I think the low used prices of the 2tek Cruises speak to the real popularity of those basses. They're great basses and they should be worth more, but there's no shortage of good used models that sell for very little, which I think illustrates the supply/demand of Jazz style basses.
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Hamer USA: bass design input request
- Thread starter hasbeen
- Start date
- Sep 23, 2004
- 4,806
- 2,667
- Disclosures
- Executive Vice President, The Adam Hall Group
- Sep 23, 2004
- 4,806
- 2,667
- Disclosures
- Executive Vice President, The Adam Hall Group
bongomania
Commercial User
It was sarcasm directed at lonote.
I'm glad to hear you don't agree. From an insider's standpoint, is there any possibility this new bass design could list for under $3K? Or even $2K?
OK here's my 2 cents.
1. make a great bass with little compromise in quality in it's design point. You reference Sadowsky covering the J bass clones - this means that the company should be aware that a Sad has a market value of $3K and has a great market share in that range.
2. Start with what you have already. this will keep R&D down or at least tooling, materials stock, etc. All contributing to a profit margin or cost savings that the company can afford.
3. find a few respected touring bassists that have a history with Hamer and get their feedback to.
My suggestion:
Well with lakland ditching the Darkstar - you COULD jump back with a short scale Darkstar Newport and Studio.
I think a real niche item - but a solid seller would be a rival to Lakland's Hollowbody.
Your Newport looks like a great platform for a hollowbody bass. Shortscale would make the balance work AND differentiate it.
I think a true large size short scale hollowbody Newport with some of hamer design pickup (ala darkstar, lakland chisonic) and the option for a 4 or 8 string model would be a great offering as a primary bass or a fantastic secondary or studio bass.
Justin Medal-Johnson lists a hollowbody in his "must-haves" for today's bass session work.
then again - revamping the Cruise bass line would be a homerun with the current market. i say do both, who cares is Sadowsky, lakland, fender, Lull, Nordstrand, Aleva-coppola all have successful Jazz similars.
Hamer already has vintage vibe and brand identity in this area.
That maybe enough to shake up a little more market share.
my $.02
1. make a great bass with little compromise in quality in it's design point. You reference Sadowsky covering the J bass clones - this means that the company should be aware that a Sad has a market value of $3K and has a great market share in that range.
2. Start with what you have already. this will keep R&D down or at least tooling, materials stock, etc. All contributing to a profit margin or cost savings that the company can afford.
3. find a few respected touring bassists that have a history with Hamer and get their feedback to.
My suggestion:
Well with lakland ditching the Darkstar - you COULD jump back with a short scale Darkstar Newport and Studio.
I think a real niche item - but a solid seller would be a rival to Lakland's Hollowbody.
Your Newport looks like a great platform for a hollowbody bass. Shortscale would make the balance work AND differentiate it.
I think a true large size short scale hollowbody Newport with some of hamer design pickup (ala darkstar, lakland chisonic) and the option for a 4 or 8 string model would be a great offering as a primary bass or a fantastic secondary or studio bass.
Justin Medal-Johnson lists a hollowbody in his "must-haves" for today's bass session work.
then again - revamping the Cruise bass line would be a homerun with the current market. i say do both, who cares is Sadowsky, lakland, fender, Lull, Nordstrand, Aleva-coppola all have successful Jazz similars.
Hamer already has vintage vibe and brand identity in this area.
That maybe enough to shake up a little more market share.
my $.02
- Nov 14, 2003
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- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Aguilar Amplification, Sadowsky, D.Markley, Spector
Honestly, what would it take to get the Hamer Blitz brought back? That would be amazing. The 12 string with the onboard mixer is cool, but even Tom never used that feature, so lets get something that we will actually use. Blitz! Straight up original and as authentic to 1984 as you can make it.
- Sep 23, 2004
- 4,806
- 2,667
- Disclosures
- Executive Vice President, The Adam Hall Group
It was sarcasm directed at lonote.
ah....sorry. Price: I'm afraid I really don't know until basic design elements and unit projections are complete. To be honest though.....under $2k...I don't see as possible.
I skimmed so it may have been said, but can you just basically make the Monaco more ergonomic? Gibson doesn't offer the right options on the LP bass and this would be a great spot to fill a hole in the market.
This,
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But with thicker strings.
Seriously though, there aren't a lot of options for a reversed p with a j pup, it might be a good idea to incorporate that in.
Invalid Link Removed
But with thicker strings.
Seriously though, there aren't a lot of options for a reversed p with a j pup, it might be a good idea to incorporate that in.
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
- 4,741
- Disclosures
- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
Some of the nicest sort of J clones that i have experienced were the old 1980s Yamaha BB3000s Alnico SC J pickups with the blade Pole pieces.. very focused and open sounding.. I bet a pair would be nice.. PRS sort of copped the old Yamaha thing with one of their new basses but not quite the same thing . IMO.
Actually my Yamaha bb3000s is the best feeling bass that i own to this day... Even after playing , touring and gigging over 25 years the neck is still dead on straight as an arrow and smooth as silk in a mix. Boy they nailed it on that one... its about 8 pounds..
That is another wish list to add. Lightweight Alder or whatever.. I find the medium weight to lightweight basses speak better in a a mix...
Actually my Yamaha bb3000s is the best feeling bass that i own to this day... Even after playing , touring and gigging over 25 years the neck is still dead on straight as an arrow and smooth as silk in a mix. Boy they nailed it on that one... its about 8 pounds..
That is another wish list to add. Lightweight Alder or whatever.. I find the medium weight to lightweight basses speak better in a a mix...
well yeah... whether you are shopping for a bass, or running an instrument company.
Bring back the Cruise!
I loved mine, and sold it only because it ended up too heavy for me. It was a Fender-beater if there ever was one.
The necks on the Cruises were some of the best I've played - outstandingly comfy (bolt on). I think they had an asymmetrical contour.
Essentially, if you wanted it to be a hit I would suggest:
1. Go for brilliant colours - the blue they used for the Cruise was absolutely gorgeous. Other similar metallic finishes would do well.
2. Hipshot Ultralight Tuners (avoid neck dive)
3. Aluminium bridge - Hipshot B or A style - sound like Fender bridges but quicker string changeovers
4. 21 frets ('vintage' size)
5. Block inlays - just because.
6. Passive JJ pickups - single coils, V/V/T
7. alder body - downsized if possible from typical Jazz size (Think Lakland DJ), upper horn reaching to 12th fret or just beyond to 11th to maintain balance
8. keep the weight consistently below 9 lbs
9. Sort upper fret access - slightly more tapered lower horn and sculpted neck heel. Even going same as what was on the original Cruise would be an improvement over Fender...
There you go. Very specific! The re-issue Cruise as a Fender killer...
I loved mine, and sold it only because it ended up too heavy for me. It was a Fender-beater if there ever was one.
The necks on the Cruises were some of the best I've played - outstandingly comfy (bolt on). I think they had an asymmetrical contour.
Essentially, if you wanted it to be a hit I would suggest:
1. Go for brilliant colours - the blue they used for the Cruise was absolutely gorgeous. Other similar metallic finishes would do well.
2. Hipshot Ultralight Tuners (avoid neck dive)
3. Aluminium bridge - Hipshot B or A style - sound like Fender bridges but quicker string changeovers
4. 21 frets ('vintage' size)
5. Block inlays - just because.
6. Passive JJ pickups - single coils, V/V/T
7. alder body - downsized if possible from typical Jazz size (Think Lakland DJ), upper horn reaching to 12th fret or just beyond to 11th to maintain balance
8. keep the weight consistently below 9 lbs
9. Sort upper fret access - slightly more tapered lower horn and sculpted neck heel. Even going same as what was on the original Cruise would be an improvement over Fender...
There you go. Very specific! The re-issue Cruise as a Fender killer...
Er, the used prices on the 2tek Cruises has been rising. At least when I've been seeing them over the years...
how about a bass version of the Echotone Guitar
Hollow Body
Bound Front and Back, Bound F Holes, Bound Neck, Block Inlays
Raised Pickguard
Neck and Bridge Humbuckers, with a Volume for each
Rosewood Fretboard
Hollow Body
Bound Front and Back, Bound F Holes, Bound Neck, Block Inlays
Raised Pickguard
Neck and Bridge Humbuckers, with a Volume for each
Rosewood Fretboard
bongomania
Commercial User
Shame that this string would end with Fender shutting down Hamer production.
But the last build out the door turned out to be as the first Hamer built was....a bass. Rather ironic but fitting.
But the last build out the door turned out to be as the first Hamer built was....a bass. Rather ironic but fitting.
