Hamer Newport Pro Custom

Just a quick update. There is a boost on the volume control between 9 and 10 that is outstanding for going into or coming out of a solo. Getting used to just one volume and one tone control was a real learning curve. Neck shape is outstanding, but to keep the guitar in balance a wide strap is very necessary. This guitar is so tight everywhere it's uncanny workmanship. It's very slightly neck heavy (not like an SG), but a wide strap compensates.

I found that playing on the neck pup alone provides a very strong resonance that thins out quite substantially when both pups are engaged. The neck pup is best for rhythm, especially for big chords like 7ths with 7th tone added, and when 9-10 boost is used, the leads in high register are thicker and have more sustain on neck pup alone than both pups or bridge pup alone. This is strictly for jazz and blues, when playing through a clean blackface amp. When using a higher gain amp, both pups and bridge alone are better and clearer. The Seth Lover PAF pups have a great range of tone, but to utilize all of the tones available one needs two amps or a 2 channel amp. If anything, I appreciate it more now than 2 months ago.

Comes with Dunlop strap buttons installed, so a strap without locks fits tightly. Schaller tuners are outstanding. Really stays in tune, nut was really cut well.

New. Transparent red, Seth Lover unpotted HB pups, gold hardware, one volume one tone control 3 way switch, TOM bridge, HSC, bound ebony fretboard, crown inlays, double body binding, gold art deco tailpiece, semi-hollow, twin F holes, neck similar to Gibson ES-339, not too thin not too fat, TOM bridge. Easily seen at Hamer website. Made from solid piece of wood like Gibson CS-356, with spruce top. Minus 1 pt for 1 volume 1 tone control. Bought it from Boutique Guitar Exchange in Atlanta mail order and it came in perfect.

I'm an old Chicago blues player, so semi hollows are my style, with Fender blackface sounding amps, 6V6 or 6L6 tubes, reverb and tremolo on 3. In comparison with my Gibson ES-339 (similar to ES-335 but smaller), Hamer is brighter toned. They are same size, both smaller than 335. For instance, I would have to use bridge pickup only on 339 to get same general tone on Hamer with both pickups. Seth Lover pups are very similar to Gibson '57 Classics, both are PAF style Alnico 2's. If anything the Seth's have more depth when playing leads in high register, and Hamer definitely wins on sustain. 339 wins when playing rhythm for hollow tones. Beautiful sounding and playing axe, easily manageable at 7 lbs., and ebony fretboard feels like glass. I did not experience any pup feedback whatsoever, nor any noise. I liked everything and disliked nothing. This could also be a great jazz guitar, or rock and roll.

I sold a red Gibson ES-345 (Varitone) RI to buy this. A comparable in size and upgraded Gibson ES-359 or CS-356 would have cost around $3500, and I paid $2,000 for this with crown inlays, binding, etc. My Gibson ES-345 was top quality ($3,000), but my red ES-339 ($1600) has an ugly poorly finished fretboard, needed a new bone nut to stay in tune, and Memphis Tone Pots didn't work right so I had to put in vintage 335 new pots and caps in a new guitar. (Still worth playing). It's been a long time since I saw this fine a quality in a Gibson under $3,000. Headstock is even bound. Plus the front strap button is on the upper horn like a PRS or Fender, not uncomfortably on the back like Gibson. Has a bone nut. Can't say I ever saw any new guitar with any better fit and finish. Action is what you'd expect, perfect. No flaws anywhere.

Yes. Bluesmen don't beat guitars up. A string can be changed in a minute.

Haven't needed any, but Hamer has as good a rep as anyone else who makes this quality guitar by hand in USA.

I have an Epi Sheraton II and an SG-400, and a Heritage H-157 LP, as well as the 339. I play through a Fargen Blackbird head and cab, Fuchs Blackjack 21, and Fender Princeton Reverb RI. Playing 53 years. This is the best guitar for the $ made today. It has quality, tone, looks, and is well designed for what it does. I have always liked humbuckers, rosewood/ebony fretboards, block inlays, and semi hollows. This guitar has its own sound, not like anything else, and that's part of its beauty.

New. Transparent red, Seth Lover unpotted HB pups, gold hardware, one volume one tone control 3 way switch, TOM bridge, HSC, bound ebony fretboard, crown inlays, double body binding, gold art deco tailpiece, semi-hollow, twin F holes, neck similar to Gibson ES-339, not too thin not too fat, TOM bridge. Easily seen at Hamer website. Made from solid piece of wood like Gibson CS-356, with spruce top. Minus 1 pt for 1 volume 1 tone control. Bought it from Boutique Guitar Exchange in Atlanta mail order and it came in perfect.

I'm an old Chicago blues player, so semi hollows are my style, with Fender blackface sounding amps, 6V6 or 6L6 tubes, reverb and tremolo on 3. In comparison with my Gibson ES-339 (similar to ES-335 but smaller), Hamer is brighter toned. They are same size, both smaller than 335. For instance, I would have to use bridge pickup only on 339 to get same general tone on Hamer with both pickups. Seth Lover pups are very similar to Gibson '57 Classics, both are PAF style Alnico 2's. If anything the Seth's have more depth when playing leads in high register, and Hamer definitely wins on sustain. 339 wins when playing rhythm for hollow tones. Beautiful sounding and playing axe, easily manageable at 7 lbs., and ebony fretboard feels like glass. I did not experience any pup feedback whatsoever, nor any noise. I liked everything and disliked nothing. This could also be a great jazz guitar, or rock and roll.

I sold a red Gibson ES-345 (Varitone) RI to buy this. A comparable in size and upgraded Gibson ES-359 or CS-356 would have cost around $3500, and I paid $2,000 for this with crown inlays, binding, etc. My Gibson ES-345 was top quality ($3,000), but my red ES-339 ($1600) has an ugly poorly finished fretboard, needed a new bone nut to stay in tune, and Memphis Tone Pots didn't work right so I had to put in vintage 335 new pots and caps in a new guitar. (Still worth playing). It's been a long time since I saw this fine a quality in a Gibson under $3,000. Headstock is even bound. Plus the front strap button is on the upper horn like a PRS or Fender, not uncomfortably on the back like Gibson. Has a bone nut. Can't say I ever saw any new guitar with any better fit and finish. Action is what you'd expect, perfect. No flaws anywhere.

Yes. Bluesmen don't beat guitars up. A string can be changed in a minute.

Haven't needed any, but Hamer has as good a rep as anyone else who makes this quality guitar by hand in USA.

I have an Epi Sheraton II and an SG-400, and a Heritage H-157 LP, as well as the 339. I play through a Fargen Blackbird head and cab, Fuchs Blackjack 21, and Fender Princeton Reverb RI. Playing 53 years. This is the best guitar for the $ made today. It has quality, tone, looks, and is well designed for what it does. I have always liked humbuckers, rosewood/ebony fretboards, block inlays, and semi hollows. This guitar has its own sound, not like anything else, and that's part of its beauty.

This is a USA made Newport Pro Custom, made in 2004. It differs from the Newport Pro in a number of areas; "Victory" pearl block inlays, gold hardware, Grover Imperial tuning keys, and a very cool art deco-ish trapeze tailpiece. The only finish available is a deep red red. The binding is a gorgeous cream color and the back and sides are a transparent red. The top is solid carved spruce and the body is carved from a solid piece of mahogany, much like the Gibson 336/356 models. It is described as a hollow body since it technically doesn't have a center block. However the block that the bridge attaches to is rather substantial, so I would call it something between a semi-hollow and a hollow body. There is a single volume control and a single tone control plus a three way toggle switch. Pickups are Seymour Duncan Seth Lovers. The neck is medium size with a profile somewhat like a 59 Les Paul. The fit and finish on this guitar are superb. I would prefer separate volumes for the pickups, which Hamer does do on some of their other dual humbucker guitars, which is the setup on my Hamer Studio and Monaco Elite.

The sound is incredibly open and rich. For my tastes, the Seth Lovers are a little too bright for this guitar. I changed them to Lindy Fralin's and prefer the balance. The original pickup setup was very nice, this is a purely subjective matter. I run it into a Savage Rohr 15. There is an incredible level of nuance and delicacy to the tone, although it can overdrive very nicely as well. It is not terribly prone to feedback, although it does feedback earlier than most solidbodies as well as my Gibson 336 (I know, it's a disease). Changing to the Fralin potted pickups helped this issue. I have other guitars I used for higher gain stuff, but this is gorgeous clean or just starting to break up.

I touched on some of this in my description. Beautifully made guitar that makes one appreciate the art of making these things. The nut was cut perfectly, frets are cut and dressed very well, really no criticisms to make. I am glad the guitar plays and sounds as well as it does because it is so elegant I would be compelled to make some excuse to keep it even if it didn't. I can't imagine a better job on a custom guitar, much less a production one.

Everything seems solid and there is no reason to antcipate a problem. Having said that, it is not intended to be a workhorse or hold up to abuse. The basic construction is not going to stand up to things that a tele would. It would also make you weep to see the thing damanged.

No experience, although I have heard good things. I own two other Hamers but have never had an issue that required contact.

I hesitate to list my equipment. I have about eighteen guitars, ranging from moderate, best buy types to custom built ones. A couple of my favorites are a Huss & Dalton MJC acoustic, a Heritage 575 and an Anderson Hollow Cobra with mini humbuckers. This is a very special guitar.