80's Hamer Cruise Bass

[bassclef112]

I had a USA model for a while and really liked it overall. It had the 2Tek bridge and the original owner had put Sadowsky pickups in it, but not the preamp.

My problem with it was this. The neck was 3 piece maple and it had a very apparent dead spot right in the middle of it. Multi-lam necks don't react predictably with a Fatfinger, which moved it to another undesirable spot.

Otherwise it was a very well made instrument. I am not familiar with the later models that had standard bridges.

 

[Iridescentone]

The mojo lovers ought to like this one on Reverb, but the seller seems a bit disingenuous with their statement that "The bridge has been upgraded to a Willkinson." Can't see how they figure a cheap Wilkinson bridge is an "upgrade" from the original Schaller roller bridge, which is one of the best bridges ever conceived. Red flag alert.

1984 Vintage Hamer Cruise 4 String Electric Jazz Bass Guitar - Aged White

 

[higain617]

@Templar I was wondering the same. How is that an upgrade other than making it look more like a Fender?

 

[ajkula66]

How is that an upgrade other than making it look more like a Fender?

It's not. Not in any conceivable way for anyone knowing anything about these basses. Not to mention the mismatch in pickup covers which would lead me to believe that at least one of the PUs was not on that bass when it left the factory back in '84.

But hey, it's a Reverb listing. Another one with a trashed, tired old instrument at three times the market price. The seller only needs one sucker...

If you think that that poor Cruise is a bad deal - which it undoubtedly is for everyone apart from the seller - come to the Gibson side of the street, and take a look at this:

GIBSON EB-0 - long scale - EB-4 1975 EBO

Some of the stuff that pops up on Reverb is truly what the nightmares are made out of.

Apologies for a thread derail...

 

[KB5]

I have one in candy apple red with a Kahler and EMG''s. It was never a favorite of mine. Maybe I should out it up for sale.

 

[dennis james]

GC has another one of these for the same price on their website right now, and it looks to be in much better condition.

 

[Iridescentone]

It's not. Not in any conceivable way for anyone knowing anything about these basses. Not to mention the mismatch in pickup covers which would lead me to believe that at least one of the PUs was not on that bass when it left the factory back in '84.

But hey, it's a Reverb listing. Another one with a trashed, tired old instrument at three times the market price. The seller only needs one sucker...

If you think that that poor Cruise is a bad deal - which it undoubtedly is for everyone apart from the seller - come to the Gibson side of the street, and take a look at this:

GIBSON EB-0 - long scale - EB-4 1975 EBO

Some of the stuff that pops up on Reverb is truly what the nightmares are made out of.

Apologies for a thread derail...

They mention that the pickups have been changed out on that old Cruise, and it's definitely priced high. The USA Hamers are nice basses for sure, and the early PJ Cruises are coveted by Hamer fans. I'd love one myself, almost pounced on one with a factory granite finish a few years ago. Too cool, but it was a little more than I wanted to pay at the time.

The USA JJ Cruise basses are also nice, and don't have to cost an arm and a leg, if patient. I never had a Hamer 'til I found this '95 Cruise on ebay for a steal. Turned out to be in excellent + condition, much nicer than it looked in the ebay pics. Surprisingly, I was the only bidder.

What a nice jazz bass, plays and sounds as nice as anything I've had. Stock Duncan singles, alder body, Gotoh bridge, 3-piece lam'd maple neck, Schaller M4 tuners. Weighs exactly 8 1/2 lbs. I strung it up with La Bella low tension flats, sweet sounding bass. How could I pass this up for $410 shipped?

 

[dennis james]

They mention that the pickups have been changed out on that old Cruise, and it's definitely priced high. The USA Hamers are nice basses for sure, and the early PJ Cruises are coveted by Hamer fans. I'd love one myself, almost pounced on one with a factory granite finish a few years ago. Too cool, but it was a little more than I wanted to pay at the time.

The USA JJ Cruise basses are also nice, and don't have to cost an arm and a leg, if patient. I never had a Hamer 'til I found this '95 Cruise on ebay for a steal. Turned out to be in excellent + condition, much nicer than it looked in the ebay pics. Surprisingly, I was the only bidder.

What a nice jazz bass, plays and sounds as nice as anything I've had. Stock Duncan singles, alder body, Gotoh bridge, 3-piece lam'd maple neck, Schaller M4 tuners. Weighs exactly 8 1/2 lbs. I strung it up with La Bella low tension flats, sweet sounding bass. How could I pass this up for $410 shipped?

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For $410 that was a steal.

 

[Bassblisters]

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.

The nut width on the necks could vary. My all-original 1982 with DiMarzio PuPs is 40mm. It weighs around 8lbs. It is one of my best basses at any price and took me years to find, alas, as I watched the prices creep up. I was lucky it came with an original case.

 

[p3nnst8r]

The mojo lovers ought to like this one on Reverb, but the seller seems a bit disingenuous with their statement that "The bridge has been upgraded to a Willkinson." Can't see how they figure a cheap Wilkinson bridge is an "upgrade" from the original Schaller roller bridge, which is one of the best bridges ever conceived. Red flag alert.

1984 Vintage Hamer Cruise 4 String Electric Jazz Bass Guitar - Aged White

View attachment 3155956

All,

Actually just literally bought this bass. Will report back on how terrible it is, but the patina is a beaut.