Hamer Eclipse

Very simple guitar - 2 mini-humbuckers, a 3-way switch (similar to what you see on a Les Paul) and a volume and tone knob. The tuners are schallers. Very nice package indeed.

WOW! This has got to be one of the guitar communities best kept secrets! The sound is very warm and toneful, yet rebellious at the same time. If you want a very high quality, simple rock n' blues guitar, and if you can find one, then this could be the guitar for you.

Action, fit and finish are second to none. I currently also own a late '90's Anderson Cobra and an '87 PRS Custom, and this Hamer is on bar with them from a quality standpoint. It makes my Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul look like something built during Grade 9 woodshop class.

I've had this thing for about 7 years, and you can tell when you look at it that it has gone to hell and back, but it keeps asking for more! I've never had a problem with it - it's very well made, and the hardware/electronics are second to none.

Never dealt.

I've considered selling my Gibson because of this guitar. You can achieve Les Paul-type tones with this without the weight of a Gibson.

Pretty simple guitar - 2 mini humbuckers, 1 volume, 1 tone and a 3-way toggle switch. I think these are all the features one would need. HAND MADE IN THE GOOD OLE' USA - not to be confused with the Korean-made models that are described below (selling for less than $400).

This instrument is just perfect for blues and classic rock blues. If you're looking for that AC/DC sound, but don't want to deal with an SG and the sub-par quality that comes along with that Gibson, THIS IS THE GUITAR FOR YOU! This sounds great through my silverface Fender Super 4x10, as well as my JCM900. The sound is rich and thick with an obscene amount of sustain!

I bought it used, so I can't comment on the original set up, but the action, fit and finish are on par with PRS Customs (I have 2). Honestly, US-made Hamers are so under-rated.

I have gigged hard with this for over 10 years, with absolutely no issues. The hardware is top-notch and it stays in tune better than my 2 PRS guitars.

I've never dealt with them, but have heard good things.

I've been playing for around 14 years. I also have a PRS Custom 22 and Custom 24. I've got a Fender and a Marshall amp. I just love this guitar. If it were ever stolen or lost, I'd definately try to find another. The aren't easy to come by, but they do pop up on eBay on occasion.

Solid mahoghany set-neck construction with a rosewood fingerboard and 3 per side headstock. 2 Seymour Duncan mini-Humbuckers. 1 volume, 1 tone and a 3-way toggle switch. Dunlop-compatible strap buttons and a Wilkenson 1 piece stop tailpiece. Very tough to rate this category - this is a very basic guitar whose biggest features are it's playability and tone! Mine is a 1996 model.

Very, very versatile instrument. I play in a classic rock band, and you can use this to nail down most classic rock tones from the 70's. That's not to say that it can't be used for country or blues as well, because it most definately can. I've played this through old Fender blackface amps, Marshalls from the 80's and even a couple of Boogies. It's quiet when it needs to be, and very aggressive/alive when you need it to be. Definately a very versatile sounding and satisfying instument indeed!

Action, Fit & Finish are all top shelf. What else do you expect from Hamer. I also have a 1993 PRS Custom and a 1992 Lest Paul Standard. The quality of this guitar is on par with the PRS and simply blows the LP out of the water. The fret job, finish, everythign on this is just that good!

I've owned this for 12 years (I bought it new back in the late 90's). It is pretty much my main guitar. I have never had any issues with it, other than breaking a string now and again.

I have never had to deal with them.

I've been playing for over 20 years. I really don't think there are many guitars out there that offer more bang for the buck than USA Hamers. It's unfortunate that people confuse the USA ones with the Korean ones. I think most of the reviews here are for the Korean models - just a shame. They would be a much bigger company if they spent more money on adverstising and paying celebs to endorse their products. That may all change now that Fender has bought them out.

I bought this guitar used at a music store in Longview, Texas. It was supposed to be my cheap backup for my cheap main guitar (lost all my Gibbies to poor financial decisions). Wow was I surprised when I plugged it into a real amp. I play it as much as the main axe. I don't know what year it was made but it is constructed out of mahogany, I wasn't for sure at the time but it was heavier than an ash guitar right next to it. It was built in USA which I thought was cool for a three hundred dollar guitar (I had no idea of the value of it), plus it looks like a double cutaway LP JR and it comes loaded with two Seymor Duncan Mini-buckers which I did notice.

This is a compact 22 fret guitar. It has a nice neck, once again reminiscent of a LP JR. Mine is painted black which was fine by me since it was going to be a backup but now that I like it so much I do wish it had a different finish (vanity rears it's ugly head). Mine has one volume knob, one tone knob and a three way pickup selector. The knobs are metal which is a little modern for my taste but what the heck. I'm not looking at the guitar right now but the tuners are Grover style. The bridge is a simple Wilkinson wrap around. It came with the original Hamer hard case which once again was a pleasant surprise.

This guitar is simplicity defined but the lack of a tuno-matic bridge and the plain black paint get it deductions.

I play in a praise and worship band at church and play blues rock, alternative, and grunge for fun. This guitar does the church thing well, and has some great blues tones. Not quite enough output for the alternative stuff but anything works for grunge.

I play through a Mesa-Boogie Heartbreaker combo (best all around clean, rock, blues amp I have found, doesn't do metal but neither do I). I play through a phaser, digital-delay, and tube screamer which I only use when the amps overdrive is too much.

This guitar is really quiet for passive pickups. The mini-buckers have a brighter sound than you can get from most full sized alnico humbuckers.

This guitar gets most of the tones I desire for most of the styles I play. The only thing it doesn't really work on are some stuff that requires a little more output and bass.

This guitar was set up beautifully from the store I haven't had to make any adjustments in three years. Just change the strings tune up and play. I can't believe the quality of the fret work. Better than any Gibson I have owned. The paint job was in great shape when I bought it a few light belt scratches but no nicks or flaws. the lacker on the side of the fret board has one funny spot around the eighth fret but that looks like it got hit by something.

This is a sturdy little guitar I play with it live every other week. The hardware hasn't developed a patina yet. The strap buttons are good. I would gig with this guitar without a backup except there's always that chance of a broken string. I never have to worry about tuning going whack on me.

Never dealt with them

I have been playing for 13 years. I currently own a Yamaha AES-620 (main axe soon to be replaced by yet another LP) and a Taylor CE-310. My amp is a Mesa Boogie Heartbreaker Combo.

If this guitar were stolen I would break out 700.00 for another easy.

I love that I can get some nice jangly rhythm tones and sweet blues tones from this axe.

This guitar was an impulse buy that really paid off. The closest thing to it in the store was a 600.00 Epiphone that was made in Korea.

A different finish would be nice, but hey for 300.00 bucks I can't really complain.

I believe that this guitar is around 10 years old, so 1996?
22 fret neck with dot inlays, 3 piece mahogany construction and a solid magogany body. The feel of the guitar suggests fairly dense wood. Fitted with 2 Seymour Duncan Minihumbuckers, one volume, one tone and toggle switch selector. Finish is a sort of metallic that shifts from blue to aquamarine depending upon the angle to the light, but predominantly blue. Wraparound Wilkinson bridge, complete with Hamer hardshell case

I have read reviews speaking of jangly/Ricky type sounds and doubtless these are available. Where this guitar excels is in LP Junior territory - it sings. Where this guitar scores over a LP Junior is that it is not a one trick pony, other sounds can be coaxed from it. Clean, it is superb for bluesy noodling, especially at amp levels where the sound just starts to break up.

I bought this second hand, so no ideas as to how it was set up originally. I let the guitar settle down for a while after importing it into the UK and it only required a slight adjustment of the truss rod. The neck is fast, with SG type access and fits my hand like a glove. The fretboard is of an incredibly rich rosewood (almost black) - silky to the touch. The only thing that detracts is the fitting of the bridge pickup; it's slightly skewed, but too much to be accidental (?). I don't know, maybe there is a reason for it but it looks slightly out of kilter.

Far sturdier than an SG and fitted with top notch hardwear, came with strap locks fitted. This is a guitar for playing in any environment.

Never had to bother them.

Been playing for over 30 years, I own a Les Paul, 3 Kramer aluminium necked guitars, a Hamer artist custom and several home made axes.

If it were stolen or lost, I would buy another. For such a superb guitar, the second hand prices are ludicrously low (suits me).

I wouldn't want this guitar to have any extras, it is what it is and that is it's beauty - so simple to pick up and just play. I used to own a Gibson SG, no regrets selling that because this guitar leaves it standing.

Solid mahogany body with a rosewood fingerboard, Seymor Duncan H/B pick ups and a Wilkinson wrap around bridge, same as all the other Eclipse's I've seenor read about. Single volume and tone controls plus a three way toggle. Not much to go wrong here and very effective for my needs.

Over the years I've owned many guitars including a 72'Guild S100,70'SG Special and 74' Strat. This guitar rates up there with the best of them.I have found nothing that I don't like about this guitar and the variety of sounds are endless. From warm rich tones to kick butt cut through your heart edgieness, I can get whatever I am feeling out through my amp.

This was a used purchase and it was and still is pristine, with the exception of some chrome fading on the pickpus. As for finish,its one of the most beautiful guitars I have ever owned. I have heard many times that Hamer finishes are delicate and can be easily scratched or chipped, but I have yet to see that for myself.The action is very comfortable and I keep 10's on it. Intonation is not a problem at any position on the neck. Overall playability is great and finger fatigue free.

It's a Sherman Tank, although I don't gig anymore. I switch off a lot between this guitar and an old Fender Lead II simply because I like the versatility and the different feel of these two.In my day I would never gig without a backup no matter what I was playing.

I have not had the need for customer support from Hamer, so I'll have to take everyone else's word for it.

I've been playing since 1969 and have had my fair share of gigs and studio time.Although I don't play out anymore, I still play everyday and get plenty of time with my friends, playing everything from Hendrix and Tull to AC/CD and Van Halen.My current rig is a Marshall head with a twin 10's in a small cab and a single 15" JBL bass cab. My floor setup is a combination of chorus,flange,compression,sustain,analog delay and wah and this instrument proved to be the missing link. I've found what I've been looking for!(if you know what I mean)

This was a 21 fret red solid mohogany body, with a Tune-o-matic bridge, SD mini-humbuckers, and a hard case. Last year of the Eclipse.

The Eclipse defines its own ground. It is jangly like a Rickenbacker, but has some serious Les Paul Junior/Les Paul Deluxe aspects. It lacks a mite of the complexity when overdriven like a Les Paul Std, but it still can be quite stud-ley. Clean it can give off smokey jazz flavors, brighter than a Les Paul. This is a better Les Paul Jr.

The guitar was flawless, with a neck that was both well fretted and
felt solid under the hand. The cavity was painted, and the hardware was exellent. Very nice tuners. The mini-humbuckers delivered what I wanted. Can rock with the big boys, but not a Strat, kids.

This guitar looks to be a winner on stage -- I have used it a few times. The clear finish will get worn over time, but I want to play it, not worship it. Yes, I played it without a backup.

no words to offer.

Played on and off for 30 years. Have Strats, Teles, Epiphone Les Pauls, Gibson Les Paul Deluxe, Martin, Gibson acoustic, Dan Electro, etc... This is a light Les Paul Jr in red clothing. Would prefer to have a 4 knob control set-up over a two knob set-up, but there is less to go wrong. Use this with J-Station or a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe.

Very ergonomic with Gibson additude.

it's an amazing all mahoganny solidbody guitar! very simple !but made strong & it looks gorgeous !!!doublecutaway ,22 frets ,rosewood fingerboard with abalone dots inlays ,grover tuners,2 seymour duncan vintage mini hambuckers,1 volume ,1 tonality ,stopbar style bridge &
a luxuary canadian flycase...nice finish:cellulosic laquer or varnish
mine looks like the old SG (the colour,i mean !)

whow !!!it does all very well :specially hard rock & blues :with the
tonality you can aproach all styles of music :on neck position ,it sounds very deep & warm like a PRS !on the bridge one ,it's the fire,
it 's sustaining very hard &it is perfect for soloing:try any Franck
Marino's licks on this position!in between ,you can sound very nearly like an LP custom or a Firebird !it is because of the mini hambuckers

i got it used , so ,i did the all job myself like i allways do !!!
but the finish is even better than a" Gibs..."and the neck is so nice
than you can play & bend for hours !!!

it is made strong by Hamer's team !I believe it will last long !!!mine
was made in 1995 & it look's quite new !!!the strap buttons are "Jim Dunlop's",nothing to say about it !this guitar was made for Rock&Roll
& no doubt that it will last for life !!

it's the only thing i dont like with "hamer":tey don't answer to the
mails i sent to them !nothing more to say...

i own 1 Heritage H157cm,a Willow's Stratocaster,an acoustic yamaha
and i run thru a Carvin Vintage 50 head to4 x 10" vintage cabinets also made by Carvin (it's a stack...)i also got a Mesa Boogie preamp
and an Ibanez AD202 Delay & chorus + my floorboard made of analogic
stomboxes:1 x Boss comp ,1 Ibanez Tube King ,1 Jacques Tubeblower,
1 Marshall Bluesbreaker II,1 Georges denis Wha,1 Boss auto-wha,1 Ibanez Rotary Chorus ,and 1 Ibanez Phaser !!!that's it & plenty enough
i only own & buy great handmade guitars and thisHamer eclipse is fantastic!!!

Well, the Eclipse is about as basic as a 2-pickup guitar gets. Its no "Swiss Army knife" guitar, but it has everything you need. An advantage of the Wilkinson wrap-around bridge/tailpiece is that it has no individual adjustable saddles. This lack of moving parts contributes to sustain. However, accurate intonation can be difficult to achieve if you use a string guage different from what the guitar came set up for. For example, my Eclipse has near-perfect intonation when strung with a 10 guage set. However, when I tried to use an 11 guage set, the intonation was noticably off. The Wilkinson does allow for slight intonation adjustment, but I decided to go back to the '10's. Replacement tailpieces with adjustable saddles are available.

This guitar's dual Seymour Duncan mini humbuckers sound great in combination with its solid mahogany body. The mini 'buckers are versitile pickups. I would describe their sound as somewhere between a full-sized HB and Strat pickups. The bridge PU is more agressive than the neck PU, no doubt because it uses a ceramic magnet in comparason to the neck's alnico V magnet. The middle position (both PU's activated) is my favorite setting. It yields a very complex tone that is warm yet articulate at the same time (similar to a Rickenbacker). I think that this guitar is best suited for clean to medium-overdrive tones. I replaced the tone pot's stock capacitor with a midrange-cut kit from Torres engineering (about $5). This mod made the eclipse a little more versitile. When I turn down the tone knob, midrange is decreased and the result is a cleaner, more single coil-like tone. This circuit is bypassed when the tone knob is turned all the way up. Its a subtle effect, but useful nonetheless.

I love Gibsons and own three of them myself. However, I believe that Hamer USA guitars are more consistant in terms of overall workmanship. Their quality control seems to be better. I can not find any flaws on this guitar. This is typical of Hamers.

A well-built guitar is a reliable guitar, right?
As with Gibsons, the angled headstock and set neck can be vulnerable to cracks and/or breaks. This is just the nature of the design. Otherwise, this little guy appears to be very durable.

New Hamers are very fairly priced, in my opinion. Used Hamers can often be had for a steal. I paid $500 for mine in EX+++ condition with a beautiful HS case included. You can probably do better if you look around. I'm surprised this model didn't last for very long. Its a unique design and a great alternative to the Gibson Firebird.

Think Les Paul Junior with slightly more of a cutaway where you need it. Mahogany Body and glued-in Mahogany neck, 22 frets, Grover tuners, 2 Seymour Duncan Mini-humbuckers ("Seymourized" SM-3 at neck, "Hot" SM-2 at bridge), Wilkinson wrap around bridge/tailpiece, 3-way pickup selector, 1 volume, 1 tone. Very simple and basic.<p>
I prefer Stop Bar/Tune-o-matic tail/bridge vs. the one piece myself. The wrap around bridge makes changing strings a bit of a chore, hence the low rating in this category.

My rig is: Hamer USA Eclipse or Daytona (another winner) > Dunlop 95Q wah > Visual Sound "Route 66" overdrive + compressor/sustainer > Sabine tuner > Danelectro "Tuna Melt" tremolo > Visual Sound "H2O" chorus + delay/echo > Tech 21 "Trademark 60" amp.<p>
This guitar sounds GREAT whether you plug it in or not! Very resonant with a wide tonal range from clean and bright to smooth drive to absolute spankin' lead tones.<p>
I got the bug to get a quality Mini-humbucker equipped guitar when I played a Gibson Firebird. IMHO, the Firebird sounds better that the Eclipse, probably due to the neck-through-body design, but I wouldn't want to have to lug that huge case around to gigs or the studio. The Eclipse comes damn close to the tone of a Firebird but in a MUCH more compact package -- hence the 9 in this category.<p>
Quick tone note: If you have never played a guitar with Seymour Duncan pickups do yourself a favor and try it. I own 5 electrics and 3 of them have Duncans -- AWESOME. Whether single coils, P-90s, Mini-humbuckers, or Full Humbuckers -- you can't go wrong with Duncans.

PERFECT. The body is lightweight Mahogany with a gorgeous black finish and chrome hardware -- very striking. The chrome knurled "tele-style" knobs look great and operate smoothly. The neck shape is comfortably rounded -- the best I've EVER felt for my hands and blues-bending playing style. The frets are beautifully finished with smooth ends. The Grover tuners help keep it in perfect tune and I over-bend strings very often.

ROCK SOLID.

Hamer (Kaman) web site suckbut I doubt you'll ever need support for such a well made guitar.

If this guitar had a stop bar tailpeice and tune-o-matic bridge I would rate it as a 10. The one piece wrap around bridge may help give it a tone-wise but as I mentioned, it makes changing strings a bit of a hassle.<p>
If you like Mini-humbucker tone and never leave your house with your guitar I would recommend getting a Gibson Firebird. Otherwise, save your back -- and at LEAST a few hundred bucks -- and try an Eclipse.

This is an all-mahogany, set-neck guitar with two Seymour Duncan mini-humbuckers. 22 frets on a rosewood board. Volume and tone controls, with a 3-way switch. The shape is sort of like a Les Paul Junior with a more deeper cutaway on the treble side. The body is contoured, too. It had a Wilkinson wrap-around bridge. Grover tuners. Came with a case.

A mellow guitar, not a real screamer. The sound was always quite clear and articulate, and very warm. But it didn't speak with much authority. It was quiet, but I would trade that for more character. (In fact, I did trade it for a guitar with more character.)

It is a stunningly made guitar. Ravishing finish. Everything meticulously installed. The only flaw was some finish flaking off the edge of the fingerboard.

A rock solid guitar. The bridge was starting to develop burrs, however, and when the bridge is made of one piece, that would be a pain to replace.

No idea.

It is a wonderful guitar that ended being just too laid back for my tastes. It would be great for jazz. It looked terrific. Felt great. Sounded great, if that's what you wanted. It just lacked an edge.