Hamer Guitars
Hamer Guitars was an American manufacturer of electric guitars, founded in 1973 by vintage guitar shop owners Paul Hamer, Jol Dantzig and John Montgomery in Arlington Heights Illinois. Early instruments featured guitar designs based on the Gibson Explorer (The Standard) and Flying V (Vector), before expanding to more traditional Gibson inspired designs such as the Sunburst . Hamer Guitars is generally considered to be the first "boutique" electric guitar brand that specifically catered to pro musicians and were one of the first guitar manufacturers to produce a 12 string bass guitar.[1]
The company was incorporated in Illinois in 1976 by John Montgomery, Jol Dantzig, James Walker and Paul Hamer. Hamer Guitars was acquired by Kaman Music Corporation in 1988. Kaman has since been purchased by Fender Musical Instruments Corp (2008). Hamer offered a wide array of electric guitars and electric basses, and, since its foundation placed an emphasis on producing high-quality instruments with vintage aesthetics as well as creative innovations.[2]
Kaman marketed a lower priced line of Asian-built instruments called the Hamer "XT Series". and "Slammer by Hamer" which was discontinued in 2009.
Fender announced in February 2013 that the Hamer brand was being discontinued.
Notable musicians who have played or endorsed Hamer guitars are Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest, Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, Doug Pinnick of Kings X and Kip Winger.
History
The first Hamer Guitar (a Flying V bass) was built at Northern Prairie Music, a vintage instrument shop owned by Hamer and Dantzig in Wilmette, Illinois. This shop catered to musicians who were interested in high-quality instruments. This first instrument served as the basis for a new company called Hamer Guitars. [3]
Hamer began publicizing their instruments with small black and white ads in guitar magazines in 1974. Hamer Guitars Inc. was incorporated in Illinois in 1976 by John Montgomery, Jol Dantzig, Paul Hamer and James Walker. By 1977 the company employed up to seven workers. Most of the work up to this point had been one-off custom variations on the original "Standard" and "Flying V" guitars. During this period Hamer's customers were limited to big-name touring groups such as Kiss, Bad Company, Wishbone Ash, Jethro Tull, and Savoy Brown. In order to appeal to a broader market, the first "production" Hamer called the "Sunburst" debuted in 1977. Production was reportedly set at around 10 guitars per week. During this time the company undoubtedly gained more popularity with the high-profile patronage of Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen and the use of Hamer 8- and 12-string basses in their music. In 1978 Frank Untermyer joined the company as a partner, and international sales manager as Hamer attempted to grow their business worldwide.
In 1980, Hamer moved to larger quarters in Arlington Heights (a suburb of Chicago.) The staff had grown to 12 and Hamer Guitars continued to launch new models such as the Special, Cruisebass, Prototype, Blitz, and Phantom. Paul Hamer, the company's president, left in 1987 to pursue a career in retail. Kaman Music was then approached to handle sales while remaining owners concentrated on manufacturing. Kaman Music agreed to purchase Hamer in late 1988.
After five years with Kaman, Dantzig departed from the company in 1993, moving to California to begin a design and consulting business.
In 1997 Kaman Music relocated the company to a small shop in New Hartford, Connecticut, home of Ovation Guitars. Ten of the top builders were relocated to New Hartford along with Dantzig, who was re-hired as technical director. Untermyer had the dual role of General Manager of both Hamer and Ovation. Hamer then began concentrating on a core of high-quality designs targeted at the high-end and collector market. Brand Manager Frank Rindone assumed all marketing, advertising and sales responsibilities.[4] Under its parent company Kaman Music, Hamer was acquired by guitar giant Fender Musical Instruments on December 31, 2007.
Paul Hamer lives in Chicago where he operates a retail framing business.
Jol Dantzig left Fender in 2010 to build instruments under the Jol Dantzig Guitar Design name.
Frank Untermyer left the company in 2012, and now oversees C. F. Martin & Company's global supply chain.
In December of 2012, Fender announced that Hamer would no longer produce guitars and the company would cease to operate.
References
- ↑ {{ Title = The Ultimate Hamer Guitars: An Illustrated History Authors = Steve Matthes, Joe Moffett Publisher = Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. Date = July 28, 2013 }}
- ↑ {{ Title = Hamer Electric Guitar Values Publisher = Blue Book of guitar Values url= http://bluebookofguitarvalues.com/Electric_Guitar_Values/Manufacturers/HAMER?id=HAMER Date = July 28, 2013 }}
- ↑ {{ Title = Hamer Electric Guitar Values Publisher = Blue Book of guitar Values url= http://bluebookofguitarvalues.com/Electric_Guitar_Values/Manufacturers/HAMER?id=HAMER Date = July 28, 2013 }}
- ↑ {{ Title = Hamer Electric Guitar Values Publisher = Blue Book of guitar Values url= http://bluebookofguitarvalues.com/Electric_Guitar_Values/Manufacturers/HAMER?id=HAMER Date = July 28, 2013 }}