NGD.... another spur of the moment one!

[Philly Q]

Although I've been doing more selling than buying recently, I've got a couple of things on the GAS list.... but this was something I spotted on eBay and just had to go for!  :oops:

It's a 1996 Hamer Eclipse.  I had one of these about 10 years ago, and always semi-regretted selling it.  I suppose it pre-dated my obsession with Juniors and Specials, but it does fit in quite nicely with those guitars.

My old one was prettier than this one (in a sort of faded cherry meets vintage orange) but it had a tune-o-matic and stop tailpiece, and I always wanted the original version with a wraparound bridge.

It doesn't really show in the photos, but it has quite a lot of dents and dings (by my standards!) so hopefully I won't be too precious about it.  All the important parts are in perfect working order.  I must say, it's very much a guitar for the smaller person, the body is tiny although it's no lightweight!

Now to start planning the modifications.....  :lol:

[Twinfan]

I like that Phil, very tasty.  Reminds me of a Travis Bean!

[Sancho]

Very nice indeed. Only thing I would change would probably be the bridge.

[Philly Q]

I like that Phil, very tasty.  Reminds me of a Travis Bean!

No metal neck though!  :lol:

Although it is a bit neck heavy.... I might swap those big metal tuner buttons for wood or plastic ones, which I did on my old Eclipse.

Very nice indeed. Only thing I would change would probably be the bridge.

Precisely, I don't much like the Wilkinson bridge.

I'll get some TonePros studs on there for a start.  Then I have a one-piece aluminium Allparts bridge which will be perfect if the intonation works.  Failing that, I have a couple of Pigtails, a TonePros, I even have a spare PRS stoptail bridge somewhere.  The benefits of hoarding!   

Also the knobs aren't very "grippy", makes it hard to turn the CTS pots with one finger.  So I might change those too.

[Sancho]

I'd go for whatever has the most flexible intonation possibilities. Personally, I'd rather have something like a Badass bridge on there than having to use those two little screws to move the entire bridge.
But I'm weird when it comes to intonation...;)

[Twinfan]

As long as it intonates with your preferred choice of strings, does it matter what bridge it is?

[Philly Q]

As far as I'm concerned, the less adjustment the better, so long as it's close enough for rock'n'roll!  PRS have the right idea.

I don't like the Gibson "lightning bar" bridges with a stepped ridge along the top, but I like this type:



As I say, if that doesn't work I'll use an adjustable one like the TonePros.

[dave_mc]

very nice :) the more i look at it the more it's growing on me

[Mr. Air]

It sure looks like a cool guitar. Is it mini humbuckers, or? And happy NGD!

[viking]

The right day for the right guitar  :santa: :drink:,congrats !How does it sound with those SD mini-HB's ?

[Philly Q]

Haven't plugged in yet, but if I remember right I liked the sound of the neck pickup but the bridge was a bit harsh.

Of course, there aren't too many alternatives in the world of Firebird pickups and mini-humbuckers.  I have a pair of DiMarzios, and a Lollar neck pickup.  Might try those in due course, but we'll see how it goes!

Acoustically, it's got a bright, ringing sort of tone. Better for chords than single notes, I think.  They made a twelve-string version, which makes perfect sense, although it must have been incredibly neck-heavy!!

[dave_mc]

i really like that hamer headstock, too :)

[38thBeatle]

Yep, I like it too- nice one Philly.

[blue]

nice one Philly, congrats.  i've found the same with the mini-humbuckers on my Les Paul Deluxes, neck sounds great but bridge is quite shrill.  i've considered putting a P90 at the bridge

[Telerocker]

Congrats! Those Hamers are amazing value. It's just a plain beauty. The minihb's are a useful addition to your (mainly P90-equipped) arsenal too.