Hamer
Since 1973
Hamer Guitars was founded in 1973 by Paul Hamer and Jol Dantzig in Wilmette, Illinois—widely recognized as the first 'boutique' electric guitar brand. Starting from a vintage guitar repair shop called Northern Prairie Music, they began building custom instruments inspired by Gibson Explorer and Flying V designs when those models were out of production. The Hamer Sunburst (1977) became a classic, and the brand earned loyalty from Rick Nielsen, Andy Summers, and countless professional players. After acquisitions by Kaman Music (1988) and then Fender (2008), domestic production ended in 2013. USA-made Hamer guitars from the Illinois and Connecticut eras are now increasingly valuable collectibles.
53
Years in Business
200K+
Guitars Sold
$5M+
Annual Revenue
Complete Hamer Guitar Guide
Comprehensive buying guide, price analysis, model comparisons, and expert insights to help you understand everything about Hamer guitars.
Hamer Price Overview
Hamer covers a wide range of instruments from entry-level to professional models. Typical used prices vary by condition, series and year. Higher-end USA models and limited editions retain value better than mass-market lines, while rare or vintage pieces often command significant premiums.
When evaluating value, consider originality (pickups, hardware), structural condition (neck, frets, finish) and documentation (serials, receipts, setup reports). Price dispersion across platforms is common; local stores offer service and inspection, whereas online marketplaces provide broader selection and price transparency.
For detailed buying advice, model comparisons and condition-based pricing, read the full guide linked above.
Market Overview
Average Price
$780
+7% vs last year
eBay Listings
900
Active listings
Sold This Month
160
+5% vs last month
Price Range
$150-$15,000
Current market range
Data sourced from eBay, Reverb, and Guitar Center used listings
Hamer Timeline
Northern Prairie Music
Paul Hamer and Jol Dantzig opened Northern Prairie Music in Wilmette, Illinois—a vintage guitar repair shop that would birth the boutique guitar movement.
First Custom Instruments
Built the first custom Hamer instruments—a Flying V bass and Explorer-style guitars—for professional musicians seeking designs Gibson had discontinued.
Sunburst Model Debuts
Released the Hamer Sunburst, a dual-humbucker design inspired by the Gibson Explorer. Production was approximately 10 guitars per week.
Arlington Heights Factory
Moved to a dedicated factory in Arlington Heights, Illinois, bringing all manufacturing in-house under Jol Dantzig's oversight.
Rick Nielsen Partnership
Built custom five-neck and other extreme guitars for Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, generating legendary publicity for the brand.
Special & Standard Models
Expanded lineup with the Special (double-cutaway) and Standard (single-cutaway) models alongside the Sunburst, offering more traditional body shapes.
Kaman Music Acquisition
Kaman Music Corporation acquired Hamer, providing resources for growth while initially maintaining USA production quality.
Move to Connecticut
Relocated production to New Hartford, Connecticut (Kaman headquarters). Quality remained high but Illinois-era instruments became instantly collectible.
Fender Acquires Kaman
Fender Musical Instruments purchased Kaman Music, becoming Hamer's third corporate owner.
Domestic Production Ends
Fender discontinued Hamer's USA production line, effectively ending the original brand. Some import models continued briefly.
Complete Hamer Product Lineup
Hamer: The original boutique guitar—handcrafted in Illinois since 1973
USA Vintage (1974-1996, Illinois)
Original Illinois-made instruments—most collectible
Flagship—$1,500-$5,000+
LP alternative—$1,200-$4,000
Versatile classic—$1,000-$3,500
V-shape—$1,500-$4,000
Rare—$1,500-$4,500
USA Connecticut Era (1997-2012)
Kaman-era USA production—quality maintained
Connecticut-made—$800-$2,000
Professional quality—$700-$1,800
Semi-hollow—$900-$2,200
Affordable USA—$600-$1,500
Import Series (XT, Slammer)
Overseas-made affordable models
Import version—$200-$500
Affordable double-cut—$200-$450
Budget entry—$100-$300
Artist/Custom Models
Special builds and collaborations
Legendary custom build
The Police guitarist
Professional archtops
"Hamer: The original boutique guitar—handcrafted in Illinois since 1973"
Model-Specific Buying Guide
Each model has unique characteristics that affect both tone and value. Here's what to look for when buying specific models.
Illinois Era (1974-1996) Guide
The Most Collectible Era
Illinois-made Hamers are the crown jewels. Handbuilt by Jol Dantzig's team with exceptional attention to detail. Early 4-digit serials (pre-1980) command the highest premiums—$2,000-$15,000+
Sunburst Is King
The Hamer Sunburst is the brand's defining instrument—an Explorer-inspired shape with dual humbuckers. Original 1977-1980 Sunbursts are the most collectible, with values climbing 7-10% annually
First Boutique Premium
Hamer was the first boutique guitar brand. This historical significance—predating PRS, Tom Anderson, and Suhr—gives Illinois-era instruments a collector narrative that supports long-term appreciation
Connecticut Era (1997-2012) Guide
Undervalued Quality
Connecticut-era Hamers at $600-$2,000 offer USA-made quality from Kaman's professional facility. These are genuinely excellent instruments that haven't yet received full collector recognition
Monaco Semi-Hollow
The Monaco is the hidden gem of the Connecticut era—a USA-made semi-hollow with exceptional build quality at $900-$2,200. As Hamer collecting matures, Monacos should appreciate
Last USA Production
Connecticut instruments represent Hamer's final domestic production run. When Fender shut it down in 2013, these became the last USA Hamers ever made—finite supply with growing recognition
Used Hamer Buying Guide
Identify the Era
Illinois (1974-1996): highest value. Connecticut (1997-2012): excellent quality, undervalued. Import (XT/Slammer): budget players. Serial number research is essential for dating
Neck Joint Quality
USA Hamers feature meticulous set-neck construction. Inspect the heel joint carefully—it should be tight and gap-free. Any separation indicates structural issues that reduce value
XT Series Value
Import XT models at $200-$500 are excellent player guitars that represent the Hamer aesthetic at budget prices. Not collectible, but well-built and increasingly hard to find as inventory depletes