In 1974 Hamer used a four digit number stamped into the wood starting with guitar #0000 and until the launch of the Sunburst this system was used on all guitars. The Sunbursts were numbered using a different system : the first digit represents the year of production and the following four (or later five digit number) is the total number of guitars made by Hamer and numbered using this system. So for example guitar #8 0196 was made in 1978 and was the 196th guitar to be numbered using this system. Similarly # 8 21416 was made in 1988 and was the 21416th guitar to be numbered. These numbers were printed using ink or paint (black on most but yellow on black and dark coloured instruments).

Hamer Guitar Serial Number Lookup

• In 1974 Hamer used a four digit number stamped into the wood starting with guitar #0000 and until the launch of the Sunburst this system was used on all guitars. The Sunbursts were numbered using a different system: the first digit represents the year of production and the following four (or later five digit number) is the total number of.
• So I've been looking for a nice Hamer for a while, and I just found a sunburst Hamer archtop dc. However, as the owner is a big shop, they did not provide much detail about the guitar, just store policies. In one of the photos, I saw that the serial number was 7097771, and it was made in Korea.
• The numbers can be difficult to read as they were sometimes stamped at a slight angle or with inconsistent pressure, consequently mistakes exist on published serial number lists. All of the early Hamer USA Standards and 12-string basses such as the Quad Bass as well as a number of prototype instruments were included in this serial numbering system.

By 1980 most guitars made were numbered using this later system but some custom instruments (notably Standards and Eight-string basses) were numbered using the older four digit numbering system, a very few were still numbered using this system up until 1985 (e.g Standard #0722 was completed in May 1984); in total about 750 instruments were numbered using these four digit numbers.

The Hamer Archtop. The Archtop is based on the Hamer Studio body, the third classic Hamer design introduced in 1977. Upgraded with a solid Maple top on Mahogany body, the tone is beefy yet focused and a Transparent Black on figured Maple veneer results in a visually inspiring instrument. Hamer USA Guitars: Serial Numbering System From 1974 through 1981 Hamer USA employed two separate serial numbering systems, one for custom instruments and one for production models: Custom Instruments: These instruments are easily recognized by the use of a four digit number stamped into the wood on the back of the peghead.

Late in 1987 the serial numbers were stamped into the wood rather than printed. Just to complicate matters many one-of-a-kind and prototype instruments have numbers that do not relate to either of the above systems.

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Hamer Guitar Serial Numbers

Ted Martin

Hamer Guitar Dating

A lover of Hamer Guitars since buying Cheap Trick at Budokan in 1978, Ted Martin is the founder and maintainer of the Hamer Fan Club.He is also the board chair for local Minneapolis music non-profit: DEMO.