School me on Kramers

[stevie_bees]

I started to play the guitar in the mid 80's, when shred was king. Icouldn't play shred then, and I can't now but the holy grail as far as guitars were concerned for me, was a Kramer. A guy I knew had a Striker I believe, which was pretty cool!

I'd like to have an 80's shredder type, and I'm considering building a "superstrat" as my next project, but I see plenty of Kramers for sale at pretty good prices.

So, what are the gems and what are the dogs? I'd like to have more than 1 pickup, and would prefer a tone control, but it's not a deal breaker. Plus, US or MIJ makes no difference to me either...

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

I used to own a Striker back in the '80s, then graduated to a Focus. I still own that Focus. Hadn't played it for a number of years, then re-discovered it a couple years ago. Love it!

[ErikH]

For starters, check this site out. www.vintagekramer.com

Look in to the Pacers (American) and Focus (Japan) models. The Stagemaster and Liberty are really nice too.

A lot of the differences aside from where they are assembled is the electronics. The USA models got the better stuff and around the mid-80's came with Seymour Duncans.

Body wood varies from maple, alder, poplar and even basswood on some Japanese models.

Best thing to do is to hunt down all you can and play them all. For what you're looking for, any of the Pacers or Focus 2000/3000 are what you should keep an eye out for.

Stay away from the old Strikers. They are plywood bodies with crappy electronics. About the only thing decent on them is the neck.

[stevie_bees]

Yeah, I like the look of the Focus. I've always been most comfortable playing Strats, so a "pimped" Strat would be ideal.

[stevie_bees]

Am I likely to come across and laminate bodies, or lower quality hardware in any of the models?

[Jessie Sammler]

I've had a Focus 1000 and have played plenty of them. They are awesome guitars and a terrific value on the used market. Mine had a German Floyd, Schaller tuners, a neck that was rock-solid and practically quartersawn, and it sounded amazing.

I've played some Barettas, too, and they've all been great, regardless of how poorly set-up some of them have been. (Don't let that scare you. At worst you might need a neck shim.)

It's hard to go wrong with a good 80's Kramer.

[muttznmongrelz]

Here's another great place to learn about VINTAGE KRAMERS... http://www.kramerforum.com/forum/index.php

There's a few threads here as well if you search...

http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/s...hlight=kramers
http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/s...hlight=kramers
http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/s...hlight=kramers
http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/s...hlight=kramers

[muttznmongrelz]

I'd like to have an 80's shredder type, and I'm considering building a "superstrat" as my next project, but I see plenty of Kramers for sale at pretty good prices.

So, what are the gems and what are the dogs? I'd like to have more than 1 pickup, and would prefer a tone control, but it's not a deal breaker. Plus, US or MIJ makes no difference to me either...

Right now there are AWESOME DEALS on Vintage Kramers...esp on eBay....stay away from Strikers as they are plywood...good ones...Baretta, Pacer, Nightswan, Stagemaster, Focus, any of the "American Series", etc.

[Uk Ant]

My Kramer is a Focus 1000 body and a striker neck.
Body is, I think, maple and the whole thing has really good tone and would play better with a bit of professional fretwork.
For a battered old parts guitar it's great.

[Christopher Caruana]

I have a 2006 Kramer Baretta '85 RI and it is simple and to the point

solid maple body
solid maple neck
rosewood finger board
original (flush mounted) Floyd Rose
single volume knob
single Gibson/Kramer 91T (a gibson JB copy) slanted humbucker

[Mincer]

Currently they are owned by Gibson: http://www.kramerguitars.com/
I think they are trying to revive the brand.

[jmh151]

Currently they are owned by Gibson: http://www.kramerguitars.com/
I think they are trying to revive the brand.

Actually once the recession hit Gibson bailed out on Kramer and their distributor Musicyo. The only Kramers being sold now as far as I know are the limited edition american made ones which are a bit expensive.

Gary Kramer- the man behind Kramer- is now selling Kramer type guitars again for reasonable prices

http://www.garykramerguitar.com/

Many Kramer guitar prototypes were made with Warmoth parts, such as the Nightswan and Sambora guitars.

[ErikH]

Am I likely to come across and laminate bodies, or lower quality hardware in any of the models?

Not on the American Series or Focus line.

Be careful that you make sure it is an 80's Kramer and not one of the newer ones. The Focus, Striker and Baretta models that came from MusicYo are way different and don't even touch the quality of the old ones.

The recent reissues of the Baretta (like the '85) and the Pacer have gotten really nice reviews. Looking at the prices though, going after an 80's model is the better deal.

[SouthpawGuy]

I always wanted a Kramer myself in the 80s, but it didn't happen. About six months ago I finally decided to get one ...

Pacer Imperial JB and Jazz pickups ...





original Floyd Rose too, with bound neck and headstock etc. I'm very impressed with it.

[muttznmongrelz]

I always wanted a Kramer myself in the 80s, but it didn't happen. About six months ago I finally decided to get one ...

Pacer Imperial JB and Jazz pickups ...





original Floyd Rose too, with bound neck and headstock etc. I'm very impressed with it.

And that one is a beauty. Those Claw Necks sell for a pretty penny on their own!!!

[stevie_bees]

My Kramer is a Focus 1000 body and a striker neck.
Body is, I think, maple and the whole thing has really good tone and would play better with a bit of professional fretwork.
For a battered old parts guitar it's great.

There does seem to be an awful lot of "bitsas" about. Not that it would bother me!

I have a 2006 Kramer Baretta '85 RI and it is simple and to the point

solid maple body
solid maple neck
rosewood finger board
original (flush mounted) Floyd Rose
single volume knob
single Gibson/Kramer 91T (a gibson JB copy) slanted humbucker

How do those compare to the originals?

Not on the American Series or Focus line.

Be careful that you make sure it is an 80's Kramer and not one of the newer ones. The Focus, Striker and Baretta models that came from MusicYo are way different and don't even touch the quality of the old ones.

The recent reissues of the Baretta (like the '85) and the Pacer have gotten really nice reviews. Looking at the prices though, going after an 80's model is the better deal.

Yeah, I've seen a few of the newer ones, and I reckon I could identify those ok.

I always wanted a Kramer myself in the 80s, but it didn't happen. About six months ago I finally decided to get one ...

Pacer Imperial JB and Jazz pickups ...





original Floyd Rose too, with bound neck and headstock etc. I'm very impressed with it.

That is a beauty!! I would adore something like that!!

[kramer.geetar]

Here's my 3 some
Kramer 5150 replica, '86 Focus 1000, '83 Pacer Special

[BloodRose]

Old Kramers RULE!! If I repeat info, I apologize, Im at worked and skimmed thru the replies.. One thing I didnt see is this.. nearly all (I think all) of the Focus line were made by ESP and even most of the "American" ones. So they have excellent quality and playability.. The Focus line are gems, as the prices are Much more reasonable and still came with orig Floyds and such. The prices have come up in recent years, but they were a steal.. And deals can still be found.

I had a Striker once that was a pretty decent guitar, but it was ply. My American Kramers play and sound amazing and my Pacer has one of the best feeling necks ever.
Im probably going to sell the Baretta soon, and its breaking my heart. Since my "heyday" was the 80's, Ive lusted for one of these since back the and just the logo and pointy stock get me giddy.. haha Lame huh??

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

That's such a great pic! If I owned those, they'd be hanging side by side on my music room wall.

[Christopher Caruana]

Here is my '85 RI Baretta (next to my LP)