Jol Dantzig Discusses the Creation of Sting’s 8-String Hamer Explorer Fretless Bass I had the opportunity to discuss the creation of one of rock ‘n roll’s most iconic fretless basses with Jol Dantzig – Sting’s red fretless Hamer 8-string Explorer bass. Dantzig and the team at Hamer Guitars custom designed this bass for Sting in 1980 with a maple neck, unlined fingerboard, and a cherry red Explorer