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For sale is my 1982 Hamer Prototype. The serial number dates it to 1982, and in the first 7000 guitars Hamer made, I have had this guitar for many years, and bought it from the original owner, a prominent Chicago based musician. He bought this new in 1982 from a music store very close to the Arlington Heights Hamer factory.


He had the music store swap out the bridge pickup (which was made for Hamer by Dimarzio) for a Dimarzio Super Distortion the very day he bought the guitar. In that respect, it's practically original hardware. He did not keep the original pickup. Other than that, all the electronics, including the Dimarzio single are original.


Within 2 weeks of owning the guitar, he had the tuners swapped for Grover machines... Why? Because he preferred the look of the buttons... (??) Oh well. Shame. But these are U.S.A. made Grovers, the same machines that people were always putting on old Lesters... like Gary Moore did to Greeny, Page did to Number One, etc...


Other than these semi permanent modifications, the guitar is as it came out of the shop. I added a pointer to the tone knob (more on this later) which is easily reversible.


The finish of this guitar is a deep burgundy red burst with deep brown to black edges. The grain is clearly visible through the red. It looks like a glass of wine. Very classy. This guitar has a very dark, even coloured rosewood fretboard. No idea if it's Indian or Brazilian.


The neck is a slim C shape, and exhibits what is known as the Hamer “Stressed Neck”. Basically, they cut the neck blank in 3 pieces, flip the middle piece end to end and glue it back together. The idea here is that if the piece were to warp, the middle piece would stabilize the outside pieces. All else said, the neck is straight and flat. Truss rod work great. Frets were recently dressed, and the action is low and free of buzzes, fretting out, etc.


The finish exhibits the kind of wear you would expect form a 42 year old guitar that was used, not abused. Lots of chequeing, some dull areas, some chips through to the wood. No wood missing. I have tried to photograph these. More photos available upon request.


More on the electronics. This guitar has what appears to be a triple coil pickup, a volume and tone, and a 3 way Gibson style toggle. The pickup in actuality, a humbucker (located closer to the bridge) and a single coil situated right next to each other in one ring. The 3 way selects either pickup or both. Interestingly, the orientation of the switch is that the humbucker is activated when the switch is pointed toward the headstock. All of the Prototypes (I have another, and have played many) operate this way. My intuition tells me that they did this so when you are switching from 'rhythm' to 'lead' you can swipe your hand forward (towards the bridge) to activate the humbucker. This allows you to get your picking hand back to playing position more efficiently.


I mentioned I added a pointer to the tone control. Per the Hamer copy about this guitar, the tone control was designed to be set at '5' or 'half', turning it clockwise increased the treble response while also somewhat scooping the mids, turning it counter-clockwise gives it an almost cocked wah sound. It is very effective, and the mid point setting is a good place to start. I added the pointer so I could get it back to halfway quickly.


The bridge is the Hamer Sustain Block. Somewhat like a hardtail Strat tailpiece, but with a thick base plate, to accommodate the neck pitch. Thru body stringing. All the screws on the bridge are functioning, and the finish of the bridge is quite clean for it's age. I am very fastidious about cleaning guitar after playing, as was the previous owner.


The sound? It sounds great! Can be jangly in the single position and hot and aggressive in the bridge position. I have included a link of a live recording of me playing the guitar. It's not so much as a bunch of different, disparate tones... it's more like variations of one great sound. Very rock and roll, but could also do C&W and other styles.


Issues. Some chips through to the wood (pictured). Dulling. Scratches. One screw on the humbucker apparently fell out during a performance, and the original owner replaced it with a slotted screw. Some corrosion on the pickguard screws. Nothing out of the ordinary for a guitar of this age.


No breaks. Frets are beautifully leveled and polished. It's a fantastic old guitar with tons of mojo.


Why am I selling? Well, I have 2 of these. The other has a headstock repair, which devalues it some. But, the other was a gift from a close friend and is also identical looking to the Prototype the James Honeyman Scott (a hero of mine) from The Pretenders played. I also have a slew of other guitars, and recently sold 2 Strats and a Les Paul. I'm 53 with a 3 year old and an 11 month old... time to start thinning the heard. Says the guy who bought another Les Paul... I'm a jackass.


The non-original case is a Les Paul style case with a checkerboard upholstery. The original owner had this in a flight case, which he didn't included in the sale. I chose this case because early Hamers had checkerboard logos. The case is in great shape. Very clean, and protects the guitar well. Both case and guitar are odor free, I am not a smoker, and smoking has been banned from bars for decades now.


She needs a good home. I am positive that if this is the type of guitar you are looking for, you will be pleased with this example. My description and photographs should eliminate any surprises.


Guitar will be shipped in a container specifically made for musical instruments. Shipping quote is for the lower 48. International buyers please contact me for shipping quote. Thanks for looking.

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Listed9 months ago
ConditionGood (Used)
Good condition items function properly but may exhibit some wear and tear.Learn more
Brand
Model
  • Prototype
Finish
  • Wine Red Burst
Year
  • 1982
Made In
  • United States
Fretboard Material
  • Rosewood
Fretboard Radius
  • 12"
String Type
  • Steel
Body Material
  • Mahogany
Neck Construction
  • Set-Neck
Frets
  • Medium Jumbo
Body Shape
  • Double Cutaway
Right / Left Handed
  • Right Handed
Number of Strings
  • 6-String
Neck Material
  • Mahogany
Offset Body
  • Non-Offset Body
Finish Pattern
  • Sunburst
Body Type
  • Solid Body
Pickup Configuration
  • HS
Scale Length
  • 24.75"
Bridge/Tailpiece Type
  • String-Through

Kristopher's band room

Syracuse, NY, United States
Sales:57
Joined Reverb:2015

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