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Post by Hohn on Apr 7, 2008 8:53:03 GMT -7
If I ever go to Willcutt's, I'm going to have a SERIOUS problem.
First, I love Hamer guitars. The quality of each seems to be a cut above the "name brand" it may resemble. EVERY Hamer I've played has impressed me-- some more than others, but none were dodgy at all. No finish imperfections or bad fretwork. High quality electronics with super-smooth pot action.
So I go to the Willcutt site and I'm almost melting. I could easily drop $10K in that store in a moment of weakness.
I don't know how many of you guys know this, but the Hamers all have 3-piece necks. They are setup that way with opposing grain to that they stay stable. My Hamer's neck feels like it's made from granite.
So here I offer a couple videos to show you a little more about why I have a Hamer obsession.
Finally, here's some interesting tone comparisons. First, a Gibson 339: Second a Hamer Superpro (also semi-hollow):
I though the 339 sounded pretty good, but the Hamer sounds better to me in those clips.
Thoughts?
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Post by billyguitar on Apr 7, 2008 10:43:14 GMT -7
Those Hamers pull me too! The three and five piece necks were originally done on the higher end Gibsons and EPIs for the strength and the good looks, IMO. It's definitely a good idea. I wish I could play 1/2 of those notes!
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Post by greggorypeccary on Apr 7, 2008 14:37:00 GMT -7
I love my Monaco! I did change the pickups though, the TVJones are badass!
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2008 16:24:43 GMT -7
Watching those video clips makes me wonder if I should have chosen Hamer over PRS. It's tough to make decisions when you don't have local dealers.
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Post by Hohn on Apr 7, 2008 16:32:04 GMT -7
Gregory, that guitar was begging for TV Jones anyway! The Bigsby demands them!
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Post by skydog958 on Apr 7, 2008 20:24:42 GMT -7
Hamer is on my short list.
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Post by nori22 on Apr 8, 2008 5:01:17 GMT -7
cool clips. I wish there was a dealer around here, but,no
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Post by hogridr on Apr 8, 2008 6:38:08 GMT -7
I like those videos, I have been debating a Hamer for a while. This is slightly off topic, but does anyone else get massively annoyed by websites such as Willcutt's that won't post any prices? I had not been to their website in some time, and now I remember why. It just "grinds my gears" that everything on the site has "call for price". OK , I will shut up now, still like the Hamer's. :-)
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Post by nori22 on Apr 8, 2008 7:40:42 GMT -7
I like those videos, I have been debating a Hamer for a while. This is slightly of topic, but does anyone else get massively annoyed by websites such as Willcutt's that won't post any prices? I had not been to their website in some time, and now I remember why. It just "grinds my gears" that every thing on the site has "call for price". OK , I will shut up now, still like the Hamer's. :-) yup, I understand it,but yup
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2008 8:05:13 GMT -7
Anymore when a shop doesn't post a price - it's a good thing. It indicates they're willing to go so low the manufacturer would be upset if they posted a price. When I was doing some serious shopping after an inheritance - Willcutt's quoted me prices that were great. I was shocked how low they went.
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Post by janinedoubly on Apr 8, 2008 12:44:58 GMT -7
The only thing I will criticize Hamer for is the choice of pickups for their guitars, although if you are willing to wait, Hamer seems to be much more open nowadays with customizing the pickup choices. Otherwise, their quality is just downright stunning. Only problem is, if you buy new, you better like the guitar, cause you'll take a beating on selling used. Its really too bad they are not held in as high regard as a PRS or Gibson. They are simply beautiful, great playing and sounding guitars. Recently, I've been keeping tabs on Ebay for a Hamer for myself and the prices are just killer for a used guitar. If you are a shredder, Hamer's Floyd guitars from the late 80's/early 90's are going for very little on Ebay. Worth pursuing if you are wanting to relive your 80's days.
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Post by arniez on Apr 9, 2008 6:07:41 GMT -7
Maybe this will add to your Hamer weakness, it still drops my jaw everytime I open the case. It's not just drop dead beautiful,IMO, it sounds as good as it looks Arni eZ
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Post by Hohn on Apr 10, 2008 8:35:35 GMT -7
Arni, is that the Artist Ultimate?
I'd LOVE to have one, but I haven't found one less than $9K.
+1 on Stout's comments. The lack of posted pricing is a GOOD thing in most cases-- it gets you around MAP policies as such.
Willcutt's quoted me ~$2200 for most of their KILLER Hamers. Some are more, but for an instrument of that quality, the price is great. I've played countless Gibsons and PRSs that were lesser guitars at well over $1500 more money.
jmo
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Post by arniez on Apr 10, 2008 18:43:34 GMT -7
Arni, is that the Artist Ultimate? I'd LOVE to have one, but I haven't found one less than $9K. +1 on Stout's comments. The lack of posted pricing is a GOOD thing in most cases-- it gets you around MAP policies as such. Willcutt's quoted me ~$2200 for most of their KILLER Hamers. Some are more, but for an instrument of that quality, the price is great. I've played countless Gibsons and PRSs that were lesser guitars at well over $1500 more money. jmo Yup it's an Ultimate but the retail price on these just went to 8k this year, you should be able to find one for less. When I ordered mine they were a LOT less. ArnieZ
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Post by MeZadude on Apr 11, 2008 11:50:59 GMT -7
I purchased 2 Hamer's from Willcutt's around 3 years ago. Great service, and a couple of great guitars as well. Beautiful craftsmanship & finish. They play extremely well and sound wonderful too. One's a Korina Vector, and the other is a NAMM Newport. Oh, and I also bought my Stang-Ray from them last year. MeZa
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Post by Hohn on Apr 11, 2008 19:18:49 GMT -7
MeZa, those or both Killer guitars. I bet that vector has Albert King mojo for days!
Then you get Freddie King with the Newport! Killer Killer!
I'm a little jealous. I'd love to buy a Hamer or three...
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Post by Hohn on Apr 11, 2008 19:34:13 GMT -7
MeZa, those or both Killer guitars. I bet that vector has Albert King mojo for days!
Then you get Freddie King with the Newport! Killer Killer!
I'm a little jealous. I'd love to buy a Hamer or three...
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Post by Don on Apr 12, 2008 3:17:16 GMT -7
Hey Justin -
Shannon, Jason, Curt and I are driving down to Willcutt's in June. Wanna come? Eric and Brandon are expecting us. Bring cash. I know you have it!
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cosmo
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Post by cosmo on Apr 12, 2008 9:15:18 GMT -7
I've had my Monaco Super Pro for a couple of years now. The only thing I've done is swap out the pickups for WCR Crossroads. With the 25.5" scale and three piece neck, it's snappy enough to make a fenderite like me happy. Clean or dirty, you've got the most gorgeous, blooming fat-but-crisp tones. This was a 2005 NAMM guitar, and with Hamer being so "under the radar" I got it used (but mint) for under $1500. Probably the best deal going on the used market, at least at that time. I think they may be a wee bit higher now when you can find them. Now I want a Monaco III and an Artist. Have fun at Willcutt's.
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Post by Hohn on Apr 12, 2008 9:43:05 GMT -7
Hey Justin - Shannon, Jason, Curt and I are driving down to Willcutt's in June. Wanna come? Eric and Brandon are expecting us. Bring cash. I know you have it! Hopefully, by then I'll have a job and maybe a couple grand in the guitar fund. Sounds like fun!
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Apr 14, 2008 17:41:37 GMT -7
Hey Justin - Shannon, Jason, Curt and I are driving down to Willcutt's in June. Wanna come? Eric and Brandon are expecting us. Bring cash. I know you have it! Can I go too?
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Apr 15, 2008 4:45:21 GMT -7
Well, here's my Hamer/Willcutt's story. I have a Gibson Johnny A. Sig model that I got at Willcutt's a few years ago. I like it; it's a nice guitar as is, but Johnny recorded his first album "Sometime Tuesday Morning" with a ES-295. I love that sound (P-90s and a Bigsby) and the JA guitar is humbuckers. One day I remembered a review of a Hamer Monaco III in Guitar Player. I had never played a Hamer in 25+ years of playing guitar; I always thought of them as "that company that made wierd guitars for Rick Nielsen". However, the Monaco III caught my eye; three P-90s in a hollowbody guitar with a Bigsby should be just the ticket for JA tones. So, I drove to Willcutts. From looking at their web site, a few different Hamer models caught my eye; I thought I'd try them all out while I was there. I wanted to see an Artist P-90, the Monaco's, and a Special K just for kicks. The first gutiar Brandon brought out was an Artist in "jazzburst" with P-90's. From the first note I was absolutely blown away. I had never played a more resonant, "alive" guitar with such a great neck and playability (and I've played a few guitars ). I had to know if this was a fluke or if all Hamers were like this. I had Brandon bring out all the Artist P-90's they had (three more) and I played 'em all. They were all good but that Jazzburst one was *it*. I knew I was going to get it right then and there. I then played every Monaco III they had with a Bigsby. I really liked them; they did have that JA P-90 sound, but I was going to buy the Artist no matter what and I wasn't able to buy two guitars!! Then I had Brandon bring out the Special K. Wow....I knew when I picked it up that this was an entirely different level of fit, finish, and quality. In 25+ years of playing, I had never experienced this level of quality. Now I knew what really high end guitars like Collings and Groshes (which I had never played) must be like. I left the store extremely happy with my Artist but lusting after the Special K. A while later I was able to get one (#4 of 10 made) and I couldn't be happier. The only problem with the two Hamers is that they've spoiled me on my other guitars! I'm convinced that Hamer has Gibson beat when it comes to quality, and when you factor in how reasonable the Hamer prices are it's a no-brainer. Last year I was at Willcutt's again (came home with a Dr. Z convertible cab) and tried out a Hamer Talladega. I thought having owned two great Hamers for as long as I had that I couldn't be surprised....but dang, that Talladega blew me away. That might be the most resonant, sustaining, toneful guitar I've ever played. Totally unique and original- it sounds like a 10,000 pound Tele with a lot of unique sounds. If I would have had more money that guitar would have come home with me that day....
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Post by greggorypeccary on Apr 15, 2008 7:38:03 GMT -7
The only thing I will criticize Hamer for is the choice of pickups for their guitars, although if you are willing to wait, Hamer seems to be much more open nowadays with customizing the pickup choices. Otherwise, their quality is just downright stunning. Only problem is, if you buy new, you better like the guitar, cause you'll take a beating on selling used. Its really too bad they are not held in as high regard as a PRS or Gibson. They are simply beautiful, great playing and sounding guitars. Recently, I've been keeping tabs on Ebay for a Hamer for myself and the prices are just killer for a used guitar. If you are a shredder, Hamer's Floyd guitars from the late 80's/early 90's are going for very little on Ebay. Worth pursuing if you are wanting to relive your 80's days. I agree on all counts. I bought my Monaco used, but mint, and it was way less than a similar Gibson/PRS (although that model is really unique). I loved the feel and unplugged tone but the Duncan Custom pickups were awful! I tried some nice PAFs, but the TVJones are the be all and end all for that axe, IMO. They really pick up the resonance of the spruce top that was totally buried under the original Duncans.
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Post by arniez on Apr 15, 2008 12:31:42 GMT -7
Did someone say Talladega? My most recent purchase from Willcuts, incredible guitar! ArnieZ
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Post by Hohn on Apr 16, 2008 12:56:28 GMT -7
OOO! The hard-V neck on the Talladega must be played to be appreciated...
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