Hamer Cruise 5 string fretless??

[Producer Chris]

Trying to find out more about this bass. Any Hamer or bass expert who could help me out? I'm not a bass player, only a producer who knows nothing
I think it's a 1995 Cruise but I'm not sure. Serial 54xxxx

 

[gwangi]

WOW!!!! That's nice, CONGRATS!!!!

 

[KB5]

Sweet Cruise. I had a set neck cruise 4 that was a dog but it was an anomaly. Hamer makes some excellent instruments. What's the string spacing on that?

 

[JTE]

It's a second series Cruise bass (the first series had a set mahogany neck, PJ PUPs, made in the '80s) with the 2-Tek bridge. Wonderfully designed and executed Jazz bass. The best Jazzes I owned were two 4-string Cruise basses from this era, one with the 2-Tek, one with the Gotoh bridge. I traded the 2-Tek one for I don't recall why around 2001, and sold the Gotoh one post-divorce... and really really regret those two exchanges (the basses )

Alder body, three-piece laminated maple neck, Duncan Vintage PUPs, real quality pots, exceptional attention to detail. The only thing about the 5-string version I didn't like was the narrow string spacing.

 

[Producer Chris]

Thank you very much for your replies. My friend left the bass here in Sweden when he moved back to the States and now he asked me to help him selling it. But I'm not totally sure about year model and what they are worth on a second hand market. It's in mint condition. I've found others with the serial 54xxxx and the info about them said 1995.

 

[mindwell]

OH MY GOD. That is STUNNING.

 

[Dave Siff]

Holy moly that's killer!!

 

[CaseyL]

I think you will be very happy with the bass. I record an album in Dallas in the late nineties with the one pictured below (I still have it and love it). The engineer loved it; more than he did my '72 Fender Jazz and German Warwick 6-string Thumb. The bass I have sounds similar to yours: mine is a '96 with 2-Tek bridge. Anyway, gives a great growl when recording and sits well in the mix. Enjoy!!!

 

[nixdad]

Trying to find out more about this bass. Any Hamer or bass expert who could help me out? I'm not a bass player, only a producer who knows nothing
I think it's a 1995 Cruise but I'm not sure. Serial 54xxxx

I can't tell you anything about the serial #, but it would be a '95 or '96. The early series 2 Cruise Basses simply said "Hamer" on the headstock, as it wasn't until sometime after '95 when the "Cruise Bass" name decals were added I seem to recall.
We borrowed the string spacing from the MusicMan StingRay 5 (which was incredibly popular at the time,) and the asymmetrical neck profile idea was borrowed from Mike Tobias (which is why the neck feels so comfortable in your hand.)
That bass is gorgeous! Is the finish "Gold Top - Gold?" It's tough to tell from the photos, but I always loved that color.

It's a second series Cruise bass (the first series had a set mahogany neck, PJ PUPs, made in the '80s) with the 2-Tek bridge. Wonderfully designed and executed Jazz bass. The best Jazzes I owned were two 4-string Cruise basses from this era, one with the 2-Tek, one with the Gotoh bridge. I traded the 2-Tek one for I don't recall why around 2001, and sold the Gotoh one post-divorce... and really really regret those two exchanges (the basses )

Alder body, three-piece laminated maple neck, Duncan Vintage PUPs, real quality pots, exceptional attention to detail. The only thing about the 5-string version I didn't like was the narrow string spacing.

Yep, the crew at Hamer were fantastic. Incredible instruments all the way around which were never given the recognition they deserved.

I think you will be very happy with the bass. I record an album in Dallas in the late nineties with the one pictured below (I still have it and love it). The engineer loved it; more than he did my '72 Fender Jazz and German Warwick 6-string Thumb. The bass I have sounds similar to yours: mine is a '96 with 2-Tek bridge. Anyway, gives a great growl when recording and sits well in the mix. Enjoy!!!
View attachment 3839778

That, sir, is stunning. Yours is a lined fretless, correct? I think we had them made both ways.

 

[spufman]

The leading 5 would mean a '95, yes. Hamers are awesome, from wood selection and craftsmanship, right down to the impeccable wiring. Check out 'The Ultimate' book by Matthes, for the full Hamer history.

 

[nixdad]

The leading 5 would mean a '95, yes. Hamers are awesome, from wood selection and craftsmanship, right down to the impeccable wiring. Check out 'The Ultimate' book by Matthes, for the full Hamer history.

@spufman - what is the range of history covered in the book? Are the mid-90’s included?

 

[CaseyL]

I can't tell you anything about the serial #, but it would be a '95 or '96. The early series 2 Cruise Basses simply said "Hamer" on the headstock, as it wasn't until sometime after '95 when the "Cruise Bass" name decals were added I seem to recall.
We borrowed the string spacing from the MusicMan StingRay 5 (which was incredibly popular at the time,) and the asymmetrical neck profile idea was borrowed from Mike Tobias (which is why the neck feels so comfortable in your hand.)
That bass is gorgeous! Is the finish "Gold Top - Gold?" It's tough to tell from the photos, but I always loved that color.


Yep, the crew at Hamer were fantastic. Incredible instruments all the way around which were never given the recognition they deserved.


That, sir, is stunning. Yours is a lined fretless, correct? I think we had them made both ways.

Yes, it is lined on an ebony fingerboard, 34” scale. The bass gives you all the Mwah you could want.

 

[nixdad]

Yes, it is lined on an ebony fingerboard, 34” scale. The bass gives you all the Mwah you could want.

Nice, and thanks for confirming. Mwah was the goal, and it sounds like mwah was achieved.

 

[spufman]

The book covers start to finish, including the nineties. My guitars are a '95 Eclipse and an '05 Artist Korina, both fantastic. I regret not picking up a 1st gen Cruise last year, fairly local. No compromises in any Hamer.

 

[nixdad]

The book covers start to finish, including the nineties. My guitars are a '95 Eclipse and an '05 Artist Korina, both fantastic. I regret not picking up a 1st gen Cruise last year, fairly local. No compromises in any Hamer.

I appreciate the info, @spufman - I'll need to get myself a copy.
What color is your eclipse? The trans orange was my favorite for that model, which I always loved - especially the 12-string version.
I'll bet your Artist Korina is a stunner.

 

[spufman]

Ha, mine is vintage orange! It wears Antiquity mini hums, now. Artist is jazzburst, amazing guitar, that one.

 

[Kitsapbass]

The little Mom&Pop music store by me has one of those first series of Cruise basses. Should’ve jumped on it lol.

 

[India_Sierra]

Nice piece. Hamer guitars are very underrated. The Californian model guitars are one of the best shred/fusion guitars ever made, easily up there with the best of Japanese Ibanez, Jackson, Charvel etc.

 

[nixdad]

Ha, mine is vintage orange! It wears Antiquity mini hums, now. Artist is jazzburst, amazing guitar, that one.

Love the orange! Would love to see a picture of both (PM me if you wish.)

The little Mom&Pop music store by me has one of those first series of Cruise basses. Should’ve jumped on it lol.

Nate - yep, they’re still out there. Cool Basses!

Nice piece. Hamer guitars are very underrated. The Californian model guitars are one of the best shred/fusion guitars ever made, easily up there with the best of Japanese Ibanez, Jackson, Charvel etc.

+1. I always like the Californian.

 

[spufman]

Love the orange! Would love to see a picture of both

Here ya go, Hamers are pretty sweet.