Gas With Gary: Hamer Guitars

We all know the what it feels like to have a bad case of GAS. No, not the kind you feel after wolfing down 3 plates of Thanksgiving dinner. We’re talking about Gear Acquisition Syndrome. It affects millions of musicians around the world who love their guitars, amps, and other gear. We’re glad we have Gary Blankenburg -one of The Music Zoo’s favorite people on earth!
This time, Gary offers us all an informative lecture on the rise of Hamer guitars, and shows us a duo of original Hamer Explorers that started it all!

[@TheMinnesotaNice]

Proud owner of a 4 digit standard

[@lespendens8450]

I purchased my 4 digit 1981 Hamer Standard factory refin from Music Zoo. I now own a Standard a Steve Stevens I, A P-90 Special and a Chaparral. Hamer are the best guitars I have ever owned.

[@rosskrause3926]

I was lucky enough back in 2002 to buy a Hamer Diablo guitar with the Hamer branded Schaller tremelo bridge and tuners in the Translucent Cherry finish with a reverse headstock and 2 Dimarzio humbucker pickups...what a fine guitar that was...I see them now for a lot more than I bought that one for a plan on owning another one someday.

[@flyonwall360]

My brother worked at a friend's music store in upstate NY, and they had a gold 1988 Hamer Chaparral Custom that was hanging on the wall for a year. It was listening for $2500. When I told my brother that Carvin wouldn't make the guitar that I wanted, he suggested that I buy this Hamer. Just to get it out of the store, he offered it to me for $1050. It was the best guitar that I've ever owned. The OBL pickups were amazing.

[@paulthomasbranda7591]

Lost my Hamer 88 Chapperel bass to Hurricane Sandy- nuff bout that, Def Leppard summer of ‘82, Palladium NYC opening for Saxon. All Hamer guitars, Clark a sunburst double cutaway, Savage a red explorer bass and Pete Willis on a black explorer. The event of my lifetime. High and Dry Tour!!!!!

[@bingoflangeworthy]

I have a 1979 four digit and just had to look at its Grover tuners to see which way round they are mounted. I love my Hamer.

[@monmixer]

I own 1980 Standard 0400. that neck is like playing hot butter and a great sounding instrument. We do have nicer pick ups these days but I leave mine original. It doesn't go out of the house to play anymore. It's worth to much money to get knocked over on a stand or something like that.

[@alexhamer2534]

As a kid I always dreamed of owning one. Ended up with a Jackson that I could afford, still want a Hamer guitar tho.

[@zacharycollins6548]

I have a Studio Custom and a 90's Artist Custom arriving tomorrow. I'm still dreaming of a Standard. One day. Since trying Hamer in the late 90's, I was a convert. I still like Gibby's, but if it's a choice between Gibson and Hamer, I'm going Hamer almost every time.

[@artwork49er]

The Hamer from the late seventies are the the Holy Grail.

[@haytguugle8656]

I fell in love with my first Hamer in 1979.

[@draelyc]

I LOVE Hamers! I've got three and would love to have more. Thanks for the info!

[@alainsmith9201]

I really enjoyed that, thanks for taking the time to record it and put it up.

[@bencrandall5514]

Any discussion/interview/insight about guitar is always of interest. Keep them coming!

[@juniorkong9587]

Thanks Gary! That was very interesting. Been a Hamer fanatic since 1988.

[@donwershba2319]

I love Gary B. Used to work with him in the 70's and have been a fan ever since. Great to have discovered this clips and thanks to The Musioc Zoo for hosting him - Gary is the real deal

[@rogerwilliams2629]

This is fantastic!!

[@rexnavarro2918]

Excellent!

[@shanelcurtis]

You have won me over ... have just subscribed.

[@rubotomy]

My very first guitar was a Hamer Slammer Special that I got as a birthday gift from my sister and brother-in-law. It has a very thin neck! I still have it.