Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $3,585
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
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Description
The Hamer Sunburst solid body electric guitar is a harmonious blend of vintage elegance and modern craftsmanship, inspired by the iconic Hamer Studio design from 1977. This guitar is not just a showpiece; it's a performance powerhouse that delivers a robust yet articulate sound. With a solid maple top married to a mahogany body, the Sunburst offers a rich and focused tone that cuts through any mix, making it ideal for both stage and studio settings.
Its Wilkinson Tremolo system ensures smooth and stable pitch manipulation, allowing for expressive playability without sacrificing tuning stability. The classic Hamer control layout provides intuitive access to your sound palette, ensuring you can easily shape your tone on the fly. The visually striking figured maple veneer adds a touch of sophistication, making the Sunburst not only a joy to play but also a feast for the eyes. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring musician, the Hamer Sunburst is crafted to inspire and elevate your musical journey.
Key Features:
- Solid Maple top and Mahogany body for rich, focused tone
- Wilkinson Tremolo system for stable and smooth pitch manipulation
- Classic Hamer control layout for intuitive tone shaping
- Figured maple veneer for a visually stunning appearance
Product specs
| Brand | Hamer |
| Model | Sunburst |
| Finish | Cherry |
| Year | 1979 |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Shape | Double Cutaway |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Top-Load |
| Color Family | Red |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
FAQs
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What type of music is the Hamer Sunburst best suited for?
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The Hamer Sunburst, with its dual humbucker configuration and solid mahogany body, is ideal for rock and blues genres, offering a rich, warm tone with plenty of sustain and versatility for various playing styles.
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How does the neck profile of the Hamer Sunburst affect playability?
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The Hamer Sunburst features a thin U-shaped neck, which provides a comfortable grip for fast playing and easy access to higher frets, making it suitable for both rhythm and lead guitarists.
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Is the Hamer Sunburst suitable for beginners?
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While the Hamer Sunburst offers professional features like a set neck and quality pickups, its playability and tone make it accessible for intermediate players looking to upgrade from beginner models.
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What kind of pickups does the Hamer Sunburst have, and how do they influence its sound?
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The Hamer Sunburst is equipped with Hamer humbuckers, which deliver a powerful, full-bodied sound with reduced noise, perfect for high-gain applications and maintaining clarity in complex chord progressions.
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Does the Hamer Sunburst come with a case?
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The Hamer Sunburst does not include a case; it is sold separately, so it's recommended to purchase a case for protection and transport.
Videos
Mike Burn
Hamer Sunburst 1979 through Peavey Classic 50W
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Hamer Sunburst.
Comparisons
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A local buyer found a '92 Hamer Sunburst superior to any Les Paul they have played, highlighting its exceptional build and playability.
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The Hamer Sunburst is noted for its similarity to the classic Les Paul, offering a variety of appealing top finishes.
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It's noted that a Korean-made Hamer with a flamed carved maple top would have been a better purchase for the same price, suggesting better build and value.
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User experience
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A former music store employee who played multiple USA Hamers expressed a long-standing admiration for their quality and performance.
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Owners reflect on the Hamer as an underrated brand, with personal anecdotes of it being the best guitar they have owned despite limited personal collections.
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A Korean Hamer Sunburst was favored so highly by a shop owner that it led to a trade offer for a vintage Gibson Firebrand Les Paul, highlighting its impressive playability.
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Setup and maintenance
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Owners report issues with sustain and high strings failing to hold; even after adjustments, problems persist despite truss rods and frets being in good condition.
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Build quality
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Some Hamers display mismatched finishes and necks, with alterations like a glossy dark grey neck contrasting with a flat black headstock, indicating possible repainting or modifications.
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The Korean Hamer Stellar 1 features a lacewood veneer over a multi-piece mahogany body with a distinct neck join carve for better access to 24 frets.
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Value and pricing
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One owner overpaid at £300 for a Hamer that typically sells for around £110, highlighting potential discrepancies in market value and resale challenges.
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Korean Hamer models, like the one mentioned, are valued around $250, with variability in quality making some exceptional finds at this price point.
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Mods and upgrades
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A user shared satisfaction with a custom guitar setup using a Strat body and roasted maple neck, enhanced with Fender pickups, suggesting alternative upgrade paths.
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Owners recommend upgrading the stock electronics, particularly the pickups and wiring, to enhance the guitar's tonal quality.
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Critic Reviews
4.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist
Johnny owned 2 Custom Hamer’s. Both built to his specs. Unbound, thinner, contoured bodys and slimmer necks. Serial number 0185 was made in 1979. Modified with Schaller tuners and his favoured Dimarzio FS-1 in the neck. The second, serial XX0#¢ was made in 1980 and was left unmodified. Both were later on traded for Mosrite’s.
In this post brian shows off his hamer sunburst guitar. He states that he played this guitar in 1989, and hadn’t seen the guitar in 30 years
Martin Barre used to play different Hamer Guitars from 1978 till the early 1980. One of these Guitars was a black Hamer Sunburst.
The Hamer Sunburst is featured on the gear page of Andrew’s official website. It’s noted as being made in 1980. In this YouTube video of Andrew Pipe performing with The Mentulls in 2019, the guitar is being used throughout: https://youtu.be/_qbXSXj7gn8?si=0JM3k4ujPAdt3EWB
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Hamer Sunburst, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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