New Hamer Goldtop!

[The Dali]

I mentioned a while back that I had the opportunity to buy a USA Hamer Studio Custom for a great price from a friend. (This was, of course, before I went on the ill-fated Ebay buying spree which landed me three guitars inside of 26 minutes - all of which I really DIDN'T want...) My buddy had this guitar for about a year and it was a light yellow-orange quilted top. The top was so-so, not great quilt and he didn't really dig the look. He hired a luthier to refinish it in a classic goldtop. It turned out REALLY nice... but not factory fresh. In places along the edge of the binding you can see a TINY bit of the old finish (we are talking about a hair's width). He wasn't entirely happy so he ordered a Carvin California Carved in the goldtop finish. As such, he wanted to move this guitar and I was only too happy to purchase it.

WOW

I've owned a few Hamer imports and they were nice, but this is a different ballgame altogether. It easily plays and sounds as nice as my Carvin goldtop. It plays better than my Gibby Les Paul. SMMMOOOOOOTH. It has Dimarzio pickups that sound great.

Here are a few pictures with my Carvin alongside. Notice the color difference. I am thinking my Carvin is really closer to a copper finish.

[saladin]

Very Nice!!!

[DankStar]

Wow factor!

[BloodRose]

Wow! Thats SEXY with the white binding! I dont think Ive ever seen a bound goldy..

[guitarkid]

Man thats a hot guitar!!! I think the refin. looks great! Congrats man!!!

[BTMN]

Looks good but I am skeptic it had a mild top on a Quilt top Custom That is not like Hamer with that level guitar. Just my opinion and no offense to you or your friend. He changed the pickups or did you? Stock would have been Duncans, 59/JB more than likely. What year may I ask? Gotta love the degree of goodness on them.

[That90'sGuy]

Your friend is nuts. That goldtop refinish is about as good as you could possibly ask for.

[SabbathFan0220]

That looks seriously fantastic. Your friend is crazy and you're reaping all the benefits.

[Varg]

Awesome! I probably said to you already, I have a black one like that, MIK. I would LOVE to get a real USA one someday, I'm jealous man!

[The Dali]

Looks good but I am skeptic it had a mild top on a Quilt top Custom That is not like Hamer with that level guitar. Just my opinion and no offense to you or your friend. He changed the pickups or did you? Stock would have been Duncans, 59/JB more than likely. What year may I ask? Gotta love the degree of goodness on them.

Yeah... I thought he was crazy when he did it. The top was probably more "quilty" than I let on, but the color selection and the qualities of "quilt" didn't seem to match the rock n' roll mindset he had. The top was a little oranger than this:



It was definitely not a super macho look, and I agree with him that the GT looks so much better. Sad thing for him is that he bought the guitar used (in MINT condition) and after the refin and new pickups, he got out 50% of his total cost.

Yeah, he replaced the pickups. I'm not sure if it came with the stock duncans or something else. I think these are the Air Norton/Tone Zone.

[orpheo]

I say, peel off the gold and restain the top to make the quilt pop more. double, triple stains perhaps. nevertheless: hamers ROCK!

[JOLLY]

I say, peel off the gold and restain the top to make the quilt pop more. double, triple stains perhaps. nevertheless: hamers ROCK!

I thought the same thing. I never would have painted a solid color over a quilt top. Anyways, Congratulations and enjoy!!

[Jeff5]

I mentioned a while back that I had the opportunity to buy a USA Hamer Studio Custom for a great price from a friend. (This was, of course, before I went on the ill-fated Ebay buying spree which landed me three guitars inside of 26 minutes - all of which I really DIDN'T want...) My buddy had this guitar for about a year and it was a light yellow-orange quilted top. The top was so-so, not great quilt and he didn't really dig the look. He hired a luthier to refinish it in a classic goldtop. It turned out REALLY nice... but not factory fresh. In places along the edge of the binding you can see a TINY bit of the old finish (we are talking about a hair's width). He wasn't entirely happy so he ordered a Carvin California Carved in the goldtop finish. As such, he wanted to move this guitar and I was only too happy to purchase it.

WOW

I've owned a few Hamer imports and they were nice, but this is a different ballgame altogether. It easily plays and sounds as nice as my Carvin goldtop. It plays better than my Gibby Les Paul. SMMMOOOOOOTH. It has Dimarzio pickups that sound great.

Here are a few pictures with my Carvin alongside. Notice the color difference. I am thinking my Carvin is really closer to a copper finish.

Hamers surprise a lot of people, me included. I bought mine sight unseen about 7 years ago and am still shocked by the feel and tone. It has literally ruined me from buying most other guitars.

I think the gold top looks neat but I wouldn't have painted over a quilt either. But hey, different strokes! Congrats, that's a great axe.

[BTMN]

Still a nice Goldtop is never really "wrong" now is it?

Rawk It Loud cause I know that one will!

[JeffB]

Congrats. Hard to beat a MIA Hamer, and very little is as good.

As a non fan of quilt, I think your buddy did the right thing

[GuitarDoc]

Wow! Thats SEXY with the white binding! I dont think Ive ever seen a bound goldy..

My Gibby DC Goltop is bound.

[The Dali]

Yeah, goldtops rock so I'm cool with it as is!!!!

[GuitarDoc]

Very nice score with the Am Hamer. Actually I love the looks of both of those goldtops.

[GrooveHT]

Funny, I scored this on thursday too!



Not only do they play and sound fantastic, and obviously look great, but they're undervalued! Looks like you made a great grab as well, congrats! Hope you enjoy yours as much as I'm enjoying mine!

[The Dali]

Nice natural flametop!