Hamer Centaura

I bought this brand new in '94 - a "Slammer Series" which was made in Korea. This was my very first guitar and I didn't really know what I was getting. I just liked it because it was lightweight, a nice tobacco sunburst finish, and the right price -AUD$799 brand new. It was not a cheapy guitar at the time as there was plenty in the $199-399 range but I just fell in love with it in the shop and decided to pay more to get something nicer for my first. It has a 24 fret rosewood/maple neck, and alder body (I believe), Floyd Rose tremolo and some crappy stock pickups. There's a five way switch for the H/S/S set, and a coil tap (came as standard) on a separate 2-way switch. It has the basic strat style body but smaller and thinner. Overall it has a very good feel, light but well balanced.

Not long after I bought it, I switched out the stock HB and replaced with a Dimarzio Evolution. It has a strong, fat but bright sound from the bridge and roars beautifully when playing distorted. I run it through a Boss GT-10 and record straight into a PC. Occasionally I plug it into my Fender Performer 650 amp but it's simply too loud to play at home!

The two SC are still stock but I'm about to (finally) replace them with Dimarzio YJM (neck) and Air Norton S (middle) to round out the versatility of it - the stock SCs are useless. You'd think I'd have done that ages ago but the Evolution HB is the only pup I've really needed. I just used effects/EQ to change sounds and tones. I give it a 9 for sound but would probably rate that a 10 after I replace the neck/middle pups.

This is where it shines. The neck is so thin and sleek. It was made to shred and shred extremely fast. As I say, it was my first guitar and I didn't really know what I was getting but in the 15 years since then, as I've learnt more, I can honestly say I have never played another guitar that can equal the neck on this one. The action is very low and it takes some strong trem pulls to get the strings to start buzzing on the frets, but since I mainly use the Floyd Rose just for wide tremolo and not wild bending, it's not an issue.

Perhaps I just got lucky, but even being Korean made, the quality on this instrument rivals even higher end Ibanez of today. It's played well for 15 years and I've never had any problems with quality, action or electronics. It's had the frets polished once but that is just maintenance.

Never had a problem so N/A.

Currently I also own an ESP Horizon Custom which has a fixed bridge and two HBs - I get two very different sounds out of these two guitars and I would not give up my Centaura even owning a hand-made ESP. It is a pleasure to play, is extremely loud, clear and fast and the neck is unsurpassed. When I pick up my ESP, I am very aware of just how chunky its neck is in comparison to the Centaura. I don't know if I would buy one again but I would be very unhappy if mine was lost or destroyed. I honestly don't think I would find another neck to match it. I only gave an 8 for overall because replacing the HB took the sound from nothing special to amazing shred sounds, but the lightweight feel, great balance and well built quality are all nice surprises for what was a mid-range guitar at the time. (To put the price in perspective an Ernie Ball EVH Music Man was AUD$1200 from the same shop).

1991 Hamer USA Centaura. H-S-S pickup arrangement, wiht the factory stock JB and Duncan Vintage singles. Passive electronics with teh "thick switch". Alder body, sunburst finish, maple bolt on neck with satin finish and maple fretboard. Schaller Floyd and locking nut.
This particular one has a very thin shredder neck.
A real well designed shredder guitar. Hamer had been building shredder guitars for almost 10 years by 1991 and had refined their designs, and the Centaura incorporates a lot of their refinements.

The sound is perfect for shredding and heavy rock. With the single coils, clean and pretty sounding stuff as well as blues is certainly possible with this guitar, but it excels at high performance rock. The bridge humbucker makes it so easy to pull harmonics from the guitar. Power chords are crunchy and full sounding. The low end is tight (the alder and maple construction contributes to that I'm sure), and the midrange has an aggresive vocal sound.
Hamer really did a fine job at selecting woods, hardware, electronics and pickups to build a rocker's ultimate guitar.

The setup on the guitar was perfect when I got it. It is set up with .009's. I usually use one gauge heavier, but I may leave this guitar as it is. The small neck, low action, and responsive tone invite fast playing, tapping licks, and make me play better than I actually can!

The Floyd seems flawlessly installed at the factory, with a route for pulling it back.

The neck/body joint seems tight, with no gaps, and no play.

The wiring and soldering in the control cavity is very neat. No fear of bad connections here!

The finish is even, smooth, flawless.

As far as workmanship, the craftsmen who built this guitar did an outstanding job.

It's a well built guitar. I'm confident if I take good care of it, it will last the rest of my life. As I mentioned, the electronics are neatly wired and soldered. The construction and workmanship is very neat, precise, and functional.

Hamer is known for great support of customers. I've personally never had a problem with on of their guitars.

I own a lot of electric guitars. Most are great quality made in USA models. My Centaura is up there with the best of them. I love the tone. I love the playability.
It's not my first choice for blues, but for rock and shredding, it's one of the best I've come across.

I wouldn't change a thing aobut this guitar but I wish Hamer made a guitar like this but with a non-locking trem.

This one is a 1992 model, hand-built in the USA. It has 24 frets on a bird's eye maple neck with pao ferro fretboard. There are one volume and one tone control and a 5-way switch as well as a toggle switch for the active circuit.
The Pickups are one Seymour Duncan SH-4 humbucker in the bridge position and two SSL-1 single coils in the middle and neck position.
The finish is some kind of sparkling violet, I think it gets quite close to what ESP calls a "midnight purple" finish.
It also features a Hamer/Schaller Floyd Rose bridge and Hamer tuners.

I'll only give an 8 here, because the Floyd doesn't keep its promise entirely and the single coils sound pretty thin and way too bright.

It is a very versatile guitar that fits me quite well, but I have to say that in general it sounds very bright and I am planning to either change the pickups or try to fatten my sound some other way.

Great set up, absolutely flawless! The preowner had it in his closet for several years and said that he didn't change it in any way, so I guess that the guys at Hamer did quite a good job!

If I get the Floyd fixed properly and get it to sound the way I want it, I'll take it with me into my grave and it will look like I just took it from the assembly line - if it doesn't frustrate me and I'll smash it into my 4x12 Box!

But I once played a gig without a backup and just there a string broke, so this won't happen to me again!

I had some questions about the pickups and the year of production etc. and after my first request seemed to be ignored or forgotten, my second mail was replied immediately. I got almost all the information I needed, so it's not that bad after all.

I've been playing for 9 years now, and except for my Centaura I also have a heavily modified 1995 Yamaha RGX.
If I don't play straight through my Hughes & Kettner amps, my sound is made by a Yamaha DG-Stomp Preamp.

Of course, I would be annoyed if it was stolen, but I wouldn't walk through hell to get it back, if you know what I mean. It's a great guitar, overall, but nevertheless, there are still some imrovements to be made!

I bought this Hamer Centaura USA new in 1991. It was
my main guitar for about 10 years and it has
never failed. I took it for a neck adjustment and
to sharpen the frets around 1996, but that's just
ordinary maintenance.

The guitar has 24 frets, maple neck and fret board. According to the 1992 Hamer catalogue, and the 1994 catalogue from Germany the ordinary Centaura's where made of Swamp Ash while the Custom model had an Alder body. Mine should then be Swamp Ash.
The pickups where two Seymour Duncan single coils, and a SD JB humbucker at the bridge. All mounted directly to the body. I guess the Centaura was designed to be used with heavy distortion as well as a compliment to an ordinary Stratocaster. This is does very well, I'd take it over any Fender, any day.

It's equipped with a Schaller/Hamer Floyd Rose. A five way
switch and a "fat" switch that gives the midrange some boost.

The Centaura's came in many different colours, some were even
metallic or custom painted in grey to look like stone or rock,
(they look pretty ugly believe me). If you are lucky to find
one in sunburst (like mine), or any other more moderate colour
you will get a very good looking, very well (hand) built American
guitar.

The model was originally going to be called the Steve Stevens
III, as Steve wanted a bolt on model for touring.

I have changed the JB out for a SD Custom Custom TB-11. I strongly recommend this as it gives the guitar a wider tonal range. The
JB is very limited to one sound only, and I personally only think
they only (sometimes) sound good in mahogany bodied guitars.
With the Custom Custom the tone is more PAF like, or like a Strat
with balls if you like. The Custom Custom also works a lot better
tonally with the two Vintage single coils.

The maple bolt on neck and maple fretboard gives the guitar
a clear tone. The guitar does not have a heavy bottom, like
a mahogany guitar. As I mentioned I use the Centaura when
I want a strat like sound. It can do everything a strat can,
and more. I'm not a heavy Floyd user, but it's the best
tremolo system out there. Anyone who says an old fender tremolo
is better because it's vintage is just a snob. The Schaller/Hamer
Floyds are easier to use than the original Floyd's Hamer used
in the 80's. I like them better, but I know some prefer the
originals. It's what you are use to I guess.

Sound wise, with the Custom Custom pickup installed, the Centaura is
as good as any Fender out there. It has a one piece Swamp Ash
body, yes ONE PIECE. These guitars can now be found for under 500 U$
dollars. (It's a bargain, when was the last time you saw a US made
Fender with one piece body for under 1000 U$???)
Hamer hand build their guitars! The finish is beautiful in aging
sunburst colour. The clear has tinted to yellow as it's getting
older. Looks very nice.

Note to previous reviewer: Slammer is the name for some Korean or
Malaysian made Hamer's. There is an import version of this guitar too.

This guitar has lasted for twelve years.
It will last for 30 more years at least
If it's taken care of properly. The only
thing that might worry me is what will
happen to an aging Floyd system. I guess
we'll see in the future. As of now it works
as new.

It came with a dunlop straplock system factory installed.
Very good thinking Hamer!

The hardcase is square and very solid.

The finish has some hairline thin cracks between
the pickups. That is what happens to an old finish.
Nothing to worry about it looks vintage.

One setup in 12 years, and I've played it almost daily.
It needs a second sharpening of the frets soon though.

Asked them a question or two.
Their customer support is the best!
They really love what they do at the
Hamer factory. That is probalby why
they built some of the best guitars out there.

I've been playing since mid 80's.
If the Centaura were stolen I'd look
for a new one in sunburst finish.
It's a beautiful instrument and
a true work horse. The neck is
just perfect. It's light and very
easy to play. The only thing I did
not like was the JB, so I swapped it.
I have seven Hamer's they make the
best guitars out there today. You
can pay more, but you can't play
a better brand. These days you
can find a Centaura for under 500 U$.
They are handbuilt from scratch so
it's a real bargain!

24 frets with a floyd rose. It's got the h/s/s pick-up configuration. It has a five way selector switch and a mini-switch for coil tapping the humbucker. I don't know what the pick-ups are but they sound great. I got this out of a pawn shop so i have no idea when it was made or what kind of wood it is. It says slammer in small letters underneath the hamer logo but it came with a usa case(go figure). I'm guessing that this is an 80's guitar. Slammer must not have meant what it does now. This is a greant sounding and playing guitar that is very solidly built unlike the slammers of today which are total crap. The finish is awesome. Silver sparkle.

The h/s/s is a great and very versital pick-up configuration. I mainly play metal right now but when i was in a rock band it provided me with many different sounds. the humbucker screams and the single coils sparkle.

Seems to be holding up pretty good.

'90, 24 fret, reversed, non-angled headstock, SSH, 5-way sw. Very (ab)used. The body is one-piece mahagony with "granite" finish. The kind of guitar I like.

I re placed the PU's, with a Gibson 500T(which you'll find on all my guitars, actually) and two HotRails. I have a 3-way switch, volume control and split switch for the 500T. Needless to say, it sounds the way I like it. There's a right setting for anything from blues to death metal with this kind of setup. The guitar itself sounds very "alive", resonant and natural. Amplified, very fat without being muddy when 500T is used, and very much strat - like if splitted. With neck pickup, it sounds, well, like a HotRail equipped guitar. Fat and powerful.

The vernish was quite damaged when I got it. The guy I got it from should be punished for his lack of knowledge and respect.
Phantastic craftmanship. Very low action (<2mm), thin neck. Fits like a glove, but it's not for people used to playing "normal" guitars. I changed the colour to black, and the neck is oil-finish now.

As I said, it was used and abused for 11 years, but technically, the shape is perfect. Even the Floyd Rose edges are like new. Flawless.

I've been playing for 18 years. I own a Strat, a LesPaul, an old Eko M-24, Carvin 125C an a self made heavy strat-like. This guitar is my No.2 now, right after my Eko(which defies any comparison). I wish it had no middle pickup, since I never use it anyway. It will stay with me forever. As soon as I have some money to burn, I'll let some luthier make me an exact copy of this one.

1990 American "granite-glitter" black finish on alder dinky/soloist style body,angled bolt-on birdseye maple neck(tiny,think '68{a}) w/ jumbo frets on rw board w/ mop top side markers.The one I have has a fully-scalloped neck(!!!),but I'm not sure if it's a factory job or not.The scalloping is one of the best jobs I've seen,but there are holes in the fretboard(offset,towards top of neck) where the pos markers should/used to be.The neck has a reverse "traditional Hamer(?)" 6 in line headstock w/ black finish on the front.Black hardware,recessed Hamer Floyd & an inverted strat jack beneath the back strap(lok) button.For electronics(factory?) it has 2 EMG SAs & 1 EMG 85(according to the guy from EMG) w/ series/phase(?),5-way strat switch,master vol/tone w/ blk dome knobs.All "guts" mounted directly to the body.2 HB configuration,& it's a "12".

When I saw this I thought it would be the "be all,end all".It was my first experience(personally) w/ EMGs,& I thought they would be the shit.However,I noticed that the 85 completely smoked the SAs,no matter how much I tried to adjust them.This really wasn't a big deal,since I have other guitars(strats) that are more "versatile",but this one is totally set for "heavy" music,be it rock,metal,alt..."in your face" music.To me the 85 is perfect for this type of sound-I've read reviews here,& it seems more "toney" than the 81,(which I thought this was),not as "sterile" when playing it clean.I resigned myself to the fact that this is the best sound this guitar could make,so I took out the SAs(I'll use 'em in something else-not partial to middle p/ups anyway) & had it re-wired w/ the 85,master vol & wired the mini toggle for on/off.I really tried to make it work w/ the singles,but I may install a "hot rails style" p/up back in the neck pos just to have the option.But for VH,Priest/Maiden,White Zombie,Metalli-Deth,etc this one packs quite a toneful "whallop",& w/ the Floyd great sustain & tuning stability.This thing is LOUD,so I have to pull the input level way back on my pre-amp(Rocktron Voodo Valve!).I can't really take points off for the SAs 'coz I'm really partial to 2 HBs,but hey,I DID buy it.Yeah,I think a hot "single-bucker" will do the trick nicely!

This thing plays & feels like a dream,although the "B" string Floyd saddle must've been replaced,'coz that string is radiused the same as the high "E",but that doesn't detract from the playability enough to beat it up on the rating.All joints are solid,no neck shifting whatsoever.When I bought it there was no truss rod cover or anodized metal trem plate,but some finish dings did come with it.No biggie here,either(it WAS used),'coz I do play it live often & once an ax is dinged it's fair game.The finish is a little bit worn where the forearm contuor is,but this guitar was played before I got it,& has been played a lot since(5 yrs).

Only time it doesn't perform to full potential is when a string breaks(not very often,I try to stay on top of it) or the 9V starts to go(").There's no excuse for not having a back-up w/ a Floyd.When I do play it,it's usually for a set(or 2) out of a 4-set night,so strings usually aren't that much of an "issue".I try to take 3 guitars to the "good" gigs,at least 2 to the "dives".But -1 for the Floyd "just becoz",although it's an excellent unit.

E-mailed them serial # to see if scallops & EMGs were factory,all I got back was the answer "your guitar was made in 1990".They didn't have truss rod or trem cover avaliable,but maybe I can get some help from "Hamer Fan Club"(great site!!!).

This guitar KILLS!!!For heavy tunes/tones,this is the one to use.The 85 is plenty for the specifics that I use it for.Easily one of the best $400(w/case,re-wiring & Dunlop Straplox)I've ever spent.I've had it about 5 yrs(playing for 15+),& I can easily see having it until I start playing country(no time soon!).I've seen a few of these on E-Bay,& most go for about $400-$450 range,but I've never seen another scalloped one.I'm not sure if all the mods/options are factory or not(no custom decal or stamp),but to me getting a $1200-$1600 guitar for $400 seems almost obscene!!!Good thing I live in Jax,'coz (almost) everyone here plays(& pays dearly for)Gibson,Fender,PRS,Ibanez or Jackson.Their loss is my "hi-gain",& I'd highly recommend the Hamer Centaura(US) or even Diablo(2 HB version) to anyone who is in the market for a quality,comfy US rock guitar.It could probably be more versatile w/ the SAs,but going to the 'bucker was too much like stepping on a stompbox-that's the tone that made it sit up straight & pay attention!!!Tremendous guitar for $500 range(used).If this was a Diablo w/ EMGs & a scalloped neck,I'd probably play little else,except for d-tuned(no d-tuna for me tho,thanx anyway) songs.If this were stolen,I'd take up the Occult & make them pay very dearly,so thieves beware!!!

dunno when it was made 24 frets, Floyd rose tremlo, rosewood fretboard

good for most stuff. I had trouble with my volume control and had to get if fixed professionally, and when you change humbuckers the sound changes drasticly

s'ok

Pretty reliable, should last a while

duno

my first guitar, it works fine, but im looking into a new one

1990, American-made, see other reviews for description. Came with Slammer pickups (not the cheapy Hamer sub-brand, but what they called their line of pickups in the '80s and early '90s.) Black glitter finish, rosewood fretboard, chrome hardware. Mid-cut switch for bridge pickup doesn't work, but will be replaced. Not a big Floyd Rose fan, but the guitar is equipped to do whatever most people demand so it gets an "8."

My preferred sounds are a big, overdriven rhythym (think Chavez, Yo La Tengo) and a straight, mid-rangey clean sound. Through my Laney all-tube combo, this guitar makes an amazing range of tones -- much more flexible than you'd think with just two knobs and a switch. The tone control dramatically changes the nature of the humbucker in particular. The volume control can shaift that same pickup from a sort of trebly Les Paul sound to a very hot, metal-ish sound. A very flexible sound palette. The bridge pickup is a lot louder than the neck. Nothing is a "10" but this is close.

For a ten-year-old guitar it's in good shape. It appears to have been played a lot but the neck is straight and is tensioned perfectly so that the action is lower than I'd think possible without fret buzz. Control cavity is unshielded but wiring is clean. Frets are finished nicely and the paint appears to have ben well applied and must be pretty durable to have held up for ten years. It doesn't have quite the "solid" feel of my G&L, but it seems to be a very high-quality guitar, as befits a USA-made Hamer.

See Action, Fit & Finish. I wouldn't play ANYTHING without a backup, but this instrument seems sturdy.

N/A

Hard to say how long I've been playing -- started guitar when I was 11, but mostly played bass for 12 years before starting to concentrate on guitar again a couple of months ago. Spent enough time touring and recording with top players to appreciate a good instrument, I guess. The guitar is light, has a straight neck, makes lots of different kinds of noise, and stays in tune. That's all I ask for, so I'm happy. If it were stolen I'd look for another, but they're kind of scarce.

1991, 24-fret, reverse headstock, Schaller-made double-locking Floyd Rose, passive S/S/H, 5-way selector, volume, tone, coil tap, jumbo frets. Alder body, maple neck, maple fingerboard. Made in USA like all proper Hamers.

This guitar has a lot of punch and definition to the tone. It's like day and night comparing to my Hamer Archtop Studio. The tone is bright without being overwhelmingly so. The humbucker is crunchy and hot and does a great distorted metal tone, but it's a bit too trebley to call it a convincing Les Paul tone. Not that that's a bad thing or unexpected from this style of guitar.
I really like the sound of the Centaura. My only sound related complaint would be the HUGE volume difference between the single coils and the humbucker, with the humbucker being about twice as loud as the single coils. It seems more pronounced than other S/S/H guitars I've played.

The action is fabulous, low and fast. A real screamer. Workmanship appears top notch. Routing and shielding are clean. Frets are well finished and holding up well. The Schaller-made Floyd Rose comes back in tune even with aggressive whammying (though see comments about durability of this bridge below).

Let me preface this by saying that I've only owned this guitar for the last 6 months of its 8 year life, so can't really comment too much on how much it was used or abused. From its appearance, I'd say it wasn't abused much. Frets, fingerboard, and finish are in near perfect condition.
My only complaint - and it's pretty major - is with the Schaller-made Floyd Rose bridge. The saddles simply refused to stay put on this thing regardless of how much you tightened down their set screws. The shiny chrome finish may look nice, but it doesn't have any friction. This has been a real source of annoyance for me. The longest they've ever stayed put was about 10 days. My guitar tech tried roughening up the backs of the saddles with a file to get some traction. Didn't help. Then he tried the drop of super glue on the joint trick, and that seemed to work until I did a full-step bend on the low-E string. Much to my chagrin, that actually stripped the threads out of the bridge leaving no way to secure that saddle anymore.
Now, normally you can't tear the saddles out of a bridge - even a crappy pot metal bridge on a $99 guitar - by just bending strings. So, I'm assuming that there was a long history of these saddles not staying put and people overtightening the set screws to compensate. Examination of the screws after the first saddle-slipping incident I experienced suggested this was the case.
At any rate, I had to replace the bridge, and that irks me. I still love the guitar, though.

Haven't dealt with customer support. It's 8 years old, I got it used, and the last thing I want is another of this same bridge. IOW, not worth the effort to investigate.

I give it a 9 here since it was one hell of a value. Bridge aside, where else can you get a great sounding handmade super-strat like this for $400? I really love playing this guitar, and it's the perfect compliment to my Archtop Studio.

This is an early 1990s rock/metal guitar. All handmade in the United States. Ash body (dinky style/size) in beautiful natural finish with 24 fret rock maple neck and maple fretboard....mother of pearl dot inlaws. Reverse headstock; guitar has all black hardware (Schaller-licensed Floyd Rose with locking nut and Schaller tuners. EMG pickups (89 (splittable humbucker) in bridge with SA single coils in middle and neck position). Five way switch and coil tap switch....volume and tone controls.

As I said, this is a rock/metal guitar. The EMGs are really hot as they are active pickups and the humbucker gives you full shred capability. The single coils are very versatile and you can attain an acceptable blues/funk sound out of them. This is not a vintage Strat but will get much closer than most 80s metal guitars due to EMGs and alder or ash bodies as opposed to basswood or poplar. The only reason I have given it a 9 is that the humbucker with middle coil is a little too nasty and trebly for me. I will have it rewired to have humbucker and neck single coil on at the same time and will that be perfect full yet nasty sound.

Like the other American made Hamers I have (1996 Studio and 1994 Studio Custom), simply amazing. These are handmade, semi-production guitars and they always feel and play like a dream. The action is too low and will be corrected when the Floyd is set up for .10s. I had one Ibanez in the past with a Floyd and had a terrible experience with it..breaking strings and horrible problems correctly using the micro tuners. This Schaller-Floyd is great so far. I merely unclamped the locking nut, tuned up, and locked down. It has stayed in tune with moderate use of the tremolo to bend pitches down almost as well as a Wilkinson or Paul Reed Smith. Pulling up will natch things sharp but I don't use the bar much at all, let alone up.

I only purchsed it yesterday but is as solid as all my other American Hamers, which I always gigged with. Wood and hardward are all top notch quality so expect no problem there except having to replace Floyd parts after normal wear and tear. One of the strap buttons has come loost but lit looks like a previous owner futzed with it for some reason....I will super glue it in. I would not gig without backup solely because it does have a FLoyd Rose and thus much easier to break string.

Have never dealt with Hamer and this is a used instrument. Have dealt with a local dealer who is great.

I have been playing for 11.5 years and play mostly 70s/80s hard rock/metal. I own two other American made Hamers (Studio and Studio Custom) and a Tacoma D-10 acoustic. My amp is a 1979 Marshall 50w Mk II Master Volume (dimed) with an original Ibanez TSZ-9 to attain good early 80s saturated gain. Bottom is a 1975 custom color Marhsall 4x12 with 30w Celestion greenbacks. This guitars is great....I anticipate that the Gibson style Hamers shall remain my main guitars but I always like to have a super-Strat style around and got sick of modding Fender copies with Seymour Duncans. With the quality, 24 frets, EMGs and a usable Floyd, this thing fit the bill perfectly. It was a baragin at $350 considerng when new in 1991-1992 it listed for $1200+. Only reason I didn't put a 10 here was need to get neck and bridge pickups on at once to balance out the sound so it is not quite so metallic.

24 fret, Floyd Rose + NutLock, S/S/H, 5-way, 1 tone, 1 volume, 1 coil-tap, Black-granite paint job, Passive electronics. Year: 1990

A truly awesome sounding guitar. I absolutely love it. All pickups are awesome sounding and they actually give really different tones. The coil-tap on the humbucker gives a real switch between Les Paul and Strat sounds. The tone pot actually does something useful. Turn it down and experience the Clapton/Slash "Woman Tone". Handles all styles excellently, except Country I guess.

Amazing action. Flawless.

I've had this guitar 8 years and it hasn't needed a single adjustment. The neck is still as flat as a board. Utterly dependable guitar.

Not applicable. Never had a problem.

This guitar is truly amazing. It is great for blistering leads but also excels at ambient texture playing. I play Pink Floyd material through it and it sounds unbelievable. It looks like a metal shred guitar from the '80's and for any type of metal/rock it is fantastic. But, as I mentioned, it is one of those guitars that can handle just about anything. It has tone! This guitar is so much fun to play. It never goes out of tune, the bridge is perfectly set, and for home recording it really does the job, as you can get several very distinct sounds through the pickups. I like to dis products as much as anyone, but this thing really is damn near perfect.

This is a 1993 Hamer Centura. It is a 24 fret, dinky shaped guitar (like a standard Jackson, or Ibanez body shape). It has 3 pickups 2 single coils and one humbucker. I have replaced the stock pickups with EMG's and cannot remember what was originally in it. It has an alder body and a maple neck with pao ferro fingerboard. Mine has a sparkle silver finish (the Star Wars guitar is what they call it). It has a Floyd Rose Pro bridge and locking nut, with standard shaller tuners. The neck is wide and thin (a lot like the Ibanez Wizard necks), with medium jumbo frets and standard mother of toilet seat inlays. It came with a form fitting case and was made in the USA

I play Progressive/Death metal and this guitar suits that style to a T. I use a Marshall VS-100 amp with EMG pickups on the guitar and it RAGES. It has a full, but defined sound (alder wood) that captures the sound of the EMG's really well. I am not thrilled about the Floyd Rose though, it sucks some of the sustain out of this guitar. My Ibanez has a much better FR (I think I might change the one on this guitar)

The guy I bought is from had the action so high it was almost unplayable, but I don't think Hamer had anything to do with it. The tuners, frets, etc. were in great shape (the guy had only had the guitar for a month...then he sold it to me) and I assume that they were like that straight from the factory.

Well, I have had to buy 3 different output jacks for this thing. the jack is at a strange angle and the cords just seem to make mince-meat out of it. Other than that it seems to have stood up well in 5 years (time for a re-fret though) The finish is still in good condition and the neck wood is still beautiful (pao ferro). You can depend on Hamer quality (but I NEVER gig without a backup).

Hamer used to be better about customer service, but the bigger they get the worse they get. I have no clue about warranties etc. But everytime I call they dodge questions and try to sell me stuff...annoying!!!

I have been playing for about 10 years and this is one of my favorite guitars. It plays great and always sounds consistant. I would but it again in a heartbeat. Only problem is that damn Floyd Rose...oh well.