Bio

I’m Pat Hammett, founder and proprietor of Hammett Guitar company and despite a shared surname bear no relation to Kirk Hammett.

My guitars are inspired by the ‘golden-era’ –a period of manufacture of predominantly U.S department store guitars (Chicagoan) of the 50’s & 60’s: guitars which are widely deemed ‘economy instruments’ for their original factory-line production quality and components. My recreations preserve the spirit of these iconic instruments being faithfully re-imagined and focused for the modern guitarist - constructed using the highest quality materials, hardware and parts. 

For as long as I can remember my working mind has been consumed by processes of fabrication: whether it manifest via design, experimentation or stroke of momentary genius. Luthiery embodied the elements of craftsmanship I found most alluring. Mastering precision processes and experimenting with fastidious woodworking techniques. It is a challenging thing to craft something that not only looks mesmerising but also inspires one to play and create. I have found that the energy it takes to craft a guitar is very much part of the instruments soul and so one should have a clear vision of the final composition.

Similarly vintage guitars have always held an enchantment for me - a mysticism of sorts. I found myself obsessing over how to recreate the magic of them through wood, metal, & magnets. Looking back now it is clear that from the beginning of my journey as a luthier I was more driven by the process and the pragmatism than by the creation of music but the two are undeniably symbiotic and music of course remains a great love of mine.

Guitars from the 50’s and 60’s fascinated me from the beginning - the shapes, colours and compositions for me epitomised the very essence of the period of music I felt most strongly drawn to. There was a certain voodoo in those old guitars and the way the players wield them, enough to propel me into a lifetime’s work of crafting electric guitars. 

I’m incredibly proud of my work and the guitar range I’ve spent years researching and curating to the current day where I find myself with my own line-up steeped in tradition, quirk and heritage from the colours, compositions and components each instrument is comprised,

It appears in a shrinking world of the mass produced that quality craftsmanship is becoming harder to find and in this aspect I unashamedly feel I hail from another time - perhaps a period of history when the likes of Vincent HRD led the motorcycling world and as with that company, I craft my instruments with an intended legacy.

Check out my current guitar range, I hope they may inspire you as they have me.

Music being a universal language and one that is never worked, only played.

 Pat J. Hammett