Jol Dantzig Guitar Guru Tour 2006
A Celebration of the Guitar Making Art
Mr. Dantzig's workshops are informative and engaging, driven by his passion for his craft
and all things related to guitar. He will be discussing his roots in vintage instruments, and
the history and philosophy of Hamer guitars. Peppered with personal anecdotes about three
decades in the music industry, this conversation with Mr. Dantzig is an event not to be missed.
"Jolyon C. Dantzig combined his childhood love of music, an adolescent infatuation with
pop culture and a natural ability with tools to create a career and influence an industry."
Some of Dantzig's contributions to guitar history include:
• Design of the first 12-string bass
• Design of the first locking tuner
• Design of the first workable electric/acoustic hybrid guitar (DuoTone)
• Creation of the "Modern-Vintage" boutique guitar niche market
Dantzig’s guitar designs have won six Editor’s Pick awards in a row from Guitar Player
magazine. Dantzig has designed guitars for: John Lennon, George Harrison, Sting, Keith Richards,
Gary Moore, Billy Gibbons, Rick Nielsen, Keb Mo, KK Downing, Glenn Tipton, Lyle Workman,
Mark Knopfler, Eric Johnson, Martin Barre, Johnny Ramone, Elliot Easton, Brad Gillis, Jeff Watson,
James Honeyman-Scott, and many, many more
Dantzig's musical credits include recording with: Blue Guru, Wilson Pickett, Freddie Scott, Jon
Tiven, Shaw-Blades, Jim Carroll, and Frank Black. His compositions have been featured in films
and television.
Biography
While still in his early twenties, Dantzig was an accomplished touring and recording musician
as well as a skilled machinist and inventor. His first successful business venture was a sound
reinforcement and rental company based in Chicago. In 1970 Dantzig set up one of the country’s
first “vintage”music shops, selling instruments to rock’s elite and collectors. In 1973 Dantzig
founded Hamer Guitars—the industry’s first “boutique” guitar company.
By the mid eighties Hamer had solidified its reputation as the highest quality, professional guitar
maker in the US. No other small company could boast of an artist roster as deep and diverse as
Hamer’s 1993 Dantzig moved to California and formed the Dantzig Design Group, a design and
consulting company. Mr. Dantzig has served as a consultant to Kaman Music, Mesa Boogie and
a host of other music industry companies.
In 1997, Dantzig engineered Hamer’s move to New Hartford, Connecticut. Hamer’s shop is a bright,
airy, loft-like space with beamed ceilings and natural wood floors. The feeling is more artist’s loft
than factory. Nestled in a lush valley, 200 feet from the Farmington river, Dantzig and his team
are now building the best Hamer instruments ever. “We’re doing exactly what we do best,” Dantzig
states. “Demanding excellence within, and delivering quality throughout.”
Jol Dantzig Guitar Guru Tour 2006
What People are Saying:
Russo Music:
"What a great night we had... [Hamer makes]some of the nicest boutique guitars on the planet.
Thanks Jol, for sharing your expertise and insight with us!"
Steve Mesple, Wildwood Guitars:
"In my twenty years in business, I have NEVER attended a more passionate,
inspiring, heartfelt and soulful presentation. Our customers and staff are all better
musicians, more devoted guitaraholics and better people for having
attended."
Be sure to be there!
Below are some images from Jol Dantzig's workshops accross the country.
Hamer designer and Guitar Guru Jol Dantzig explains
the construction features of a Hamer Studio model
More action shots from the Workshop Tour: (click for larger photo)
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The Guitars
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The Shop
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The Artists
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The Sound
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On Stage at Music Machine, Kennewick, WA
A fan tries out a Hamer Vector
Never too young to appreciate fine craftsmanship.
Jol relates the story of Johnny Ramone’s Custom Hamer used during the band’s peak years.
Jol and Frank outside Lightning Joe’s Guitar Heaven with Joe & Marlene Daoust and family.
