Hamer USA.

[jalguitarman]

I am curious as to what the Hamer owners on here have to say about the neck carve. I just ordered a used Hamer USA Studio custom. Interestingly enough the guitar has a 14" radius which is nothing I have ever played but, I am good with a 12" radius so I don't think it will be a hard adjustment. I bought it from a guitar shop in Florida online and it is supposed to be here Saturday. I like the double cutaway design and the fact that if I want to do fretboard tapping I don't have to worry about hitting the pickup selector switch.

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Hamer USA.

IMO, there gets to be a point when the gauge is too thick for standard tuning and your tone suffers by becoming stiff, blunt and dead sounding.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Hamer USA.

IMO, there gets to be a point when the gauge is too thick for standard tuning and your tone suffers by becoming stiff, blunt and dead sounding.

Are you talking about the fretboard radius?

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Hamer USA.

Gorgeous guitar; you're going to love it!

Bill

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Hamer USA.

From things I've read, it seems neck profiles (the size/ shape of the back of the neck) vary quite a lot. My Studio Custom has a very large, chunky neck, but I don't find it inhibits anything i want to play ... in fact it's very comfortable and of course, big necks have big tone. Not to mention stability, which is important on guitars that have pretty much the entire fretboard hanging off the body (a la Gibson SG).

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Hamer USA.

Not really experienced with Hamer USA, but those that I've played were real gems. I'm sure you will really enjoy it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Hamer USA.

I think BTMN is the resident Hamer expert here. I don't know if I'd notice a difference between 14" and 12" fretboard radius.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Hamer USA.

IMO, there gets to be a point when the gauge is too thick for standard tuning and your tone suffers by becoming stiff, blunt and dead sounding.

Are you talking about the fretboard radius?

i assume that was in response to the heavier stings thread.

i have a monaco elite and the neck is a full c shape, not huge like an r7 neck, maybe similar to a r9 neck. not sure if yours is similar

 

[Swampy]

Re: Hamer USA.

Is this the same guitar that's used in the Duncan Demo Youtube videos? Killer sounding guitar if so.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Hamer USA.

From things I've read, it seems neck profiles (the size/ shape of the back of the neck) vary quite a lot. My Studio Custom has a very large, chunky neck, but I don't find it inhibits anything i want to play ... in fact it's very comfortable and of course, big necks have big tone. Not to mention stability, which is important on guitars that have pretty much the entire fretboard hanging off the body (a la Gibson SG).

I am hoping it is more on the chunky side of things. I can handle almost anything but I can't deal with an ultra thin neck like the Ibanez Wizard profile. I don't mind a meaty neck though.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Hamer USA.

Is this the same guitar that's used in the Duncan Demo Youtube videos? Killer sounding guitar if so.

I think it is. That is why I decided to see what I could find of used Hamer's online. I know that USA made Hamer's have a stellar reputation. The place where I bought it has a PLEK machine and I was going to pay the extra to have a PLEK job done, and the place called me and said because Hamer USA had such excellent fretwork and because this 10 year old guitar has seen very little play, that there was no need for me to spend the extra money. Which is testament to the honesty of the place I bought it, second that tells me that what I have heard is true about these instruments.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Hamer USA.

i assume that was in response to the heavier stings thread.

i have a monaco elite and the neck is a full c shape, not huge like an r7 neck, maybe similar to a r9 neck. not sure if yours is similar

That would would be quite awesome if it is along those lines.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Hamer USA.

The black switch tip has to go.:thumbsdow it looks out of place with everything else being cream. It comes Stock with Tone Pro's hardware and Seymour's 59 set. Which are great for a start. If I like it (as I am sure I will), then it may get a set of BKP "Stormy Monday's" at a later date. The 59's do sound good but I think the Bare Knuckle set, or a set of Seth's may be more of what I have in mind. But Then again maybe I will find the 59's really suit this guitar.

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Hamer USA.

I think BTMN is the resident Hamer expert here. I don't know if I'd notice a difference between 14" and 12" fretboard radius.

I am sure it's not a drastic difference. My Carvin has a 12" Radius and it is the easiest to play and fastest playing, comfy necked guitar I own.

 

[BTMN]

Re: Hamer USA.

I am far from any expert but I do love some Hamers. What year is that and where was it may I ask? Wolfe's? Thank you for saving me from myself cause that is pretty! I bet you love it. Hide your wallet. I bought my first in 1982 and been a fan ever since.

Elvis a 2005 Studio Custom Korina body and neck

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Hamer USA.

I am far from any expert but I do love some Hamers. What year is that and where was it may I ask? Wolfe's? Thank you for saving me from myself cause that is pretty! I bet you love it. Hide your wallet. I bought my first in 1982 and been a fan ever since.

Elvis a 2005 Studio Custom Korina body and neck

It was at Wolfe's, yes. It is a 2007 model.I was originally thinking about getting an Epiphone and modding the heck out of it, but I decided on a whim to check out the Hamer's. I seen this and I decided this was what I really wanted.

A couple of weeks ago I was thinking about trying to get a PRS 594. I like the the extra fret access you can get with a double cut body and was thinking I could still have a Les Paul type sound. But there was still the think with the switch placement. Not to mention that I am a sucker for highly figured woods and a PRS with this kind of figure is at least $4200.00 street price. Or more likely I would have to have the Artist package which is a little more than 5 grand. Which was more than I was willing to go into debt for.

I honestly like the looks of this design better than the 594 (looks just like a Les Paul DC), plus the switch is in a perfect location, i know this will be more Les Paul like (which is really the kind of tone I am after, Vintage Les Paul) than the 594. Plus it was only $2150.00 in excellent condition. And that top is to die for!!!!

 

[jeremy]

Re: Hamer USA.

i have a few hamer usa guitars and i love them all

 

[Liam1963]

Re: Hamer USA.

...as do I, a Chappie Custom and a Studio, and have NO plans to ever sell them.....

 

[jalguitarman]

Re: Hamer USA.

I contacted Jay Wolfe from Wolfe's Music where I got the guitar, he said if he remembered correctly that it was about medium thickness. This will be fine as I think that is where the PRS Bernie and Carvin CS6 fall, and those are my main players. I think my Strat has the fattest neck of all my guitar's (EJ Rosewood), and the Gretsch has the thinnest.