Hamer USA: bass design input request

[Andy Will]

I would absolutely love to see something like the Cruise Bass slightly re-designed. With some changes like as follows:
1) Slightly deeper cutaway
2) The Pickguard reshaped (If done in the style of the Another Dave's photos two posts up) so it doesn't run right to the edge of the body on the lower horn and looks a bit smoother with the flow of the body.
3) EMG 35TW in the Bridge Position (Hamer already use EMG's so, this shouldn't be a problem) and single (EMG) jazz in the neck position.
4) Aguilar OBP-2 or 3 preamp.
5) Slightly undersized body similar in size to a Fender Jazz Deluxe.
6) The original large Hamer logo on a black headstock with white writing.
7) Some interesting colours with either metallic or sonic blue/seafoam green type colours and 3-ply pearl pickguards in complimenting colours, White/Off-white pearl in particular.
8) Rounded off neck-heel for good high-fret access.
9) A solid bridge e.g. Hipshot Type A with through-body stringing (plus D-tuner for the 4-string).
10) Laminated neck for stability e.g. Maple with sandwiched Wenge.
11) Minor detail: No trussrod cover as they are fiddley to have to remove.

Basically would love to have something along the lines of an undersized Bass 'super-strat' with the above options which is sorely missing in the Jazz Bass market as most are aiming for vintage vibe.

Another thing to check for ideas on what modifications bassists are generally making to their Basses to customize and improve them.

Anyway, I've just given away the details of my dream Bass for a rock gig but know a lot of the details wouldn't be everyone's taste.

 

[Bass Fission']

... 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? Yes
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? Schaller, eventually stamped with Hamer logo.
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? DiMarzios with the hex pole pieces.
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? P/J DiMarzios hex poles.

Setneck Cruisebasses still a bargain at any price!

 

[JohnnyB53]

I don't know who we're marketing to. That is the first part of the equation: "who is the customer?" The second part is "are there enough customers.....where is the market trending in general?"

Third: "should we/can we go for that market and does it detract from the current brand image?" So forth and so on.

So you aren't sure who the customer is but you won't visit Hamerfanclub.com? They have over 2,800 members including several authorized dealers, and the club has been around for at least a dozen years.

Love the Phat Cats, btw, both the sound and the name.

 

[rwelcome]

I'd try to get Jeff Ament involved, and build a signature 4,5 and 12 around him. By and large Hamer basses have been failures. Get an artists view who's used a Hamer for years. Then cross your fingers, and don't make another bass version of a Hamer guitar, nobody cares...

 

[lonote]

I'd also like to see a 34" scale solid mahogany violin-shaped bass with 2 Dark Stars, a set mahogany neck and an ebony fingerboard with fretless (lined and unlined) options. Given what is available from Lakland, G&L, and Warwick, finding some elbow room in a crowded market place won't be easy.

 

[scotch]

I don't know who we're marketing to. That is the first part of the equation: "who is the customer?" The second part is "are there enough customers.....where is the market trending in general?"

Third: "should we/can we go for that market and does it detract from the current brand image?" So forth and so on.

Understood. It seems like this is really the first place to start, right? We can post until our fingers fall off as to what each of us personally would like to see- but without a target demographic, it's going to be pretty random.

I think it would be awesome for a quality brand (like Hamer) without a clear bass-market profile to go after a less saturated demographic. As noted in many previous posts, the whole Fender-clone thing is being done to death. "Traditional" P & J players have plenty to choose from. The heavy music scene also has lots of choices at a variety of price points from Ibanez, ESP/LTD, Warwick, etc... The 'Boutique' Jazzers probably have the most diverse selection available (although this market can be extremely pricey- not a lot of affordable 6 string basses with realistic quality out there!).

I think targeting the acoustic/folksy scene is smart. There's lots of emerging singer/songwriter acts that really don't have a bass 'icon'.
Also the roots-rock/alt country scene. Sure, Fenders are a go-to, but I know first-hand that a classy hollowbody, for a decent price, is highly desired in these styles. Hamer seems well equipped to produce something in this vein...

Again, I hate to sound 'cheesy' or too corporate, but I really think Hamer could do better with some high-profile & current endorsers. Jack Blades is great & all, but younger players are looking to other bands these days & increasingly are purchasing more expensive instruments. If Chris Wolstenholme (of Muse) started playing a Monaco all of the time- I guarantee that sales would jump! Jack Lawrence of The Raconteurs certainly makes those Gretsch White Falcons look appealing...

Problem is, the instruments need to be affordable as well. Hamer definitely doesn't come across as 'budget' & probably shouldn't. But offering something cool in the $900 to $1400 range would cast a large net!

Just my .02

 

[cmatthes]

correct you are.

Actually, that's NOT correct! Serial #0000 is the first Hamer guitar (Standard) made, and the one owned by Rick Nielsen. Jol's Flying Vee bass doesn't have a serial number, and actually had a Gibson logo on it for a while before sporting a logo that says "The Hamer". That bass is below, displayed by the lovely and talented John B:

Of all the suggestions, the ones I can see most given Hamer's current direction, would be the LP Jr/Special platform, the Newport style (I actually tried to order one of those 4-5 years ago!), or the double-cut 32" scale idea (maybe with a slightly reworked body?).

I have gigged as a bassist for most of the last 15 years, and have played Hamers almost exclusively. My main bass is a 2TEK Cruise from '96, but before that, I favored set-neck Chap basses. Besides the 2TEK Cruise, I usually play a double-cut Medium Scale (simlilar to the "Blades" Bass) that I ordered 5 years ago:

The only thing I'd change about that bass would be to put Bass PhatCats in there instead of the EMGs (which I'm doing now) and to get a 2TEK bridge. Otherwise, it's ideal - plays well, sounds good and balances perfectly.

The 2TEK Cruise is probably my favorite all-around Hamer bass (apart from the Impact), but since it is essentially an reinvented J-Bass, I can't see that one ever coming back - Hamer isn't going back to bolt-ons anytime soon, if ever.

The Chap bass would be a good thing to reintroduce for players, but any new price point would probably be too high since they can regularly be found used for well under the $1k mark.

I would be very interested in a new Hamer offering if it had the 2TEK (I spoke to Mike Hansen several times in the last year or so, and he's bringing that bridge back now!) and was a straight-ahead solidbody. I'd prefer a full scale set-neck instrument, maybe even an updated version of the Impact (the regular set-neck version, not the incredibly rare neck-thru).

Keep in mind that Hamer is not a "budget" brand. Anything in their catalog is going to list for at least $4-$5k, and street out in the mid $2-$3ks+. While I'd LOVE to see them offer a production instrument under $2k street, I can't see them doing any low-cost production instrument at this point. Jol is probably looking for ideas for an all-around, innovative instrument that brings together features us 21st Century bassists seek - maybe a new ideal instrument.

If he gets behind something, we'll be very impressed with the result.

 

[Craig_S]

Here's another vote for a ('95+) Cruise reissue. Those basses rock! I love my passive 2Tek Cruise 5. My band loves it too!

 

[pickles]

The Chap bass would be a good thing to reintroduce for players, but any new price point would probably be too high since they can regularly be found used for well under the $1k mark.

That bass is the one I drooled over in high school. But it was incredible. The P w/ EMG35 thing sounds way better than a PJ IMHO. I would definitely look at these if they started making them again.

 

[cmatthes]

That bass is the one I drooled over in high school. But it was incredible. The P w/ EMG35 thing sounds way better than a PJ IMHO. I would definitely look at these if they started making them again.

Great basses, for sure. This one was actually my primary bass for many years, and has all the scars to prove it!

Another comment about current Hamer direction - it isn't so much a look backwards as it is a leap forward. I can't see Jol & Co. doing a reissue. I think the idea is to come up with something that bassists want to play NOW, and something that brings some new design or innovation to the table. I was surprised that the Monaco bass hasn't done better, but I think that's more a function of bass players not realizing that Hamer can - and does - build great basses.

The idea about the Newport bass is probably one that would fly. Keep in mind that this bass has a downsized body (Johnny B. pointed out this on another board), and is nowhere near as big as a EB bass or that 335-ish size. It may look like that in the Jack Blades pic, but Jack isn't a big guy!

 

[Demonator]

5 STRING EXPLORER STYLE IN RICK NIELSEN CHECKERBOARD!!!!

Very nice.

 

[higgi]

How about a headless bass with an upper horn for a more traditional position. P/J pickups, neck through, single ball strings, wood, passive, 6lbs, no neck dive, four and five string, gig bag, for about $200 shipped.

 

[hasbeen]

So you aren't sure who the customer is but you won't visit Hamerfanclub.com? They have over 2,800 members including several authorized dealers, and the club has been around for at least a dozen years.

Love the Phat Cats, btw, both the sound and the name.

nope.....on purpose. If I ask a group of Hamer devotees what this bass should look like, I'm much more likely to get an answer like "well, it should look like a Hamer". A very important part of product development (for a product that might "make a statement") is to research a broader market or a different market segment. I've attended several HFC get togethers and my office was right next to the Hamer Product Managers for years. Plus, I bought my first Hamer new in 1984.....and I have the chance to speak with Hamer dealers frequently.

This group on TB is much more likely to reference things "outside the box". This site is passionate about the bass. HFC is passionate about Hamer. Jol knows where to go to get the Hamer base feedback.

 

[hasbeen]

Love the Phat Cats, btw, both the sound and the name.

Thanks. When the Hamer product manager showed me the guitar (Orange Newport), it looked decidedly "Gretch" to me. So I thought- Stray Cat, Hip Cat, Phat Cat. I didn't come up with the "PH" spelling though.

 

[hasbeen]

I'd try to get Jeff Ament involved, and build a signature 4,5 and 12 around him. By and large Hamer basses have been failures. Get an artists view who's used a Hamer for years. Then cross your fingers, and don't make another bass version of a Hamer guitar, nobody cares...

Spoken by somebody that sounds like they worked there.

 

[hasbeen]

Actually, that's NOT correct! Serial #0000 is the first Hamer guitar (Standard) made,obucket.com/albums/v75/cmatthes/HFC2JohnBednar.jpg[/IMG]

yes.....I wasn't referring to the serial number.....just the first Hamer.

 

[hasbeen]

Understood. It seems like this is really the first place to start, right? We can post until our fingers fall off as to what each of us personally would like to see- but without a target demographic, it's going to be pretty random.



Just my .02

agreed. I need to start at "the random". I don't want to "prejudice the process" too much. ....don't want to steer people. In this thread, I'm getting some great feedback. And I do appreciate your .02 BTW.

 

[Chowderboots]

Thanks. When the Hamer product manager showed me the guitar (Orange Newport), it looked decidedly "Gretch" to me. So I thought- Stray Cat, Hip Cat, Phat Cat. I didn't come up with the "PH" spelling though.

Can one get a hold of the Phat Cat bass pickups anywhere?

 

[dnarock]

a good 35" scale 4 string !! no body makes em under $800 !!

 

[hasbeen]

Great basses, for sure. This one was actually my primary bass for many years, and has all the scars to prove it!

Another comment about current Hamer direction - it isn't so much a look backwards as it is a leap forward. I can't see Jol & Co. doing a reissue. I think the idea is to come up with something that bassists want to play NOW, and something that brings some new design or innovation to the table. I was surprised that the Monaco bass hasn't done better, but I think that's more a function of bass players not realizing that Hamer can - and does - build great basses.

The idea about the Newport bass is probably one that would fly. Keep in mind that this bass has a downsized body (Johnny B. pointed out this on another board), and is nowhere near as big as a EB bass or that 335-ish size. It may look like that in the Jack Blades pic, but Jack isn't a big guy!

I agree about the Moncaco bass. I have one. It is the same one I had in my NAMM booth for bass amplifiers. I couldn't believe people's reaction to that bass......they LOVED it.