EBMM to replace Hamer Studio?

[uvacom]

Okay, so I got a Hamer Studio somewhat recently (couple months ago), and it's a fantastic guitar - really top-notch build, beautiful, etc. It also turned me on to humbuckers. The problem is, the neck profile is not right for me - it's a little thinner than I like, but also it has sort of a u-carve that is too flat in the center and too steep around the edges. So, I am giving serious thought to kicking it to the curb.

Enter EBMM - I love my Albert Lee more than any other guitar, so replacing the Studio with another EBMM is an obvious choice. But the questions is, which model?

As far as I'm concerned, these are the contenders:

Silhouette: Seems to be a good choice w/ the virtual PAFs. My primary concern is that the picking area will feel a little cramped. I guess I could route a Silo SS for a HB in the neck position, but I don't like to hack up guitars if I don't have to. That's what parts-o-casters are for.

Axis Super Sport: This seems like a very good choice as well. Nice maple top, 2xHB (or MM90s, perhaps). The only thing that worries me about an ASS is that the pickups may be too hot. The Hamer has a Duncan JB in the bridge and that is just waaaay to midrange-y for me. I like more of a vintage PAF-type flavor, methinks. Of course, pickups can always be replaced. The MM90s are also an option, but I'm almost concerned the crossover between the AL would be too great. Also, no forearm contour is a little bit of a drag.

Albert Lee MM90: This is another option to consider. I like the albert lee from a playability standpoint, so it's got that going for it. I don't know if I'd like the MM90s or not but good things have been said. Besides, if I don't then there are other choices, like P90-shaped humbuckers.

Okay, so help me out here. Key things to keep in mind are that I'm looking for a big but mellow sound (i.e. PAF-like, full-range response good but no shrill treble and plenty of low-end a must). I'm also really not crazy about the 24 fret thing. I would like a rosewood board just for contrast, but maple's okay too. Also, I want something *different* from my AL, otherwise why even have a second guitar?

Oh, and no Hamer bashing. They make a mean guitar, this one's just not for me.

 

[robelinda2]

Good choices you have, get em all! AL w/MM90's is the pick for me. The maybe the ASS w/MM90's. Then buy a Silo after that!

 

[candid_x]

I think a 20th Silo is an obvious choice to replace the Hamer Studio, if you can still find one.

 

[Lou]

I own a studio and none of those guitars are going to have the same feel/sound of the studio. What type of sounds/music are you looking to play?

 

[mbgreene]

I'd also say the 20th Silo if you can find one.

Pete's website still has one with rosewood and piezo listed, unless he sold it last night at the Morse Clinic. There is also one with rosewood/non-matching at the Manhattan GC that they were recently willing to deal on. You could call them up about it.

The other HH consideration may be the Y2D - also gets you the middle single but its location is different than the Silo and its a 22 fretter.

 

[uvacom]

The 20th silo would be an awesome choice, the only thing is that a Studio on the used market only gets like $800, maybe. So I think even a used 20th would constitute a major trade deficit.

 

[uvacom]

I own a studio and none of those guitars are going to have the same feel/sound of the studio. What type of sounds/music are you looking to play?

No, this is true. I'm not looking for a 1:1 replacement, just something with a couple humbuckers and a big mellow sound. The stuff I play is sort of "indie", I guess. That doesn't really say much, but I mostly like clean and slightly broken-up sounds. The tone is similar to country, funk, pop, etc.

 

[Jimmyb]

The Axis Super Sport is definitely worth a look. The 5-way switch lets you get some really nice clean tones using the split coils.

You can reallly get some versatility with the sounds that the guitar can produce. I like clean tones as a base for rhythm playing and I've found that my sport and super sport can give some really nice results.

20th would be great if you could pick one up as well...

 

[Astrofreq]

I wish EB would replace Hammer Studios and put out some killer Dracula movies.

 

[Lou]

Pete still has the 20th as far as I know. I didn't plug it in, but played it unplugged for a bit. That mofo was LOUD and rand like a bell. It would sound killer thru an amp I bet.

 

[beej]

Another vote for the 20th, or a Y2D. Both of which are upward from the budget, though.

That said, what about a used HSH Silhouette? You an find them at your budget (two for sale in the sticky threads) and just get a new HH pickguard, or dial the single down really low so it's out of the way? Pickups are ideal and if not they're easy to swap.

 

[Spudmurphy]

The MM90 equipped AL will make you smile!!
They are versatile pickups that's for sure.

I would also suggest getting an AL with a rosewood neck - it would have to be a Dargie, or 2006 LE AL for that to happen.

 

[mark_tampa]

I had a Hamer Special for quite some time and decided to sell it off and got a EBMM Steve Morse original (4 pickup version). I did a year on a cuise ship playing a 60-80's retro review show 2 times a night playing 14 tunes, 10 of them on the Morse and 4 on a Hamer DuoTone. This was a few years ago, but was a interesting time.

The Morse is a great guitar and handled most everything I through at it, the Hamer had a piezo that I liked to use on a few tunes and the Duncan's had a sound that I prefered on a few others but the Morse did the majority of the work.

Since then I've sold off a few guitars and purchased a AL single coil version and a Hamer Artist P90 and really dig both of them as well. The Al has all the vintage "quack" that I like to hear in a single coil guitar and the Artist P90 semi-hollow has a sound all it's own.

The Morse is still my #1 goto guitar to dialup most any tone I want with a single guitar, the Al has the vintage voice, the Duotone has the classic dual Duncan tone and the Artist has that nasty P90 tone I dig. Wish there was one guitar that could do all I want, but if I could only do with one, the Morse would be it.

 

[Sub1 Zero]

Snag a Silo on ebay. They go painfully cheap, and it sounds like it'd do you well. I don't have any problems with the picking space, either.

 

[philiprst]

Since the neck profile was the reason you want to change out the Hamer it would seem to me that the only way to go is find a non-AL EBMM with a neck profile you like.

 

[uvacom]

Well, is the silo pretty similar to the AL in terms of neck feel...I mean roughly, is it a nice C-shape? I have smaller hands and do a lot of chording, so I find a nice round carve suits me well.

 

[Sub1 Zero]

Ernie Ball Music Man Silhouette Guitar - (item 170135838864 end time Aug-06-07 14:00:26 PDT)

That thing is pretty much brand new, and very affordable. There's also a blue pearl with trem up right now at a low price, and a couple of 20ths. I really think a silo would be a great choice bro

 

[uvacom]

Ernie Ball Music Man Silhouette Guitar - (item 170135838864 end time Aug-06-07 14:00:26 PDT)

That thing is pretty much brand new, and very affordable. There's also a blue pearl with trem up right now at a low price, and a couple of 20ths. I really think a silo would be a great choice bro

I know, I've seen all those, and have been drooling over them. The sunburst especially is a stupidly good deal.

But, after playing and looking at the Hamer, I decided I can't sell it. It might not be my main axe, but it's a beautiful piece I got at a great price. I'm attached to it, I think it's a special instrument, and I'm not going to part with it. What I am going to do is save money. I'm going to save until the AL and/or ASS BFRs come out, and then I'm going to lay down a deposit. If they are never announced, I'll eventually save up enough to order something else, maybe an ASS MM90 would make a good alternate to the Hamer *and* the AL.

 

[robelinda2]

so hard to choose between, just choose which one to buy FIRST!

 

[roburado]

so hard to choose between, just choose which one to buy FIRST!

Yeah. +1 Then, your next problem will be which one to buy next.