Hamer Californian Custom

I ordered this guitar custom from the Chicago Hamer shop in 1992. It is a 24-fret, solid-body mahogany with Original Floyd Rose, Ebony bolt-on neck, reverse headstock with ivory binding around the whole neck, jumbo frets, no fret markers, Active EMG pickups (an 81 'bucker in the bridge, and the switchable humbucker in the neck--switches from 'bucker to single coil when you pull the volume knob out, I forget the model #), and a three-way switch. I just recently added a standard passive tone pot.

I love this guitar. I spent an entire day in a music store playing every hi-end axe knowing at the end of the day I would buy whatever felt the best. I was already set on an Ibanez, but when I played the Hamer I knew it was the one. It was butter in my hands, and after almost 10 years now I have not regretted the decision for a second. It was scary because I had never in my life heard of Hamer Guitars, I went on a limb because it felt so right. I called the factory and ordered up a special custom. It cost me $2300 w/case, and like I said, no regrets. I wanted the best and I got it. At the time I played it I was touring with a metal band, but now years later I play a wider variety of music, including jazz and funk. This guitar has morphed with my style, and sounds good for everything. The EMG switching in the neck position is SO key. I can get the creamiest cleans from it when it is in the single coil position, and if I want give it some bite and 'clang' by splitting it with the bridge 'bucker. For juicy soaring gain solos I push the volume pot back in and go with the humbucker in the neck. Yummy. This thing has so much frigging tone I can't believe it. It switches so easy and smooth, the controls are in the perfect spots. I highly recommend coil-tapping your humbuckers when you can to obtain this flexibility. I give the rating a 9 because of the active electronics--they are flexible and sound great, but can't do everything. Some of the DiMarzio's passives out there sound awesome also.

Perfect in every way. Right out of the box this thing screamed. I got it a day before I recorded the album, and I wasn't sure if I should use a guitar that I was unfamiliar with, so I brought along my trusty older axe also. I never used it, the Hamer was so delicious so immediately I immediately sold the older axe. I have never held a better feeling guitar, and like I said, I've tried everything. Anyone who plays this guitar just can't believe how fast and smooth the neck is. Bending, vibrato, note control with massive gain, all become easy and fluid. The neck is unequivocally the best I have ever played. I immediately became a much better guitarist. No buzz. Also, even with massive whammy bar abuse I only have to tune the guitar about every 2 months. It's unreal.

Every detail is meticulous. The finish is thick and solid and hasn't shown any wear after countless sweaty moshing thrashing years of abuse. The tuners are tight and perfect after 10 years. I've adjusted the neck ONCE since I've owned it. The tremolo has been perfectly intonated and stays in tune scary well. The strap buttons are extra good quality, the plates on the back are quality and recessed nicely into the body. There is a couple of cracks in the finish at the neck joint but has not affected playability AT ALL. I really can't believe sometimes how well this guitar has held up. The output jack is on the bottom at an angle and this has been a cause of problems, you can't put your guitar down in a standard leaning position when it is plugged in as it well crunch the guitar cabl--not a big deal, you just have to put it in a guitar stand.

Unbelievable. These guys were amazing. I ordered the guitar fully custom form the shop and they were incredibly helpful. They called multiple times when building it to verify details: Exactly what color I wanted for the neck binding. They wanted to make me aware that the binding on the reverse headstock would alter the look of the headstock from what they normally do. They wanted to let me know later that the 24-fret neck and body shape would force the neck pickup to be angled, and they called to make sure it's what I wanted before they did it. They wanted to know where the volume pot should be, as well as the switcher, which I requested be the strat-slider style. They specially built and shipped it in time to record my album with it, and even walked to the bank from their factory to recieve the money wire and ship it off to me in time. I was simply blown away by the level of service I recieved, the attention to detail, the willingness to help. They must have called me 10 times to verify details and timelines for shipping. I can't say enough. If I could give them an 11 for this category I would.

This is simply the sweetest and most versatile guitar I have ever had the pleasure of playing. I am amazed at the quality of the neck, and the attention to the most minute of details of the construction. This guitar has stood up to some amazing abuse and still after all these years stays in perfect tune for months and sounds absolutely phenomenal. Every other guitar I have ever picked up after owning this one just feels inferior. If it were lost I would have to get another despite the price tag. I love everything about it and would change nothing. I'm happy that I decided to go with the guitar that felt best to me when I bought it--I was directly comparing it the high-end ibanez's ESP's, PRS's, etc. and it was "the one" the moment I touched it, even though at the time I had never heard of Hamer.

'89 Californian Custom made in the U.S.A. 1 volume and three way switch. Duncan Trembucker in the bridge slot and a Duncan Vintage Rails in the neck position. Bolt-on maple neck, ebony fretboard with boomerang inlays. This axe sports the Planetary Storm artwork. The Artist's signature is on the back. (I can't make out the name). The paint-job is wicked, reminds me of fine Italian marble. It's a strat style body but has clear access to the 27th fret. Whammy insanity courtesy of Floyd Rose.

I enjoy many styles but this guitar was made for SHREDDING!! I find myself playing way too fast after awhile of crankin'. A sportscar: Powerful and sleek, and if you're not careful, it'll get away from ya'!!

For an '89 it's in damn fine shape.

I played this guitar at the first Cleveland World Series Of Metal- We rocked hard and solid, no broken strings-stable tuning. Always always always bring a back up,it's the pro thing to do.

Never dealt with.

I've been jammin' for 22 years. My stage rig consists of a PSA-1 into a VHT 2150 into 2 Mesa 4x12 recto cabs. Various stompboxes..Gibson, Hill, Fender, Takamine guitars. Rehersal rig is a slightly modded jcm 900 sl-x ( el-34 )into either a Marshall 1960 or a recto cab. I am the caretaker of this piece. My Best buddy was the original owner. He is not with us anymore, so it is my responsibilty to take fine care of his prized guitar and to hand it over to his son when he comes of age. The axe spends it's life in the case. Seldom, if ever, do I play it. I would like to own one for myself, it is one bad-ass slab! Find one-play one -buy one. ATTENTION THIEVES: I pack my pistol to every other gig-it's up to you to guess which one.

Made in USA. Late 80's. Before Hamer was bought out. Super Strat style 27 1/2 frets, Boomerang inlays, ebony freatboard and maple neck. Reverse Headstock. Body made of Honduras Mahagony, Purple Metal Flake paint job. This model has two serials numbers. After calling Hamer they told me that this model was special order ...hence the reverse headstock. Two OBL (Original Bill Lawrence pickups). Humbucker at bridge and single coils size rail humbucker at neck! One volume and tone (tone splits). Original German made Schaller Floyd. 25.5 in scale. 14.5 radius and neck is not too thin and not too thick. Just perfect. Jumbo frets. Action is superb. Just take it out and start playing. Nothing to adjust. Also, upside down jack on side! A very cool feature.

Definetely a metal, rock and roll guitar! I use a Marshall 9001 tube preamp, ART DRX-2100 effects and Mosvalve power Amp thru a 2x12 Celestian cabinet. Sounds are incredible from both pickups. No noise, just great clean or crunch sounds! You can always use the tone knob to contour your taste. You can get every thing from Rock, Blues, Shred to Industrial Metal! I like it!

I bought it used. Still, no setup required. I baby my guitars. Pickups were fine. I thought about adjusting them but decided against it. Ofcourse it has some dings and scratches but I just care about playbility. I look cool on stage playing it because I play good and it makes the guitar look great. Guys never buy a guitar that looks good. Unless, you don't plan on playing it. All my guitars plays great and some looks good. Catch the drift.

Live playing has never been a problem. No broken strings. Still bring along a backup. Hardware is rock solid. Paint job is durable. Get Strap-locks if you play out. I depend on it religiously!
Never ever gig without a backup. It's not cool and you can get fired.

Support from is good. Sometimes they make you wait on the phones because you're just asking questions. They like buyers. They do like talking about their guitar...whether it's discontinued or not.

Been playing on/off about 10 years. I own Charvel/Jackson and a Nuno N4. I like metal guitars. If it were stolen, I go to jail because I kill the guy if I ever caught him. Serioulsy, I would find another one or ask Hamer to build me another one. I don't have a favorite guitar but this one gets played a lot.
If you find one, buy it because it's like a tank but plays like a pussy cat. Whatever that mean? You know what it means!