Hamer Guitars are among the finest guitars ever built.
This page is to help you identify the year of any Hamer.
Hamer uses 2 serial numbering systems.
The vintage white Hamer right-handed custom electric guitar, embossed with its serial number on the reverse of the headstock, “0185,” and signed and inscribed on the back in black felt tip, “To Adam, Johnny Ramone.”. 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. The numbers ran from #0000 through #0680. 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. Similarly, 0 1964 was built in 1980 and was the 1,964th production guitar built. The serial numbering sequence by decade is indicated below: 1970s: 7 0001 – 9 1450 1980s: 0 1451 – 9 s: 0 24193 – 9 s: 0 50156 – present. The Ultimate Hamer Guitars: An Illustrated History by Steve Matthes (2013-07-28) Hamer catalogs and pricelists. As with the USA-made basses, the first number indicates the year of manufacture. The serial number and country of origin are printed on a. 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.
Numbering System # 1
1976 to 1981
#0001 to #0680
A Total of 680 guitars
All Custom Shop guitars or custom made for someone special etc etc.
All of these instruments have a stamped into the wood 4 digit serial number
Numbering System # 2
1977 to Present Day
This system would have at least a 5 digit number with a space between the first and second digit
example 2 2047
This would be a 1982 guitar the 2,047th guitar ever built
not including the 680 custom guitars that used the original serial number system
Some samples would be
#7 4871
Made in 1987 the 4,871st Guitar Made
#6 45892
Made in 1996 the 45,892nd Guitar Made
Other pertinent facts to help you figure year out
If you use the numbers below as a gauge you will be able to put the first number in the correct decade