The Original 'Gibson Killer' | HAMER Sunburst

Gear I use to make my videos

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00:00 - Jam 1
00:54 - Double Cut LP?
06:29 - Clean
07:22 - Crunch
08:22 - Filth
09:22 - Jam 2

[LeonTodd]

What's your favourite LP alternative?

[cliftonwright]

I love old Hamers. I’ve had a Californian, a Blitz explorer, a Tele, a Diablo and I still have my granite finished Centura I bought when I was 18 and it fuckin rules.

[greekfreak]

Gary Moore used to play these Hamer doublecutaway models during the 80´s, but his models had OFR trems and I believe DiMarzio custom made humbuckers.
On the "Run for Cover" album cover, he´s holding one of them and there´s a live video of Gary performing "Military Man" & "Out in the Fields", together with Phil Lynott, where he plays a white Hamer with an OFR and that thing sounds absolutely killer.

[trentcmiller]

Loved Hamer guitars since I got my first one in high school. Have 5 currently - 2 Centauras, 2 Californians and a one-off custom that was never a production model which is one of the best guitars I've ever played. I would like a late 70s early 80s Hamer.

[rotatingdriveline]

Somewhere in Australia, Leon Todd is singlehandedly filling a landfill with all truss rod covers in existence. 😂

[travisrusselldc]

Yes! Love me some Hamers. Fell in love with the look when I saw the inside cover of Gary Hoey’s Animal Instinct album, where he was pictured with a Hamer Sunburst sitting on the railroad tracks.

My first Hamer was a 1994 Hamer Mirage with the koa top I got brand new in January 1995. Still have it with the original sales receipt. I think I’ve had around 15 or so USA Hamers over the years including a 78 B&C Sunburst, 97 Mahogany Standard, 88 Californian, plus several others.

Still have a Mirage I, Mirage II, Mirage Maple Top, and a Talladega.

[KDonhoops]

when I was a kid I lived by their "factory" so I've always loved them, bought the recent Indonesian-made ones (which I didn't know existed) when I spotted it at a pawn shop and it is wonderful, my Billy Bremner guitar.

[Scott__C]

Hamer was one of those companies that was ahead of their time.

[matthewryan]

Multiple Hamer owner with a 78 Standard. Been saying this for years. I have an '81 Sunburst and an '80 Special that I'd put up against a Les Paul any day of the week. Thank you for this!!!

[barry]

Hamer Standard specked out like a Les Paul ! My dream guitar !!

[stevengoodman]

Love these old Hamer guitars. Truly built like a tank. Awesome post and killer playing as well LT!

[DPG-Guitar]

Got a 78 Sunburst myself, really good guitar if a bit on the weighty side. Has the flat top, one piece flame maple veneer opposed to a carved maple cap, shimmed sustain block
bridge and Di Marzio PAFs. As I understand it, the current SE Asia made Hamers have no connection to the original Hamer, just that the current company bought the rights to use the name.

BTW, fellow Aussie here and found your channel via the 5 best Blackmore riffs. Loved that one and this one doesn't disappoint either. Great stuff.

PS. IMO both Hamer and PRS do a better job on the top carve than Gibson themselves do on their Les Paul DC.

[gregsteffey]

Thank you for informing the world. Yes Hamer USA rules!! I have a T51. Love it!!

[Wileylikethehawk]

I had one about twenty years ago. It was an amazing guitar.

I often described it as “Not my favorite guitar, but definitely my _best_ guitar.”

[StuartKReilly]

I've been highly interested in getting one of the Korean Hamers. It seems like they give you that Les Paul tone while still being different from everything else. Hamer also has the Monaco which is their take on a single cut which looks really nice. I know Def Leppard used to use tons of Hamers during the High and Dry tour. There's lots of photos of Pete Willis and Steve Clark using both the double cuts and the explorers.

[scottwest]

I own a 95 Hamer Artist, the model with a carved maple top over mahogany back and a single f hole (it is semi-hollow on the upper bout only), A great guitar that I use mainly for slide duty now. Outstanding playing on this vid Mr. Todd!!!!

[waynefaircloth]

I own 3 Burny Les Paul Custom's from the early to mid 90's that I absolutely LOVE and gig with all the time. I also have a Greco Les Paul Custom from the same time frame that I am putting new pickups in and will insert into the live gigs as well.

[AlexanderTVolt]

I owned a couple of Hamers over the years. Love em. My standard was my main guitar for years until the great theft of my gear a while back. I wish I still had that standard. Unbelievable how expensive they are today to get one.

[kerrymcdonough]

Hi Leon,
First time commenting and first time to be subscribing...
Love your approach and style with your gear reviews, etc.
I had owned a Hammer Monaco Elite with a gorgeous amber flame top for a few years. Traded it for what I thought was going to be that 'epiphany axe.'. What a mistake. Loved that guitar and it truly was for me, the LP Standard that Gibson could not make.
Also, this is not the first video where you have thrown in some Michael Schenker's Armed and Ready riffing!
That riff STILL makes it into my regular rotation when trying out an amp at stage volume.
Love it!!!
Thanks again for all you do in the guitar-o-sphere!

[bassfingers]

I did a couple of years Quality Control for Hamer at their distribution point here in the UK. I had an amazing time and got to tweak and fettle some beautiful instruments. My personal fave was a Monaco 3 with 3 P 90’s (in red w/Bigsby). If you ever see one, Leon give it a go. Loving the channel mate, more power to ya! ✌️