Jol's Website

[JohnnyB]

I was reading the bio on this website...it says that Jol was out of Hamer from 1993 to 1997. Funnily enough, that's my favorite year groupings for Hamers. Coincidence?

This piqued my interest, so I made a little list of the instruments designed and produced during this period:

• Artist
  
• Artist Studio with wraptail
  
• Daytona
  
• Duo-Tone
  
• Eclipse, Eclipse-12
  
• Mirage
  
• Special FM
  
• Return of the Standard (1995)
  
• Studio archtop with wraptail
  
• T51
  
• And lest we forget, the almost-legendary Boltneck 2Tek Cruise basses (4-string, 5-string, fretted, fretless)--one of the very best Jazz-type basses ever conceived and made, created in 1995 and killed upon his return in 1997
  

In fact, several of these were killed or dramatically changed within a year of his return, such as the T51 (killed along with all boltnecks) and the 3-hole flattop Duotone (too Plebian?) in favor of an f-hole archtop version.

Interesting. I like some of those models (especially the Eclipse), but I definitely wouldn't call that any sort of golden age for Hamer. I mean, all the bolt-ons and the Mirage were pretty much reactionary moves weren't they? I personally think the Eclipse is awesome, but I can't think of any setneck Hamer makes that gets less love. I kind of see why Jol came back.

Jol is a good designer and excellent guitar craftsman. I love the latter-day chambered and hollow guitars he designed or influenced at Hamer--the Newport, Monaco series, Talledega, Improv. But he has a narrow and capricious view of what should and shouldn't be built. I get the sense it was at the root of why Paul Hamer cashed out and left. Not everything on that 1993-97 list is a classic, but the Artist series definitely is, the Eclipse was a very cool guitar series that should have been explored/exploited more, the Mirage was an interesting hybrid designed by Terry McInturff with wide-ranging versatility, and the Cruise could have become the go-to bass for J-bass lovers. It creates the impression that when he returned in 1998 he set about to kill (or at least modify) anything that had been created while he was gone, regardless of how good it was.

The T51 and the remaining boltnecks were the first to go, and were summarily turned down for all custom requests thereafter, but now he's personally spraying one for a $16K+ order?

[mirrorimij]

The move to CT killed a lot of those models. Jol was brought back to help with the move. In terms of plant and equipment he had to fit 20 pounds of shit into a ten pound bag. Some stuff didn't make the cut. The timing looks right but he didn't directly kill those models. Jol was responsible for changing that place from a factory to a shop while I was there. I guess we will see how his vision turns out. I wish him and the guys in the shop well.

Do those prices include a hardshell case?

[Punkavenger]

This piqued my interest, so I made a little list of the instruments designed and produced during this period:

• Artist
  
• Artist Studio with wraptail
  
• Daytona
  
• Duo-Tone
  
• Eclipse, Eclipse-12
  
• Mirage
  
• Special FM
  
• Return of the Standard (1995)
  
• Studio archtop with wraptail
  
• T51
  
• And lest we forget, the almost-legendary Boltneck 2Tek Cruise basses (4-string, 5-string, fretted, fretless)--one of the very best Jazz-type basses ever conceived and made, created in 1995 and killed upon his return in 1997
  

In fact, several of these were killed or dramatically changed within a year of his return, such as the T51 (killed along with all boltnecks) and the 3-hole flattop Duotone (too Plebian?) in favor of an f-hole archtop version.

These are pretty much all of my favorite Hamers right here. What Jol had to do with it I don't know and really don't care.

[veatch]

I stand by my original statement.

I will add that just because i (and i'm assuming most of this board - possibly a bad assumption) can't afford a guitar with a starting price of $16-$24k that there aren't others out there that can. It may be a smart business model, especially for Jol with his contacts - go after a smaller market with a much higher margin where there is less competition. Only time will tell if that will work. I would assume if my income was in the 7 figure range, a $24k guitar might not only be reasonable but preferable - you want something unique that was catered to you. That appears to be his market, and i seriously wish him luck.

[gorch]

...

The T51 and the remaining boltnecks were the first to go, and were summarily turned down for all custom requests thereafter, but now he's personally spraying one for a $16K+ order?

There is a difference between company interests and personal interest. Many people in charge, even politicians, are making decisions on a daily basis for company sakes but would never make the same decision for personal interest. Another aspect might fit here as well. Time changes anything. A decision whether good or not good made ten years ago might not be suitable today.

As far as I understood the blog post, the Tele is not going to be a 16k guitar but rather a present to a neighbour guy that's related to the personal interests of that guy. In his blog Jol states that he liked to paint guitars mirror like for many years, but don't like to do anymore today.

I am not saying Jol is perfect. I have never met him to feel allowed to make any personal statement. It is just response to what I am reading in the posts.

With regards to Greg's business statement in this thread (I don't want to quote it here again), I think it is highly emotional and I have read it with great respect.

[JohnnyB]

The move to CT killed a lot of those models. Jol was brought back to help with the move. In terms of plant and equipment he had to fit 20 pounds of shit into a ten pound bag. Some stuff didn't make the cut. The timing looks right but he didn't directly kill those models. Jol was responsible for changing that place from a factory to a shop while I was there.

I admit my contributions in this thread have been harsh. I didn't necessarily attribute cause and effect ("it gives the impression..."). I knew that Hamer was narrowing its focus when it moved from Arlington Heights to New Hartford and cutting down to a dozen builders. Still, the rumors persist that he killed the Cruise 2 and his own 2004 interview reflects his personal disdain for the 2Tek.

I do find it interesting that even though the first Hamer ever was a Vector bass for Jol, and Hamer (the company) through the years has shown a real gift for bass design and implementation, that the USA bass models shrunk so much from 1998 onwards--one 4-string, one 12-string, no 5-strings.

[cmatthes]

The Duotone was Jol's concept/design. I've seen the original sketches of that model, and IIRC, that one was well underway prior to his departure in the early-mid '90s.

I do find it interesting that even though the first Hamer ever was a Vector bass for Jol.

Maybe it was...

Maybe not.

Regardless of how people feel about the issue, Jol has moved on to do his own thing apart from Hamer, and Hamer is open to doing many of the things we (and others) have been screaming for for years. He may or may not have been good for Hamer - likely a good bit of both. I personally don't think the "Soup Nazi" business model makes sense or makes any loyal customers, but he's creative, and is a smart guy, so probably has a sense of what audience he's targeting. I'm pretty confident that isn't the overwhelming majority of the Hamer crowd - here or anywhere else.

I don't see these hinted-at guitars getting toured or gigged based on the initial clues as to what they may be, but Jol knows a lot of people, and it's possible somebody will absolutely love to play one of his designs. I personally think that a Nik Huber model would have worked better (reasonable price, top quality, personal touch, no BS), but then again, I'm not in the biz.

Paul Smith has carved out a niche for high-end stuff with his Private Stock program. Although the entry point is way less, at close to $10k, he still manages to sell a lot of those and the pipeline is constantly full. The primary difference there is that PRS caters to beginners on a budget, middle-of-the-road hobbyists and seasoned touring/recording pros and his products have been out there gathering steam for 3 decades. The PRS name is well-established and everybody in the world recognizes its value. The goodwill in the PRS name is HUGE.

It's got to be tough (and maybe crazy) for anybody to try and break into the high-end, high-priced boutique guitar market - especially in a crappy global economy - but personally, I'm just going to sit back and watch to see where this goes...

[edgar_allan_poe]

I'll also add that there is a big difference between criticism of his business practices and a personal attack. Even Jol's biggest critics (I'm one) will tell you that he is a nice guy and wish him well. I have met and talked with Jol and genuinely liked the guy. I personally do not think that his new endeavor will garner the interest that he seems to think it will. That being said, I respect the man for having the balls to try something like this.

[Disturber]

I sure wish he sells lots of guitars at those prices. Imagine what will happen to other guitars designed by Jol, or all Hamers for that matter. The used prices will go sky high

Other than that I see a telecaster being spray painted, not that inovative. And a very ugly headstock with a very non glossy finish. Makes me think of goth or nu metal, or something worse. Not cool. So I guess they are not for me.

[hectorp]

I don't see a realistic market at that price point. While everyone seems to be enjoying piling on, fact is without his vision and efforts this forum doesn't exist. Maybe he is quirky and difficult to deal with at times, so are many creative types. Think his prima donna customers are better?

Why not just wish him well and see where the chips land?

The guy screwed UP the company that this forum pays homage to.

He ridiculed this forum constantly.

Get your facts straight and try again.

And Rob....we do not "have the Hamer that we always wanted". That Hamer was 8-10 years ago. THAT Hamer invited us to the factory. Dr. No never came to a jam.

I DO wish him well. And when we can get the Hamer company unfoogered and back on track, I hope he's got his thing going well enough that he won't come back.

I'm getting the Hamer I always wanted. Just ask the young master. Happy days are here again.

[cmatthes]

Chris Herman is FINALLY getting the pink fuzzy Hello Kitty-shaped Eclipse with the little red heart inlays and the Wonderbar?

All is indeed right in the world...

[mirrorimij]

•Artist-?

•Artist Studio with wraptail-?

•Daytona- Kaman Marketing

•Duo-Tone- Jol

•Eclipse, Eclipse-12- Steve Ward

•Mirage- Terry McInturf

•Special FM ?

•Return of the Standard (1995)?

•Studio archtop with wraptail?

•T51-Kaman Marketing

•And lest we forget, the almost-legendary Boltneck 2Tek Cruise basses (4-string, 5-string, fretted, fretless)--one of the very best Jazz-type basses ever conceived and made, created in 1995 and killed upon his return in 1997- a few were built in New Hartford, CT.

I'm pretty sure Frank U was behind a lot of the ones with a ?. They weren't really new designs but logical progressions of the double cutaway shape. I know Steve programmed a lot of that stuff into the CNC which was new to Hamer at the time. Hamer was a pioneer in using the CNC in the way it was used. Most people could only justify CNC in 1992 by making as many parts as possible. Hamer bought theirs so they could do variations on the theme (Artist, Duotone, Standard reissue, etc) easily and more precisely. They didn't worry about high production. That machine still has very little hours on it 18 years later.

[specialk]

Special FM and T-51 with the mid 90s necks. For me it just doesn't get any better. Thank you to all the craftspeople at Hamer who had a hand in bringing them to life.

And thanks to those involved in the designing of them.

[Stike]

These guitars are $20k because I hand paint each of them in this stylish leather jacket.

Leather jacket aside, I don't care if it is waterbased clear-where's the damn respirator?

[MCChris]

Leather jacket aside, I don't care if it is waterbased clear-where's the damn respirator?

The spray's no doubt been 'shopped in, which adds to the overall asshattery on display in that image.

[edgar_allan_poe]

The spray's no doubt been 'shopped in, which adds to the overall asshattery on display in that image.

ROTFLMAO!! +1

[jisham]

Best thread in months.

[BCR Greg]

[gatorbyte007]

AHHHHHHH You Bet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jorge]

At least, finally..... he went for a better looking headstock.

Too late.

[The Shark]

At least, finally..... he went for a better looking headstock.

You mean the Gustavsson headstock?

[Jack C]

At least, finally..... he went for a better looking headstock.

You mean the Gustavsson headstock?

Looks like a $20k Samick to me...

[serial]

OMG that is hysterical!!!

[SteveB]

Looks like a $20k Samick to me...

that was my exact thought.

[cmatthes]

Is Jol actually building these or designing them and having somebody else in the shop build them?

I'm not trying to stir anything up, just want to know if he's got a shop up and running with employees and all that or if he's out there himself cutting, carving, sanding, scraping and finishing.