The Hamer USA Artist Custom is a semi-hollow double-cutaway electric built around Hamer’s carved-top construction, combining a mahogany body with a figured maple top and a single f-hole. This 1998 example features a fabulously figured flame maple top in a sunburst finish with gold hardware, an option at the time.

The Artist Custom was one of the higher-spec models in Hamer’s USA range during this period. Compared with the more simply appointed Artist, the Custom features body and fingerboard binding, mother-of-pearl crown inlays and upgraded cosmetic appointments. Its construction combines a chambered mahogany body with a carved maple top, giving it a different structure and response from both a fully solid guitar and a traditional fully hollow instrument.

The set mahogany neck uses Hamer’s 24 3/4″ scale length and a rosewood fingerboard with 22 frets. The neck has the rounded vintage-style profile associated with Hamer USA instruments from this period. The bound fingerboard, crown inlays and bound body give the Artist Custom a distinctly upscale appearance without departing far from Hamer’s established double-cut design.

Electronics are two Seymour Duncan Seth Lover humbuckers controlled by individual volume controls, a master tone control and a three-way pickup selector. Hardware includes a Tune-o-matic style bridge, stop tailpiece and Schaller tuners.

This guitar has standard playwear for its age, with the frets approximately 95%. Weight is 3900g. Includes original case. This is a super rare 90s US Hamer that ticks all the boxes for a super refined, high end instrument.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Model: Hamer USA Artist Custom
• Year: 1998
• Country of manufacture: USA
• Construction: Set neck
• Body style: Double cutaway, semi-hollow / chambered
• Body material: Mahogany
• Top: Carved figured flame maple
• Top construction: Bookmatched
• F-hole: Single
• Body binding: Ivoroid
• Neck: Mahogany
• Neck profile: Vintage-style rounded profile
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Fingerboard binding: Ivoroid
• Fingerboard radius: Approx. 14.5″
• Scale length: 24.75″
• Nut width: Approx. 1.65″
• Frets: 22
• Fret type: Wide oval
• Inlays: Mother-of-pearl crown
• Headstock: Three-a-side
• Headstock face: Black
• Tuners: Schaller
• Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Seth Lover humbucker
• Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Seth Lover humbucker
• Pickup configuration: HH
• Controls: 2 Volume, 1 Tone
• Pickup selector: 3-way toggle
• Bridge: Tune-o-matic style
• Tailpiece: Stop tailpiece
• Hardware: Gold
• Finish: Sunburst
• Finish type: Gloss
• Made in: USA