Hamer Chaparel 5-String

I bought this bass in 1990 from Bass Center (now Bass Exchange) in Hollywood. It isa five string with 22 frets, The neck is "glue on" I know that sounds lame, but with no other way to explain it. It is loaded with EMG Humbucker Pickups, likely they are EMG-35s but I don't know right off hand. (never checked). It has two pickups. I use Dean Markley Blue Steel strings on all my basses. It is painted dark blue, it is made of a very lightweight wood which is also kind of soft(more on this later). The features themselves were state of the art in 1990, but are a little lacking now. Something I plan to fix with some upgrades.

I bought this bass because I was so impressed with the way it played in the store. I played through their amps in the store and it sounded great, when I got it home and hooked up to my amp I was somewhat disappointed, and to be honest I have never been totally happy with it. I think the biggest thing that bothers me about it is the type of material it is made out of. All my other guitars have all been heavy maple basses that are very bright and clear. This bass seemed a little muddier than all my others. I was able to make due with it, but never was totally happy with it.

I am pretty much a finger style player and play everything from jazz, to rock, to metal and everything in between even some country. No one ever complains about my tone though, even if I am not happy with it.

I am not a very picky player, I really adjust well to whatever set-up the bass is in. Maybe I should be more picky from time to time, I really make my decision to purchase a bass on how well it plays and fits in the store. Once I make that decision, I live with it. I have had it in the shop for adjustments and pretty much play it the way I get it back. The only thing I am picky about is if the bass clicks when I play, or if the strings are too high. I have never had any problems with this bass. It stays in tune forever. I played this bass heavily for almost 12 years and never had an issue with it going out of tune. The finish was good, it seemed to last quite well.

Like I said I bought this bass in 1990 and from 1990 to 2002 this was my main bass. I played this bass for everything, rehearsals, recording, live gigs. It was played on average 4.5 nights per week without failing without rest. There are two small problems I had with it. 1. The jack kept coming loose. I would tighten it, it would come loose, I took it to my guitar tech, and he tried everything he could to get it to stop and it still came loose. Finally he put locktite on the jack nut... and it still backed out two threads. Of course two threads out now and the locktite set in. It has not been a problem so I have been playing it loose now. 2. The body material was very soft. I removed the back electronics plate and it splintered off part of the body in the back. Very disturbing. Despite all of that, as much as this thing has been played, I have to say I am most impressed.

The company was fine, no worse or less impressive than any other company out there.

I have been playing for 20 years now. This is not the best bass I own, but it is a very good guitar all the same. I am thinking of having the frets removed so I have a reason to play it again. I have a new Spector now and this bass does not get as much playtime anymore. Too bad really as it is a very good instrument.