Pricing and availability

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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

What type of music is the Hamer Sunburst best suited for?

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.

How does the neck profile of the Hamer Sunburst affect playability?

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.

Is the Hamer Sunburst suitable for beginners?

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.

What kind of pickups does the Hamer Sunburst have, and how do they influence its sound?

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.

Does the Hamer Sunburst come with a case?

The Hamer Sunburst does not include a case; it is sold separately, so it's recommended to purchase a case for protection and transport.

Mike Burn

Mike Burn

Hamer Sunburst 1979 through Peavey Classic 50W

Video thumbnail for Hamer Sunburst 1979 through Peavey Classic 50W by Mike Burn

Hamer Sunburst 1979 through Peavey Classic 50W

Mike Burn

Mike Burn

Video thumbnail for 1979 Hamer Sunburst / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars by GuitarPoint

1979 Hamer Sunburst / GuitarPoint Maintal / Vintage Guitars

GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

Video thumbnail for 1979 Hamer Sunburst by RAXEL

1979 Hamer Sunburst

RAXEL

RAXEL

Video thumbnail for 1979 Hamer Sunburst by GuitarPoint

1979 Hamer Sunburst

GuitarPoint

GuitarPoint

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Hamer Sunburst.

Comparisons

  • A local buyer found a '92 Hamer Sunburst superior to any Les Paul they have played, highlighting its exceptional build and playability.

    Source
  • The Hamer Sunburst is noted for its similarity to the classic Les Paul, offering a variety of appealing top finishes.

    Source
  • 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.

    Source

User experience

  • A former music store employee who played multiple USA Hamers expressed a long-standing admiration for their quality and performance.

    Source
  • 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.

    Source
  • 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.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • 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.

    Source

Build quality

  • 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.

    Source
  • 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.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • One owner overpaid at £300 for a Hamer that typically sells for around £110, highlighting potential discrepancies in market value and resale challenges.

    Source
  • Korean Hamer models, like the one mentioned, are valued around $250, with variability in quality making some exceptional finds at this price point.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • 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.

    Source
  • Owners recommend upgrading the stock electronics, particularly the pickups and wiring, to enhance the guitar's tonal quality.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Hamer Sunburst review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Hamer Sunburst makes a triumphant return, boasting classic rock aesthetics and a robust sound profile that's sure to please fans of the original. With its eye-catching flame maple veneer and classic mahogany/maple construction, it delivers both in looks and tone. The guitar excels with its comfortable neck profile, making it a joy to play, although some might find the fingerboard a bit flatter than preferred. While it's facing stiff competition in its price range, the Sunburst holds its own as a solid choice for those seeking a twin-humbucker classic-style solidbody.

positive

4.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

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Artist usage

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See how Johnny Ramone uses Hamer Sunburst

Johnny Ramone

Guitarist

Ramones

...
Verified via iCollector.com Online Auctions

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.

See how Brian Baker uses Hamer Sunburst

Brian Baker

Guitarist, Bassist

Bad Religion

...
Verified via Photo

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

See how Martin Barre uses Hamer Sunburst

Martin Barre

Guitarist

Jethro Tull

...
Verified via Photo

Martin Barre used to play different Hamer Guitars from 1978 till the early 1980. One of these Guitars was a black Hamer Sunburst.

See how Andrew Pipe uses Hamer Sunburst

Andrew Pipe

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via Photo

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

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Hamer Sunburst, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1

Community setups

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lars_gustav_larsson

lars_gustav_larsson

Gear IQ 3574

D

donald_kuntze

Gear IQ 66

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