Hamer Tailpieces
Hamer 8-hole tailpiece that was used on 8-string and 12-string basses.
A common criticism of the Hamer tailpiece is that it is positioned "backwards". By this the critics mean that the screws anchoring the tailpiece to the body should be underneath the ball ends rather than being underneath the strings on the side nearest the bridge. Hamer positioned their tailpieces this same way ever since building their first 8-string and 12-string basses.
A problem that has been reported with this style of tailpiece is that it may start to lift off the body due to the prolonged string tension.
An easy fix for a lifting tailpiece is to place a layer or two of tape underneath the tailpiece on the bridge side, then screw the tailpiece back down securely. This has the effect of flattening the body underneath the tailpiece that may have been compressed due to the string tension.
This custom aluminum tailpiece was made for James Hunting’s Hamer B12A 12-string bass by Alan Witherbey of Pasadena, California. It utilizes an inverted "T" shape with four screw holes on each side, which doubles the number of screws fastening the tailpiece to the body.
James told us, "Whoever decided on the style of the tailpiece was not thinking design and durability at all. It belongs on a Fender Strat. I have amended their poor design."
When changing strings James uses a discarded ‘E’ string to align the ball ends.