Hamer Chaparral 4-String

late 80'S USA. Mahogany body with set neck construction; 21 frets, rosewood fretboard. Active EMG's, no passive setting, 9 volt battery required, split in front position, humbucker in bridge position; (the model is unknown as any designation on the tops has long since been worn away, they were in the bass when I got it w/no documentation) 2 volume controls & 1 tone control. The only reason I'm not giving this a 10 here is that it's really a staight-forward instrument so there aren't a ton of "features"; but it doesn't really need them anyway.

Absolutely beautiful sound live or in the studio. I've used this through all kinds of rigs, currently I'm using a Warrick Pro tube 4 through custom built 4X8 & 1X15 cabinets with no effects. I can't keep from smiling just from thinking about the sound. The Chaparral is always very full, warm sound balanced across all spectrums low to high. The strings I use are currently Blue Steels (45-105 I think), I've also used various DR & Rotosound sets. Extremely quiet unless I stand just right in front of a computer monitor. This has been my primary bass for over 10 years now & I've used it for everything from Cheap Trick like power pop to Black/Death metal to fusion, electo-industrial & I've always found that it somehow just sits right with the other instruments. I generally play fingerstyle & it responds well to changes in attack to bring out different shades of the tone. The slap sounds are great, the bright biting modern sound is a bit much for me but rolling off a bit of the highs & the bridge pickup gives a more "old school" flavor. Taking advantage of the simple volume and tone controls I can get any sound I've needed so far.

Again, this has been my primary for 10 years. There must be something to it. From what I can tell the finish was fine when it came out of the factory. I bought it used so in 91 or 92 & it had some wear at that time & it's got a bit more now but overall considering the constant use it's stood up very well, I've had plenty of time to get this bass set up to where it's very comfortable. I've got fairly small hands but two-octave+ runs are not a problem. String spacing is good, I think about 3/4" over the front pickup tapering down to just over 1/4" at the nut. Plently of room in front of the pickups for easy slaping. The action is set low & stays consistent. The only complaint I had was that the battery was not held in place by anything when I got the bass so it could just shake around inside the electronics compartment. This was easily fixed with a plastic battery clip.

The only things I've has to change on this bass since I got it (around 91 or 92) have been the battery and the strings. The bridge & tuners from the factory are still solid w/almost all of the original gold finish intact. The neck is very stable, once it's adjusted it pretty much stays in place. The volume & tone pots are the ones that were in when I got it & aside from needing to be cleaned once in a while they're fine. It does have some dings and scratches from falling over on stage and such & the usual wear on the back of the body from belt buckles etc. Honestly though I can be fairly rough on instruments & the wear is pretty minimal. Would I go without a backup? Based on the bass itself, yes, if I had to. Strings are something else entirely though as it's hard to work around a suddenly unravelled E string.

I've never had to call them so I really couldn't say.

If this bass were lost or stolen? I'd probably cry, seriously. Stealing it would be like kidnapping my girlfriend. I would definitely try to replace it; in fact I want another one, or two, or three. Why did Hamer stop making these anyway? I've had (and have) other basses, Fender Jazz, Tobias, Valley Arts, Steinberger, Ibanez etc... but the Chaparral just fits me the best. The sound is better than anything else I've come across, it's solid, and plays like a dream. The only thing I wish is that I could find a 5 string with a similar feel and a tone that's even almost as good, without dropping 10 times the price that is.

This instrument was made in 1990 in USA.
It has a solid Honduras mahogany body and a slim 21 frets, long scale fixed neck; the finish is black with matching black parts.
Bridge and tuners are by Shaller, and work precisely and smoothly.
I often switch from standard tuning to drop-D, so I customized this bass with an Hipshot D-tuner, which works very well.
This bass can be played only active, the pick ups are EMGs: a P-bass style and a soapbar at the bridge, the controls are 2 separate volumes and 1 tone - just like a Jazz Bass.
An original Hamer case an adjustment tools were included.

I think this bass is a very good choice especially if you play rock.
In spite of the fixed neck, this instrument reacts very quickly, delivering a wonderful, deep and full tone with a clear attack.
It doesn't matter which pick up I use, the sound is always defined and balanced (I often use it in studio), but I especially love to play it very hard, using both pick ups.
I mostly play it with a pick, through an Ampeg rig with a Tech 21 Bass Driver DI: with this set up you can easily reach a convincing King's X like sound.
You can also use lots of distortion: the pick ups are very quiet and the sound never get muddy.

I bought this bass used.
The overall condition of the instrument was excellent but the setting was quite miserable and the strings were very old.
Anyway, it didn't take more than 30 minutes to bring this nice instrument "back to life".
I cleaned it up, I changed the strings (I use D'Addario 0.45/105) and adjusted it a bit.
Then I played through my amp and I was floored.
I could set the string action very low without too much string buzz.
This bass plays very easily and sounds awesome.
The only (small) problem I had till now was the output jack, which got broken after a couple of weeks.

This bass is very light (at least compared to my Fender Precision Bass) but it seems to be quite solid and built to last.
The finish seems to be very good too, I don't think it will wear off too fast.
I would always take a backup with me when I play live (you never know), but you can definitively rely on this bass.

I never needed support till now, but I contacted Hamer to ask some more informations about my bass.
They replied immediatly and were very friendly.

I play bass bass since 1982 and earn my living making music.
I own a lot of wonderful basses (several Fenders and Ricks, some old Ibanez Musician, Music Man, Warwick), but this Hamer 4 string became immediatly one of my favourites.
If this bass were stolen or lost, I think I will definitively look for another one - even though they are very rare here in Europe.
I wish Hamer would still produce it!