1986 Kramer Pacer Imperial

Yo!! What's up, dudes?!?! Just checking out a few Kramers from the mid-80s. I'm playing Bobby's '86 Kramer Pacer Imperial. In the background is my '83 Kramer Pacer Imperial and Bobby's '87 Kramer Pacer Custom (I think he said it was a Focus body with an American neck). These are pretty sweet guitars, but the one I'm holding is a nearly perfect copy of the Kramer I owned in '86-'88. I bought it in '84 with the old-style neck and switched to a newer maple neck in '86. I sold it to Bobby in '88 after I became fully entrenched in the new Ibanez models (RG, JEM, etc).
Check it out!
--Steve
Facebook: / pixlix

[@ianashworth1101]

I bought a few of these in the 80's. Still doing concerts with them. Pacer is one of my faves! A Kramer is not just for Christmas,but for life! Bombproof axes! Luuuuuvvvvem!

[@BubbaNintendo]

Kramer just screams 80's for me. Love the nostalgia and memories of all the shredders you used to see playing them. Of course Ibanez, BC Rich, Jackson etc were there as well but Kramer always stands out to me. As always your videos are enjoyable and informative. Thanks for everything

[@NascarTomcatFan]

BubbaNintendo my favorite kramer guitar is the jersey star like the one Richie sambora had in 87 and my stepbrother built a paul les Gibson in 3 weeks.

[@dayglo98]

I've been holding on to my lowly Kramer Strike 300ST for 25+ years, the neck just feels right and it stays in tune surprisingly well even with divebombs.

[@cappy781]

Love the kramers

[@megatron804]

i love the conversation hes having with himself about the dimarzio and the invader pick up ...i do that all the time lol

[@wesburghaus7373]

Boy that brings back memories. I wanted one of those back in the day!

[@jakejohnson7714]

missing the single coil pickups- I like the American custom II pacer!

[@Scream4vengeance]

Nice beak, Steve. Not too shabby, indeed... She's a beauty! Funny seeing you wrestling with memories. You seem to have a phenomenal memory when it comes to guitars and music anecdotes from back in the 80s! Rock on

[@Bradp18]

I have 3 Kramer's right now. An 83 Pacer American, an upgraded 85 Focus 2000, and a 2012 Pacer Classic. I have owned probably 15-20 over the last 20 years and they have all been great guitars. I would agree with PDX, I think most of the banana head stock appeal was created by EVH who was the reason I bought my first Kramer. Rock On Steve! \m/ \m/ Beaky Goodness!

[@TonyFuentesTV]

Hahahaha! I love this video! The Kramer Pacer! That shape of guitar that every kid and rocker had to have in 1983 and on! I could never afford it, but wanted one with the spider web design on it... those are awesome guitars you have there, the humbucker tone rocks! Thanks for the memories of 1984!

[@redsix49]

1st of all I luv that old keyboard in the back ground... I have a 86 Kramer ZX10 ..I put a floyd rose on it about 20 years ago...plays great...so many happy times man (luv it..."That ones mine")

[@markforde3103]

Good stuff Steve,these guitars passed me by back then,nice history lesson to plug the gap.

[@Dcbois]

Hey Steve, cool as always. I have always loved Kramers too. Still think they are some the greatest rock guitars ever made in terms of tone and playability. My dream Kramer has always been the Stagemaster. The neck through, arch top etc, just always looked awesome, but I could never afford one. Anyway, rock on brother. Donny

[@jakejohnson7714]

Great show on the Kramer Steve!

[@iggster12]

Spring of '84? I was born in May of '84! Love the classic guitars and riffs! Waiting on more theory lessons, though...

[@guitarist6494]

Is the "Bobby" he's referring to Bobby Crispy!??

[@Erikvinje65]

this is the right thing to watch while drinking! :)

[@GregsGarage]

MMM... Love the Kramers from the 80s.

[@wickrider]

Love it!! I had a Focus exactly like the one on the coach!! same color. Loved it. Duncan Invader guys here too. I have one on my 75 Deluxe Les Paul.Cheers, Rock ON

[@PDXguitarfreak]

Yo Steve, great vid bro. I never owned a Kramer back in the day (most of my teen years were spent thrashing two Ibanez Destroyers), but always wanted one. I gotta think the banana/hockey stick head-stock appeal is driven by EVH and his 5150 guitar that he played on the 1984 and 5150 tours, but I'll defer to your knowledge of guitar histrionics. Rock on!

[@milesfifer171]

Thanks for sharing some 80s Kramers, I did by accident buy a " holy grail " baretta back in 1990. I knew what it was but at that time it really wasn't worth much, I paid $150 with original hard shell case from a used section at a local guitar shop. I didnt like the cream paint on it so I had it painted a dark metallic red😩 I wish now I wouldn't have done that. Some day I will have it back to original..

[@buggybunny5769]

I did the same thing, bought a top of the line baretta with the binded neck and special inlays,and the built in sustainer system for about what you paid in 1992 at a pawn shop. And came with the hardshell Kramer case. It's still in almost perfect condition and probably worth 2400.00 to the right person. Of course I'm holding on to it. Plays like butter.

[@ShredSixx80s]

By the way, we have a huge kramer club in hungary, we have all sort of kramers, we do have all american original series, we have the japanese imports, than we have a korean series, than we have the european 90's copy checzoslovakia series(jolana,delta,syrinx and soo on)

[@drinkspecials]

I did the same thing. Sold my Kramers for Ibanez. I wish I still had my Stryker. Put Seymour Duncan invader in it.

[@Drift678]

Picked up a 1983 Kramer Focus 1000 a few months back. For all accounts a purposes that guitar is a Baretta. The necks for both were made at the ESP factory in Japan.

[@tommy.stouch]

Hey I love all of the Kramer guitars have I'm hoping I get one for Christmas this year

[@paulnew86]

Love that 86. How much would one of those for for now? I'd love one of those eventually.

[@WaRLoKWYATT]

Man I would love to test run one of those old Kramers. I've never gotten the chance to play on in any good condition. Ones I've played were ones I fixed from being destroyed. Good video though, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[@cryptonet007]

Hi and thx for the kramer history insight. You've got these axes down to the max. But I wanted to say that since your buddy Bobby buys a lot of cool axes and lets you demo them, I think he deserves some face time. I believe he is a character on your channel. Maybe a blues jam with Bobby segment might be cool. What do you think? Thx for another cool vid.

[@catdumpling]

Kramer was the exclusive distributor for Floyds in the 80's, which is why other companies had to make licensed versions (since you could really only get OFRs on Kramers.) Then in the early 90's Fender became the official distributors for Floyds for a while; that arrangement ended in 2005 (according to Wikipedia) and the Floyd Rose company has done their own distribution since.

[@Brianlindner]

When did kramer start using their quad rail pickups? I had a sparkle blue vanguard with those pickups and they were great!

[@Samwellisation]

I love Kramer's, would love to own one, one day!

[@mikemikemike701]

Love your vids, keep up the good work. I just busted out my 86 Charvel!

[@DrunkenGodMode]

I've been considering buying that guitar, sounds pretty sick

[@ianashworth1101]

Bloody amazing axes! My main guitar onstage along with a Baretta. Both bought in 1986. Both flip flop pink! It takes a MAN to play a pink guitar, lol!

[@MarcCoteMusic]

I used to have a single-pickup Kramer in white... I sold it to a friend of mine - not because I didn't like it (I did), but because it wasn't versatile enough. For most of the past 25 years I've used Japanese mid-80s Stratocasters (HSS) - and I have three of them... identical, even down to the color. Those have the best systems for staying in tune of any guitar I've ever owned (including one that was Floyd Rose-equipped). It's a strange system though; locked only at the neck and with a bunch of brass rollers at the bridge. Sometimes I might have to tune the guitars at the end of a night... sometimes not even then. I wish my newest (6 months old, or so) Strat had that system.

[@jerrycarroll9068]

Hey Steve, I have a Kramer classic II Tele I bought new in 86 or 87. I was 16 then played it for a couple weeks then in the case it went until about two years ago, it's a true time capsule... Lol the serial # is F1199 I also still have the original purchase receipt and all the tags that came on the guitar group photo of Eddie, Floyd rose, Seymour Duncan etc...

[@pedraw]

That Dimarzio really makes those orange amps jump. I like it! I love me some Dimarzio Super Distortion pickups anyway.

[@musicsynctank]

I got a rare 80's Larivee with an original Floyd. Love it!

[@bigpapi2658]

My favorite Kramer was the 98 Stage Master!!

[@bigpapi2658]

Sorry 89

[@kennybryant7199]

Bought the exact same neck from kramer in 1986😊

[@sanchezma20]

I've got, what I believe is an 88" or 89" candy apple strat I bought in 1991 for $200. Are these things worth anything? Has the made in New Jersey stamp, etc.

[@shredit_nyc]

I just resurrected my '86 Pacer Imperial. It's been mostly untouched for 30+ years. Seems you have a lot of Kramers. Have any of yours have the laminate peel up on the top of the headstock?

[@Barracuda007]

how many guitars has bobby got?!?

[@darthhull85]

My favorite neck is the beak and the logo they used back then. The US Fest is why. Lol

[@rjmcmooseknuckle]

Awesome vid as always steve \m/

[@AnthraXFPS]

All 3 are beautiful mate, love ya vids :-)

[@TheEdshemery]

@ 6:06 - "I would never just through it out." I believe that, check the ancient keyboard in the background... lol Came with your first SX-386?

[@tysheehan95]

hey! so where can you buy one of these kramers? I want the double humbuckers and I love the old headstock and maple neck like you. so if you could point me in a direction id really appreciate it! thanks! I have a jackson soloist im trying to get rid of.

[@tysheehan95]

Yeah honestly I was hoping to go usa lol the problem is I want to play them before i decide. No one carries them tho..

[@ssdravidian]

what is the FX setup you use....amazing tones !!!

[@lespaulnut962]

just wondering how many guitars does Bobby

[@bilhorinek7406]

Hey, pretty late to comment, but I'm pretty sure the guitar on the couch you picked up was a Striker 600ST body. I had one back in the day. My least favorite Kramer body. There was a Focus 1000 version but the pickup on/off swtiches on yours screams Striker.

[@frankdrebin1023]

I had a black pacer w/the banana headstock. Was my main guitar in the 80's. Still have the body somewhere. Also had a green one w/ a classic headstock, that had tuning probs.

[@andreydyumaev5131]

is this the ESP japan oem for Kramer neck?

[@ShredSixx80s]

Hiya, isnt the imperial an import edition? i have a custom I body from 87 and baretta neck from 1986 and original electronics from 86 and OFR

[@randybruno5057]

What happen to your kramer pacer with Steel panthers signatures?!

[@HiOctane62]

Steve I'm going to have to stop by with a couple of my guitars.

[@WikedJester22]

i did enjoy the asthetics of the hockey stick style

[@GreenMeanie101]

That Thunderverb 200 sounds cool.

[@Sergio.garcia478]

What’s the body finish material?

[@tataroger2011]

Are the new pacer classics even comparable to the 80s?

[@gunsandguitars6678]

Hi Chicago Dave here just got back from watching a concert with David T Chastain in Cincinnati he plays a Kramer he plays nothing but Kramers seen your post and wanted to check it out thanks for the info.... Are they all made in Japan are there USA ones what's the deal?

[@BlackWolfgang70]

cool , you rock more than kramer ... kramer should pay you for making these great videos ... subbed :-)

[@Stratboy999]

I have never owned a pointy headstock guitar. Perhaps I should buy one.

[@daveincsa]

I used to have a Aqua Blue, Kramer Pacer American probably back in 86,87.

[@ArielsSmartyPants]

Love the Kramer :)

[@chickesnssurfclub3970]

Hell...you said something about takin the guitar to wolf at MIS I think....is this in boston ?

[@SFBGuitar]

+Chickesns Surf Club Yes

[@Metabohai]

How much is it worth??

[@DaveDangerous74]

why do humbucker guitars usually have rosewood finger boards?

[@shadowunderyourwings]

Rosewood fingerboards give you a much deeper tone, most people buy a guitar with humbuckers to rock. Unless you have a decent set up, a guitar like this won't sound too good.

[@DaveDangerous74]

shadowunderyourwings It's just van halen doesn't seem to use rosewood.

[@emericanchaos]

DaveDangerous74 i don't think it's the pickups so much as the other woods in the guitar.

[@GulfsideMuralsFL]

Had one back in the 80s. Played great. 1 slanted PU. Kramer Floyd. I ended up dropping it and broke the headstock right off. $150 brand new.

[@fabiomartinveloster3590]

I dream every day with a red Kramer Focus 6000 like this…😅

[@shredhero]

Reminded me of my '84 pacer maple banana headstock.

[@odgeUK]

Has anyone successfully found a model like this?? It seems rare with this headstock, pickup configuration and the maple fingerboard. And this 86, the body shape looks more fulll on the upper horn

[@tworivers71]

reverb.com/item/2658669-kramer-pacer-vintage-2015-metallic-red-w-gig-bag

[@odgeUK]

Thanks. Just needs the proper headstock! I think it's my eyes but the body of the kramer in this vid doesn't seem so offset, or so skinny on the top horn.

[@leokimvideo]

never knew there was rights over the shape of the head stock, if guitar companies are chasing guitars which look like there's well they have done a rotten job in controlling rip-off's It's hard to remember the 80's, seems so long ago now

[@jakejohnson7714]

I like the Large letters !

[@ryker6richard]

I ENJOY YOUR PLAYING!!!!! PLAY MORE!!!!

[@andycook7738]

I wish I had a 1986 Kramer

[@SkYjAcKeR666]

You ought to post up your patches from the Orange Amps, i'm sure people will like em ;)

[@bookitty1193]

I had the kramer voyager with the strat heafstock. Wish I still had it. I agree. Never liked the logo that had the decending lettets. Thanks Steve

[@kianadeleon900]

Love the tone! Kiana Shotgun =)

[@fw030961]

Dude! Love the posts. Had one of those old Kramers with the banana headstock but sold it to a friend after getting a Les Paul and a Fender strat. I think I'm going to try and get it back. I have been using Peavy Amp kit on the ipad. It has some killer tones just like the Amplitube that you use. I have been getting back into learning and playing Boston songs. Can you do a vid on how to get a guitar sound like Tom Sholz. I know you can still get some of the Rockman devices that Tom created but want to get that tone with modern equipment. Please HELP!!!

[@mudwiser1391]

Man I love guitar talk. Great vid Steve. Any thought about shaving your head... with that beard you would look like a menacing character.

[@angusorvid8840]

That double cream pickup is most likely a DiMarzio, probably a Tone Zone.

[@Lavietto]

You should Review a Kramer Nightswan the one Viv Campbell used :)

[@tigerbalm666]

Are you a band teacher?

[@blackie75]

looks like the guitar vai was playing in the crossroads duel

[@nickfanzo]

that was a charvel jackson

[@mamollami]

U R GREAT!

[@TMmodify]

Wow.Here's a guy who seems to hate Candy Apple Red.

[@royyazzie6028]

Do taste test on BCRich guitars on all models 🤘👍😎🎸✌

[@nobody-hr9uw]

I think Kramer did have exclusive but only in the production field and anyone could buy Floyd Rose as custom shop like charvel, I think this deal came thru the Van Halen endorsement

[@MrDream5]

Nice ESP's.

[@mauriciotavera6957]

I have an offer for one but have the bridge pickup put like one of strat, black with yellow cracks in 450 dollars

[@ShredSixx80s]

By the way the original kramers would have banana headstock or hockey, by sports factory, they went pointy just because to be more "jacksonish,, back in the 80's metal hey days. Also the pcaer custom I bodies were copied from jackson soloist oversized body. The red oversized focus bodies didnt have the 3dpt switch, the U.S series did have 3 mini switches on of on or on on on with a 4th 3dpt switch.

[@Misfitnz8]

my fav is my 1986 made baretta with a red body

[@thelandokris2696]

If anyone knows of any brands that non recessed floyd rose guitars it would be appreciated (Other than kramer evh charvelle)

[@jakejohnson7714]

You don't have the 80s American pacer custom II the best

[@davidevans3175]

Suggestion - how about a review on the new Grover Jackson guitars GJ2? He's got a new shop in Laguna Beach, just him and a few other guys. I can hear you already, "Sure but I'm not gonna go out and buy one of his fucking guitars just to review it." OK, ok. He'll most likely send you one if you ask, though. Too much time and hassle? OK fuck it.

[@JazzyBass]

www.kramerforum.com/forum/showthread.php?28472-Pacer-Roll-Call!! This has every pacer ever made!

[@thetreehousecauldron]

Dad rock

[@timothymathew1540]

Wolfman Jack....lol

[@NascarTomcatFan]

I own a montclair electric guitar that is rarer than the kramer jersey star.