Hammer guitars done?

Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 956 Location: D.O.A. 04-00341

Rumors abound Hammer guitars is done... ? if so thank you Fender for killing another great guitar co.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

I didn't know they were still around. I think Hamer makes, or made (if they are done) a killer guitar, but haven't shown a stake in the market in a long time except for the purists who still love and purchase them. Unfortunately that's not enough people to keep the company alive.

Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 4253 Location: Derry, N Ireland

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

I didn't know they were still around. I think Hamer makes, or made (if they are done) a killer guitar, but haven't shown a stake in the market in a long time except for the purists who still love and purchase them. Unfortunately that's not enough people to keep the company alive.

Yeah I agree with this. As someone who only started getting in to guitars about 6 years ago, I know VERY little about Hammer guitars. I never see them get much publicity online, and only really know of them because of members on here.

Its still sad to see a company go though, im sure the value of them will rise a bit now.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

bazzabalboa wrote:

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

I didn't know they were still around. I think Hamer makes, or made (if they are done) a killer guitar, but haven't shown a stake in the market in a long time except for the purists who still love and purchase them. Unfortunately that's not enough people to keep the company alive.

Yeah I agree with this. As someone who only started getting in to guitars about 6 years ago, I know VERY little about Hammer guitars. I never see them get much publicity online, and only really know of them because of members on here.

Its still sad to see a company go though, im sure the value of them will rise a bit now.

I remember in the 80s and 90s I wanted a Hamer really bad but couldn't afford one. Steve Stevens was playing one and I thought he was so bad ass! Honestly though in the last 10 years, except for on this forum I haven't seen one Hamer anywhere, on the web or in stores. I just assumed the company already went the way of the dodo bird. They made great stuff but times change and I guess hey weren't in such demand anymore.

Joined: 30 Mar 2009 Posts: 4710 Location: Dayton, OH

Back in the late 80's/early 90's when I first got into guitars, Hamers were everywhere in rock and metal. I too couldn't afford one but always liked them, sad news for sure.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 10203 Location: New Jersey USA

I have seen a couple of used USA Hamers in the stores recently. But have not seen a new USA in a long time except for those cork sniffers on here that buy them. Wink

I also havent seen any artists playing them in a long time. But they were selling imported Hamers at Guitard Center and Sam Ash a couple of years ago, and they were fantastic looking, but felt and played like ass on a biscuit. I would say they were sub par even to an X-series Dean bolt on as far as fit and finish and fretwork go. BTMN will debate this fact, but its my opinion and I sticking with it.

So this is the third or fourth forum post I have seen on this subject today. So there may be some validity to the rumor. Dont be blaming Fender on killing a brand, as they have done great work to save a few other brands that were floundering and kept them alive. Check Jackson, Charvel, Gretsch to name a few. If they dont see a market for Hamer and decided to close it up, then its their decision. Its a shame and a bummer. But I can see the logic behind it.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

It would be nice if Fender would keep open a custom shop line made at the Fender shop for dudes like Gene who want the high end stuff. Just offer it as a off shoot off of Fender.

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 11:20 pm

Total bummer about it. I always liked them back in the day. For awhile they were legendary. I knew once Fender bought them they were toast and I agree about the above comment on the ones I have tried recently. Hopefully they will be back some day and built like they used to be.

Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 271

Lanning is Killdozer wrote:

It would be nice if Fender would keep open a custom shop line made at the Fender shop for dudes like Gene who want the high end stuff. Just offer it as a off shoot off of Fender.

Hamer was working as a custom shop only since a couple of years ago, I think it happened around the time that fender took over and Joel left.

Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Posts: 9602 Location: Portsmouth, VA

I'm a little bummed. I'd hoped they'd be around so I could pick up a Monaco or maybe even an Improv a few years down the road once I retire from the Navy and move onto a new career.

I'm glad I still have the Punisher and my Vector, though I wish I'd kept at least one of the Vector KKs I used to have and that sweet black Blitz.

AND FOR GOD'S SAKE, IT'S HAMER, NOT HAMMER.

Here's to Hamer and some I've own/owned, past and present:

Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 956 Location: D.O.A. 04-00341

Sorry for the miss spelling, Yes Hamer guitars are / were great guitars.
Fender / Kaman has really done nothing but buy brands and gut them.
Guild was one of the most outstanding builders period, Westerly RI plant did nothing but top notch builds, now they are just korean built medium to beginner guitars, Deramond got the same treatment.

But with Fenders problems, a lot of these "name acquisitions" are going to be dropped or the brand sold off.

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 2:31 pm

The shop is still open a few miles from me in Willington.... went by there last week and the lights were on

Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Posts: 9602 Location: Portsmouth, VA

They're still building the COs and then, they're still on building Guild acoustics, from what I understand.

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 3:37 pm

Sad... I've owned many. It was a love/hate ordeal for me, though. The fit and finish and wood was always top-notch.

I always wanted a 4 digit Standard.

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 5:01 pm

Did Hamer have any significant signed artists in recent years?
I think in todays market, that it is crucial to have important players using your gear to survive...

Joined: 29 Mar 2011 Posts: 357 Location: Calgary Alberta

Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Posts: 9602 Location: Portsmouth, VA

I would be oh so happy to take that off your hands.

Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 10593 Location: Canada

It's official.

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 2:16 am

H-A-M-E-R

This is what I have deciphered from online posting by folks I would consider knowledgable on this matter.

Yes - Custom order only for about two years.
Yes - Closing the brand name.
Yes - Continuing to do Hamer rebuilding/refinishing AFAIK

As far as I have read online FMIC has also retained the builders as they already were building Guilds in that same building since the shift to custom order Hamers only.

No idea if import line might remain doubt it though. IMO the import line has been sad since it shifted to China about 6-8 years ago and then to Indonesia. The Korean made Hamer stuff was to me, as great as the Korean Dean lines I have owned.

This was posted on the HFC...

Someone on Facebook asked Jol what he thought of the news. He replied:

"There are those who believe that products are like a sports franchise, and that even though the players are traded and hired and fired it remains the same entity.
I don’t.

For me, the dream ended quite a while ago, and now the denial has finally caught up with the reality.

I was devastated when the decision was made quite a few years back, so any announcement just seems like picking up an old newspaper. It hurts, but not as much as it did at first.

As for the torch bearers of the brand, we have all moved on and are all doing what we’ve always done. For me, that means making the guitars. I think that’s telling.

Thanks for caring about something so dear to me."

I think that sums it up pretty well.

Joined: 17 Dec 2004 Posts: 9602 Location: Portsmouth, VA

I think Jol's 'vision' is what did them in, personally.

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 3:01 am

Gotta say I am in that line also. Having met Paul a couple times now, I'm thinking Hamer was done a long time ago. Sad

While he is a true gentleman and has never said a harsh word about his departure way back when, I just get that feeling.

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:16 am

It is a sad day ....for a great guitar company....
Glad I got my '87 Chaparral Custom great great guitar......Total Top notch quality...

And Hamer fans did you guys see this on ebay?
Looks Almost like Mick Mars Blitz he played on the "Shout at the Devil" tour....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HAMER-1980S-USA-MADE-BLITZ-CUSTOM-GRAPHIC-GUITAR-KAHLER-TREM-SETNECK-EXPLORER-/221163058890?pt=Guitar&hash=item337e5876ca

Wonder how the used Hamer USA market will be after?

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 2:09 pm

mesa8699 wrote:

It is a sad day ....for a great guitar company....
Glad I got my '87 Chaparral Custom great great guitar......Total Top notch quality...

And Hamer fans did you guys see this on ebay?
Looks Almost like Mick Mars Blitz he played on the "Shout at the Devil" tour....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HAMER-1980S-USA-MADE-BLITZ-CUSTOM-GRAPHIC-GUITAR-KAHLER-TREM-SETNECK-EXPLORER-/221163058890?pt=Guitar&hash=item337e5876ca

Wonder how the used Hamer USA market will be after?

That paddle headstock is an atrocity on an Explorer body

Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 10593 Location: Canada

Here's some of my USA Hamers;

Smokin' guitars!