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Hamer USA: bass design input request

#43
mikezimmerman said:
The original 80's Cruise bass was not a Jazz Bass:
Click to expand...

Since I am _completely_ a dollar short and a day late on the original set neck mahogany Cruise basses and only now am gassing for one after they've been discontinued 15 or 20 years ago ... I'd like to see a reissue of the original issue Cruise basses come out. As an aside ... I recently just missed out on a $400 '82 Cruise bass on the Chicago Craig's List ... DAMN!!! I hadda killer 2-Tek Cruise in the 90's that I ended up getting rid of because it actually had too much sustain for me (being a blues player). Hamer makes great stuff, IMHO.

Since this thread seems to be frequented by knowledgeable Hamer employees and enthusiasts ... maybe I could get a few questions about the original 80's set neck Cruise basses answered ...

1. Are all the 80's set neck Cruise basses made completely of mahogany?

2. I've seen them with Badass, Schaller and "other" bridges ... did Hamer vary what bridge they used over the years or were some of them installed aftermarket?

3. I've seen them with DiMarzio, EMG and unknown (no markings) PJ pickups ... did Hamer vary what pickups they used over the years or were some of them installed aftermarket?

4. If Hamer did vary the bridge / pickups configurations (see 3 and 4 above) over the years, what is considered the quintessential bridge / pickups configuration?

Thanks!

Steve
 
#44
It's very possible that it's entirely mahogany.

For a while, Hamer used Schaller parts as their standard hardware, sometimes branded Hamer instead of Schaller.

Hamer made their own pickups for a while. They were based loosely on DiMarzio specs, I believe. And I think the Schaller roller bridge was pretty common. I've seen Cruise basses with them and my Blitz came with one. It's a rad bridge--they can go really low.
 
#45
LowB-ing said:
Not close at all as far as I'm concerned. It has no appeal for the "unplugged" crowd and quite limited appeal for the folk or jazz crowds (Would be cool for indie or blues though).

I think single cutaway and bigger body are essential. The whole point for me is that it is a semi acoustic that can be made to look really "acoustic" in a traditional way, when needed. The detachable pickup assembly means that you won't have to compromise, regardless if you want a typical acoustic or semi acoustic sound and look.
Click to expand...

I'd like to see it with a thicker, truly hollow body (although a supported center or center block is ok) and I agree- a single cutaway!

A natural or burst body (instead of white) would help as well. The detachable pickguard idea is definitely cool. Although, I feel that a surface mounted (instead of floating) pickup would sound better.

Great ideas, though!
 
#46
Yes, Natural finish would be the natural choice :D

Hopefully there would be more than one choice though. Personally I would go for a darkish stain that would have a look similar to an old upright or violin. Would look nice even on fairly plain pieces of wood without "coffeetable" figuring. A subtle burst would be my third choice. Then black. Personally I'd never want a white bass, but surprisingly large number of people do, so that could the final colour option if I where to call the shots :p

scotch said:
I'd like to see it with a thicker, truly hollow body (although a supported center or center block is ok) and I agree- a single cutaway!

A natural or burst body (instead of white) would help as well. The detachable pickguard idea is definitely cool. Although, I feel that a surface mounted (instead of floating) pickup would sound better.

Great ideas, though!
Click to expand...
 
#47
LowB-ing said:
Yes, Natural finish would be the natural choice :D

Hopefully there would be more than one choice though. Personally I would go for a darkish stain that would have a look similar to an old upright or violin. Would look nice even on fairly plain pieces of wood without "coffeetable" figuring. A subtle burst would be my third choice. Then black. Personally I'd never want a white bass, but surprisingly large number of people do, so that could the final colour option if I where to call the shots :p
Click to expand...

Tobacco or cherry burst kinda thing?
 
#48
I'm on the fringe, not actively into bass hunting, but when I hear "Hamer" I think big hair metal. It would take a lot for me to be interested in a bass with this brand name because of this connotation. If it had a sweet body shape, I'd pick it up and give it a try (though only if my current bass was stolen, since I'm not in the market.)
 
#52
OtterOnBass said:
I'm on the fringe, not actively into bass hunting, but when I hear "Hamer" I think big hair metal. It would take a lot for me to be interested in a bass with this brand name because of this connotation. If it had a sweet body shape, I'd pick it up and give it a try (though only if my current bass was stolen, since I'm not in the market.)
Click to expand...

You should check out their web site. Their guitars are amazing and don't really reflect that time period any more.
 
#53
I'm probably in a very small minority, but I would like to see them make a bass based on the Special model. Specifically, one of their best guitars was the Special K. An all-korina bass with Phat Cats would be incredible. Here's a photo - love the fingerboard binding with dots. Their wood selection is what really separates Hamer. Korina is so lightweight but very resonant. Please make this into a bass.:)

specialk_detail1_lg.jpg
 
#54
Royce Hayes said:
You should check out their web site. Their guitars are amazing and don't really reflect that time period any more.
Click to expand...

agreed. Even the Hamer's "metal" era was high profile, it was a short period in the history of the company. Even Paul Reed Smith said that Hamer was his initial inspiration....because of the whole set-neck, carved top thing.
 
#55
When I look around at the bass offerings, there is one thing missing that I'd really like. I had a couple of Kubicki Ex-Factors that sounded and played amazing, but I couldn't be seen playing them. Too "space age". I've always wanted a wolf in sheep's clothing Ex Factor, without the D extender. I think the keys are 32" scale, super stiff neck, ebony board, and those killer pickups and preamp. Its the kind of bass you can plug into anything and the sound is there. Done. No tweaking or processing needed. No dead spots. Alive and perfect.

That kind of performance on a cool hamer-guitar-looking platform would be pretty cool.

The other thing I thought of was some kind of gibson type short scale but have it really work. 30 or 32" scale with killer tone, great intonation, and sonic versatility.

Or just reintroduce the Chapperal variant that had a P pickup and an EMG 35 in the bridge position. Those sounded amazing.
 
#56
pickles said:
The other thing I thought of was some kind of gibson type short scale but have it really work. 30 or 32" scale with killer tone, great intonation, and sonic versatility.
Click to expand...

This is the best idea yet. Hamer's current line of guitars is very reminiscent of the classic Gibsons, so this would be a very natural direction to head in. Something like an SG-style short scale but with Hamer's attention to detail, workmanship, and materials (korina).

Also, Hamer's finishes, particularly their bursts are some of the best around. Keep us posted about which direction they choose.
 
#57
pickles said:
When I look around at the bass offerings, there is one thing missing that I'd really like. I had a couple of Kubicki Ex-Factors that sounded and played amazing, but I couldn't be seen playing them. Too "space age". I've always wanted a wolf in sheep's clothing Ex Factor, without the D extender. I think the keys are 32" scale, super stiff neck, ebony board, and those killer pickups and preamp. Its the kind of bass you can plug into anything and the sound is there. Done. No tweaking or processing needed. No dead spots. Alive and perfect.

That kind of performance on a cool hamer-guitar-looking platform would be pretty cool.

The other thing I thought of was some kind of gibson type short scale but have it really work. 30 or 32" scale with killer tone, great intonation, and sonic versatility.

Or just reintroduce the Chapperal variant that had a P pickup and an EMG 35 in the bridge position. Those sounded amazing.
Click to expand...

:D I had an Ex-Factor......I bought new in about 1986. Man...I was playing in a funk band and I did a lot of slap. That thing sounded great.

Phil K had already made a custom fretless neck for me at that point for a Fender PJ I was playing. What a neck!
 
#58
Royce Hayes said:
This is the best idea yet. Hamer's current line of guitars is very reminiscent of the classic Gibsons, so this would be a very natural direction to head in. Something like an SG-style short scale but with Hamer's attention to detail, workmanship, and materials (korina).

Also, Hamer's finishes, particularly their bursts are some of the best around. Keep us posted about which direction they choose.
Click to expand...

I'm kind of leaning this way too.....considering the Hamer "brand image" and customer base. The whole "short scale" thing.......you guys think this has merit?
 
#60
hasbeen said:
I'm kind of leaning this way too.....considering the Hamer "brand image" and customer base. The whole "short scale" thing.......you guys think this has merit?
Click to expand...

Merit, sure. A huge customer base? not really.

I like the idea of staying "Hamer" by staying in the Gibson-inspired tradition, but I'd also like to see some incorporation of modern elements (like a longer upper horn, different bridge etc), as I see the Gibson bass designs somewhat flawed

If this means you might put a pickup way up against the butt of the neck, though, I am all for it
 

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