Hamer FB II Firebird

In 1986/87 Hamer produced their own version of Gibson's Firebird model, but they didn't make many guitars (and an even less number of Thunderbird basses). As usual there were many options, but the most common model was like the one I have. It has a big 3-piece mahogany body with the middle piece being a bit thicker, like the original by Gibson. But Hamer's FB don't have a neck-through-constuction, they have set-in necks (3-piece maple, 24.75" scale), either 22 or 24 frets on an ebony fretboard, usually having Hamer's trademark "boomerang" inlays. The explorer-style headstock is angled and has 6 black Schaller M6 mini tuners, the nut is the well-known Floyd Rose locking nut. The Floyd Rose (the original) is non-recessed, still with the stud screws going directly into the wood. While other electronics were available then, the most common was 2 humbuckers, 1 volume, 1 tone, 3-way switch. As my guitar was bought 2nd hand, the pickups weren't the original ones, it has Kent Armstrong PAF types. The finish (a little worn-looking on this used one) is white which has yellowed a lot, Hamer still used nitro finish on this one.

This is a great rock guitar, I do not play much clean sounds on this guitar. I do not use the neck humbucker a lot on this one (maybe I'll switch to a Gibson P-94 on this, as I prefer a single coil in the neck position), This guitar's trength are the mids, though it has nice bass and treble response too. I use it mostly for rhythm playing (it has a meatier neck profile than my other Hamers).

As I said, this guitar still has a nitro finish, it has some finish cracks due to it's age. But that doesn't really matter, it is a well-used guitar. If there is one thing that I don't like that much is that the guitar isn't well balanced (not really neck-heavy, but always facing downwards, if you know what I mean), may be just my opinion though.

Sure this guitar can withstand live playing. Though the finish looks a little worn it is no reason to complain here. I switched to Dimarzio straps with cliplocks, as the guitar is heavy (not that one can't take it, but heavier than other guitars). Hamer builds guitars well enough, but one generally shouldn't use Floyd Rose-equipped guitars without backup (though I played mine often enough without backup)

had no problems with it (or my other Hamers)

Firebird fans look out, this is not your daddy's Firebird. Of course this doesn't sound like a Gibson FB. It is really just the same body shape, but this guitar rocks, and it has a nice sustain (no wonder with that big body). The case is really big in it's dimensions. While I use it now as my backup guitar (I like the firebird shape), one might use it as main guitar, as this one can deliver all the sounds you also can get from a Gibson SG, Explorer, Flyng V a. o., plus it has a Floyd Rose (might be more fitting to the metal-type music players). Very playable and nice-looking guitar, a rare bird though.