Hamer PB-12 12-String Basses

Hamer PB-12 12-string basses

Two P-Bass style 12-string basses were made by Hamer in 1987. They are referred to as model PB-12. This one is the second of the two basses made and was built for master bassist Billy Sheehan. It has custom Bartolini and P-Bass pick-ups, electronics similar to those found in Sheehan's Fender basses, a custom 8-saddle bridge and custom tailpiece. It has a single truss rod. This bass was strung Inverted with the Fundamental string on top since Sheehan is a fingerstyle player and the Inverted arrangement allows for the octave strings to be much more prominent when played fingerstyle.

Sheehan gave this bass to Chip Z'Nuff, who later sold it to session pro Will Lee but Lee returned it because it had neck problems. Z'Nuff eventually sold this bass for parts since the neck rendered it unplayable. It is interesting that Chip Z'Nuff is also a fingerstyle player but, except for his brief encounter with this bass, all of his other 12's have been strung Standard.

The first PB-12 12-string bass was made in the Pink Pearl finish. It is unknown if that bass still survives.