Kasim Sulton's Hamer

[bovinehost]

I'd forgotten about this bass until I went through some old photo shoots I did back when dinosaurs walked the earth. This would have been around 1981 or so although I could be off by a year. I asked Kasim about this bass some years later: did he still have it? Nope.

It certainly looks like something I'd enjoy. Does Hamer still make basses? Does anyone know any cool details about this model?

 

[Jeff Scott]

I saw Kasim with Todd Rundgren & Utopia in the summer of '74, but sadly, I do not remember what bass he was playing (probably not that one; was it even around in 1974?).

 

[mmbongo]

Looks like an 80’s Cruise bass. Hamer is long out if business so no they are no longer made.

 

[RickC]

That's a 1st generation Cruisebass. Set neck, passive elec, made from '82 to '90. There are several on Reverb. The 2nd generation Cruise's had a 2Tek bridge and were more Fenderey.

 

[steveinohio]

Someone is selling one of those in the classifieds right now.

 

[woodyng2]

That's a 1st generation Cruisebass. Set neck, passive elec, made from '82 to '90. There are several on Reverb. The 2nd generation Cruise's had a 2Tek bridge and were more Fenderey.

That original version was always interesting to me.
IIRC, some had mahogany bodies.

 

[woodyng2]

I saw Kasim with Todd Rundgren & Utopia in the summer of '74, but sadly, I do not remember what bass he was playing (probably not that one; was it even around in 1974?).

In that time frame, it was more likely John Siegler playing bass. (Fender Jazz).
Was this the original version of Utopia?

 

[Jeff Scott]

In that time frame, it was more likely John Siegler playing bass. (Fender Jazz).
Was this the original version of Utopia?

Not sure which version, to be honest. If it helps, the gig was on July 4th, 1974. Todd brought a crate of fireworks with him for after the show (a friend of mine produced the concert). Also on the bill were Buzzy Linhart, Pure Prairie League, and the Hello People (produced by Todd).

 

[bovinehost]

1974 would have definitely been John Siegler and that ratty old Jazz bass he always played!

 

[Jamarvic]

I remember the seeing John Mellencamps bassist playing the j version on a video. Didn’t know they made a pj till I saw the one FS in the classifieds.

 

[RickC]

I think all the 1st gen were pj. 2nd gen was jj

 

[Killing Floor]

Cruise Bass was a great line. Get it if you can. Really well made.

 

[JimmyM]

Ya, Cruise Bass was tops. No longer made, but I see that since Fender sold Kaman Music to JAM in Canada, they've brought back Hamer guitars so maybe basses won't be far behind.

Kasim's played a lot of different basses over the years, and currently has a sig model put out by Archer Guitars. Never heard of them before Kasim used them, but it's inexpensive, and I saw him play with Blue Oyster Cult and the tone was there.

 

[Todd Hamby]

Isn’t that the same bass that Jerry Peek from the Steve Morse band played?

 

[JimmyM]

Isn’t that the same bass that Jerry Peek from the Steve Morse band played?

Jerry played a Guild Pilot. Very similar basses, though, and both were terrific. Back in those days, Guild and Hamer were neck and neck to see who would take over from Fender as the top P and J brand because Fender was dropping the ball. Then Fender made a miraculous rebound and that was that.

 

[Todd Hamby]

Thanks Jimmy!

 

[PaulS]

@JimmyM @Todd Hamby now I have to go listen to The Introduction!

 

[Jeff Scott]

Isn’t that the same bass that Jerry Peek from the Steve Morse band played?

@JimmyM @Todd Hamby now I have to go listen to The Introduction!

The first time I saw the SMB was sometime after The Introduction was released; they opened for Rush during the Power Windows tour at the L. A. Forum.

 

[JimmyM]

The first time I saw the SMB was sometime after The Introduction was released; they opened for Rush during the Power Windows tour at the L. A. Forum.

So Jerry was the bassist then? Or did Dave join by then?

 

[Smooth_bass88]

He's so good. His signature bass looks cool too.