Hamer Artist vs. Hamer Studio

[gw_bluesman]

Hey guys ...

I am new to this forum but realy glad I joined. I am about to purchase my first Hamer and need some advice. I'm basicially a blues player (everything from Allman Brothers to Robben Ford) & Southern rock player (Marshall Tucker Band) .

"Tube Amps" range from Blackface Fenders, Traynors, Dr.Z (I do not own a solid state amp).

Current guitars ... 2 vintage 1965 Gibson SG's (Standard & Custom), 2 Reverend's (96 Rocco "Eastpoint Nect" & 2000 Slingshot), a few acoustics (Guild, Ovation) and misc pieces that I picked up along the way.

Lately I have my eye on a Hamer, never played one but am going to. They seem like a great value. So, I would like some input from you Hamer players on the Artist vs. Studio? (I tend to lean more toward the studio/solid body, l heard it does the LP thing GREAT and I love a burst finish. (I do not like LP's, too heavy, unbalanced and poor high-fret access, however I love their sound.)

Specificially, how would you describe the Tone of each?

Since the artist is semi-hollow, any feedback issues on stage?

Thanks Guys

[JohnnyB]

I'm an admitted hollowbody whore. Of my 6 main electric guits, only one is a solidbody. Even my Tele-type guitar is a G&L ASAT Classic semi-hollow.

Given my prejudices (or really, preferences), I'd recommend an Artist. The maple top ones sort of split the difference between an ES-335 and a Les Paul, which is a great zone for blues. The Artist Mahogany has a somewhat sweeter sound and has a great range of tones from jazz-clean to very hi-gain and overdrive.

The semi-hollow is not really a feedback issue. The fun thing is you can feel the air from the f-hole blowing on your strumming arm when you have the volume up. The strumming arm lies right across the f-hole, so it's easy to control feedback if you get any. With a maple top Artist, there's more feedback potential from the unpotted Seth Lovers than from the chamber. Since I have an Anniversary (like an Artist Mahogany HB), the pickups ('59 and JB) are potted and covered so feedback is no issue.

The main difference I detect between a solidbody and a semihollow is that the solid body has a bit more "jump". You hear the whole note all at once. Chambered guitars have a tone that sort of blooms, and you tend to hear more complexity in the tone, hinting at air and wood.

For shits'n'giggles, I'd recommend you try a Newport with Phat Cats if you have the opportunity. I consider it the ultimate blues electric guitar where subtleties in pick attack are concerned.

[burningyen]

I've only owned an Artist. The feedback issue will depend on how loud you play. If you're usually standing a few yards from a cranked 50-watt amp, you might need a Studio. If you're playing a 30-watt amp running at clean volume, then you probably won't have any problems.

[polara]

Welcome first. You may become addicted! At first the brand just seems like "bang for the buck" but one you play a few and get to digging the feel that comes from really good wood, sound design, careful construction, and a few little nice touches (really usable to0ne controls, for example) you'll just be thinking about the playability and not the price.

I've owned both. The semi-hollowness of the Artist isn't a big deal for feedback unless you want some or unless you're playing some high-gian, high-volume stuff. If you stroll over to the amp and aim an Artist right you can proabably start getting it.

And of course the Artist is going to have that more resonant, woody, midrangely thing.

The top material (both can be had with maple or mahogany) and pickup selection (beyond just P90 versus 'bukcers there's a lot of STOCK variety) will have a huge influence.

Then different ones have different neck shapes, GENERALLY the newer ones have either "vintage" (big) or "modern" (medium) carves. '93 Specials are famous for little necks and half the Hamers out there seem to be somehow unique in one way or another. You'll probably want to try a few.

But overall, a Studio will give a Les Paul sound and feel with a bit less weight and better quality than nearly every LP. Enjoy!

[Travis]

You're going to be very happy with either one. Although I think you'll be happiest with one of each.

[Michael_]

One of each AND a Special. It's the only solution.

[seeker]

I'd go with a Studio, but I'm a Studio groupie tho, so am a bit biased.

If you go custom order (or just happen to run across one for sale), Hamer will do a "chambered" studio, which is kinda like an Artist without the f-hole. I've got two of em, and they're tone monsters. Nice solid tones, with a hint of airiness.

[Guest pirateflynn]

My suggestion would be an older Sustainblock Special. These guitars are a great value and do the lighter weight LP thing beautifully.

[sw686blue]

My vote goes to the Artist mahogany because it is such a versatile guitar. Blues, jazz, rock and hard rock. How can you go wrong?

[mrhappy]

I'll also vote for the Artist. They sound great and are very versatile. You already have some solid guitars and need one with a hole in it!

[HamerHokie]

The only hard and fast difference between the two is that one has a sound chamber and the other doesn't. You can put whatever pickups you want in either, so that's not an issue.

I have a Studio with a sound chamber and it sounds a lot better than a solid Studio. Fatter, more resonant.

[tomteriffic]

Hard to go wrong with either, but, IMHO, the Sutdio will get you closest to Toy Caldwell/Tommy Crain/Dickie Betts, while an artist might get you closer to Duane. I fired up my Special that has mini-buckers in it, atr least temporarily. I found myself getting shades of some cool cross between Warren Haynes and Robbie Robertson.

Edit to add: And ALL Graphic Specials are utterly useless, highly toxic and should be forwarded to me for safe disposal. Flynn is living VERY dangerously.

[gw_bluesman]

You are all way too funny and I can see that you all love your Hamer guitars.

Well, I just pulled the trigger on a Studio, I should have it next week. I am also going to look at a Artist that is here local so I just may end up with both, lol.

I find that I can pick up a guitar and in a minute know if I hate it, but to figure out if I like it, or even LOVE it, I have to play it over time, different amps, venue's .. etc. So, that menas I have to buy what I think I like and see if it was the right choice.

Oh, it just so happens that the guy that has the Artist Mahogany I am looking at also has an Artist with P-90's ... lol, Sooooo .... I may go from Zero to three Hamers in one week, do I get some sort of prize?? lol.

Thanks to all and I will post my feeling on the guitar once I get and play it !!

[Guest pirateflynn]

Congrats! ..........It's gonna be a killer.

What are the details?

[Buster]

I vote for one of each, plus a Special...you can never have too many Hamers...

Thanks BCR Greg for the photo...

[Hamer95USA]

I vote for one of each, plus a Special...you can never have too many Hamers...

Thanks BCR Greg for the photo...

Hey guys,

That Artist guitar gives me a hard on for semi-hollowbody guitars!! That is one truly beautiful sunburst finish.

Hey gw bluesman,

I would highly recommend the Studio if you're after the Les Paul sound. The upper fret access with its dual cutaways is wonderful and you still have the dual humbuckers/ 2 vol/tone/3 way switch setup. Good luck on the purchase of your Studio and the Artist. You'll be getting some great guitars with a maximum bang for the buck.

Guitar George

[bubs_42]

Hey Buster that's a KICK A## Gold Special! Awsome!!

[Buster]

Bubs: Believe it or not, it's actually supposed to be TV Yellow...but Hamer greened it up nicely, didn't they?