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80's Hamer Cruise Bass

higain617

higain617

Sep 12, 2013
3,473
3,877
WA
#1
I was thinking about looking for one of these (white with pickguard). Has anyone owned one? I've read the necks have a jazz profile, but are set like Gibsons. The pickups are DiMarzio and the hardware is supposedly Schaller. I guess I'm looking for opinions on tone and playability. Many years ago, I owned its guitar counterpart, the Phantom.

Also, anyone got a lead on one? There's a beat up one on eBay for $900, which seems a bit high.
 
#2
I had a white one made in 8 think 84. I thought it played great. True about the neck size. If I remember right, it's a set neck. Not sure about the Gibson. I know zip about Gibson's. Played great, and don't remember having any complaints about the tone, but it's been some years, so can't remember what the tone was actually like.
 
#3
NIce basses. Never owned one but played a few back in the days. I'm not all that certain that these were DiMarzio-powered, though, but I may very well be wrong, it's been quite a while...

As for the prices, this one doesn't seem trashed and it's been sitting for at least a year that I'm aware of:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Happy shopping.
 
#4
This was a terrific bass, one of those I missed and have vanished into the sands of time. These were back when Hamer was still Hamer, fine, cutting-edge instruments, and not the conglomerate-owned faceless brand name that's out there now. A damn shame that this bass never found its' footing in the market to any large degree.

The great thing about these is all of the hardware is still available if you want to freshen it up, and with a P and a J rout, there's a zillion replacement pickup choices should you decide to that as well. Mahogany body and maple neck if I remember correctly, so a very useful wood combo, and less maintenance with a glue neck.
 
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#5
As with all US Hamers, they are excellent instruments, crafted with great care and attention. Depending on the year, pickups will be Dimarzio and/or OBL. There was a beauty on a not-far-from-me craigslist a few months ago and I still kinda regret not picking it up. I’m stuck on my Lakland, so... Also, there were a couple recently listed on the Hamer Fan Club forum.

The Ultimate Hamer book is great if you’re into Hamers (as I have been since the 70s).
 
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#6
ajkula66 said:
NIce basses. Never owned one but played a few back in the days. I'm not all that certain that these were DiMarzio-powered, though, but I may very well be wrong, it's been quite a while...

As for the prices, this one doesn't seem trashed and it's been sitting for at least a year that I'm aware of:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Happy shopping.
Click to expand...

I did see that one, but I'm more wanting an earlier model with pickguard and matched headstock. I really like the look of the one on eBay, but not for that price. There were a couple on here 1-2 years ago in the $400 range.
 
#14
US Hamers have always been great basses! The 80's were Hamer's era and they were building some top notch instruments.
If it was in good shape I'd pay $900, but not nearly as much in "beat up" shape.
 
#15
I have owned either 2 or 3 Hamer Cruise basses in my career. All were well-made and performed admirably. Jazz neck profile seems accurate to my memory. Also, as I recall, at least one had Gotoh tuners and bridge as stock equipment. The others had 2tek bridges, which were a factory option on some Cruise basses. The 2tek bridge is a large machined aluminum bridge that sits in a routed portion of the body itself. It was great for sustain, but added a pound or more to the overall weight of the bass. If you gig 3-4 sets a night, you should find out which bridge the bass has before you put your money down. My 2 cents...
 
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#18
I had one of these and it was a freaking magnificent monster. Playability was outstanding, and the sound...wow. A beast. Articulate, but high output and not subtle.

Probably one of the top 10 4-strings I ever played, and in 30+ years of playing I’ve played a lot of basses. I only sold it because I almost never play 4s anymore, and I have another 4 I like even better.

Market value really isn’t $900. So from that perspective it’s not a good deal. But as just a bass, based on playability and sound, mine was on par with almost anything out there IMO. Value is subjective. But I think you can get one for less if you’re willing to wait.
 
#19
Hamer started out making guitars & basses in suburban Chicago. Many consider them to be the original "boutique" brand. They gained a lot of attention when the guys from CHEAP TRICK started using them. eventually they were bought out by the makers of ovation guitars and production moved to Connecticut and then from there to (sigh) Asia where they became an entry level brand. A damn shame. I had a black fretless USA one for a while with the 2-tek bridge. It was a great jazz style bass but maybe the heaviest bass I've ever owned which is why I eventually got rid of it.
 

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