80s Kramer Guitars. Pointy headstock guys chime in.

[Jiffy_Jeff]

I was looking at getting an 80s Kramer guitar to go with a set my cover band does.

We do one or two sets, depending on the gig, of 80s hair band stuff. Poison, Motley Crue, Ratt, Skid Row, etc.....

I thought one of these would give a good look for the tunes.

What Kramers form the 80s are good to get? Something that is reasonably priced. Maybe just a single pickup, neon green. Out there..

What should I look for?

[tsar nicholas]

I've seen USA-made Pacers for cheapity-cheap, like $500. I like those guitars a lot, and they're the flagship of the Strat-like Kramer line.


There was a cool one at ChrisGuitars.com recently.

[EADGBE]

Any of the Kramer Barettas.

[Stinky Kitty]

If you can't find a decent Kramer, I recommend a neon-yellow Chinese BC Rich Gunslinger for $299, set it up properly and you're good to go for your 80's set with minimum financial commitment. Looks the part, especially if you slap a vinyl bio hazard graphic on it :p and it will definitely sound the part.
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lbkpxuTAVO1qcp8ruo1_500.jpg

[EADGBE]

Yeah that will get you there.

[stump]

Kramer American series Pacer or Baretta are excellent guitars. The Pacers come in a wider variety of finishes, holoflash and flip flop in addition to regular finishes. Pre 1985 Vanguard(flying V) and Voyager(star shape) scream '80's.

[Troy T. Blues]

My first real guitar was a 1986 Kramer Baretta. That was a cool guitar and I stupidly sold it about ten years ago. It wasn't practical for me anymore, but it was super cool. The stock pickup was a SD JB and it screamed. Well made guitars from Neptune, NJ.

[AceBSpankin]

I still have my,SSH Candy Apple Red 1984 Pacer. The finish is impervious to the elements,accidents,play wear,ect... It only has some buckle rash on the back,the pickguard shows more wear than the body! Pickups have been replaced many times, SD Trembucker in their now and the stock single coils. My only live guitar from 1984-1996.

[schristie]

I just set up one of the new Japanese Charvel guitars for a buddy...he paid under $600 for it and it is every bit as good as any of the original 80's shredders I've ever had....you can get them in some pretty sick colors if memory serves me...

http://www.charvel.com/guitars/?section=promod

[Bankston]

Charvel > Kramer

[mixn4him]

Saw a Focus 6000 just the other day on the 'bay great guitar..

[snowblind56]

One of the best guitars that I ever played was a Kramer Stagemaster, which was their equivalent to the Jackson Soloist. Unbelievable guitar. Expensive though.

[RBfan]

I just cleaned & set-up my Focus (Japan made) 2000 from the early/mid '80's with OFR. I took out the cheap OEM pickups & put in GFS vintage '59's (I know, not really intended for a Focus, but I like 'em). I guess the pick-up arrangement kinda depends on what you're going to play. I love having this as an alternative to the single coils on the strat I've been playing for about 5 years.

The OFR is a pain to set up, but once you have it, it stays more or less in tune unless you change string guages. Changing the pups was a breeze too, 1st time for me.

These are not expensive, but may come with cheap pups you may want to change - still, they play very nice & in my experience are well put together.

T

[todd921]

I've had a late 80's pointy-droopy pacer for 20+ years. Was my #1 for a looong time...and still a favorite.
Great guitar - insanely low action, HSS, coil splitter. With the stock Duncans it does great strat and hair sounds. Thin/flat shredder neck that has rarely needed adjustment (maybe twice in 20 years). By this point in time they were using ESP parts to build them...purists might balk. For me, it's one I'll never sell.
Check it out here: http://www.vintagekramer.com/pacer2.htm

[DrBob]

+1 for a used Charvel SoCal/San Dimas.

Cracking guitars.

[cool]

The rule of thumb is to avoid the old kramer strikers (the models with 22 frets involving the model name st and 100/200/300/400) and aerostars. They are playwood rubbish. Focuses are good but generally come with cheap crap pickups though they do come with a rad ofr and are MIJ. The american kramers are usually more assembled in america then actually made but a lot come with seymour duncan pups and OFRS.

Focus with a pickup upgrade is a good option for value especially with the pointys.

[CowTipton]

Charvel Fusion Custom

I had one with the desert crackle finish. It looked amazing, fastest action guitar I've ever owned. The stock Jackson pickups were a bit noisy though. I played that thing hard until I wore the frets down after many years and then sold it. A shred monster of a guitar.

Sounds great
plays great
very light
not expensive and hold their value (mine was ~$600 brand new in 1989 and they still sell for ~$400-$500)

[snowblind56]

Charvel Fusion Custom

I had one with the desert crackle finish. It looked amazing, fastest action guitar I've ever owned. The stock Jackson pickups were a bit noisy though. I played that thing hard until I wore the frets down after many years and then sold it. A shred monster of a guitar.

Sounds great
plays great
very light
not expensive and hold their value (mine was ~$600 brand new in 1989 and they still sell for ~$400-$500)

I've had two, still own one. One of the fastest necks I have ever played. My only problem with it is the short scale. It's the only guitar I own that I hit the volume knob, and I have had tons of superstrats with volumes near the pickup.

[JDouglee]

I gigged a Focus 3000 for a few years back in the day, great guitar. Made by ESP back then.

[Kelly]

Nightswan!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/chasebeavers/rigpics011.jpg

[s2y]

Basically all of the USA models are pretty nice. I have a few Kramers and really enjoy them. They're obviously more than just a hair metal guitar, especially your average Pacer Deluxe.

[kenneth]

Yeah, the USA models are really nice, particularly the ones with the "classic" headstock. The later ones generally are made in Japan, and also are quite nice. I'm sure some will disagree with me, but, it is generally difficult to get a playable USA kramer for under $500. The Japan models I think can be had for under $500.

If you get one with an Original Floyd Rose, I think you would be in pretty good shape. Avoid the ones with a Floyd Rose II.

I'm sure the other pointy guitars people note above are options as well. I also love the peavey vandenberg, as well as the ibanez RG series. All these have lots of pointy things.

[Darkness]

Kramer American series Pacer or Baretta are excellent guitars. The Pacers come in a wider variety of finishes, holoflash and flip flop in addition to regular finishes. Pre 1985 Vanguard(flying V) and Voyager(star shape) scream '80's.

:agree

Pacer Custom I is an awesome axe. A good specimen will easily stand toe to toe with San Dimas Charvels.

[Darkness]

Charvel > Kramer

Perhaps this is true with the cheapy import models that helped destroy Kramer, but I'll put a quality American Kramer up against your Charvel any day of the week. I don't expect the Kramer or the Charvel to win every time either. Both of these brands were/are killer guitars from back in the day. I'd love an old school Charvel with a Kahler. One with a floyd would be nice too!

[dspellman]

Any of the Carvin pointy superstrats will do; a DC-125 will have a single pickup and a single pot.

[s2y]

Yeah, the USA models are really nice, particularly the ones with the "classic" headstock. The later ones generally are made in Japan, and also are quite nice. I'm sure some will disagree with me, but, it is generally difficult to get a playable USA kramer for under $500.

It is these days. It was a cake walk in the early days of eBay. Got a mint '85 Pacer delivered for a little under $500 many years ago. Those were the days. I like the look of the '85 neck, although the lower radius isn't quite my bag. The '86-89 necks are ideal for me.

[rogthefrog]

US Hamer Californian FTW.

[s2y]

US Hamer Californian FTW.

A good USA Jackson, USA Charvel, Kramer, Hamer, B.C. Rich, ESP, etc. All are generally good guitars. Really, nothing special thrown into the mix. Quality can vary a bit and a lot of 'em are beat to hell.

[arem]

I still have my Focus 3000 that I bought new in 1985 or 86, it was my first decent guitar and the one I played all my gigs with until the late 90's. I replaced the stock humbucker with a Dimarzio X2N and it's still a great rock guitar, but I never really play it because I hate dealing with Floyds these days.

[Jiffy_Jeff]

The quest has started.
I remember a guy in high school had a jackson. And he was a shredder.
I think I will start looking for all three, the jackson, charvel, and kramer. See which one I can find local or close to.

[shane88]

then there's a stack of 80s MIJ planks .......

[mesa/kramer]

One of the best guitars that I ever played was a Kramer Stagemaster, which was their equivalent to the Jackson Soloist. Unbelievable guitar. Expensive though.


Yup, awesome Guitars :D

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6758975105_c67a4040bd_b.jpg

[jcs]

You want the chrome German made Schaller Floyd Rose, maybe the best Floyd ever.......these are common on the Focus series as mentioned.

I have a couple of Focus 1000 (the EVH model) with the single slanted humbucker and modded Strat style body... really nice workmanship and a wide neck with meaty frets.

[mesa/kramer]

Check out these

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1986-87-Kramer-Pacer-American-Great-condtion-Floyd-Schaller-Tuners-/110811577589?pt=Guitar&hash=item19cce27cf5

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kramer-220-electric-guitar-early-90s-new-old-stock-nice-/310373821574?pt=Guitar&hash=item4843b8ac86

These new ones, though asian made, are not too bad for $369
http://www.kramerguitars.com/Products/Pacer/Pacer-Classic.aspx

http://images.kramerguitars.com.s3.amazonaws.com/Products/Doublecut/Pacer-Classic/Gallery-Images/KPCCRBF1-Finish-Shot.jpg

[mesa/kramer]

The focus Kramers are not bad if you looking for an 80's at lower price.
But i can say, that when i bought my Vanguard in 1985, the US version that i ended up buying, weighed considerably more than the focus version, if that means anything.

At that time, the Focus was $599, and the American $899.

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4049/4581551575_677cf976d6_b.jpg

[paulscape]

There's a rare factory snakeskin Barreta II currently on eBay. One pickup. I'd get that!

[KenRothman]

I have this Pacer Imperial with a D-serial body, but an '86 "American" replacement neck. (the factory replaced a bunch of faulty necks around that time).

bought it in the late 90's at GC Boston for < $200.

hanging next to it was a holoflash (iirc) neck-thru stagemaster. i knew it was probably a better guitar, but the Pacer was *it* for me, Kramer-wise.

http://kenrothman.smugmug.com/Music/Instruments/Kramer-Pacer-Imperial/PB203419/1197036245_v79dA-L.jpg

I sold it to a friend a while ago, after i had picked up this one, also for < $200...

http://kenrothman.smugmug.com/Music/Instruments/Guitars/INCASE/285290427_AyikK-L.jpg

I sold *that* one on eBay around 2005... but bought back the pointy one from the same friend last year.

Been enjoying it.

also had an ee-pro 1 at one point.

http://kenrothman.smugmug.com/Music/Instruments/Guitars/IMG0176/812481263_QoveB-L.jpg

[crhfish]

I have to agree on the Stagemaster, its a fine guitar.

http://i40.tinypic.com/14iec1j.jpg

[tnt365]

My first guitar was a 1987 Kramer Pacer Custom I in Hot Pink. I bought it off eBay for $300 in 2003 (when I was 13). I always planned to repaint it, but it was actually a pretty cool flip-flop pink, that went from hot pink to kind of a darker purple! Then one day I left it out in the sun and the it faded into a light pinkish-orange (no more flip-flop). That guitar played so well that I shelled out more money for a 1986 Stagemaster Custom. Pretty much a Pacer Custom with an Ebony board and different inlays. Both were fantastic sounding and playing guitars.

[axe4me]

Kramer signature models were great guitars.
Here's my Kramer Steve Ripley stereo guitar that I bought at Kramer, Neptune factory before they closed their doors.
It's completely stock,
Those 6 knobs are pan pots for each string. You can direct each string to 2 different amps. The Bartolini active humbucker is a killer p/u.........

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d42/Bbreaker/ripleyguitar.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d42/Bbreaker/ripleybody.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d42/Bbreaker/ripleycontrols.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d42/Bbreaker/ripleyheadstock.jpg

Kramer Stagemasters were also top shelf guitars.
Here's my 1 of 2 Stagemaster I in see through salmon and a prototype Stagemaster I that was made in Canada..........

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d42/Bbreaker/pairofkramerstagemasters1.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d42/Bbreaker/kramersalmonstagemasterbod1.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d42/Bbreaker/prototypekramer2.jpg

If you want any more info on Kramer Guitars, contact Paul Unkert (Unk Guitars).
Paul was in upper management at Kramer, Neptune, NJ and holds the patent on those U headstocks.

My Unk custom guitar.........
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d42/Bbreaker/unkstd1.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d42/Bbreaker/unkstd2.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d42/Bbreaker/1unk.jpg

[asintoras]

This is my '86 Baretta. I traded it for a pair of used (1 year) cowboy boots.
The guitar belonged to one of my good friends' brother who passed away recently, and my friend wanted someone to keep it who would really appreciate it, like me, and he was also looking for a good pair of boots, so it was a good deal for both.
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2651/baretta3.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/3/baretta3.jpg/)

I put an EVH Seymour Duncan on it, a D-tuna and a Tremol-no. It is a great guitar indeed.
Here is another '80 screaming guitar I got for $150 recently:
http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/8646/hm1a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/856/hm1a.jpg/)

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/117/81058786.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/43/81058786.jpg/)

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/5807/headstocksa.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/11/headstocksa.jpg/)

Both guitar came with their original cases and all original pieces. The Fender HM still has the original neck pickup in the case.
[IMG]http://www.thegearpage.net/board/%3Ca%20href=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/3/baretta3.jpg/%20target=_blank%3Ehttp://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2651/baretta3.jpghttp://[URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/3/baretta3.jpg/][IMG]

[Rock Johnson]

Dude, I've wanted one of those Fender HM strats for the longest. That one's about perfect. HSS, maple 'board... yummy.

[aT19er]

I picked up an old Kramer at the local pawn shop for under $100. The pickup was broken (one of the legs on the baseplate was broken off and missing) and it needed a set up, but it wasn't a bad guitar. Gonna get it a new Floyd Rose one of these days.

[Jiffy_Jeff]

Those.look cool. I was thinking the neon colors would be cool. I will probably look for a bright color.

Nice stuff.

[ToneKing]

The kramer american made pacers are a great deal in the used market. definitely undervalued,

[macki]

My old '85 Pacer. Its been around the block with me (I am the original owner). Recently repainted and new Floyd with SD triple shots/Prails. Neck was busted in '92 but has held up nicely. True road worn neck :0)

http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i455/phatmoose/IMG_1201.jpg
http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i455/phatmoose/IMG_1203.jpg
http://i1094.photobucket.com/albums/i455/phatmoose/IMG_1207.jpg

[Vej]

Here's my current #1:
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/7761/img9389i.jpg
A 1986(ish) Maple body Pacer Imperial with a transitional neck. (She now sports a set of Schaller pickups)

I also have a couple of late 80's F-3000s, a mid 80's Focus 3000, a 86 Pacer Deluxe, and a mutt or 2 made from 1980's Kramer parts. Ive owned probably 15-20 Kramers overall. "One is too many and a thousand is never enough..." :rotflmao

I mostly prefer the mid to late 1980's Kramers (ESP made bodies and necks). I just feel at home on those necks.

If you pick up a 1986 or later American series or any of the Japanese imports (ie:"American"/Focus/F-series) you should have pretty good luck. Prior to that Kramers were pretty inconsistent so those are kind of hit or miss quality wise...

[mesa/kramer]

Dude, I've wanted one of those Fender HM strats for the longest. That one's about perfect. HSS, maple 'board... yummy.


Also an awesome guitar if you come across one.





http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2771/5795865820_41f3fe0974_b.jpg



Recently upgraded with a Floyd Rose

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6173/6236709029_f5b926cd6d_b.jpg

[Bengerm77]

I got here as soon as I could:

Kramer 85 Baretta RI & Kramer Pacer Imperial RI
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bengerm77/floyds4.jpg

Kramer Baretta II
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bengerm77/2011-06-17171107.jpg

Kramer Pacer Deluxe
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t97/bengerm77/2011-06-16005907.jpg