Hamer Guitar

Story of Hamer Guitar

Dantzig

     The first Hamer Guitar (a Flying V bass) was engineered at Northern Prairie Music, a vintage instrument search owned by Hamer and Dantzig in Wilmette, Illinois. This search catered to musicians who were fascinated by high-quality instruments. This initial instrument served because the basis for a brand new company referred to as Hamer Guitars.

     Hamer began publicizing their instruments with tiny black and white ads in guitar magazines in 1974, and was incorporated in 1976. By 1977 the corporate used up to seven employees. Most of the physical exercise to the present purpose had been one-off custom variations on the initial "Standard" and "Flying V" guitars. 

     Throughout this era Hamer's customers were restricted to big-name touring teams like dangerous Company, Wishbone Ash Jethro Tull and 

Savoy Brown. So as to attractiveness to a broader market, the primary "production" Hamer referred to as the "Sunburst" debuted in 1977. Production was reportedly set at around ten guitars per week. Throughout now the corporate undoubtedly gained a lot of popularity with the high profile patronage of low cost Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen and also the use of Hamer eight and twelve string basses in their music. In 1978 Frank Untermyer joined the corporate, gap up the international for Hamer Guitars.

     1980 brought a move to larger quarters in Arlington Heights (a suburb of Chicago.) The employees had grown to twelve and Hamer Guitars continued to launch new models like the Special, Cruisebass, Prototype, Blitz and Phantom. Paul Hamer who had primarily served as sales manager, left the corporate in 1987 to pursue his career in retail sales. Kaman Music was then approached to handle sales whereas the remaining homeowners focused on producing. Kaman Music agreed to get Hamer in late 1988.

     After 5 years with Kaman, Dantzig departed from the corporate in 1993, moving to California to start a style and consulting business.

     As the mid-priced guitar market became saturated Hamer sought to enhance sales and regain its former complete 

identity. In 1997 Kaman Music relocated the corporate to alittle search in New Hartford, Connecticut. the highest 10 builders were relocated to New Hartford along side Dantzig, who was re-hired as Technical Director. Hamer then began concentrating on a core of high-quality styles targeted at the burgeoning upper-end and collector market.

Under its parent company Kaman Music, Hamer was acquired by guitar big Fender Musical Instruments on December thirty first, 2007.