Hamer Guitars

Hamer Guitars is an American brand of electric guitars and basses founded in 1973 in Wilmette, Illinois, by vintage-instrument retailers Paul Hamer and Jol Dantzig. The company developed from Northern Prairie Music, a shop that served musicians seeking high-quality vintage instruments and carefully made custom replacements. Hamer’s earliest instruments drew on angular classic-rock designs associated with the Gibson Explorer and Flying V, but the company developed its own proportions, detailing, finishes, and electronics rather than functioning simply as a copy maker. The brand is commonly associated with the emergence of the boutique electric-guitar sector. In its early years, Hamer focused on instruments for professional touring musicians rather than mass-market beginners. Its customer base included prominent rock acts such as KISS, Bad Company, Wishbone Ash, Jethro Tull, Savoy Brown, and Def Leppard. Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick became one of the brand’s most visible users, particularly through the group’s use of Hamer eight- and twelve-string basses. Hamer has also been credited with producing the first twelve-string bass guitar, an innovation that helped distinguish the company in the professional rock market. Hamer began publicizing its instruments in guitar magazines in 1974 and was incorporated in Illinois in 1976. In 1977, financing from Paul Hamer’s father enabled the company to establish a larger operation in Palatine, Illinois. At that stage, woodworking was subcontracted to the Tom Holmes Company in Nashville, while finishing and setup were completed in Palatine. This arrangement helped Hamer move beyond one-off custom instruments and introduce the Sunburst, its first production model. The Sunburst broadened the brand’s appeal while retaining its emphasis on high-quality construction and vintage-oriented aesthetics. The company moved to Arlington Heights in 1980 and brought manufacturing processes in-house. During this period it expanded its range with models including the Special, Cruisebass, Prototype, Blitz, and Phantom. Its instruments became particularly visible in hard rock and heavy metal, where unusual body shapes, high-output pickups, and stage presence were valued. Judas Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton commissioned and used distinctive Hamer designs including the GT Custom and Phantom GT. Hamer’s ownership and management changed substantially after the founders’ early operating period. Paul Hamer left in 1987 to pursue retail, and Kaman Music acquired the company in 1988. Jol Dantzig departed in 1993, although he later remained associated with the brand as a technical and design figure for a period. In 1997, Kaman relocated Hamer to New Hartford, Connecticut, alongside Ovation Guitars, and repositioned it around a smaller group of high-end and collector-oriented designs. Kaman Music and Hamer were acquired by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation at the end of 2007. Fender discontinued Hamer production in 2013 after announcing the brand’s closure in December 2012. KMC Music subsequently announced a reintroduction at the 2017 NAMM Show, presenting imported Hamer instruments and five initial models. The earlier domestically produced boutique operation and the later imported range represent different phases of the brand’s history. Hamer’s long-term status, current production scale, and present ownership arrangements are not sufficiently established in the supplied reference material.

Hamer Guitars began in 1973 at Northern Prairie Music, a vintage guitar shop in Wilmette, Illinois, operated by Paul Hamer and Jol Dantzig. Their first instrument was a Flying V-style bass made for the professional musician market. Rather than pursuing high-volume production, the founders initially built unusual, high-quality instruments for touring artists and collectors. The company began advertising in guitar magazines in 1974 and was incorporated in Illinois in 1976 by Paul Hamer, Jol Dantzig, John Montgomery, and James Walker. A loan from Paul Hamer’s father in 1977 supported the creation of a larger Palatine operation. Early production combined woodworking subcontracted to the Tom Holmes Company in Nashville with painting, assembly, and setup performed in Illinois. This allowed Hamer to introduce the Sunburst in 1977 as its first production guitar, expanding beyond custom variations of the Standard and Flying V-derived designs. Hamer gained visibility through professional rock musicians, including Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick and members of KISS, Bad Company, Wishbone Ash, Jethro Tull, Savoy Brown, and Def Leppard. Its eight- and twelve-string basses were especially distinctive, and the company became known for combining traditional-looking finishes with nontraditional body shapes and configurations. In 1980, Hamer moved to Arlington Heights and brought manufacturing in-house. It added models such as the Special, Cruisebass, Prototype, Blitz, and Phantom, reinforcing its position in rock and heavy-metal instruments. Paul Hamer left the business in 1987. Kaman Music acquired Hamer in late 1988, while Jol Dantzig continued to oversee important design and manufacturing functions until leaving the company in 1993. In 1997, Kaman relocated the brand to New Hartford, Connecticut, alongside Ovation Guitars. Hamer then narrowed its focus toward high-quality instruments for high-end players and collectors. Frank Untermyer held management responsibilities across Hamer and Ovation, while Frank Rindone handled brand marketing, advertising, and sales. Kaman Music was acquired by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation on December 31, 2007. Dantzig left Fender in 2010, and Untermyer departed in 2012. Fender announced in December 2012 that Hamer production would end. Following a four-year gap after Fender discontinued the models, KMC Music announced at NAMM in January 2017 that it was bringing Hamer back as an imported-only brand with five models. The available references do not establish the brand’s current production volume, headquarters, or definitive present operating status.

• 2017

  Imported Hamer range returns

  [1]Hamer Guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  KMC Music announces a reintroduced imported Hamer line at NAMM.

• 2012

  Production discontinuation announced

  [1]Hamer Guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  Fender announces that Hamer will stop producing guitars and cease operating.

• 2007

  Fender acquires Kaman Music

  [1]Hamer Guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  Hamer becomes part of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation through Fender’s acquisition of Kaman Music.

• 1997

  Relocation to New Hartford

  [1]Hamer Guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  Kaman moves Hamer to New Hartford, Connecticut, and emphasizes high-end and collector-oriented instruments.

• 1988

  Kaman Music acquisition

  [1]Hamer Guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  Kaman Music acquires Hamer and takes responsibility for the brand’s commercial development.

• 1980

  Manufacturing moves to Arlington Heights

  [1]Hamer Guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  The company expands into larger premises and brings manufacturing processes in-house.

• 1977

  Sunburst enters production

  [1]Hamer Guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  Hamer establishes a Palatine operation and introduces the Sunburst, its first production guitar.

• 1976

  Hamer Guitars is incorporated

  [1]Hamer Guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  The company is incorporated in Illinois by its founding partners.

• 1974

  First magazine advertising

  [1]Hamer Guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  Hamer begins publicizing its instruments through small advertisements in guitar magazines.

• 1973

  Hamer is founded in Wilmette

  [1]Hamer Guitarsen.wikipedia.org

  Paul Hamer and Jol Dantzig establish the brand through their vintage-instrument business in Wilmette, Illinois.

Professional and enthusiast-focused electric instruments combining vintage-inspired construction and styling with distinctive rock-oriented body shapes, specialized bass designs, and custom-shop sensibilities.

• Electric guitar · 1973

  Standard

  An early Hamer design derived from the angular visual language of the Gibson Explorer. The Standard helped establish the brand’s identity as a maker of professional rock instruments with strong stage presence and vintage-oriented construction.

• Electric guitar · 1973

  Vector

  A Flying V-influenced Hamer design from the company’s early period. It represented the brand’s willingness to reinterpret familiar classic-rock silhouettes for professional players.

• Electric guitar · 1977

  Sunburst

  Introduced in 1977 as Hamer’s first production guitar, the Sunburst broadened the company’s market beyond one-off custom instruments. Its more conventional styling helped Hamer reach players who wanted boutique construction without an extremely unconventional body shape.

• Electric guitar

  Special

  A later Hamer electric-guitar model associated with the company’s expansion during the Arlington Heights period. It formed part of the brand’s broader professional range alongside the Sunburst and more experimental designs.

• Electric bass

  Cruisebass

  A Hamer bass model reflecting the company’s commitment to electric basses as well as guitars. Hamer’s bass portfolio was particularly notable for unusual configurations and professional rock applications.

• Electric guitar

  Phantom

  A Hamer model associated with the company’s hard-rock and metal-oriented period. The Phantom family included designs with a more modern double-cutaway profile and was used by prominent heavy-metal players.

• Custom electric guitar · 1986

  GT Custom

  A non-production design created for Judas Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton. Its asymmetrical V-inspired shape was developed for balance and stage use and could be fitted with Seymour Duncan or EMG pickups.

• Imported electric guitar and bass series

  Hamer XT Series

  A lower-priced, Asian-built range marketed by Kaman to extend Hamer’s reach beyond its domestically produced professional instruments.

• Imported electric guitar and bass series

  Slammer by Hamer

  An entry-level imported line associated with Kaman’s effort to offer more accessible Hamer-branded instruments. The line was discontinued in 2009.

• 2017

  Reintroduce Hamer as an imported brandProduct launch

  Background

  KMC Music sought to revive Hamer after Fender had discontinued the brand’s previous production.

  Action taken

  KMC Music announced at NAMM that Hamer would return with an imported-only range initially consisting of five models.

  Aftermath

  The announcement restored Hamer to the commercial guitar market, although the supplied material does not establish its subsequent scale or current status.

  Source

• 2012

  Discontinue Hamer productionStrategy

  Background

  Fender reviewed the future of the Hamer operation after several years under its ownership.

  Action taken

  Fender announced that Hamer would no longer produce guitars and that the company would cease to operate.

  Aftermath

  Production ended, creating a multi-year gap before the brand was later reintroduced by KMC Music.

  Source

• 2007

  Fender acquires Hamer through KamanM&A

  Background

  Hamer was part of Kaman Music when Fender acquired Kaman.

  Action taken

  Fender Musical Instruments Corporation acquired Kaman Music on December 31, bringing Hamer into its portfolio.

  Aftermath

  Hamer remained under Fender until Fender discontinued its production and announced the brand’s closure.

  Source

• 1997

  Refocus on high-end instrumentsStrategy

  Background

  Kaman relocated Hamer to New Hartford and operated it alongside Ovation Guitars.

  Action taken

  The brand concentrated on a core group of high-quality designs aimed at high-end players and collectors.

  Aftermath

  Hamer’s identity became more closely associated with specialist, premium, and collectible instruments.

  Source

• 1988

  Sell Hamer to Kaman MusicM&A

  Background

  After Paul Hamer left the company and Kaman was approached to handle sales, Kaman agreed to acquire the brand.

  Action taken

  Kaman Music purchased Hamer and integrated it into its musical-instrument portfolio.

  Aftermath

  Hamer continued as a specialist brand and later moved its operations to New Hartford, Connecticut.

  Source

1. 1Hamer Guitarsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Hamer Guitars official websitehamerguitars.com