Hamer Guitars was co-founded by Paul Hamer and Jol Dantzig in 1976. In the early 1970s, the two were partners in Northern Prairie Music, a Chicago-based store that specialized in stringed instrument repair and used guitars. The repair section had been ordering so many supplies and parts from the Gibson facilities that the two were invited to a tour of the Kalamazoo plant. Later, Northern Prairie was made the first American Gibson authorized warranty repair shop.
Hamer, a regular gigging musician at the time, built a Les Paul-shaped short scale bass with Gibson parts that attracted enough attention for custom orders. By 1973, the shop was taking orders from some professional musicians as well. Hamer and Dantzig were both Gibson enthusiasts. Their early custom guitars were Flying V-based in design, and then later they branched out in Explorer-styled guitars. These early models were basically prototypes for the later production guitars, and featured Gibson hardware, Larry DiMarzio-wound pickups, figured tops, and lacquer finishes.
In the mid-1970s, the prices of used (beginning to be vintage) Fenders and Gibsons began to rise. The instruments offered by those same companies was perceived as being of lesser quality (and at higher prices). Hamer and Dantzig saw a market that was ignored by the major companies, so they incorporated Hamer USA. The first shop was set up in Palatine, Illinois. The first Hamer catalog from Fall 1975 shows only an Explorer-shaped guitar dubbed The Hamer Guitar (later, it became the Standard model) for the retail list price of $799. Hamer USA built perhaps fifty Standards between 1975 and 1978, an amount estimated to be ten to fifteen a year. In contrast, Gibson reissued the Explorer from 1976 to 1978 and shipped 3,300 of them! In 1978, Hamer debuted their second model, the Les Paul-ish Sunburst. While the Standard had jumped up to a retail price of $1,199, the SunburstĀ“s lower price created new demands. In 1980, the company expanded into larger facilities in Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Paul Hamer left Hamer USA in 1987. A year later, Hamer was acquired by the Kaman Music Corporation. In March of 1997, Hamer production was shifted to new facilities in New Hartford, Connecticut. The Hamer company was given their own workspace, re-installed their same machinery (moved in from Illinois), and they operate their own finishing booth.
The Hamer company was first to offer black chrome hardware and double locking tremolos (right from Floyd Rose's basement!) on production guitars. During the 1980s, customized Hamer guitars sported LED position markers, built-in wireless transmitters, custom colors, custom graphics (like snake or "dragon" skin).
In the early 2000s, Hamer introduced the XT Series line of guitars that are produced originally in Korea and now in China. These instruments are mostly inexpensive versions of Hamer USA models. Hamer also offers an entry-level series that are branded Slammer (see Slammer for more information). In late 2007, the Fender Musical Instrument Corporation (FMIC) acquired Kaman Music, which included Hamer. In 2008, Kaman Music changed the name of their company to KMC Music. In 2009, Hamer ceased standard production and began only offering custom orders. In 2010, Dantzig left Hamer and began designing and building guitars under his own name Dantzig Guitar Design. In February, 2013, FMIC announced that they were discontinuing the Hamer brand altogether. For more information, visit Hamer's website or contact them directly.
Instruments previously produced in Arlington Heights, IL between 1974 and 1996 and in New Hartford, CT between 1997 and 2012. Import instruments were produced in Korea, China, and Indonesia between circa 1990 and 2012. Hamer USA was distributed by KMC Music in Bloomfield, CT, and the Hamer XT Series was distributed by Musicorp in North Charleston, SC.

HAMER Electric Guitars Models

HAMER ECHOTONE (MODEL ECO) Image

HAMER ECHOTONE (MODEL ECO)

- double cutaway design ES-335 style with solid maple bound back and top, single bound f-hole, rosewood fingerboard with MOP dot inlays, three-per-side Keystone tuners, tune-o-matic, Stop tailpiece, two Duncan designed humbucker pickups wit...

HAMER ECLIPSE (MODEL GECS) Image

HAMER ECLIPSE (MODEL GECS)

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, short body horns/rounded lower bout, set-in mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, Wilkinson Hardtail wraparound bridge, Lubritrak nut, blackface peghead with screened logo,...

HAMER DUOTONE (MODEL GDOS) Image

HAMER DUOTONE (MODEL GDOS)

- double cutaway semi-hollow mahogany body, bound spruce top, three round soundholes, mahogany neck, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, strings through rosewood bridge, blackface peghead with screened logo, three-per-s...

HAMER FB I Image

HAMER FB I

- asymmetrical hourglass style mahogany body with raised center section, set-in maple neck, 22-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl boomerang inlay, double locking tremolo, reverse peghead, 6-on-a-side tuners, black hardware, Slammer humbucker...

HAMER MIRAGE (MODEL GMIR) Image

HAMER MIRAGE (MODEL GMIR)

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, carved figured koa top, mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, standard Wilkinson vibrato, three-per-side Sperzel locking tuners, three Seymour Duncan single coil rail pickup...

HAMER DIABLO (MODEL GDBS) Image

HAMER DIABLO (MODEL GDBS)

- offset double cutaway alder body, bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, double locking Floyd Rose tremolo, blackface peghead with screened logo, 6-on-a-side tuners, chrome hardware, 2 exposed humbucker DiM...

HAMER MONACO (MODEL MON) Image

HAMER MONACO (MODEL MON)

- single cutaway hollow mahogany body, spruce arched top with f-holes, mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with victory inlays, three-per-side-tuners, dovetail neck joint, two Seymour Duncan humbucking pickups, three knobs (v, v, to...

HAMER NEWPORT (MODEL NEW) Image

HAMER NEWPORT (MODEL NEW)

- double cutaway body style, Ivoroid bound Honduras mahogany neck and body, neck has white dot inlays, hand carved, arched spruce top with two f-holes, two Hamer "Phat Cat" single coil pickups had built in Seymour Duncan's Custom...

HAMER DAYTONA (MODEL GDAS) Image

HAMER DAYTONA (MODEL GDAS)

- offset double cutaway alder body, white pickguard, bolt-on maple neck, 25.5 in. scale, 22-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlay, Wilkinson VS tremolo, 6-on-a-side locking Sperzel tuners, chrome hardware, 3 single coil Seymour Duncan...

HAMER PHANTOM (PHAN) Image

HAMER PHANTOM (PHAN)

- offset double cutaway Honduran mahogany body, set-in 3-piece mahogany neck, 24.75 in. scale, 22-fret East Indian rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece, 3-per-side headstock, chrome hardware, black...

HAMER PROTOTYPE Image

HAMER PROTOTYPE

- dual cutaway mahogany body, set-in neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, fixed bridge, 3-per-side headstock, chrome hardware, black pickguard, combination single coil and humbucker (´tri-coil´), volume/tone c...

HAMER CHAPARRAL (MODEL GCHS) Image

HAMER CHAPARRAL (MODEL GCHS)

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, bolt-on maple neck, 25.5 in. scale, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl boomerang inlay, double locking tremolo, 6-on-a-side tuners, black hardware, 2 single coil/humbucker Slammer pickups, volume/ton...

HAMER SCARAB I Image

HAMER SCARAB I

- offset single cutaway body with J-hook bottom bout, set-in neck, 22-fret rosewood or ebony fingerboard with pearl dot (or pearl crown) inlay, 6-on-a-side tuners, double locking vibrato, chrome hardware, humbucker pickup, volume/tone contr...

HAMER SPECIAL (MODEL GSPS) Image

HAMER SPECIAL (MODEL GSPS)

- double cutaway mahogany body, mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece, blackface peghead with screened logo, 3-per-side tuners, chrome hardware, 2 single coil Seymour Duncan soa...

HAMER CENTAURA (MODEL GCTS) Image

HAMER CENTAURA (MODEL GCTS)

- offset double cutaway alder body, bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl offset inlay, Floyd Rose tremolo, reverse headstock, 6-on-a-side Schaller tuners, black hardware, 2 single coil/humbucker Seymour Duncan pickups...

HAMER STANDARD (THE HAMER GUITAR) Image

HAMER STANDARD (THE HAMER GUITAR)

- explorer-style mahogany body, bound bookmatched curly maple top, mahogany set neck, 22-fret bound rosewood or ebony fingerboard with pearl dot (or crown) inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece, chrome hardware, six-on-a-side hockey sti...

HAMER STELLAR 1 (MODEL ST1) Image

HAMER STELLAR 1 (MODEL ST1)

- double cutaway body design that allows access to all frets, solid maple neck and body, rosewood fingerboard with MOP dot inlays, two Duncan designed humbucker pickups, silky oak arched top, 3-way toggle switch, chrome deluxe tuners and ha...

HAMER STEVE STEVENS I Image

HAMER STEVE STEVENS I

- dual cutaway body, set-in neck, 24-fret rosewood or ebony fingerboard with pearl dot (or crown) inlay, 6-on-a-side tuners, double locking tremolo, black hardware, 2 single coil/1 humbucker Slammer pickups, volume/tone controls, 3-way sele...

HAMER STUDIO (MODEL GATS-SO) Image

HAMER STUDIO (MODEL GATS-SO)

- slightly offset double cutaway mahogany body, arched flamed maple top, set three-piece mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, Wilkinson Hardtail wraparound bridge, three-per-side tuners, chrome hardware, two Sey...

HAMER SUNBURST Image

HAMER SUNBURST

- double cutaway mahogany body, arched bound figured maple top, set-in mahogany neck, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot (or crown) inlay, three-per-side tuners, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece, two humbucker pickups, thre...

HAMER T-51 (MODEL T51S) Image

HAMER T-51 (MODEL T51S)

- single cutaway Tele-style ash body, bolt-on hard rock maple neck, 22-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlays, six-on-one-side Sperzel tuners, Wilkinson HT-100 bridge, black bakelite pickguard, two Seymour Duncan single coil pickups,...

HAMER TLE Image

HAMER TLE

- single cutaway mahogany body, figured maple top, set-in rock maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, black hardware, 6-on-a-side tuners, 3 single coil pickups, volume/tone controls, 5-way selector, mfg...

HAMER CALIFORNIAN (MODEL GCAS) Image

HAMER CALIFORNIAN (MODEL GCAS)

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, bolt-on rock maple neck, 25.5 in. scale, 27-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, Floyd Rose tremolo, 6-on-a-side Schaller tuners, black hardware, slanted single coil/humbucker Slammer (or O...

HAMER VANGUARD (MODEL VAN) Image

HAMER VANGUARD (MODEL VAN)

- trademark double cutaway body style, Honduras Mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, semi-hollow body with one f-hole, two Seymour Duncan P-90 pickups with black covers. Unique Silver Sparkle finish covers the entire body, back of neck...

HAMER ARTIST (MODEL GATASO) Image

HAMER ARTIST (MODEL GATASO)

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, arched flamed maple top, mahogany set neck with rosewood fingerboard, dot inlays, two Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups, three knobs (v, v, tone), three-way switch, tune-o-matic bridge, one f-hole, tun...

HAMER VELOCITY (MODEL VEL) Image

HAMER VELOCITY (MODEL VEL)

- double offset cutaway bubinga body, 5-piece maple/bubinga neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, single humbucker pickup, active electronics, 3 knobs (v, b, t), Gotoh style bridge, 2-per-side-tuners, chrome hardware, availabl...

HAMER VECTOR (MAHOGANY) Image

HAMER VECTOR (MAHOGANY)

- Flying V-style mahogany body, set-in mahogany neck, 24.75 in. scale, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with mother-of-pearl inlay, Schaller tuners, string through-body bridge, 2 humbuckers, 2 volume/tone controls, 3-way selector switch, availa...

HAMER ACOUSTIC 12-STRING BASS (MODEL B12A) Image

HAMER ACOUSTIC 12-STRING BASS (MODEL B12A)

- 12-string configuration with 3 sets of strings an octave apart, single cutaway mahogany body, bound bookmatched figured maple top, maple set neck, round soundhole, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, six-per-s...

HAMER BLITZ (MODEL BBLS) Image

HAMER BLITZ (MODEL BBLS)

- radical hourglass-shaped mahogany body, set-in maple neck, 34 in. scale, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, 4-on-a-side tuners, chrome hardware, P/J-style pickups, 2 volume/tone control, available in var...

HAMER FB IV Image

HAMER FB IV

- asymmetrical hourglass style mahogany body with raised center section, set-in maple neck, 34 in. scale, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, reverse peghead, 4-on-a-side tuners, black hardware, P/J-style p...

HAMER BLITZ Image

HAMER BLITZ

- radical offset hourglass body, set-in neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, double locking tremolo, ´drooping´ peghead with screened logo, 3-per-side tuners, black hardware, 2 humbucker pickups, 2 volume/tone...

HAMER CRUISEBASS (MODEL BCRS) Image

HAMER CRUISEBASS (MODEL BCRS)

- sleek offset double cutaway alder body, bolt-on maple neck, 34 in. scale, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with white dot inlay, 4-on-a-side headstock, Gotoh fixed bridge, chrome hardware, black pickguard, 2 Seymour Duncan J-style pickups, 2...

HAMER SLAMMER CENTAURA BASS (MODEL CB4) Image

HAMER SLAMMER CENTAURA BASS (MODEL CB4)

- offset double cutaway alder body, bolt-on maple neck, 21-fret maple or rosewood fingerboard with offset dot inlay, fixed bridge, four-on-one-side tuners, chrome hardware, P/J-style pickups, two volume/tone controls, available in 3-Tone Su...

HAMER CHAPARRAL BASS (MODEL BCHS) Image

HAMER CHAPARRAL BASS (MODEL BCHS)

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, set-in rock maple neck, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, 4-on-a-side tuners, chrome hardware, EMG P/J-style pickups, 2 volume/1 tone controls, active electronics, mfg. 1...

HAMER 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION (MODEL AN25E) Image

HAMER 25TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION (MODEL AN25E)

- similar to AN25L except does not have sterling silver purfling, truss rod cover, or back plate. bookmatched "Chevron" mahogany top, covered Seymour Duncan Ā“59 and JB pickups, Grover tuners, tune-o-matic, stop tailpiece, available in Cherr...

HAMER Eclipse 12-String (Model GEC-12) Image

HAMER Eclipse 12-String (Model GEC-12)

- similar to the Eclipse, except has 12-string configuration, six-per-side tuners, and a Hamer adjustable bridge, available in Cherry Tran. (CT), Candy Green (CG), or Vintage Orange (VO) finish, disc. 1999.

HAMER IMPACT BASS Image

HAMER IMPACT BASS

- Offset double cutaway mahogany body, set-in hard rock maple neck, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl boomerang inlay, fixed bridge, 2-per-side tuners, gold hardware, 2 EMG pickups, 2 volume/treble/bass controls, active electronics, mfg....

HAMER MIRAGE II (MODEL GMIR-II) Image

HAMER MIRAGE II (MODEL GMIR-II)

- similar to the Mirage, except has a carved maple top, two covered Seymour Duncan humbuckers, three-way selector, no lead bypass switch, available in '59 Burst, Honey, Kool Blue, Red Trans., or Tobacco Sunburst finish, disc. 1998.

HAMER STEVE STEVENS II Image

HAMER STEVE STEVENS II

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, set-in rock maple neck, 25.5 in. scale, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, Floyd Rose tremolo, 6-on-a-side tuners, black hardware, slanted single coil/slanted humbucker pickups, volume...

HAMER STELLAR 3 (MODEL ST3) Image

HAMER STELLAR 3 (MODEL ST3)

- similar to Stellar 1 except has Duncan designed humbucker and 2 single coil pickups, 5-way switch, mini-toggle coil tap, Wilkinson Tremolo bridge, 1 volume/1 tone control, chrome hardware, available in Cherry Sunburst or black finish, mfg...