BubbaVO Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 Consider workmanship, tonal qualities of woods, aesthetics of the tops, the finishes, the hardware, the MOJO (however you want to define it) and any other criteria you care to elaborate upon. Is one from the 80s as good as one from the 90s or today? Or have they become a different beast - and which do you prefer.
BCR Greg Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 Right now.I have owned every year Hamer, and the ones being made now are the best.There HAVE been some utterly fantastic guitars from all eras, though.
bubs_42 Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 I agree with Greg. There is no way to pinpoint the best Standard, but i've played some great Standards. The Hamers being made today are just fantastic guitars..
cmatthes Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 It's a tough call, because there is definitely a certain magic to the old 4-digits, but I prefer the Standards I've played/owned from the last few years. I think that Hamer is really on top of their game right now - seriously at their peak and climbing. I have owned three 4-digit Standards (#0137, #0150 and #0704), and still own one. As good as they are, I'm way more impressed with the overall formula on the new ones. Now if only they'd relocate that headstock logo to where it belongs...
bubs_42 Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 Yes, that would be nice. Both of my Standards also have the correct bridge / pickup spacing..
Guest pirateflynn Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 I agree with Greg, bubs and Chris. Even though I can't vouch for Standards specifically, I am blown away by the new production Hamers I have played and/or owned. They are absolutely top notch.
tomteriffic Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 1997, 2005, 2008. Because those are the ones I own. All a bit different, all superb.
bubs_42 Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 1997, 2005, 2008. Because those are the ones I own. All a bit different, all superb. Gotta go, the waves are breaking and I'm on the computer.... WTF...
dgstandard Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 I have no experience of any Standards of the past. Mine is a 2008 and I just don't know how it could be any better
sw686blue Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 Do they make a bad Hamer? Yes, they do. It's called a Gibson.
sonic1974 Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 Do they make a bad Hamer? Yes, they do. It's called a Gibson.
Devnor Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 Their best work is happening right now. I mean, seriously....
specialk Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 Their best work is happening right now. I mean, seriously.... Nice, but your black one is nicer, IMHO....
David B Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 Now if only they'd relocate that headstock logo to where it belongs... AND put the extra long headstock & crowns back! If they did that, I'd order at least two more. All eras are great for Hamer Standards.
serial Posted April 28, 2009 Posted April 28, 2009 I prefer the old ones. The new ones are pretty much "perfect" in every way, but I like to play them a little harder and never worried about dinging the old ones and prefer the tones from the old Dimarzios. I've owned 14-15 four digits and still have a couple, and have a 97 Standard. One of my all-time favorite newer Standards was my all silver sparkle 02 though. THAT was cool.
Hamerica Posted April 29, 2009 Posted April 29, 2009 Overall quality build and consistency would be the current Hamer Standard line up. Fit and finish does not vary from guitar to guitar. There is a difference between the new Standards versus the four digit variety. I have owned as many of the four digits as I have the new standards. I have had several of the Korina limited run standards. The "best" made is the one that speaks to you. I'm with Serial. I prefer the "old" ones and the tone of the old Dimarizos. With that said, I have a Korina Standard from the limited run that if I put someone blindfolded and had them A/B with a couple of four digits to keep it fair, I am sure they would have a hard time picking out which is which without feeling the guitar overall. Personally I love them all. There are other older posts of similar vein and I recommend checking those out. Hamerica
bubs_42 Posted April 29, 2009 Posted April 29, 2009 I would love to have a newer one. Maybe soon. I want a 95 Standard or a 96/97 Mahogany...
Hamerphite Posted April 29, 2009 Posted April 29, 2009 I bought a new one and didn't like it nearly as much as the 4-digit I have. The old one is lighter weight, a little bit smaller, has a great neck shape, and it sounds amazing. But I haven't played many so this is just one man's uneducated opinion. YMMV. Try a bunch and see what you think
Disturber Posted April 29, 2009 Posted April 29, 2009 The new Hamer's are absolutely killer. Although I have not played a Standard made this century, (my latest is a 1995 - but I doubt there is much difference). But If you want a true vintage vibe from the golden era of guitarmaking, which Jol & Paul first set ut to create than the old Standards, (and Sunburst) are what you need. The new ones don't have that vibe - they have a modern feel. Personally I like both. I can not live without my 4-digits, but my '95 Korina Standard is perhaps my dessert island Hamer.
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