Hamer Monaco

it's not so much that this is loaded w/ features, but it has just what i wanted: roller bridge to go w/ bigsby, tuners are non-locking but it stays in tune better than any bigsby i've used, rosewood neck; spruce top; don't know exactly the pups (bought on ebay).

the sound of this guitar is awesome--very distinct no matter what you play through (i have a hellhound, vintage fender tremolux, vintage ampeg reverborocket), including vox tonelab and pod. i use it for blues, rock and some jazz. it's got a very sweet, musical tone that retains it's character no matter how raunchy you get.

the action on this guitar is perfect for me (had it set up w/ d'addario elevens)--i bend a lot, and usually break tons of strings (i play w/ pretty thick thumbpics), but have not broken many w/ the monaco. it feels like the guitar just carries you along, yet there's substance to it. only complaint w/ original setup was bigsby too loose--you'd bend it down to the wood and it wouldn't even drop a halfnote, but that was pretty easy to adjust

this guitar can definitely take live performing w/out a problem--everything is extremely well made and solid. i would never gig w/out a backup if possible--i break too many strings;.

ive been playing for over 30 years, got over a dozen guitars, three of them vintage (earliest model ovation acoustic, 67 casino, mid-seventies telecaster deluxe) and this guitar stands up to anything i've ever played. its playability and tone are both fabulous, plus it's gorgeous looking. if i lost it, i'd look for another used one (they list pretty high, and the monaco 3 goes for 2800 or so at musicians friend), even if it meant having to sell another guitar to come up with the $$

Aside from an ebony fingerboard, my Monaco has everything I wanted for this instrument selection. It has the pickup switch on the top, near the neck where I prefer it - my main gripe about most Hamers is the the switch is too far back, down low behind the bridge. A Bigsby is important to my style (a blend of rockabilly and British-influenced electric blues/rock). Probably would have rather had an endmount, hinged Bigsby, but the surface mount unit works just fine.

I prefer a crisp-edged, bound fingerboard, and this guitar suits me perfectly there. Nice touches like inlaid logo, nice headstock laminate, etc. Carved one-piece mahogany back with hand-carved spruce top cap, red transparent stain - Flame lovers will hate it, but the tone is great and for me it's a beautiful instrument to play, not a piece of art to just look at. Hamer: Why did you use a black nut when all the binding is ivoroid?

I paid $1200 for this one (new demo unit). What a steal! Musician's Friend just started carrying them - at $2500, discounted from about $3600 retail.

The sound is great with the semi-hollow body and spruce top. I believe it has Seth Lovers, but not positive - they could be Duncan's (this was an eBay purchase, it was a music store demo). Sound is a bit woodier than the Hamer Artists, and is perfect with my style - I can grind my TopHat amps for sustain and still have a distinctive voice to the guitar - people always comment on how great the tone is (I'm a hack - the tone is mostly the guitar!) I have a dozen nice guitars, and this one sounds best to me.

USA Hamers (don't confuse with the imported ones) are the best value out there. Construction is noticeably superior to similar Gibsons and (Ptui!) PRS's. Great precision hand workmanship on the carved tops, bindings, inlays, etc. and this guitar has virtually NO electrical hum. Tunes well, and action is superb. Something like 14 coats of handrubbed lacquer is the most beautiful production finish I've seen in recent years. Orange peel? Ripples? Forget it. Just wish they'ed have used an ebony blank.

It's durable as a tank. I have no doubt it would tolerate years of constant road use. Great hardware, comes with strap locks, no corners cut in materials. Don't know what else to say - it's definitely a pro intstrument.

Sent them an email once with a question on my Korina Artist I used to have - an actual human being responded the very next day. Don't expect I'll need any real support with this guitar, but I think they'll be there if I need them. As far as I know, it's lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship to original purchaser, but check the website to be sure.

40-year player, all guitars are humbuckers but one USA Strat. Use mostly TopHats, Bogner Metropolis, Soldano HR50, and a Burriss custom, all with Celestions. The Monaco exceded almost every expectation. I've bought and sold probably 40 guitars on eBay - this one was the most satisfying. If my entire collection were stolen, I'd replace my Monaco first. I like all my guitars, but when I really want to play, I pick up the Monaco. Comparison? About the size of an ES-336, probably more like a Johnny A in features, adornment and playing feel.

Red 2002 USA Monaco. Thick hand carved spruce top with f-holes and Bigsby. Duncan Custom and Custom Custom pickups. 25.5 inch scale Hamer 3-piece neck with ivoroid binding. Check the website for more details.

I use the Monaco for jazz and it works great. Usually neck pickup through a clean 70s Boogie and few effects. Great warm yet defined tone. It doesn't have the maple-top snap of my Hamer Studio, but I did not want that with this guitar. The Monaco has a fuller tone and a more dynamic response. I love the Hamer volume pot taper; I don't use the bridge pickup with a clean sound, but occasionally I use the middle position and blend the pickups. I haven't tried the Monaco through my Marshall, but I never intended it to be a loud rock guitar. I don't think this a particularly versatile guitar; the Monaco has a very strong personality, which is exactly what I was looking for.

Hamer is one of the top builders out there and definitely the best for the money. The Monaco is beautifully designed and built. The binding over the fret ends is a bit sharp but not uncomfortable. The action was easy to dial in and stable once the guitar got used to its new environment. (It came from North Dakota to North Carlina.) The Bigsby is not the easiest thing to get used to (especially when restringing) but it looks cool and can add a nice shimmer to chords.

This is my second Hamer and both are solid quality guitars. In fact, I bought the Monaco on eBay without having played it because I knew I could rely on Hamer quality.

Don't really know. They have been helpful and quick to respond to a few email questions.

I am an experienced player with a long list of gear. Hamer has always impressed me with their guitars and if you buy a used one, they are incredible values. I would love to be able to buy an old L5 or even a 335, but I don't think they are worth the prices I see. I don't see too many of the spruce top Monacos but there are lots of Elites and SuperPros around. (Not the same guitar by any means, but cool guitars anyways.) Buy Hamers!