Hamer B12S Basses Played by Well-Known Bassists
A gallery of distinctive Hamer B12S 12-string basses
Transparent Amber Hamer B12S 12-string bass once owned by Dweezil Zappa.
The bass is signed by Zappa. It was used on the song “Pure” from his Music For Pets album.
John Gallagher of Raven - Transparent Purple Hamer B12S 12-string bass.
1989 Red Hamer B12S 12-string bass with trapezoid inlays and the B12A headstock, single truss rod.
This bass was owned but rarely played by Rachel Bolan of Skid Row.
"The Bitch" Hamer B12S 12-String Bass
Internationally renowned artist Shannon MacDonald onstage at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, UK.
“The Bitch” Hamer B12S 12-string bass with artwork by Shannon MacDonald.
Internationally recognized artist Shannon has painted guitars for many artists including Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, No Doubt, Bill Idol, and many more. She donated her time to paint two Hamer guitars for Rick Nielsen's charity to help restore the Coronado Theatre in Rockford, Illinois. Shannon then received a call from Jol Dantzig at Hamer, explaining Hamer would like to create a custom guitar especially for her. She was truly thrilled and asked, "Can I paint my own guitar?"
This bass was painted and named by Shannon herself. "The Bitch" caused a lot of stir at Hamer when it arrived painted and ready for assembly. Some loved it, some were quite offended. When asked who modeled for the guitar Shannon explained, "I did! It's my guitar and when I wear it, it fits me perfectly.” If Shannon lines the guitar body up perfectly with her own hips, well, you get the picture.
“The Bitch” got its debut at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, England where Shannon rocked the house with her stunning hip-swaggering 12-string Hamer Bass. Many asked, "Oh, a 12-string bass? I never saw one. Can I try it?" Shannon always agrees to let them have a try as long as she can get a picture of them holding it. She always helps them line it up perfectly for the hilarious photo. Until they see the photo of themselves wearing the "over-the-top FEM guitar" they never understand the laughter in the room.
In response to criticism that this guitar contributes to the further sexualization of women, Shannon responded, “‘Further sexualization of women’? As a female artist, still fighting in a man's world... you don't get a hall pass to lecture ANY woman on what, how, or who they paint. That's MY body on MY guitar and I celebrate it! Also, that guitar doesn't play itself - so as long as it sits in the case it's just another guitar. When it's out of the case I play the hell out of that "Bitch" and I get the sound that Tom Petersson, himself, taught me how to achieve!
Posters and announcements include this bass.
The bass was also shown on a 4-song CD.
Transparent Cherry Hamer B12S 12-string bass owned by Howie Epstein (Tom Petty, Johnny Cash).
Jon Brant’s 1982 Red Hamer B12S 12-string bass
Jon Brant played this bass on stage for several years. It has been estimated that it was used on well over a thousand shows while Jon was playing with Cheap Trick. This is the bass you see on the Thicke of Night 1983 television show, Rockpalast 1983 and several other programs from when Jon first joined the band. The bass was used on the Next Position Please tour which was in 1983. There is also video from the One On One sessions (for MTV) that show Jon using the bass in 1982.
1982 Red Hamer B12S 12-string bass custom made for Jon Brant of Cheap Trick.
Jon Brant on stage with Cheap Trick and his Red Hamer B12S 12-string bass at Six Flags Over Texas amusement park, Arlington, Texas, on October 8, 1983.
SN # 0642 under the 4-digit Hamer custom instrument serial number system used until 1985.
The extra knob on the bass is a boost pot, and when the bass is switched ON an LED flashes on and off. The bass has an on / off switch that has to be pulled up to turn the bass on or off. When moved forward, the switch moves back down to lock the bass on. The LED switch requires two AA batteries, plus there are two 9-volt batteries powering the pick-ups.
Jon Brant on stage with the Red Hamer B12S 12-string bass.
Interestingly, the Carlson speaker cabinet shown was one of the two Carlson cabs that Brant actually used on stage. Before being reunited, the bass had been separated from the cabinet for over 20 years.
A headstock so nice they named it twice!
Jon had the neck shaved down to give it a better feel, and obviously it was never repainted after this procedure. Brant's autograph is on the back of the bass.
Promotional photo showing Pat Badger with a Hamer B12S 12-string bass. The caption on the reverse reads, “Pat Badger of Extreme receives a custom made Hamer 12-string bass from Greg Orred (left) of Kaman Marketing International and Rick Whelden (right), Kaman’s Artist Relations Manager.” It has been reported that Badger didn’t feel that the instrument was a good fit for his band’s music and soon sold this bass.
1990 Black Hamer B12S 12-string bass built for Monty Colvin, bassist for Galactic Cowboys.
Boomerang inlays, ebony fingerboard. This bass was used to record songs on three Galactic Cowboys albums.
A “Stadium” logo and Colvin’s name are o the headstock.
Rick Nielsen’s 1978 White Hamer B12S 12-string bass
1978 White Hamer B12S 12-string bass and the Zebra-striped Hamer Standard 12-string bass used by Pete Comita.
Pete Comita and the 1978 White Hamer B12S 12-string bass in a photo from the Cheap Trick View-Master set from 1981. Jon Brant also played this bass.
Doug Pinnick’s left-handed Black Hamer B12S 12-string bass.