Hamer Guitars was founded in 1973 in Wilmette, Illinois by Paul Hamer and Jol Dantzig, partners in Northern Prairie Music, a Chicago-area store that specialized in vintage guitar repair and sales. Widely regarded as the first modern boutique electric guitar brand to cater specifically to professional musicians, Hamer built its early reputation on high-quality, player-focused instruments at a time when vintage Gibsons were scarce and expensive. The company's instruments drew early endorsements from touring acts including Kiss, Bad Company, Wishbone Ash, Jethro Tull, and Cheap Trick — with Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick receiving the very first production Hamer Standard (serial #0000), an Explorer-shaped instrument that became iconic through the band's breakthrough Cheap Trick at Budokan live album.

Hamer's catalog evolved from its initial Explorer-inspired Standard and Flying V-inspired Vector designs to include models such as the Sunburst, Special, Phantom, and Blitz, along with a range of basses. The brand holds the distinction of being the first guitar manufacturer to produce a 12-string bass guitar. Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest also became closely associated with Hamer, developing the Phantom GT model with the company. Through the 1980s, Hamer expanded its lineup and built a strong following among hard rock and heavy metal players who prized the instruments' construction quality and playability.

The brand passed through several ownership changes over the decades, eventually being relaunched as a line of imported instruments. The Hamer name continues to carry strong recognition among vintage guitar collectors and players, with a dedicated fan community preserving the history of the original USA-made instruments.

Hamer has 104 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Solid Body Electric Guitars, Electric Basses, and Extended Range Guitars. Their gear is featured by 99 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Metal, and Pop. Notable users include Rick Nielsen, Paul Stanley, and Steve Clark. Hamer's catalog spans the full price spectrum — from entry-level options to high-end flagships.