Re: hamer
I'm convinced that Hamer makes the highest quality guitars out there. Every bit as good as PRS, and way better than Gibson if you ask me. I've never played a Standard model, but I recently picked up a used Studio and I absolutely love it...even more than I thought I would. There's just something about that guitar that makes me play better when I have it in my hands. As Norman pointed out, Hamer is the only major manufacturer who still builds everything by hand. They have some of the most skilled builders in the world, which is how they can achieve such strict building tolerances without resorting to computer-controlled CNC machines. The dovetail neck joint is 40% bigger than the design Gibson uses, which means added resonance, sustain, and stability. The stressed neck system makes the neck rock solid, the fretwork is immaculate, and the electronics are a work of art. They even use Duncan pickups standard, and fully shield the electronics cavity to prevent even the slightest bit of interference. They are also an absolute steal on the used market, since most people feel they need to have Gibson, Fender, or PRS on the headstock to have a quality instrument. I don't know what the Standards go for, but I picked up my Studio for $630, which I think is a real bargain when you consider everything that goes into building these guitars. They are sometimes hard to find, as it's not an assembly line type thing at the Hamer factory. They only produce three guitars per day, and I think I remember reading that it takes months to go from wood blanks to finished product. They certainly don't rush things, and they actually reject more wood than they use. The wood they do select is allowed extra drying time, which means the guitar will be more stable when it's finished. To sum it up, you simply can't go wrong with a Hamer.
Ryan
