software

I've been GAS'in HARD for an Explorer.

The Import Hamer standard seems to get really good reviews considering the price (yeah I know it needs new pups).

The Alder body kinda bugs me...but they still seem to get some good reviews with a pup swap...

Anyone familiar with this model in particular or Hamer imports in general?

Or for that matter...with the Epihones Explorers or something similar (def wanna set-neck and TOM bridge so Jackson Import Kelly's are out)

Thanx in advance.

I've only owned USA made Hamers but you are right: the imports get excellant reviews. Just swap the pickups for some USA Duncans and you'll probably have a totally professional sounding guitar when you're done. Lew

A friend of mine has an imported Explorer and it's good...for $300 bucks it is a great value. Nothing wrong with it at all and it actually sounds pretty good stock, too. With SD it will be even better.


Originally Posted by LewguitarI've only owned USA made Hamers but you are right: the imports get excellant reviews. Just swap the pickups for some USA Duncans and you'll probably have a totally professional sounding guitar when you're done. Lew 1. The ones I've played have been pretty decent.

I had a MIK Hamer Vector Flying V for a while. It was a curious mix of nice and not-so-nice.

Not-so-nice: Cheap tuners (replaced them with Gibson LP tuners), Duncan Designed pups (replaced them with a set of PG's), cheap bridge and plastic nut. Also had a fret that wasn't leveled properly.

Nice: It had a beautiful Cherry Burst finish (flame maple over alder), and a very playable neck (rosewood with cool boomerang inlays) and a nice looking binding.

Overall, it was a great looking axe and sounded terrific after the upgrades.

I've got an imported Hamer, and it really is a fine instrument. It feels much better than the Epi LP I used to own. I put some Duncans in it and it would be a very solid working instrument.

It's not an explorer, it's one of the archtop doublecuts, but it does have a TOM.

I have a Hamer Echotone, their Korean-made 335-type. If my guitar is representative of all of their imports, you'll need to change tuners, p'ups (the stock p'ups are ok, but not great, IMO) and the nut. I had to just about resort to dynamite to get the POS plastic nut off of the neck.

Good guitars for the money, I think that I payed $300 for mine.

I have come so close to buying an import Hamer Standard (explorer) but I keep chickeing out. THey seem really nice, well worth the cost.


Originally Posted by WattageI have come so close to buying an import Hamer Standard (explorer) but I keep chickeing out. THey seem really nice, well worth the cost.Scott,

Don't be a-scared. Go for it!

I've been looking at those explorers as well recently.....but then again, I've been looking at everything recently...lol

I have a Hamer Standard (explorer copy) import. It is awesome, I love this thing a pickup change would be cool but I havnt had the catch, the pups on it arent too bad just kind of noisy. It is pretty heavey, and Im so pissed because I had my first strap slip accident with I got strap locks today though. I would diffenetly recommend it, for the price range you can't beat this explorer type guitar.

Thanx everyone for the info.

Got to thinkin and by the time I buy new pups, pay to have them put in, buy new tuners, and a case it will run almost as much as a Gibby..and it still won't be mahogany (which is a big sticking point for me).

I've had 2 Explorers and have missed both dearly. One was an actual 76 reissue Korina , the other a 89 or 90 pewter color with a baseball bat neck. Jes luv the way they feel and that huge body gives 'em virtually as much sustain as a LP. Just doesn't have quite the brightness due to lack of maple cap. I had a Custom bridge and 59 neck in the Pewter one and it really was one of the best sounding guitars I've ever owned. Great piece of wood and fat neck I guess in combo with the Duncans.

If you're not set on the Explorer shape, check out a used Hamer USA Studio. They are the best deal on the used market as far as I'm concerned.

Ryan