USA

I only know the "official" principle which Pickups Hamer used in which model in the late 80ties / early 90ties:
- Standard models were equiped which Hamer Slammer made by DiMarzio
- Custom / Elite models (more expensive) were equiped with SD. They called this a upgraded version as if those pickups were better.

If this was done in every case - I don´t know.

I think Hamer was using DiMarzios early on in the business & later switched to Duncans, which are in use today. I have a prototype for the Hamer Sunburst Archtop (now called Studio Custom) and the pups are the standard Duncan JB & '59 set, but the creme colored pickup rings say DiMarzio on them. Apparently when they made that guitar (in 1990 or 1991) they used whatever they had laying around.

Jeff

P.S. Welcome to the Forum, Frank.

 

[ranalli]

Re: DiMarzio Pickups in HAMER Chaparral Standard USA

The Humbucker looks - a little bit strange - exactely like an Seymor Duncan Jeff Beck.

It looks like a JB?? Well there are a lot of pickups that look like a JB or a custom or a custom custom, etc....why a JB??

I have no idea if these pickpups are good or if it would be an improvement to exchange them. The guitar - by the way - sounds excelent.

Outside of the feedback, doesn't this answer your own question???