I played a number of Kramers in the 80s when I was rocking the Sunset Strip. I also played Charvels, an ESP, and many other axes. The reason I used the Kramers, mostly a Barretta, was because they were solid and stayed in tune. They were built like tanks. I called them Tonka guitars. They were not my favorite guitars. That would have been my Holdsworth Charvel with a standard trem or my un-vintage '61 strat with DiMarzios, which both held tune very well. The reason I used the Kramers other than sturdiness was that I could go wild with the Floyd and stay in tune. But I didn't go as crazy with the trem as most players on that scene and I got tired of dealing with locking trems altogether, reverting to my Charvel Holdsworth, '61 strat, and a Les Paul Studio, all loaded with DiMarzios as were all my guitars.
Did the same with my 80s Kramer. Tried Charvel, Jackson necks etc but for my style playing the stock one was fine. Forgot all about the tremolo/going outta tune thing.
They absolutely did offer the flip flop colors in 86 because I have one. Mine is exactly like that one, same color, except it has the 86 neck on it with smaller logo. Another difference, besides logo, between the 86 neck and the 87 and on necks was the volute. The 86 has a less pronounced volute, where the later models had the current ESP volute. That's because ESP ghost built the bodies and necks for Kramer at that time. Cool video though.
Near the end of Kramer U.S. the guitars were made in a kit form by Godin in Canada then assembled in the U.S. and at that time it was legal to say made in the U.S. The last about 50 kits were shipped to a store within Canada that built them and sold them right in the store. The kits were dead simply just the neck was removed. So it was a matter of bolting them on and doing a set up.
Had an 80s pacer in that blue/green and white guard Loved the sound and the way it played. Yrs later finally broke down and bought a strat, may have gone overseas by then? Was less than impressed. So built up the Kramer, fav guitar of all time. Had nicer ones but something about the Kramer Went through a Crate amp phase too, made a couple nice ones. Pop a JBL in there, good to go!
Cool video! Thanks for featuring a vintage guitar! I have an '80s Kramer in my collection as well, but it's not nearly as cool as yours! I'm going to have to check out that website that you used and try and date mine. Thanks again! 🎸
I started a collection in 1986, with my first Kramer, a Pacer Imperial. I have ten Kramers now with wooden necks, also an 850G aluminium neck and walnut body. I play them all on gigs to this day. Absolutely solid workhorses. The new ones coming through are not bad either. There is always a fantastic aura/mystique about the Kramer brand which will endure, especially since the passing of Eddie. ❤❤❤❤
Banana headstock, (fatter hockey stick) & holy grail headstock,(ESP?) (slightly narrow hockey stick). Got an '83/'84 Focus 3000 w/ the holy grail headstock. Only one i've seen so far...
@@sinnersdwarf7138 to my knowledge its an aluminum neck sandwitch between maple and frettboard wood. Dont know about the body. There is a vid on the prototype on youtube.
I just picked up a kramer from a japan from I know a little about the esp factory around this era but it’s a mkiii or mklii I believe I can’t find anything about it
My brother bought that exact guitar and color combo sometime in 1983 because of EVH. He bought it new for $750 which was a lot of money back then, and it never played right from day one. He took it to a pro who determined the neck was warped and needed to be replaced. Kramer wouldn't replace it and he couldn't return the guitar, so he decided to keep it. 40 years later he died in a trailer fire and that POS guitar burned up with him. He should have bought a Fender.
I had two USA made Kramers. They rocked out TTK.
I still have my 1984 Kramer Pacer Deluxe… I purchased it new in 1984. It’s still a great guitar.
Sure did! Loved mine...fellow band members gave me crap over it til they realized EVH played one.
I have this exact guitar. It was given to me by my metal head uncle who bought it new in 87. Absolute ripper
Hello Tone King. Now that's a Rocking guitar.
That's badass my brother on the east coast!
Love the pointy headstock!
I have that exact guitar that I bought back in 1991.
I played a number of Kramers in the 80s when I was rocking the Sunset Strip. I also played Charvels, an ESP, and many other axes. The reason I used the Kramers, mostly a Barretta, was because they were solid and stayed in tune. They were built like tanks. I called them Tonka guitars. They were not my favorite guitars. That would have been my Holdsworth Charvel with a standard trem or my un-vintage '61 strat with DiMarzios, which both held tune very well. The reason I used the Kramers other than sturdiness was that I could go wild with the Floyd and stay in tune. But I didn't go as crazy with the trem as most players on that scene and I got tired of dealing with locking trems altogether, reverting to my Charvel Holdsworth, '61 strat, and a Les Paul Studio, all loaded with DiMarzios as were all my guitars.
Did the same with my 80s Kramer. Tried Charvel, Jackson necks etc but for my style playing the stock one was fine.
Forgot all about the tremolo/going outta tune thing.
They absolutely did offer the flip flop colors in 86 because I have one. Mine is exactly like that one, same color, except it has the 86 neck on it with smaller logo. Another difference, besides logo, between the 86 neck and the 87 and on necks was the volute. The 86 has a less pronounced volute, where the later models had the current ESP volute. That's because ESP ghost built the bodies and necks for Kramer at that time. Cool video though.
Near the end of Kramer U.S. the guitars were made in a kit form by Godin in Canada then assembled in the U.S. and at that time it was legal to say made in the U.S. The last about 50 kits were shipped to a store within Canada that built them and sold them right in the store. The kits were dead simply just the neck was removed. So it was a matter of bolting them on and doing a set up.
Had an 80s pacer in that blue/green and white guard
Loved the sound and the way it played. Yrs later finally broke down and bought a strat, may have gone overseas by then?
Was less than impressed. So built up the Kramer, fav guitar of all time. Had nicer ones but something about the Kramer
Went through a Crate amp phase too, made a couple nice ones. Pop a JBL in there, good to go!
Very nice!
Counting the days for the new guitar release. Can’t wait to see it.
i have an '87 Kramer like this, original case, receipt, warranty card...i don't think it ever left Jersey
Can you go over the coil tap switch? How it’s wired, what position does what, etc? Thx!!
Cool video! Thanks for featuring a vintage guitar! I have an '80s Kramer in my collection as well, but it's not nearly as cool as yours! I'm going to have to check out that website that you used and try and date mine. Thanks again! 🎸
I started a collection in 1986, with my first Kramer, a Pacer Imperial. I have ten Kramers now with wooden necks, also an 850G aluminium neck and walnut body. I play them all on gigs to this day. Absolutely solid workhorses. The new ones coming through are not bad either. There is always a fantastic aura/mystique about the Kramer brand which will endure, especially since the passing of Eddie. ❤❤❤❤
I got a few of them, love kramer guitars 🎸 that jbj is hot sounds great in that body very nice jem indeed
This is the one I wish Gibson would reissue - the flip flop pink and blue
Wish they would add a pearl white one too
Banana headstock, (fatter hockey stick) & holy grail headstock,(ESP?) (slightly narrow hockey stick). Got an '83/'84 Focus 3000 w/ the holy grail headstock. Only one i've seen so far...
Thanks! 😊
On an unrelated note, are dial tone pickups still in business? Cant find them
Incredible guitar. Wish Epiphone added flip flop finishes to their Kramer line up.
I have an red 84 American custom 11 pacer great guitar-
same headstock as yours
Nice guitar!
Wow. What amp are you using here. That tone is amazing 😮
I live 20 minutes from Russo's. That store's so expensive but glad you got a good deal
🤟😁👍Nice looking guitar, good demo.
Kramer should reissue the aluminium neck guitars or at least the XKG-10 (Wedge)
Vaccaro guitars is going to do exactly that.
@@workingorder2189 aren't they fully aluminum though?
@@sinnersdwarf7138 to my knowledge its an aluminum neck sandwitch between maple and frettboard wood. Dont know about the body. There is a vid on the prototype on youtube.
What a a beauty ❤❤
Sweet Strat 🎸😈
I just picked up a kramer from a japan from I know a little about the esp factory around this era but it’s a mkiii or mklii I believe I can’t find anything about it
on the internet to be honest in terms of info
A shredder style guitar has to have the hockey stick headstock,I look for it
I WANT ONE!
What a early week TTK video ...Awesome
not worthy !!!!!
Love
My brother bought that exact guitar and color combo sometime in 1983 because of EVH. He bought it new for $750 which was a lot of money back then, and it never played right from day one. He took it to a pro who determined the neck was warped and needed to be replaced. Kramer wouldn't replace it and he couldn't return the guitar, so he decided to keep it. 40 years later he died in a trailer fire and that POS guitar burned up with him. He should have bought a Fender.
TTG the tone gnome
i have one -- '87 (have the original receipt)
$674 in August 1987, bought in NJ
Kramer is nice , until the Floyd posts tilt forward!
Well , then your fucked with a very expensive repair .