Looks to be a '98 Hamer Archtop. Korean made. According to Vintage Guitar Magazine's article on the vintage Hamers, this is about a '98 model, which seems to coincide with the serial number. Here is what the article has to say:
'Import Series
As mentioned, ca. '97 Hamer began to shift its Korean imports from the Slammer Series into the Import Series, switching Slammer production to Indonesia. The Import Series, sometimes called the Hamer Guitar, was intended to be the company's mid-line offering. Since Korean manufacturers have dramatically improved their quality in recent years, these are high-quality guitars, designed in the U.S. and made overseas. Hamer's Korean Imports carry the Hamer logo (no 'USA,' see the sidebar on logos).
In '98 the Import Series included the Sunburst Arch Top Flame Top (SATF), Standard (STD), Rick Nielsen Signature (RNS), Echotone (ECO), Stellar 1 (ST1), Californian (CAL), Diablo (DAB), and Cruise 4 (CRS) and Cruise 5 (CRV) basses. The Sunburst Arch Top Flame Top, Californian, Diablo, and Cruise basses were continuations of previous Slammer models. As alluded to earlier, in terms of design the Import Series was very similar to their previous American counterparts, although materials were sometimes different. Pickups on the Import Series were Duncan Designed.
The Import Sunburst Arch Top Flame Top was basically the equivalent of the Hamer USA Studio, which descended from the Sunburst Archtop Standard. Carved flame maple top over mahogany, rosewood dotneck with three-and-three head. Color options were Cherry Sunburst, Purpleburst and Blueburst.
The Import Standard basically replaced the old USA Standard. This looked like the old model, complete with pickguard, but was now made of solid maple with a glued-in neck and scimitar headstock.'
This one is in VG++ condition with just a few small blemishes on the top of the headstock. No nicks or dings and no buckle rash. Will come complete with new strings of your preferred gauge and a good cleaning plus complete setup. This guitar has been sitting on my stand and it never gets played. This guitar is well built and is heavy. Set, wide neck. Duncan Designed pups. Gold hardware. Nice FMT.
'Import Series
As mentioned, ca. '97 Hamer began to shift its Korean imports from the Slammer Series into the Import Series, switching Slammer production to Indonesia. The Import Series, sometimes called the Hamer Guitar, was intended to be the company's mid-line offering. Since Korean manufacturers have dramatically improved their quality in recent years, these are high-quality guitars, designed in the U.S. and made overseas. Hamer's Korean Imports carry the Hamer logo (no 'USA,' see the sidebar on logos).
In '98 the Import Series included the Sunburst Arch Top Flame Top (SATF), Standard (STD), Rick Nielsen Signature (RNS), Echotone (ECO), Stellar 1 (ST1), Californian (CAL), Diablo (DAB), and Cruise 4 (CRS) and Cruise 5 (CRV) basses. The Sunburst Arch Top Flame Top, Californian, Diablo, and Cruise basses were continuations of previous Slammer models. As alluded to earlier, in terms of design the Import Series was very similar to their previous American counterparts, although materials were sometimes different. Pickups on the Import Series were Duncan Designed.
The Import Sunburst Arch Top Flame Top was basically the equivalent of the Hamer USA Studio, which descended from the Sunburst Archtop Standard. Carved flame maple top over mahogany, rosewood dotneck with three-and-three head. Color options were Cherry Sunburst, Purpleburst and Blueburst.
The Import Standard basically replaced the old USA Standard. This looked like the old model, complete with pickguard, but was now made of solid maple with a glued-in neck and scimitar headstock.'
This one is in VG++ condition with just a few small blemishes on the top of the headstock. No nicks or dings and no buckle rash. Will come complete with new strings of your preferred gauge and a good cleaning plus complete setup. This guitar has been sitting on my stand and it never gets played. This guitar is well built and is heavy. Set, wide neck. Duncan Designed pups. Gold hardware. Nice FMT.
Product Specs
- Condition:
- Excellent (Used)
- Brand
- Hamer
- Model
- Archtop Sunburst FMT SATF
- Finish
- Sunburst
- Categories
- Solid Body
- Year
- 98
- Made In
- Korea, Republic of
All of the new Hammer and Ebonite balls have shallow Serial Numbers. AS far as i know, the old deeper numbers were extremly long when they had the USBC Star next to it. I think that Ebonite/Hammer decided that cosmetically, smaller and shalower serial numbers were better. A Note on Hamer Serial Numbers. 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.
Hamer Xt Serial Numbers
A Note on Hamer Serial Numbers. 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.
Korean Hamer Guitar Serial Numbers
The Sunburst 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 Dark Cherry Burst on figured Maple veneer results in a visually inspiring instrument. All of the early Hamer USA Standards and 12-String basses as well as a number of prototype instruments were included in this serial numbering system. Production Models: Production models are stamped (initially with ink, later into the wood, on the back. Its serial number dates manufacture to 1919. This is a Colt' US Armament reprise of the 1903 pocket model. It has all of the major updates except the magazine disconnector that was added in 1926.