Help me upgrade my Hamer Echotone please...

[micp33]

So I recently scored a Korean-made Hamer Echotone off eBay for just over $200. Remarkably, it doesn't play like a $200 guitar! The pots, and switches are weak, the stop tail and tune-o-matic could use an upgrade and the pickups are passable for now but will eventually need to go.

Currently, they are Duncan Designed HB's ( I believe a 101 & 103). They are o.k. but I'd like opinions on a solid Duncan replacement for each. I've had JB's, Distortions (currently in my LP), JAzz, SH-3's, etc. I want something not too low output/vintage but not too aggressive either. I'm thinking as crystal clear as possible for the neck and something articulate and gritty for the bridge (along the lines of a Warren Haynes-type grit).

Any thoughts???

 

[shawnr]

Re: Help me upgrade my Hamer Echotone please...

I'd love to find a deal on an Echotone--are they really 25 1/2" Scale? If it's built well, a few upgrades would make it very unique sounding, there aren't many long scale semi's.

The long scale will give more articulation from any pickup you use.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Help me upgrade my Hamer Echotone please...

I've rewired a couple dozen 335 clones (Epi's, Hamers, Washburns, etc), with all kinds of PU's and push-pulls. Echotones are one of my favorites. Besides the old standby of a '59 set, which always seems to sound good, I'd recommend a C5/Phat CatN.

The C5 will give you a ballsy, gritty alnico bridge for solos; I put 250K's on mine to take off some treble & play up the mids. Makes it nice & full. Still has enough treble for bite. If you think a C5 is too aggressive, a '59B would work well.

On the neck I find Phat Cats to be a little dark, from the twin A2 magnets, so I switch one out with an A5. That gives me those beautiful clear, open single sounds; much more articulate that any neck HB.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Help me upgrade my Hamer Echotone please...

PG set gets my vote.

 

[MojoMonster]

Re: Help me upgrade my Hamer Echotone please...

So I recently scored a Korean-made Hamer Echotone off eBay for just over $200. Remarkably, it doesn't play like a $200 guitar! The pots, and switches are weak, the stop tail and tune-o-matic could use an upgrade and the pickups are passable for now but will eventually need to go.

Currently, they are Duncan Designed HB's ( I believe a 101 & 103). They are o.k. but I'd like opinions on a solid Duncan replacement for each. I've had JB's, Distortions (currently in my LP), JAzz, SH-3's, etc. I want something not too low output/vintage but not too aggressive either. I'm thinking as crystal clear as possible for the neck and something articulate and gritty for the bridge (along the lines of a Warren Haynes-type grit).

Any thoughts???

I put a PG bridge/Jazz neck combo in my Ibanez AS83 and wouldn't trade it for anything.

Also, consider doing the Jimmy Page mod, if not the full mod than at least coil splits.

MM

 

[BTMN]

Re: Help me upgrade my Hamer Echotone please...

C5/PhatCatN gets my vote. Echotones are sweet guitars. Is your's a Red one or the Amber with Gold Hardware model? The latter is REALLY nice!

Enjoy.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Help me upgrade my Hamer Echotone please...

C5/PhatCatN gets my vote. Echotones are sweet guitars. Is your's a Red one or the Amber with Gold Hardware model? The latter is REALLY nice!

They discontinued the amber flame top Echotones about 10 years ago, which is a shame, as they're beautiful. You still see one for sale every once in a while. They also had a red Custom model, which has gold hardware, a trapeze tailpiece, and block inlays. Also discontiued years ago.

If they re-introduced those, along with a Custom in black, I think they'd sell pretty well. Why don't some of you make suggestions to Hamer?

 

[BTMN]

Re: Help me upgrade my Hamer Echotone please...

I have. :blindfold

 

[BTMN]

Re: Help me upgrade my Hamer Echotone please...

Here is one I had for about three months. I gave it to a really good friend who turned me on to guitars in '76.

It had the Duncan Designed 59/JB clones in it and they were smoking pickups. I need another one of these. :13:

 

[gt5litre]

Re: Help me upgrade my Hamer Echotone please...

The Korean Echotones were very nice guitars and the stock DDs sounded pretty good too.

 

[micp33]

Re: Help me upgrade my Hamer Echotone please...

Thank you much for all of the great ideas!

Mine is the tobacco burst though it has chrome hardware. I'm thinking a Tone Pros tail/bridge, switch the pots as Blueman said, and the pups. The Kluson tuners are pretty cool and a are brighter creme than the Gibsons so I'll keep those.

As currently constituted, I can get a really nice Peter Anderson vibe going with it and as 335 copies go, the Hamers are among the prettiest I've come across.

Thanks again,
Mic

 

[blueman335]

Re: Help me upgrade my Hamer Echotone please...

Here is one I had for about three months. I gave it to a really good friend who turned me on to guitars in '76.

I need another one of these. :13:

That's the one! Gorgeous. How could they discontinue such a great guitar? What the hell were they thinking?

Epi has Dot Deluxes with flame maple tops, in red & sunburst. As creative as they've been in the last few years with all their introductions, maybe they'll offer it in amber too. That would be nice. Let's bug them about that!