1989 Kramer Holoflash Nightswan | HUGE Kramer News!

The Nightswan was a signature model for Vivian Campbell, the current guitarist in Def Leppard, who also played for Ronnie James Dio, Riverdogs, Whitesnake, and a few other bands here and there in the 80's. The Nightswan actually has an interesting background that most people haven't heard about, that really makes this instrument far from being a Kramer designed instrument.
The Nightswan actually started as the "Shredder" model from Buddy Blaze Guitars. They were based out of the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas. Around that time, there was alot of buzz around Dallas about Blaze. Buddy had custom made and setup instruments under the Blaze brand in the Dallas area for many artists. Vivian and Buddy had been discussing what types of guitars Vivian would be interested in at the Great Southwest Guitar Show in Dallas, Texas in the mid 80's. Vivian saw another instrument Buddy had created for someone else, they had further discussions, and the Shredder was born out of those talks and discussions between the two.
Graphics on the Swans were offered in a variety of 5 finishes. The Lightning bolt models and Polka's are the most common, with the Aztecs and Holoflashes being the least common. Lightning bolt models also have a very common problem of finish cracks. Early Lightning bolt finishes also feature more red in the bolts and appear to be more "custom" that later models. Those will be signed by Knapp as well. Holoflash models are extremely rare and it has been said that Aztecs were dealer promotion guitars only, not production run models.
Kramer Nightswan Features:
The back shape of the neck is different from any other guitar I've played. Its sort of like a "C" shape, with the middle portion being very flat, and the curves being very sharp. The nut is also an R1, which makes this a very tiny fretboard to play on. Its is a VERY comfortable neck play, its very smooth, and plays like butter. The dot inlays are in a diagonal pattern, which was very original at the time the Nightswan was introduced. I remember hearing that Vivian wanted the neck to have a similar feel to that of a Les Paul, however, I don't think this neck is anywhere close to that description.
Nightswan Specs:
- Mahogany Body with non-traditional Strat shape, and lower horn cut out for higher fret access
- Two Humbuckers, Seymour Duncan Full Shred and JB
- One Volume Knob, and a three way selector switch
- Original Floyd Rose Tremolo (black) flush mounted
- 24 3/4" scale neck, R1 nut size, diagonal dot inlays, 6105 frets (tall and narrow)
- Ebony Fretboard
- Schaller Tune
- Non-traditional Kramer reverse, angled, banana headstock, with big "K" to small "r" logo and Nightswan logo
- Can be setup for EXTREMELY low action
Sub Goals:
1,000 - 12/9/18
2,500-
10,000-
25,000-
50,000-
100,000-
200,000-
300,000-
If we hit 300,000 Subs we will give away a Fender Custom Shop!
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[@gtf2648]

Thanks for the mention... I appreciate it.

[@blakejohnson996]

I hope they bring back the holoflash! Gosh I want one. There was also another cool finish that derek frigo played. It looked like colorful triangles that I've not seen at all

[@arrowspellets2728]

Wow! Smoking intro!! Great looking guitar, love the neck/size/sound!

[@TommySixGun]

Thanks, Eric. I’m waiting patiently!

[@julhelm2]

That's cool. This was my favorite guitar ever since I first saw one, and it also took me about 20 years to finally get one. Mine is a gloss black Japan model, doesn't have the ping-pong inlays, but plays awesome.

[@SKRooU2]

sure it's not fake ? all of the ones I saw have the p-p inlays

[@brianrobinson1259]

@@SKRooU2 Japan market ones had the regular inlays and some had the Floyd Rose II as well. They also didn’t have the nightswan logo either. The Japan market catalog had some with the ping pongs but none from Japan had them so not a fake!

[@jonathanricciardi5215]

Killer new intro! Rock on brother!

[@Enoch-Gnosis]

My favorite guitars of all time !

[@RRoy83]

I have a Swan II in the HSS configuration. Its become one of my favorites along with my Liberty. Im going to need that Holoflash lol

[@ryant3600]

I remember the cover of Steve w/ his Haloflash.. but it was Andy Timmons that I saw playing one that made want one...

[@jeffersononetwo]

Trixter & Campbell - awesome 80s. I'm planning to pick one of these up!

[@ernestkaiser6893]

I'm on the list! Good talking to ya Eric

[@kionihernandez356]

sounds "thicc"... I LIKE IT!! rock on guys, i have a good feeling about Kramers future. Bout time we get mo' metal gits in the market

[@modscientist9793]

Nightswans were amazing guitars!! miss them. Thank you for sharing it, too bad the new Nightswan is missing the Duncan full shred.

[@mariannecarlson7868]

Cool Intro😉Nice guitar🤗

[@FloridaManMatty]

I learned my first chord in 1990 on a black Nightswan and along with the Ibanez Jem FP (floral pattern), I have listed after one ever since. I got a MINT ‘88 Jem FP last year and started hunting for a clean Nightswan the same day. I’m not crazy about the polka dot finish but silly paint aside, it looks like I’ll be making space in the rack for a 2020 Nightswan. I’m told they’re expected to ship around March 1st... Fingers crossed!

[@koryjames8361]

I first saw the holoflash finish in a Guitar World add with Andy Timmons promoting Danger Dangers debut album. Super cool.

[@cappy781]

Best shred axes ever made

[@bluwng]

I want one with that finish

[@NomadRonin]

I'm actually glad they put an R2 nut on the new one. I bought one of the originals and, sadly, my fingers were to fat to play clean. I tried to get used to it but finally ended up selling it. Needless to say, I can't wait to try the new one.

[@kospandx]

Maaaaan what a sweet guitar!

[@Minotauro_di_Chieti]

This is the best version of a nightswan!!!

[@jeffbarton3562]

Great looking guitar ill for sure come in and try one out thanks for the great videos

[@brianrobinson1259]

RIP Buddy Blaze 🤘

[@SKRooU2]

I had the Kramer Assault 220 and it had the ebony FB

[@satchbooggy]

im very happy about this ! sign me up

[@lauriesci]

Steve Brown is an amazing person and awesome guitarist ❤🤘

[@AljonGo]

Love you guys and your support of Kramer!!!

[@CAHouseMusic]

we appreciate you and your support Aljon!

[@leoguzman8160]

Love this!! Why can we buy this?

[@headstockharem4]

'80s SHRED!

[@Enoch-Gnosis]

Todd Graf there’s only 1 way to Rock!

[@headstockharem4]

@@Enoch-Gnosis OK Sammy Hagar! 😁

[@charlesb7831]

I still have my original Kramer Nightswan from back in 1990, and unfortunately the neck on the rereleased Nightswan is nowhere close to the original that I have. Still my favorite guitar over anything I have over my Les Paul or Hamer Californian. I still want that Holoflash finish, I have the Aztec paint job on mine. I still prefer the original neck, it's part and parcel of the Nightswan feel. If they came out with the original neck, I'd own it lol. Nice to see I'm not the only Trixer fan still around lol

[@jordanbowen6136]

are you guys going to do a review on the aztec swan by chance?

[@CAHouseMusic]

The minute we get one in. For SURE!!!! - Eric

[@jordanbowen6136]

@@CAHouseMusic dude i cant wait!!!! im loving the reviews eric keep up the great work

[@CAHouseMusic]

@@jordanbowen6136 Thanks, Jordan! I will keep the videos coming until the world is sick of seeing the same bald guy ruin perfectly good Lynch riffs and telling the same bad jokes over and over. - Eric

[@GuitarLordGR]

Also the Stagemaster had ebony fretboards (I have one)

[@SKRooU2]

Kramer Assault 220 too

[@littlerichieny]

Do you know how much it is going to be and when they are going to ship?

[@brandonmcvey9511]

Not sure if u know, but sola custom guitars is about to release a limited run if the 1989 trixter guitar 😁

[@hawaiianshirtguy_29]

Hey man does the scale length feel small or effect anything. I've played a lot of strat guitars that are 25.5 scale length. I didn't know if the scale length of the nightswan was hard to play since it is condensed down a bit. I was thinking about getting a nightswan but I wanted wanted check out the scale length.

[@CAHouseMusic]

Well it certainly does feel different. I find that I get better economy of motion because I don't have to move my hand around as much. Just an observation as everyone is different in what they like/prefer. - Eric

[@hawaiianshirtguy_29]

@@CAHouseMusic Thank you man, I have just been researching a bit before getting one. The Nightswan is a beautiful guitar.

[@pablons2061]

love Trixter and hair metal bands!

[@muleblues71]

Didn't BB do Dimebag's bolt?

[@gourabshow3993]

💞

[@richardbinder9662]

JB stands for Jazz and Blues, not Jeff Beck. I thought the same thing until I was corrected a Seymour Duncan booth.

[@1peanut]

Nightswan. Like Vivian Campbell use to play.

[@jumbowolfe84]

Posted on the VK facebook dude.

[@mollyhatchett8428]

I love the unique pickup configuration, but the crazy paint jobs? No ty. Plain black please.

[@andylong7759]

Cool guitar! JB stands for Jazz/Blues, not Jeff Beck.

[@chriscurfman8734]

30 years doh

[@modscientist9793]

I'd tap that!! lol

[@maxmustardman298]

typical 3 way switch ? It seems it could use a bit more versatility, especially with the hum in the middle position

[@rustwood2167]

5 min blablabla... 2 min action

[@SKRooU2]

the sound effects that come from your mouth are annoying LOL -if you would tape your mouth shut I would subscribe LOL

[@tomdaniels3392]

the new Kramers SUCK!!!!!!! many many QC issues, things have not changed , same issues that put them out of business are still there. Extremely inconsistent build quality on the Kramers built by Gibson( imagine that). It is the blind leading the blind. STAY WAY FROM THE NEW KRAMERS!!!!!

[@tuberocker69]

I got a new one and it's killer! 🤘

[@klaatubaradanikuto7195]

Don't talk for a long time, play fast and make a sound.