$350 SHREDDER SHOWDOWN: Jackson vs Kramer

i never thought id cut open a fruit with a guitar but here we are
Song @ 05:30: Dimebag Darrell - Caged In A Rage
Links to guitars (these are affiliate links and help me a ton if u buy the guitars through these!):
kramer striker (laurel fretboard) - www.zzounds.com/a--3984780/it...
kramer striker (maple fretboard) - www.zzounds.com/a--3984780/it...
jackson dinky js32 dka - www.zzounds.com/a--3984780/it...
gear i use -
d'addario EXL 130s www.zzounds.com/a--3984780/it...
dunlop .88 std www.zzounds.com/a--3984780/it...
orange PPC412A www.zzounds.com/a--3984780/it...
Digitech Whammy DT www.zzounds.com/a--3984780/it...
Crybaby GCB95 www.zzounds.com/a--3984780/it...
zzounds homepage link www.zzounds.com/a--3984780
00:00 - story about the striker
01:44 - BLS Funeral Bell solo
02:24 - Kramer Striker rundown
04:20 - CFH solo with jackson dinky
05:02 - Jackson rundown
05:21 - Fruit ninja
05:42 - Jackson problems
06:50 - Floyd rose problems
07:40 - Comparing the 2 necks
08:05 - My verdict
08:37 - Where to buy

[@strummer_matic]

When she cut the cantaloupe with the Jackson i lost my shit. This video was so great Kayla! Thank you for this.

[@Deathrape-if4kl]

iLike an 'oval' shaped neck with lots of rounding on the fretted side, & absurdly gigantic jumbo frets =D What iDon't like is 2 much thickness on the back side of the edges, but dinky Kramer style stuff is very annoying & hard 4 me 2 play. The wider Ibanez style thing but with like 7" radius is best, but with rounding. What I am doing is describing a particular location on a Heartfield BASS that iLike LOL = plays better 4 guitar with that 'profile' though. Not sure which brands have it, but the main thing is = wide, rounded board edges, massively tall frets (scalloped feel), etc. Also with big frets U don't need 2 clip your nails so much =)

[@deanmckane4875]

The contrast from you absolutely shredding back to talking about the guitars in the most gentle voice is fucking awesome. Also lost my shit when you cut the cantaloupe🤣😭

[@Billy_Blades]

Love you.. That cantaloupe cutting was epic! Great playing!

[@Fruitydookies]

So dope cant wait til you replace zak wylde

[@enjoyguitarplaying4052]

Your a fool she's not nearly as good as Zack.shut up

[@salnoto2322]

Fucking a! Straight up!

[@joemusicman64]

Zakk is soooooo sweating this. She's brushing up on dime's riffs as we type.

[@tupacamaruiv5804]

I won’t partake of modern Pantera without Kayla.

[@thomasvanetten8116]

I’m just saying she could be a better dime replacement

[@michaelcoleman1612]

I actually own a jackson Soloist SL3X DX X series blue and silver crackle paint job.i bought it as a Christmas present to myself. I love it , great guitar 🎸

[@permanentwaves4621]

The only Kramer I had was a FOCUS 1000 with a single EMG and a Floyd, back in 1987. Japanese made, excellent guitar. Got if for $150 in a pawn shop. It was only a few years old, not a scratch on it. Of course there was no internet or KZbin to look up how to set up the tremolo, didn't even know the EMG took a 9volt until after about a week I pulled a little cover off the back. Our one local guitar store didn't even know anything about the EMG, they hadn't been out that long, just a few years and hadn't "migrated" to my town yet en masse. After i put a new battery in it, it came to life. Back in the 80's it might as well been covered wagons and horses compared to now.

[@dane4453]

I just got a used FOCUS 2000. Paid less than for a brand new MIJ Kramer.

[@greekfreak1980]

These 80's/90's MIJ Kramers, Jacksons, Charvels were all absolute beasts of guitars and pretty cheap to find. Nowadays MIJ guitars have become so expensive it's not even funny. And the ironic thing is: back in the day, all the gear snobs would look down on these guitars, now they have become collector's items....

[@permanentwaves4621]

@@greekfreak1980 You're right. There were quite a few ignorant people back then that liked knobs and switches in abundance, and because that Kramer was "stripped down" it was inferior. For a guitar to be "good" it had to be as complex as a fighter jet dashboard.

[@dane4453]

Yeah, I cannot believe Kramer is charging over 2,000 for their new line of Kramer MIJ guitars. I also have a Charvel model 2 from the 80s. @@greekfreak1980

[@studowling]

I had high hopes for the JS32 series too. That was very informative (and entertaining), thank you. \m/

[@firefox71]

Hey, thanks for that, Kayla. I'll have to check out on of those Kramers.

[@RogueSarge]

Thanks for the great info! And your playing is exceptional!

[@qwasz123123]

Awesome review and I loved the added comic relief. Thanks.

[@strumminronin]

Hats off to you for keeping your composure with THAT sort of customer diservice. Jeez, that cost them a sale and yet they won't see it... Anyhow, love your vid, subbed! 🤘

[@ajabbott8559]

The cantaloupe scene cracked me up 😆

[@icenic_wolf]

Thanks for the head-to-head!

[@HexanaMusic]

This is so funny! I love the animation!

[@user-py3cl5el4i]

Awesome playing as always. Glad you found a new tool for your arsenal. Also your voice makes me want to give you a hug. 😂

[@eduardocarrillo5669]

Excelente review, muy honesta, y excelente sentido del humor, me encantó.

[@actuallysilentrob2570]

Dude, the canteloupe! That was hilarious! Seriously, very informative video. Thanks!

[@matthewbates1089]

Increadible playing and great video.

[@joerobertson795]

Every single thing about you just tickles the living piss out me. GC employees in the vid are spot on. Really enjoyed this one!

[@waffl3st0mp]

That was awesome. Using the neck to cut the cantaloupe was hilarious.

[@TroyheadleyHeadley]

Great video kayla love what you do

[@capacitiveguitarresistance]

I love Zzounds. Just got a Helix from there. I also got a schecter PT hybrid ultra violet. Sick axe.

[@bobomochi9284]

This is exactly what i needed i was considering both of getting both of these guitars

[@D.Guitar]

I Luv Your Review. It's awesome to hear real talk. With a touch of Humor to make it entertaining . Thanks for this 😉

[@ArtHoundStudio]

Loved this video, the intro was hilarious. Was thinking about getting a cheap Jackson but after watching this I think I’m good. Keep shredding!🤘🎸

[@eamonahern7495]

I got a JS32 Randy Rhoads from Thomann and the only major issue I had was the thread sheared in the B string saddle on the Floyd Rose. I bought another Jackson licenced Floyd from reverb to use for spares. But when it's set up properly the tuning stability and intonation are great. I was playing some slayer and using the whammy bar today. She has a point about the tuning when using the whammy bar but I find if I pull the bar up a bit after using it, it returns to being in tune. I didn't have any issues with sharp frets in mine. Maybe I got lucky or maybe Thomann do a bit better quality control on the products they sell. I don't know for sure.

[@adamtownsend9499]

you have to shop around, or buy an early 2000's or older MIJ. they can be had for about $300

[@pauln6803]

​@@adamtownsend9499 The problem there is the frets and hardware will almost certainly be pretty worn. The Chushin Gakki factory built some incredible guitars (the early Charvel model series and high end Jackson Pro series were fantastic), but as Japanese production costs soared, cost cutting had to creep in. There's a huge gulf between something like a Charvel 750XL or Soloist Pro and a Performer series Dinky. Pickups, hardware, even the frets had to be cheaped out on. Don't get me wrong, a Japanese Performer series has nice appointments such as a two piece body and a FAT rosewood fretboard, and the factory generally produced tidy instruments, but there's a good chance a refret is in order, as is replacing the licenced Floyd (add in routing as it's a cheap copy of the stubby Schaller that was on the more expensive models), and the pickups were bargain bin and sometimes microphonic.

[@vorpalblades]

​@@adamtownsend9499not anymore they can't.

[@adamtownsend9499]

@@vorpalblades is JHS into the guitar game now?

[@bczarrockbeast6264]

The melon bit was hilarious.

[@Quacky-en7pq]

The Jacksons can be awesome if you get a good one but their quality control seems a bit shite. Mine also has fairly sharp frets, but I haven't noticed any of the other issues. Mine did come with a headstock that looks like it's been chipped and then poorly repaired so that's pretty fun lol. Tbh, I really like the "touching a bare piece of wood" feel of the neck, but I'm aware other people might prefer to use protection when touching wood.

[@karioa2346]

your vibrato and bends are soooo smooth i need to practice more 😢

[@Noahinthe802]

You went through what many of us have at GC! Generally atrocious customer service. I stopped buying from them a year ago and never looked back. Just got a Pacer classic reissue and am very happy! Great video!

[@savant416]

Love your amp tone

[@garyb.525]

Great video..as always! Loved the cantaloupe part! 😅😂

[@andrewdomonic6603]

Zzounds rules. Glad you're working with them on the instruments you love. I'm the ESP/Jackson guy and I agree that the Jackson's don't get nice until you hit the Pro line at @1200+. Killer vid. Shit was funny.

[@brandonvince]

Thanks for the review Miss Kayla! 🤘🏼

[@KaylaKent]

thank uuuu brandon!!!!

[@unrulytoast1189]

I have a js32 warrior on the way to me. I've seen a few videos stating that they can have some issues out of the box. I just can't not be in love with the warrior body. Im planning to mod it over time and itll get sent to a tech to hopefully smooth out any frets and basically do what can be done to make it better. Your playing is insanely good too! You make it look so effortless!

[@grahamturner9021]

Thanks for the review. Incidentally I've purchased a few Kramer's recently. The Pacers seem to have very sharp fret ends. No issues at all with the Nightswan, Nite-V, or Baretta specials.

[@KaylaKent]

idk whats up with the pacers, not a fan of their necks either.

[@grahamturner9021]

@@KaylaKent Maybe I'll reappropriate it as a cantaloupe slicer. :)

[@philwild5279]

Funny review :) I bought my Candy Red Kramer 120 back in 91 and it's been my "go to" axe ever since. It's had pickup changes, a replacement switch, and the frets have no more 'level & crown' left in them but I've yet to find anything else as comfortable or playable.

[@glenndavis6793]

It shows your honest opinion very good

[@stratkiller2531]

I have an ivy green kramer striker, but I changed a lot of stuff on it. I put in gotoh locking tuners, a gotoh 1996t tremolo, cts pots, gotoh knobs, and a neon green seymour duncan JB, also FU tone green springs and a fat brass block.But mine came with sharp frets so I had to file them down. I literally put more money into parts than for the guitar. But hey, I really liked the guitar and it had a lot of potential, I had been looking for a "green guitar" project so when I saw it, I fell in love. Plus the input Jack's on them are sweet. I'm use to ESPs and LTDs with normal input Jack's and jack plates.

[@w.stuart668]

wow youre pretty impressive my dear. your knowledge and skill is impressive. you have a new fan.

[@amievil3697]

Thnx for the laugh! The can't-a-lope bit is hilarious!! I don't play no moes and have an '91 Rg 770 I would love to bestow upon thee

[@Bassplayer18]

Very respectable musician

[@bryanjames2426]

This woman is a definite keeper! ❤

[@Horrorfreak106]

Great to hear that Kramer is still making killer guitars! Was looking at a Nightswan (that aztec one is beautiufl) but wasn't sure.

[@KyleDaSloth]

Very informative video! I love the JS32 series solely as a decent mod platform, but seeing this video definitely makes me want to get an HSS Kramer Striker. Also, I've owned two Beretta specials in the past and loved them, so I already know I'll love how it feels. With an actual FR Special (not bad at all if setup correctly) and much better sounding electronics (in my opinion), the Striker looks and sounds very promising. Thanks for making this video! PS, the JS32's tuning instability is most likely because the nut is shifting on the nut shelf. To test this, just mute the strings between the nut and bridge, flick the strings between the nut and tuners, then use the bar. If the string areas between the nut and tuners change pitch, the nut is shifting and needs to be tightened down to the neck. If it can't be tightened any more, what I do is put some slivers of toothpick in the screw hole, then tighten again. It works about 90%-95% of the time. Hope this helps 🤘

[@adamvigil8320]

I just recently bought the red Kramer too! I liked it for the narrow nut and I did have to set it up. I like it. I like it better than the Jackson I bought a little while back. Great clip!

[@jamesjames2070]

Looks and talent!

[@johnwebb2562]

"Wow" Kayla I must say that you're guitar technique is absolutely knock out it's as if you're hands have gotten some octopus reflex. Fab Playing. John.

[@Guitarantagonist]

Bought a Jackson King V about a year ago. As much as I loved how cool it looked, it didn't work out. It had an insane Neck Dive due to how far from the Neck bolts the Strap Button is. I'm not sure how much of a problem this is with other Floyd Rose guitars, but on the low E, the coiling around the string itself would strip away and be pulled off, letting the string slip out to place.

[@pauln6803]

String unwinding with Floyd type bridges is caused either by worn/incorrectly cast metal or over torquing the string bolts, crushing instead of gripping the strings.

[@michaelwilson2497]

Nice shreds as well.

[@3dartstudio007]

Now I miss my 90's music store again. AARRGGH! Whenever someone bought a guitar new or used from them, they would take you into the luthier room and ask you what gauge string, what action height you prefer, set the intonation to your prefered strings... ARGH! I MISS it so much now! Sorry to hear the music store hell story. Seems more and more common recently.

[@megatrends]

Hi, Im a new subscriber ... I know, big whoop lol. I've played guitar for 42 years and know my way around it okay, I have to say you are truly gifted to be that good at such a young age. I hope all the best for you.

[@supperman8179]

My first guitar that I learned to play on was a Kramer 300st. man I miss that thing

[@Sheepleton]

That sucks, I loved the look of that Jackson. Good info❤

[@Hookem4863]

Nice finish and body! Oh and the guitar ain’t bad either!

[@geoffh8077]

Dang, the Jackson must be a lemon! I tried out four of them at the store and brought home a metallic purple one. One fret needs to be filed a little and a pickup is microphonic are the only issues, but the pickups I was going to replace anyway. No issue with the bridge holding tune.

[@kevinhollar4293]

I've been thinking about going with one of these too and i borrowed my brothers jackson and have had the same exact issue with the floyd rose. I think you've sold me on the kramer

[@JimK03.]

Your analysis of the Jackson here makes me glad that all of my Jacksons and Charvels are from the 80's and very early 90's. I've got 20 of them, all with either Floyds or licensed Floyds. None of these quality issues existed back then. But don't forget the price point you're talking about here. My first "decent" guitar was considered a "budget guitar." I bought my beloved Charvel Model 4 in 1987 for around $750. That's 750 1987 dollars! She was worth every penny, and is still my favorite to play even though I have many that are regarded as "better." I envy the selection of quality guitars that young people just starting out have to choose from these days. When I started out, a $350 guitar was going to be a nightmare to play, and was still a lot of money in the 80's. I fought off the urge to pick up one of those Baretta Specials when they came out. So darn inexpensive but I just don't need any more guitars. Your demo of the Striker has me fighting G.A.S. yet again!

[@johnnyrandom100]

I used to have a Kramer striker way back in the mid '90s. Second hand day glow pink. Painted it black, didn't like the neck, and gave it to my cousin. Jackson-Fender, Kramer-Gibson.

[@robertvarner8195]

Great video! I have 2 Kramers from the early 80s made in the USA and 2 Jacksons 1 made in Japan and the other is a RR V. Of course I favor the vintage Kramers but the Jacksons are very good with no sharp fret ends. It's been my experience in the past that most Jacksons have very good necks but I don't know about the new ones.

[@erikvaldur3334]

Kewl, that licensed floyd is also a detuner. What a score.

[@stanhawaii]

Great video Kayla! Can you do a video on how you set up your floyd roses and string height?

[@KaylaKent]

ty, but nah theres loads of videos out there on how to do that lol

[@redging3r]

I bought the Jackson Adrian Smith ( non USA model ) and the frets were sharp on that as well.

[@timbarnett5771]

Kayla, I absolutely love your videos and your absolutely correct about the QC from the JS series. Even though that particular series is targeted toward the beginner level player they definitely could do a better job considering other brands are doing it at the price range. I have owned many Jackson guitars from the early 90s through the mid 2000s, Japanese and Indonesian and they were flawless shred machines. After fender purchased Jackson I noticed that you had to buy atleast an X or a pro series to get that level of quality and now your talking $1000 for an import when you can get that Kramer $700 cheaper.

[@pauln6803]

Ha! Even my USA SL2H had some serious flaws such as the clearcoat separating from the metallic paint, as well as inlays lifting from the fretboard in places. Fender has probably been the worst thing to happen to Jackson/Charvel.

[@johndrake2729]

The CFH solo on the Jackson was total badass!

[@brandonmayo4063]

I currently have a custom mockingbird stq 8 with a fixed bridge. I have been looking at kramers lately on my feed

[@zippy2socks270]

Now that was funny , Subscribed !!!

[@williambaker1136]

My first Floyded guitar was an 80's Korean Striker, C.A.R. Lot's of fun.

[@jamesstuart3313]

Please do a detail video on how you set up your stuff.

[@RepublicFREEman]

7:20 inconsistent spring tension. If the springs the problem, contact Jackson. If the wood of the body was not cured properly, the screw holding the spring in place might be shifting. Contact Jackson.

[@210abe]

Would love to see you do an S by Solar review. The murdered out explorer version w/the gig bag.

[@jeremyglaser7239]

Ive got the striker in majestic purple with the maple neck and i find myself gravitating toward it alot

[@01theuser]

I recently got a jackson RR js32 and I had to do a lot of setup, either the action ended up being high or the truss rod almost maxed out avoiding fret buzz.... My kramer nitev 22 frets is amazing no buzzing, whilst my assault 220 24 frets has a really low action and only a little almost imperceptible buzz on 6th.

[@kevinhollar4293]

How bout that Caged in a Rage sound bite!!! Badass riff!!!

[@longshankdrills8799]

Great video !!!! 😂🤣😂👍🏼🤘🏼

[@jeffnduran]

Loved that Skyrim meme at the end ❤😂

[@user-be3dz7zd8h]

you need to get your hands on the vintage kramer pacer reissue , just bought one, same as I played in 1984

[@leodemartini3044]

Wow 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@alexreid584]

Had the lefty js32 and completely agree. Jackson Floyd was usable but had stiff fine tuners. Put a Floyd original on it and realized the locking nut was slightly off center. Not enough to have a string hang off but still annoying. Always wondered if all licensed Floyd rose specials had that problem because my Floyd original is fantastic. Still have the Floyd and was going to buy another js32 to put it on but then came across the striker and the pacer and I think I’m going to go with pacer because the specs are better then the js32. For example the js32 has a poplar body vs the alder on the pacer.

[@tribalcasttv5226]

the muppets reference had me rolling lol!

[@exitdown]

cartoon kayla is cool

[@workingorder2189]

I'd love to see you continue the shoot out with an Ibanez RG6003FM vs Schecter C-6.

[@KaylaKent]

those guys are both fixed bridge guitars

[@Flexible_Olive]

yeyy cool vid!

[@1Daddoz1]

The only Jackson to own is an 80s neck through soloist SL1 from the original custom shop. They are absolutely fantastic.

[@pauln6803]

The 90's also produced some stunners from both USA and Japanese factories.

[@1Daddoz1]

@@pauln6803 Agreed. I do have a couple of the Japanese Jacksons. They had to follow the rules of the custom shop in America. Excellent quality, for sure.

[@rockarolla9054]

Woahhhh ohhhh so high and then I fell. Woahhh ohh cant stop the ringing of my funeral bell!

[@edwilson7629]

I just hope that you like the Kramer. It's not the black one you have but, you rock!!!

[@nativeitzutakua-9863]

I actually really love my Kramer Striker, really get a good 80s Thrash/90s Death -Thrash sound and I use it to record and play live often...it does the trick 😂

[@edwinstovall3334]

Kayla, I feel your pain with that Jackson fretboard. About 3 years ago now, I bought a JS22 DKA Dinky (the one in Natural Oil, because I wanted the nyatoh -- not "nato" -- body. I had fretwork that was the best I'd ever bought on top and the absolute worst on the sides. That axe still sings like it just got a fret job, but those fret edges were nearly lethal! I've emery boarded those fret edges no less than 3 times! I think it's the amaranth fretboard. My opinion is that it has a high water content that evaporates, which makes the wood shrink like crazy. Eventually, though, it will stabilize, so I'm not worried -- plus I have fret files now that I didn't have when I got this axe, so I'm ready for whatever. She rocks like the very hurricaine now ... but I would NOT recommend this baby to a beginner. Indeed, I don't know how far up the Jackson ladder one would have to go to get a guitar that actually WOULD be good for a beginner. This from a guy who knows at least two brands of guitar that he would so recommend! This is a great video. That Jackson reminded me so much of my first super Strat (long lost to theft☹) that I'm tempted to get one.

[@des565]

This is why Guitar Center is hurting for business because they don't give a shit about setting up guitars and having personal customer service! I'd rather buy a guitar online and have to wait for it to be delivered to my home and then I can set it up my way with my tools the right way.

[@aarongrimes6490]

You can set up the guitars bought from the store too, what is your point

[@Llyric]

I have the exact same kramer its flawless right from factory just had to tune it up and she SHREDS

[@dragon-eye75]

Sharp fret edges can be several issues. It could be the frets weren't filed down properly. It may have what is called "fret sprout." If a guitar went from a more humid environment to a drier one, you may get fret sprout due to the neck wood shrinking and causing the frets to "sprout" out farther than the edge of the neck. Loved the video!

[@itssomeotaku4600]

I had the same fret end problem with my purple Jackson JS34Q. The frets were also rough as a rock. After fixing both, it plays really great and I love it. Definitely check the fret work before you buy one of cheaper Jacksons.

[@retropuffer2986]

I might give that Kramer a second chance one day. I bought it when it first came out and it had all sorts of faults. I think one QC inspector at the factory let a whole batch through with no inspection. I returned it and later got the completely awesome Beretta special.

[@TacTyger]

So no joke I have an older Kramer Striker and absolutely love it. It needs some love but it plays so good. I came from ESP/LTD guitars but for about 8 years they have just pissed me off and got rid of everything I liked about them. Was very loyal to ESP/LTD but they did me dirty and so my recent guitar was a Kramer. Have to say I am in love with this guitar and the quality versus the price is amazing. Kramer is my go to now I just want them to re-release an Explorer model or EX model my lineup would be complete.

[@y2kriz06]

I love em Kramers 😎🤘

[@christjerky2320]

Very funny Sweet solo.

[@winstonwolff]

Girl you can shred. 🤘

[@jettschenker]

I recently tried a JS32 and had the exact same problem with the trem not staying in tune. grrrrrrrr

[@WhoDaF0ok1sThatGuy]

I gotta be honestly, I’m not saying what you said isn’t correct but I didn’t experience the same thing. When I tried both out at my GC, the Kramer felt good but the Jackson just felt so great. The fret edges were so clean, and the whole guitar just felt amazing, FR was great too. However, considering what you experienced, I have a feeling that what I played was a rare one off chance. I plan on picking up a soloist in a year and those are just so beautiful. However, if it’s $1k or above, I’ll either go with an Adrian Smith signature, Japanese fender, Dave Murray Fender, or a Charvel. Oh btw, that Jackson cutting the cantaloupe was perfect! XD

[@bigben8057]

You play any guitar great 😉

[@electrikjam7661]

The "INb4" part. LOL I love the purple one, but the price seemed to low. Seems like it plays great!