Hamer Artist Ultimate

I have a 2003 Artist Ultimate, cognac finish, semi-hollow body with the top F hole. I bought it new in 2006, so I'm saying it's used/LN because I'm sure people at the store played the thing before then. It's basically everything that's on the new ones except it has solid inlays rather than the victory ones. Also, the volume/blend knobs are black rather than the new gold ones. It has 24K gold monster cable wiring throughout and the pickups are custom Seymour Duncans and signed by him. It's a little too beautiful, if you're a gigging musician, because so many friggin' people want to know what kind of guitar it is after the show. It's also because it sounds so good. It has 250 or so pieces of mother of pearl outlining the the body, neck and headstock. It has the typical toggle switch for neck, bridge or both pickups. There is a third knob designed for blend.

without a doubt, the best sounding guitar I've ever played. I also have a '71 Gibson SG, an 80's Guild Starfire 4, a '67 Guild Starfire III and none of them come close in clarity or tone. I play blues, jazz, rock, reggae and pop. this guitar is made to handle anything. I had played an Artist Korina before and wasn't impressed. There is a reason why the Ultimate is twice as much (and we're not talking just the mother of pearl). I play out of a '78 Twin Reverb and a custom Blues Junior in the studio they compliment it pretty well. I've also played it through a Mesa Lonestar and it was amazing. I gig a lot with it and it can take all my analog effects and bring clarity to my modulator pedals that I didn't think possible. The pick ups are nothing like I've heard before. they are completely quiet, pick up my picking style (don't use a pick, just fingers) in a great way and can handle and come through in every situation I've put them in. They sound a little like the vintage gibson humbuckers but not as loud but not soft like the Seth Lovers. I'd say they're an in between. love them.

the action is super low and fast. the frets are flat on top and kind of thin which makes it super fast to play. the neck is similar to a private stock PRS (sh*t, the whole guitar is), so it's thin. only objection on this guitar is that's it's only 22 frets, so you can't get to the high E, only high D on your E strings. Other than that, the thing is amazing. The pickups are set low and perfect for the guitar. other than putting 11 guage strings on the guitar and checking the bone nut, I didn't need to do a thing to make it sound amazing. Everything was perfectly bookmatched, down to the headstock. no flaws. that's why I bought it.

this continues to be my main guitar. Nothing on it has worn down, except the gold paint on the neck pickup is starting to fade because of my playing style. I've never had to worry about it sounds wrong, going out of tune, etc. It just delivers every time and I feel confident in saying that it will be like this for the next 20 years without me doing anything but keeping it clean and getting a $35 setup check every few months.

They are not good about returning email.

In my case, I got a good deal and didn't pay the 4-5k that some have. I have been playing for 10 years as a touring & studio musician and have come across some amazing gear (notice I didn't count my amateur years). I am happy with my purchase and will continue to use and refer upper-level Hamer guitars. I compared this guitar with a semi hollowbody PRS and I found this one better made and better sounding for my liking. this thing rips and will deliver every time. again, hands down best sounding and eye catching guitar I've ever played whether it's clean or distorted.