NGD: Hamer EchoTone

[ErikH]

I got a few GC gift cards and had some cash from our NYE gig. Was going to pick up something else until I came across this prize on the GC used site. Just so happens it was at a local store so I finally got a chance to check it out.

It's made in Korea, has Duncan Designed pickups and appears to have the stock pots, switch and jack. The pickup rings I know we're changed and I think the knobs were too. The pickguard is long gone but I like how it looks without it. Plays and sounds fantastic.

Got it with a nice TKL hard shell case for 2 bills. Talk about a sweet deal. I've seen them going for over 3 on eBay.

And the mandatory pics....

 

[JeffB]

Re: NGD: Hamer EchoTone

Congrats. Same color as the one I handled. Great price.

I gotta ask tho..is the pic goofy or the string spacing messed up over the pup pole pieces?

 

[ErikH]

NGD: Hamer EchoTone

Thanks. It's off a little bit. Doesn't bother me any.

Looks like the nut was changed too. There's some scoring of the finish a little in that area. Whoever did it did a nice job.

 

[JeffB]

Re: NGD: Hamer EchoTone

Thanks. It's off a little bit. Doesn't bother me any.

Looks like the nut was changed too. There's some scoring of the finish a little in that area. Whoever did it did a nice job.

Are DDs metric/trem spaced? You gonna put the 57s in there?

I think the knobs are stock, btw.

 

[ErikH]

NGD: Hamer EchoTone

Are DDs metric/trem spaced? You gonna put the 57s in there?

I think the knobs are stock, btw.

The bridge measures 2 1/8" E to E. the neck is 2" even E to E. Definitely wider than standard spacing.

I don't have the '57 Classics anymore. Sold them a year or so ago. Gonna leave it stock for now. When I do change things, the jack and pots will be first. The switch is solid.

The neck is crazy comfortable. Reminds me a lot of the profile on the SG Classic.

 

[blueman335]

Re: NGD: Hamer EchoTone

The pickup rings I know we're changed and I think the knobs were too.

Nice score. Good guitars and you got yours at a great price. Yes, the pickup rings and knobs have been changed. I used to see them around all the time. I still have an old Hamer catalog somewhere, from when they were made in Korea; at that time they were offering two Standard models (red and brown sunburst), and a red Custom that had gold hardware, a trapeze tailpiece, and block inlays. Prior to that they also had an amber model called 'Aztec Gold' that had a flame maple top, dark brown back and sides, & gold hardware; like a Custom but without the tailpiece and block inlays. When production moved to China in the early 2000's, unfortunately they only kept the red and brown sunburst models, and no longer came with Duncan Designed PU's. The 335 design seems to have increased in popularity over the last 10 or 15 years, and the Custom and Aztec Gold models would fare better now.

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: NGD: Hamer EchoTone

AWESOME deal! TEh Korean EchoTone and Jazz5 are simply outrageously good guitars for the price. The TKL case was just absolutely thrown into this already killer deal.

I have '57s in my Jazz5 but I no likey them and wish I had some Seths instead. Those '57s are way too honky for me but the EchoTone is a tighter guitar so maybe they would work.

Killer score man. : )

 

[JeffB]

Re: NGD: Hamer EchoTone

The bridge measures 2 1/8" E to E. the neck is 2" even E to E. Definitely wider than standard spacing.

I don't have the '57 Classics anymore. Sold them a year or so ago. Gonna leave it stock for now. When I do change things, the jack and pots will be first. The switch is solid.

The neck is crazy comfortable. Reminds me a lot of the profile on the SG Classic.

Crap, I thought you still had them. Thats too had.

 

[ErikH]

NGD: Hamer EchoTone

Thanks guys. I just love it. Amazingly comfortable. I've got to tighten up the pot nuts and that'll take care of things for a bit. I might change the jack if I have an extra around. Might just need to bend the tab in a little. It's a little loose, not enough snap inserting the plug. This is def a keeper. If I still had the 57 Classics they'd be great candidates for this.

 

[BTMN]

Re: NGD: Hamer EchoTone

Nice looking guitar!! Great deal too.

I have one of the Aztec Gold Custom versions, my second, and it is a fantastic guitar for the buck. https://forum.seymourduncan.com/showthread.php?243010-DANG-Astro-and-His-335ness-NGD

Scored it at GC here in Clearwater. It has a pair of Duncan Distortion Duncan Designed pickups in it. Check the code under the pickup next string change and look it up. http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/duncan-designed/

These are also 25.5 scale too.

There is a BEAUTIFUL White one on Evilbay that has passed my current price range. Plus I am not a big fan of that one's added third pickup.

 

[ErikH]

NGD: Hamer EchoTone

Thanks, Gene. I saw a few threads where you mentioned your EchoTone and the difference between the Korean and Chinese models. I'm really glad this one turned out to be as good as I hoped, heck, even better than I hoped.

The pickups don't feel as hot as distortion class so who knows.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: NGD: Hamer EchoTone

Very cool!

I remember in another thread you mentioned a set of 59's for it and I say thats a GREAT move!!!

Enjoy it...a semi hollow is a joy to play!

 

[dystrust]

Re: NGD: Hamer EchoTone

Thanks, Gene. I saw a few threads where you mentioned your EchoTone and the difference between the Korean and Chinese models. I'm really glad this one turned out to be as good as I hoped, heck, even better than I hoped.

The pickups don't feel as hot as distortion class so who knows.

I didn't meter the stock pots on mine, but they seemed to be something really low value which would explain the low-ish output for Distortions. I replaced them with a pair of 59s and 500K CTS pots.

 

[ErikH]

NGD: Hamer EchoTone

Very cool!

I remember in another thread you mentioned a set of 59's for it and I say thats a GREAT move!!!

Enjoy it...a semi hollow is a joy to play!

Thanks. 59's were the first to come to mind when I saw it. Just makes sense.

It is a joy to play. Adds a nice dimension to the collection. It's fun just sitting with it unplugged.

 

[ErikH]

NGD: Hamer EchoTone

I didn't meter the stock pots on mine, but they seemed to be something really low value which would explain the low-ish output for Distortions. I replaced them with a pair of 59s and 500K CTS pots.

That very well could be the case here. I'll be swapping the pots and jack out first and then the pickups at a later date.

 

[Push to Shuv]

Re: NGD: Hamer EchoTone

Looks great Erik :bigthumb:

 

[BTMN]

Re: NGD: Hamer EchoTone

Wanna go all out put a set of 59s in it and this...

http://store.rsguitarworks.net/complete-vintage-electronics-upgrade-kit-short-shaft/dp/131

with a new jack and toggle. Still not close to cost of a 335 but you will be in the zone of one for sure.

BTW, IIRC, if it does not have the DD Duncan Distortion clones they will be the 59n/JBb clones.

 

[ErikH]

NGD: Hamer EchoTone

I've looked at those RS kits before and decided they are a little pricey for me. I'm a musician on a budget and fully capable of wiring up a harness from a pile of parts so I'll be getting parts from elsewhere. Those kits are great for those that want a drop in harness though.

I like Alpha pots too. I've gotten the ones from Guitarfetish and haven't had an issue with them. All have read well within spec, have a smooth taper and I wouldn't have to open the holes on the body for the larger diameter shaft on CTS pots. But, I might do that anyway. I've gotten some pots from Mojotone recently and really like the taper. I put a couple in my SG Jr and love em so I might go with those.

If the pickups turn out to be 59/JB Duncan Designed, I'll leave em in there for a while. They sound good now, no doubt they'll sound better with upgraded pots.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: NGD: Hamer EchoTone

Woooobuddy that's cool!

 

[SrDeMaFp]

Re: NGD: Hamer EchoTone

Nice score! How would you describe the neck/frets on that?