The Hamer Standard guitar, one of the company’s early designs, was inspired by the Gibson Explorer. Hamer Guitars, founded in 1973, initially produced custom variations of the Standard and Flying V guitars before incorporating more mainstream models. The company became known for its boutique, vintage-style electric guitars aimed at professional musicians. By 1977, Hamer was operating from Palatine, Illinois, with subcontracted woodworking done by Tom Holmes Company, which allowed them to expand their offerings. This early focus attracted notable customers, including big-name touring bands of the era.
