The 1997 Hamer USA Eclipse in Cherry is a distinctive American-made electric guitar from one of Hamer’s most creative periods, combining an unusual offset double-cutaway body with a compact 24.75" scale, all-mahogany construction and twin Seymour Duncan mini-humbuckers.

Designed to sit somewhere between familiar vintage guitar traditions and Hamer’s own forward-thinking approach, the Eclipse offers a focused, punchy alternative to conventional full-size humbucker guitars. Its mini-humbucker configuration provides plenty of definition while retaining the warmth and drive required for rock, blues, alternative and studio work.

This Pre-Owned 1997 example is offered in Very Good condition and is supplied with a hardcase.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Hamer USA
Model	Eclipse
Year	1997
Finish	Cherry
Construction	Set-Neck, Mahogany
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good
Included	Hardcase
Main Appeal	Uncommon USA-made Hamer with twin mini-humbuckers
Best For	Rock, blues, alternative, indie, recording and live use

Pre-Owned Condition Report

Very Good Condition

This 1997 Hamer USA Eclipse is offered in Very Good condition.

Very Good condition means the guitar has been previously played and can show light signs of normal ownership while remaining well presented and suitable for regular musical use.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing.

What’s Included?

✔ 1997 Hamer USA Eclipse Cherry
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This Eclipse is graded Very Good, making it a strong option for players looking for a clean Pre-Owned example of an increasingly uncommon USA Hamer.

The Cherry finish complements the compact offset body shape particularly well, giving the guitar a recognisable mid-1990s Hamer character without looking like another conventional double-cutaway design.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This Pre-Owned Hamer USA Eclipse has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before sale.

Our checks include:

• Neck and bridge pickup output checked
• Three-way pickup selector tested
• Volume and tone controls checked
• Output socket tested
• Frets inspected
• Rosewood fingerboard assessed
• Neck condition checked
• Tuning machines inspected
• Bridge hardware checked
• Strap buttons inspected
• General hardware condition assessed
• Tuning stability checked
• Overall playability assessed
• Hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All Pre-Owned electric guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

Our assessment includes:

• Action checked
• Neck relief checked
• Frets inspected
• Intonation checked
• Tuning stability checked
• Electronics tested
• Pickup output checked
• Bridge setup assessed
• Hardware checked
• General playability assessed

Please note that guitar setup can shift slightly during delivery because changes in temperature and humidity can naturally affect wooden instruments in transit.

Why Choose The 1997 Hamer USA Eclipse?

Distinctive Hamer Design

The Eclipse uses an asymmetrical offset double-cutaway body with short horns and a rounded lower bout, giving it a recognisable identity without simply reproducing another established guitar shape.

All-Mahogany Set-Neck Construction

Hamer built the Eclipse with a mahogany body and glued-in mahogany neck, giving it the substantial feel and strong fundamental response players often associate with classic set-neck electric guitars.

Seymour Duncan Mini-Humbuckers

A pair of Seymour Duncan mini-humbuckers gives the Eclipse a useful middle ground between full-size humbucker weight and brighter single-coil-style definition, making it particularly versatile for driven rhythm and articulate lead sounds.

Compact 24.75" Scale

The 24.75" scale provides a comfortable string feel for bending and vibrato while helping give the Eclipse a familiar response for players coming from traditional short-scale set-neck guitars.

An Uncommon USA Hamer

The Eclipse had a relatively short production life, making surviving USA examples considerably less common than many mainstream American electric guitars from the same period.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Hamer USA Eclipse vs Gibson Les Paul Special

A Les Paul Special offers a more traditional single-cut platform and usually a broader familiarity among players, while the Eclipse provides a more individual offset design, mini-humbucker character and the appeal of comparatively uncommon 1990s Hamer USA production.

Hamer USA Eclipse vs Gibson Firebird

Both can appeal to players who enjoy more focused humbucker-style tones, but the Firebird has a much larger body and its own distinctive construction. The Eclipse is considerably more compact and conventional in feel while retaining a similarly individual visual identity.

Hamer USA Eclipse vs Hamer Special

The Hamer Special follows one of the company’s better-known traditional double-cutaway designs, while the Eclipse is more visually unconventional and particularly suited to players who want something less familiar within the Hamer USA catalogue.

Hamer USA Eclipse vs Modern Twin-Humbucker Guitar

A modern twin-humbucker model may offer easier availability and contemporary specifications, while the Eclipse is better suited to players who value American boutique-era construction, uncommon design and genuine 1990s Hamer character.

Who Is It For?

Hamer Enthusiasts

A particularly appealing option for players already familiar with Hamer USA guitars who want one of the company’s less commonly encountered 1990s designs.

Rock And Alternative Players

The set-neck mahogany construction and mini-humbucker pickups suit driven rhythm guitar, expressive lead work and players who rely on overdrive or distortion.

Blues Players

The shorter scale and clear humbucker-style response make the Eclipse well suited to expressive bends, dynamic amplifier breakup and warmer lead tones.

Studio Guitarists

Its mini-humbuckers offer a useful tonal alternative to both conventional full-size humbuckers and traditional single-coils, making the Eclipse a good option for layering contrasting guitar sounds.

Players Looking For Something Different

If you want an American-made guitar with genuine pedigree but would rather avoid the most predictable Gibson or Fender choices, the Eclipse has considerable appeal.

Suitable Genres And Uses

• Rock
• Blues
• Alternative
• Indie
• Classic rock
• Hard rock
• Punk
• Pop rock
• Lead guitar
• Rhythm guitar
• Studio recording
• Rehearsals
• Live performance
• Pedal-based guitar rigs

What Makes Mini-Humbuckers Different?

Mini-humbuckers use a narrower magnetic aperture than conventional full-size humbuckers, which generally gives them a tighter, more focused response with increased note definition while retaining hum-cancelling operation.

In a mahogany set-neck guitar such as the Eclipse, that balance can be particularly useful. You still get enough body and output for overdriven guitar sounds, but chords and individual notes can retain greater separation than with some thicker-sounding full-size humbuckers.

Looking for advice on choosing the right Hamer USA guitar, mini-humbucker electric guitar or unusual Pre-Owned American electric guitar? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: Hamer USA Eclipse

The Hamer Eclipse debuted in 1994 alongside the Mirage as Hamer continued expanding its USA range beyond the designs for which the company had already become well known. Rather than copying a traditional guitar outline, Hamer developed a compact asymmetrical double-cutaway shape with short horns and a rounded lower body.

The original Eclipse specification reflected Hamer’s reputation for combining vintage influences with modern ideas. Its mahogany body and set mahogany neck were traditional choices, but the compact offset outline, Seymour Duncan mini-humbuckers, Wilkinson wraparound bridge and Lubritrak nut gave the model a distinctly 1990s identity.

1997 was an important year in Hamer history. Kaman/Ovation decided to consolidate guitar production at its New Hartford, Connecticut facility, leading to the closure of Hamer’s suburban Chicago operation. The move resulted in a significant realignment of the Hamer range, although the Eclipse was one of the models that survived the transition.

The Eclipse itself did not remain in production for long afterwards, disappearing after 1998. That short lifespan makes a 1997 Hamer USA Eclipse an interesting snapshot of a transitional period in the company’s history, when Hamer was refining its boutique American identity while moving into a new manufacturing era.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Hamer USA
Model	Eclipse
Model Code	GECS
Year	1997
Finish	Cherry
Body Style	Asymmetrical Offset Double Cutaway
Body Material	Mahogany
Neck Material	Mahogany
Neck Construction	Set Neck
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Inlays	Dot
Scale Length	24.75"
Number of Frets	22
Pickup Configuration	HH
Pickups	2 x Seymour Duncan Mini-Humbuckers
Controls	Master Volume, Master Tone
Pickup Selector	3-Way
Bridge	Wilkinson Hardtail Wraparound
Nut	Lubritrak
Tuner Layout	3-Per-Side
Hardware	Chrome
String Configuration	6-String
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good

The documented Eclipse specification includes an all-mahogany set-neck build, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, 24.75" scale, twin Seymour Duncan mini-humbuckers and Wilkinson wraparound bridge.

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required for the guitar’s passive electronics.

Connect it to a guitar amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or suitable audio interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying Pre-Owned is a particularly good way to discover discontinued instruments and unusual models that are no longer represented in current manufacturers’ catalogues.

The Hamer USA Eclipse is a strong example: its short production life, distinctive design and American construction give it a character that is difficult to replicate simply by choosing a current mainstream guitar.

At Fair Deal Music, our Pre-Owned guitars are individually checked and assessed before sale, helping customers buy older and less-common instruments with greater confidence.

Fair Deal Music Verdict 🎵

★★★★★ 5/5

The 1997 Hamer USA Eclipse in Cherry is a strong choice for players who value quality American guitar building but want something more individual than the usual choices. Its compact set-neck mahogany construction, Seymour Duncan mini-humbuckers and unusual offset body give it a distinctive personality, while its relatively short production history adds genuine enthusiast appeal.

Best suited for: Rock, blues and alternative players looking for an uncommon USA-made electric guitar.

Customers usually upgrade from: Mid-range twin-humbucker guitars and more conventional set-neck electric guitars.

Most commonly paired with: Valve or modelling amplifiers, overdrive and distortion pedals, delay and reverb.

Our tip: The Eclipse is particularly worth considering if you like the feel of short-scale set-neck guitars but want more note definition and a much less predictable visual identity.

Showroom feedback: Its combination of compact proportions, mini-humbucker response and uncommon Hamer design makes the Eclipse especially appealing to players who enjoy instruments with their own personality.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team helps players find the right instruments and equipment whether they're purchasing their first serious guitar, upgrading an existing setup or searching for something unusual in the Pre-Owned market.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new and Pre-Owned musical equipment
• Decades of experience buying and selling guitars
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Secure online ordering
• UK delivery
• Friendly support before and after purchase
• Extensive experience with used, rare and less-common instruments

For an individual guitar such as this Hamer USA Eclipse, our team can also help with questions about suitability, feel and whether its distinctive specification is right for your playing requirements.

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're upgrading your guitar, amplifier, keyboard, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of gear you no longer use while making your next instrument more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are mini-humbuckers suitable for high-gain sounds?

Yes. Mini-humbuckers can work very well with overdrive and distortion, particularly for players who want strong sustain and drive without losing too much note separation.

What string gauge works well on a 24.75" scale guitar?

A 10–46 set is a popular all-round choice, while lighter strings can make bending easier and heavier gauges can suit players who prefer greater resistance or use lower tunings.

Can the wraparound bridge be adjusted for setup changes?

Yes. The bridge can be incorporated into the guitar’s overall setup when adjusting action and intonation. Larger changes in string gauge or tuning may justify a corresponding setup check.

Can I use the Eclipse with modern pedals and amp modellers?

Yes. Its passive electric-guitar output works with traditional amplifiers, pedalboards, multi-effects processors, digital modelling systems and compatible audio interfaces.

Is a discontinued Hamer USA suitable as a regular gigging guitar?

Yes. Discontinued status does not prevent an older guitar from being used professionally. Condition, setup, reliability and personal playing preference are more important considerations.

Can I request a closer look before purchasing?

Yes. For an uncommon Pre-Owned instrument such as this, our Request a Video Demo option is particularly useful if you would like a closer look before making your decision.