Rebel Yell in Hamer SS

[ronin]

I called myself doing a search on this topic, but couldn't find anything so here goes.  I recently aquired a Hamer SS1, mahogany body, set neck (I think maple) and ebony fretboard, HSS pickups.  It seems pretty obvious to me to swap a Rebel Yell pup in for the bridge HB.  Has anyone done this and/or anyone got some opinions?

The neck scale is the same as Gibson's, does this mean the string spacing is also the same as Gibson's?  If so then I assume the RY would drop right in with no issues.  Does that sound right?

Also, what are anyone's thoughts on the 2 single coil pups?  Stock, something else?  What would match the RY well?

Thanks.

[Philly Q]

Welcome aboard!  :D

Please show us some pictures!  I've always fancied getting a Hamer SS - whenever one comes up on eBay I watch it, but end up not bidding.

As far as I know no-one on the forum has a RY in a SS, but I think it would work well enough.  If the guitar has a Floyd you'll need 53mm spacing.

Not sure about the single coils.  Output-wise, I think the Irish Tours would match, and I believe they're relatively bright which should be OK in mahogany.  But I've never actually tried them.

[ronin]

Thanks for the welcome.  I'll be sure to post some pics as soon as I get it.  I'm waiting on the mail now.  I found it on ebay just liked you talked about.  I had done the same thing for a few years as well.  Not a good time, more than I wanted to pay, etc., but this one came up and didn't get too ridiculous on pricing so I jumped on it.  I can't wait to get it in my hands.  Been dreaming about owning one for 20+ years now.  Still have my original Hamer brochure in a box somewhere.  I'll have to dig it out.

Thanks again.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Think the original Hamer pickup - Hamer "Slammer" if I recall was made by Dimarzio and was about 10k ohms - wound with 43 gauge wire

I would go with the wider spacing .
Is your pickup in straight or at an angle relative to the bridge?

[Philly Q]

Just thinking about the single-coils, I haven't got a picture to hand but I don't think they were standard Strat style SCs.  They were more like one coil of a humbucker attached to a metal baseplate, screwed directly to the body.

But that could be wrong - and the specs may have changed during the model's lifetime anyway.

[ronin]

Everything I have read is that they were made by Dimarzio as well.  I didn't know the ohm rating though, thanks.  All the pickups are straight relative to the bridge.  The SS2s and the Washburn SS models were angled.

I'll have to look at the single coil construction and give you feedback once I get it.

Take care!

[ronin]

Hello.  Sorry for the delay.  I finally got the guitar in (stuff coming from Canada to the USA takes forever apparently...)

Here are a few pics of my new (to me) SSI.  I did some fact finding at a Hamer forum and contacted the factory and was told it was a custom order in '86.  I am very happy with it.  The only real issue with it is the cr@ppy tremolo that was added for some reason.  It originally had a Floyd on it so I will be looking for one of those to bring it back.  Otherwise, she's straight and cleaned up pretty well.  The paint still has a great metallic, ruby red shine that doesn't come through in my mediocre pictures.  Hopefully I can get some better ones later.

Oh, I contacted Tim and asked about using the Slowhands in the middle and neck positions, and he thought they would work well with the Rebel Yell.  The description of darker and mids is what interested me.  I'll have to postpone getting a set for now as I need to finish up my current home renovation project first.  Hopefully soon!

I took a close up of the pickups, so let me know what you think about any of it.  The 2 single coils are floating, and adjustable up or down with the 2 screws on each end.  They have a foam dampener under them.  The HB hangs from the surround piece.

If someone wants another picture, just let me know.  Also, be sure to scroll side to side to see the whole picture.  The right side of the pics looks cut off when they first come up.

Enjoy!

[blue]

nice looking guitar, congratulations.  looks like Philly's right about the single coils, they are a little unusual, but by the look of the route ordinary singles should fit ok.  whoever "installed" that Kahler was a bit of an idiot though! still, if it works ok i wouldn'tv automatically dump it, maybe get someone to clean up the install. probably easier to put a floyd back in though.

whatever you do with it, i wish you much enjoyment with it ;)