8 Awesome Facts, That You (Probably) Didn't Know, About Kramer Guitars!

[@gtf2648]

I was the Painter at the Original Kramer Guitars in Neptune NJ throughout the 80's. First on Green Grove rd and then in the mid-late 80's on Neptune Blvd. Some crazy stuff went on there. We went from an obscure brand, to the biggest guitar company in the world, to bankrupt in less than 10 years. That's basically unprecedented in business history. Some fun times but we busted our asses working at that place. We couldn't get them out the door fast enough. Every famous guitar player wanted or had one and I personally painted guitars for all of them from A-Z. Literally everyone from Aerosmith to Zappa.

[@PMTVUK]

Amazing!!

[@tommorris8205]

I just one with three pickups it looks really nice metallic green

[@Soldano88]

That’s pretty cool! Did you paint the polka dot Nightswans?

[@gtf2648]

@@Soldano88 Yes I did...

[@Soldano88]

@@gtf2648 You may have painted my 1989 Nightswan!How awesome!

[@Guitar387]

Kramer were well made great guitars. Some of them had a flat fret board with jumbo frets for really fast playing . My mate acquired an original one in 1990. It was the best guitar I ever played.

[@tenbroeck1958]

Around that time I was playing a double humbucker Explorer, with a fast neck. My friend had a basic Kramer, with one pickup and knob, which is one the best guitars I ever played. It practically played itself. I mainly play classic Fender Mustangs, Telecaster, etc., but I am actually looking for a good Kramer.

[@gawainemellors]

Hey Dagan.....1987 was my 21st birthday, and my parents gave me £250 to spend on whatever I wanted. Being the owner of a barista, the only thing I wanted was a bright red Stagemaster Custom on the wall of our guitar shop here in Leicester. The only challenge was that it had a price tag of £1250..... needless to say at the age of 21 it was the only thing keeping me out of the pub for a few months... It remains one of the six guitars that I now own......have played must be, thousands of gigs with it.....will be with till I die, love Kramer guitars......

[@NWTMasterWolf]

I'm a beginner but I was a singer most of my life. I love the Barretta and plan to add one to my collection. I have an Epiphone LP 60's standard currently.

[@SirVicc]

Kramer is the only shredder guitar I want. Would love an 84, and a 1984 if I could afford it. The only Kramer I own is an 89 Ferrington Strat style. Love it. I put heavy top/skinny bottom strings on it and use a red Tortex pick. Makes it sound great. And the neck is one of the best I've played.

[@nicolamontoro]

I’ve watched a hundred of your videos. Your energy is consistently energizing! After watching one of your videos it’s hard not to be in a good mood.! Great work

[@mynamejeff4883]

I just bought my youngest son a Kramer for christmas. It is his first electric and it is a strat style with 5 pickups that way he has a bunch of options as he learns. I love the fact that it has a humbucker. It is purple and he absolutely loves it. He is still trying to figure out the Peavy Vypyr vip 2 amp I got him to go with it. The price was great, as a matter of fact it was very inexpensive for the quality. I would recommend them especially for someone learning. The Kramer is well built and inexpensive enough that it won't kill you if your kid decides to put it down for a while. Interresting color pallette and sounds good out of the box. I think it could use locking tuners but overall I am very happy.

[@DRDINOMEOW]

Love you chose peavey! 😂

[@hawaiianshirtguy_29]

I ordered my Candy Blue Baretta Special last month. I'm so excited for it to get here!!!!

[@DaganWilkin]

Excellent! 🙌

[@razzle1692]

How is it?

[@hawaiianshirtguy_29]

@@razzle1692 Oh it is pretty dang good, for not even $200 dollars brand new, it is such and amazing guitar. It feels so good. Probably the best feeling guitar I've played.

[@Private_Hoppa]

I just ordered a ruby red one yesterday.

[@clintonhewett9363]

I was a kid in the 80's ejoying the hair metal......after watching this I went and brought my first Baretta Special. today in Black......such value for money too man! Thanks Dagan, love and trust your video's!!!!

[@DRDINOMEOW]

Traded a few pedals laying around for striker with 🌹 set up! Excited to have it in my arsenal. The same day I made the trade I bought a peavy 10 watt for it!

[@andredegiant3876]

I had a vintage USA Kramer I bought for $599 in 2012. Had a dark blue finish and probably the nicest Rosewood board I've ever played. Sold it a while back and now you can't hardly find them 😓

[@mysongsmystory]

The reason the pickup was slanted in EVH’s guitar was because the pole pieces didn’t line up with Fender string spacing since they were Gibson pickups.

[@seanflannery777]

My favorite and go to guitar, (when I play guitar, technically a bass player), is my Ruby Red, [c'mon, we know it is pink], Kramer Baretta Special. I absolutely love it! Went with the special because I hate locking systems, the Fender style trem works great and stays in tune well, though I seldom use it. It came very well set up, the fret work was great and I love the tone of the stock Epi pickup. I have even been recording with it, (for my prog-rock side project). Tons of bang for your buck and fun to play! Great video and, as always, great playing my friend!

[@shanebiggs1888]

Perfect answer 💯 couldn't have said it better brother. Love mine legit

[@positivelydark]

Great video! I'm definitely going to buy a Kramer. Also, are you related to Captain Jack Sparrow?

[@serenemachine9110]

I didn't know about the acoustic thing or the strings. I'm always looking for Kramer tidbits so thank you for this video. My first bass and my first guitars were Kramers. I saw a new Kramer guitar in my local guitar shop a couple days ago and the new stuff is really looking good. Makes me feel like the '80s again which IS a good thing!

[@floydofnova2743]

Kramer in the 90's: Oh No Mesa disappearing.

[@XXTROB]

I love my pacer vintage 🤘🏼 great video

[@Magik1369]

Great video...enjoying this channel immensely. I'm a guitar nut too! I came of age as a young guitar player when the Kramers first came out around 1980. Me and my guitar buddies were lusting for these guitars. I was 15. I sold newspapers and worked at the burger joint to save my coin and came home with a Kramer Pacer. These guitars were the cat's ass. I still have 2 Kramer's in my collection but have grown fond of the EVH guitars and some of the new Schecters that I have been playing...but still pick up my Kramers and wail the piss out of them. Rock on brother!

[@kevinminor2836]

This is my new favorite channel! Keep up the great work mate!

[@edwinstovall3334]

I remember trying one of those old tuning-fork-headed Kramers way back in the day. I don't remember anything about the sound or playability - probably because those factors were outweighed (literally) by the sheer WEIGHT of those necks! I tried one of the units with deep wooden inserts that were intended to reduce the weight and increase audible warmth. Whether they succeeded in the warmth department or not, the weight remained crushingly heavy! In my humble opinion, their transition to wooden necks happened not a second too soon!

[@HillVillageDragon]

A friend of mine has one of those “tuning fork”-headed Kramer basses. As you said, those necks were VERY weighty and weren’t exactly a joy to play with onstage. The pickup on that thing isn’t very good either, and I’ve encouraged him to switch it out with a good Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pickup or something.

[@sannyhbm216]

Kramers sure 'feel good' 🤣

[@andredegiant3876]

Here's to feeling good all the time 🍺

[@magna116]

Still have my 84 Pacer Strat from Neptune N.J.!

[@eddiejr540]

Dude... I still have mine from ‘84...beak headstock, floyd...its still a beast!!!!

[@bestbud117]

Me too

[@JareddarArt]

Kramer also made the Gorky Park triangular shaped guitar. A few around on Ebay for around 600 quid.

[@rick00770]

Awesome , I played one the other day at guitar center, very impressive strat style. Blue color, you got me wanting one. Very cool information. I’m 70 yrs old but still a guitar junkie.

[@waynecribb4922]

Me too brother ! Rock on. Age is just a number. ✌

[@OscarBenben]

This Marylin Monroe Kramer on the wall is lovely 😉😏 Did you sold it PMT ?

[@yongkim777]

Just bought a Kramer Assault Plus, love it! I like it better than my Gibson explorer!👍👍

[@euginchristo4396]

Congrats Dagan!

[@CURTEAR67]

I've had my '84 Kramer "Focus 1000" since April 1984 ... 39 yrs now!! And going strong!! Still plays exactly the way it did when I got it!!! Best part is... it's a 1st run, and made with American parts! ensembled in Japan. Same exact thing as the American Beretta (actually it's a Stryker body) only difference is, the pickup,and about $900!? 👍😬✌️☮️

[@carsandconcerts]

Great video on Kramer’s!!!👍👍👍

[@charlesb7831]

I started with a Kramer 300st , which I regret selling, I still have a my 1990 Kramer Nightswan I bought brand new with the Aztec paint job. Still my favorite guitar, even over my Gibson and Hamer Californian lol.

[@RB-vc7ub]

I own a Kramer/Ferrington Electric Acoustic / Black with pearl trim & slide controls & I love it had quite a few mates who play in bands over the years ask to buy it from me as there as rare as hens teeth & they sound awesome for a small bodied Acoustic. I brought it 6 months before Kramer collapsed, so glad i did.

[@7xchad]

In my early 20's, I scored a Pacer 422 at a pawn shop with a quad coil pickup in the bridge. That was a very cool guitar. May have to see if I can find another one some day.

[@colboysigmax]

Hey Dagan, you'd probably like my Vivian Campbell Tokai VC-75. This was Tokai's version of the Rand that he used in the Still of the Night video. Pointy headstock, incredible neck and 27 frets!!! Apparently they're rare but who knows?

[@drakejdf]

I’m 52 I had a focus in the 80s and I want a alpine white 84.the jb pick ups are awesome I installed one on a travel guitar and it screems.

[@andycummings-music]

Great video! Kramer 5150 strings were actually made by Ernie Ball. Sterling Ball's recollections of courting EVH with 5150 strings can be found online.

[@RickordProductions]

First of all, love your content! I just picked up the Kramer Pacer Vintage in pearl white. I love it and now I'm obsessed with it. Kramer really nailed it with their resurrection in their new line. It's like they never missed a beat. Kramer rocks!

[@image30p]

I've only played one Kramer back around 1988. I was trying to get a floyd fitted into my Schecter Yngwie guitar. One of the guys in the music store said, "You should just get this Kramer." I tried it out and the bridge was incredible. I did a few dive bar things and it was picking up harmonics from the strings so easily. And it had a great tone. But of course I didn't buy it. I wish I could have the one over again.

[@bloomazda3]

I’m watching this as I wait for my NightSwan to be delivered a few days from now. I was there in the eighties and I thought Viv’s Rand was going to be my dream guitar but then he came out with the NightSwan and my teenage mind was blown away. Prices these days for originals are obscene so the next best thing are the reissues. I’ve been dreaming about owning one of these for over thirty years. Thanks Dagan for being a fellow ‘Krazy for Kramers’ guitar nut. There’s dozens of us! 😆

[@Kylora2112]

The first Kramer I ever saw was Paul Reynolds of A Flock Of Seagulls on the "I Ran" video. I thought it was a BC Rich for the longest time :)

[@jimpeart5685]

i own 3 Kramers from the 80's...a cobalt blue Focus, a solid black Barretta, and a red Pacer as well as 73 Marshall super bass half stack and various pedals and processors...small collection but im glad its mine😀

[@jimmyjames7946]

Nice job bud! I'm older than you so I play through the eighties and I didn't know some of that stuff. Keep up the great work my guitar playing rockin brother!

[@jontonian]

I bought the 85 Kramer Striker 400ST back in the day playing in my thrash band. Had two other nice guitars. But found myself picking up my Striker for every show. Best guitar, loved it !

[@_DinoHat_]

I got a tiger vintage pacer omg its amazing

[@allenwebster6329]

I knew a few things about kramer but a couple of of things I learned from your video I did not know about the evh strings and the acoustic kramer ,very cool information I play a Kramer baretta and I have an Ibanez rg series I play the kramer more often the ibanez is ok but the kramer just feels better to play it sounds better in tone and the sustain is just awesome, thanks for the information, I love the videos I watch your videos daily when you put them out ,I bought a blackstar I'd core v2 20 watt amp not long ago because of the video you put out on those now I want the 40 watt they sound awesome i cant really explain the sound they produce it's like it's all around you when you play with my kramer amp and blackstar amp I believe they make a good pair to say the least,anyway godbless keep the content coming

[@clivewinter8321]

Thanks to you Dagon my good man I've been following you and I absolutely love all your videos now your getting me hooked on Kramer guitars I'm thinking of getting a pacer in red or a kramer sprinter

[@pickbassguitar2802]

Dang bro that tapping in the intro was kinda sick ngl

[@noahdguitar1454]

What do you mean kinda that was siiiiiiiick

[@pickbassguitar2802]

@@noahdguitar1454 True...

[@isaiahmadruga3734]

It's a van halen lick I forget what song though

[@maxtown1319]

@@isaiahmadruga3734 I think part of it was Spanish fly

[@koolelectronicsguy3967]

Awesome video. Love Kramer guitars 🎸

[@billsguitargarage]

For the NightSwan, the proto type was actually made with a Warmoth Boby and Warmoth neck.

[@george.kollaros]

Yes, I read somewhere that they needed the guitar made quickly for a Dio tour and instead of making it from scratch they put it together from readily available Warmoth parts.

[@cvmaparadog]

the neck and body were Warmoth parts, but Buddy Blaze reshaped both into what was the Shredder and then once Vivian became big with Whitesnake, Kramer came calling and hired Buddy who brought the Shredder guitar with him and it was renamed the NightSwan. If you look at the headstock of the original one...the blue polka dot, it says Blaze on it, not Kramer.

[@gabrielbrouwer]

@@cvmaparadog I think the lightning guitar that Vivian had also had the Blaze logo but after some time they replaced the logo.

[@duralw.freeman195]

I have a Kramer Baretta from the 80’s or early 90’s it has a Floyd Rose 2 that have 2 humbuckers. Would like some info, I can’t find anything on it and was wondering best way to find info on the guitar.

[@edq4465]

Just started learning guitar at 55, I lived through the Van Halen days and we were not allowed to listen to rock music as a kid !! Lol so I'd go to my neighbors house and listen to the Van Halen album back in 78ish, and he had a radio shack strobe light so it was a mini concert!! 🙂 Bought a Kramer illusionist and love it. Keep the video coming, you even influence old beginners ... (Yes I know)

[@hotcamaro9145]

As a young teen, I bought a Focus 6000 brand new in the mid-80's and I still have it. I played the daylights out of it to the point where I had to have the frets leveled once already. These days, I don't play it much and spend most of my time with the 2006 American Deluxe Strat that I (also) bought new. I remember the day I picked out the Kramer - the sales person was insisting on me buying some piece of junk Peavey guitar and "made" me play a handful of guitars with my eyes closed. He was pretty irked when I not only picked the Kramer as the one that felt best in my hands, but also called out the Peavey when he handed it to me. lol I will say that, although the Focus series guitars are more of the entry-level tier for Kramer, they were a very well made guitar. Mine is stamped Made in Japan on the back of the headstock.

[@micklawrence2630]

Thanks for the great vids .... always look forward to them ..... just got a new Candy red Jersey Star ..... unfortunately it needs a good set up as it’s a bit disappointing out of the box .... really rough frets and a high action ! ..... will be getting it sorted after Xmas .... still love it and it looks and sounds stunning...... hope you and yours have a great Xmas and New Year 👍🏼

[@weonboard9430]

Ahh I had a Candy apple red Pacer Deluxe. What a nice guitar. If focus hadn't shifted to cars and party. I would love to have that guitar today. Fun fact, I didn't even know it was a Pacer Deluxe, it just got Kramer with letters getting smaller and American after so I assumed it was called Kramer American. 🙄😆 And I had saved up to buy the Ibanez RG550 DY but got talked into buy the used Kramer by the shop owner and my dad. I still want that RG.

[@afterdark6822]

My first guitar was a candle apple Kramer 210 left handed. Loved that guitar.

[@tonymichaels5592]

Back in 1989, I bought a 1983 Kramer Pacer Imperial with a 1 piece oil finish maple neck and red hot Schaller pick-ups, beak headstock. $300 with a hard shell case. She has served me well over the years. I also have a 1986 Focus 6000. Nothing tops those original 80's Kramers. Especially the Made in America early 80's like my Pacer. Gibson models are nice, but there's magic in those USA Kramers.

[@okayestguitar66]

I wanted one forever! They were made in my parents "backyard" in NJ , back in the day... Picked up one of the Baretta Specials, one of my favorites now.

[@Texman4268]

Awesome video. I have one of the Focus 1000 models I bought on layaway once I finished high school in 1986. I actually had some of those 5150 strings too and I think I still have the packaging. Always loved the Night Swan model too. Thanks for this!!👍👍👍👍

[@GregTalksGuitars]

My 2020 Baretta Vintage is AMAZING.

[@orion681]

One of the early luthiers at Kramer was a man named Phil Petillo. He went on to invent many cool things and had his own shop in NJ. He was Bruce Springsteen's go to guy.

[@Disembodied_Voice]

My first guitar that I paid for myself was a Kramer Baretta with the Kline Fly on it. Wish I still had it!

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

They should bring back some of the Kline, or at least Kline type graphics.

[@kingarthur1776]

Wife's not gona be happy. .gotta have one!!

[@neckcheese1356]

I had a friend that owned one of those metal neck Kramers. It was heavy as hell.

[@chadmcgee5528]

I still have my 1984 American Pacer! Love them

[@billlucesr.6136]

Thank you for saying aluminum in English for us Colonial rebels aka Yanks! Weekend is also one word, not week end. Sorry...couldn't resist. Love your reviews. Helped me make some good choices on guitars. Might just have to buy one of these now.

[@trevorpeters4358]

I just got an original Kramer focus 6000 it played so nice apparently made in Japan by esp. you shred your white one so I had to get it. I’m so happy with it. Had a bad switch got it for 600$ like 200$ off because it’s scratched an they had it there over 90 days lol. Thank you. Got a blackstar one like u too lol.

[@davidteixiera8398]

I also own several KRAMER guitars awesome guitars even the floyd rose model.

[@dextacchino7140]

My favorite is the Mick Mars mirror Kramer!!! Love Mick!!!

[@muffelmeierheinrich]

My Kramer-Ferrington Acoustic strat style was purchased in Spring 87' and a I met a guitar teacher with an earlier model, he wanted to trade but I still have mine.

[@wreckgarr50]

I always wanted a Kramer when I first started playing electric in 1989. About 9 yrs ago, I bought a decent condition 1987 600ST Striker in white with intentions to fake a Sambora. Now I can just buy the JS I’ve always wanted and hang it next to my old one that I never messed with.

[@mack7235]

I currently have a Baretta Special pre-ordered

[@seanflannery777]

I LOVE mine, they are hard to get, always on back order. I wanted a purple or blue one but the pink, (Ruby Red), was available so I went for it. Actually love the finish though, a nice Pepto Pink.

[@aninja7628]

I love anything EV or anything Krammer(good job bro) sweet collection by the way

[@waynegarmon8766]

Love kramer, jackson and charvel in the 80s and now!

[@truthxbl]

Just picked up a Kramer D1 (active) bass... My first Kramer as a bassist of 30 years... Was able to grab it new for

[@michaelyork4554]

I had a Kramer Stryker back in the day. I'm still trying to remember what happened to that guitar?

[@davidbloom2373]

My favorite is Kramer sm1

[@eddiejr540]

My ‘’84 Pacer has an ESP neck, schaller tuners and pick-ups...it’s basically a partscaster, but I will never get rid of it !!!!!!

[@roosterj2599]

I'm with you Dagan. Kramer set the bar for shredder guitars. My problem is that I also love Charvel and Jackson. It's to choose sometimes, but Kramer brings it big time with Floyd Rose 1000s, Seymour Duncan pickups and decent wood on the body and neck. They are priced right for my budget. The Jackson and Charvel guitars that have the same bridge and pickups as Kramer are a $1000 plus. I choose Kramer.

[@charlesdobrowsky9595]

Your my favorite guitar KZbinr! I need advice I’m 34 I really want to learn how to play so what electric guitar do you recommend for a beginner? But I would love a Kramer or something similar. I want to get something affordable too like around 400 to 500 but I want something like as a 80s shredding style. Like a Kramer striker but I want to make sure that it’s an easy guitar for a beginner to learn on?

[@PMTVUK]

Hey! Yeah the Kramer Striker will be a great guitar for you to start out on. Just make sure you get the 'Hard Tail' version, and not the one with a Floyd Rose tremolo, as that might be a bit tricky for you to play starting out! 🤘

[@retired4365]

My first electric guitar was a Kramer Starfighter, damn I miss that axe. Played great and sounded good for a single humbucker.

[@billwheatley1645]

there are guys on the fb kramer pages that worked in the Jersey shop from open to close and some true collectors that havee a knowledge like you wouldnt believe...great guys to rap with

[@kg322]

Just ordered a Night V. What kind of adjustments and setup stuff should I look forward to having to do?

[@KaiserSoze-vx6vo]

Vivian Campbell came up with that design of guitar to replicate his beloved Les Paul; he played on DIO Holy Diver. Also, the primary advertising kicked off for the Kramer Nighswain when Whitesnake's self titled album came out. He is actually playing it on the video Is This love.

[@cvmaparadog]

He played the Buddy Blaze blue polka dot Shredder on Here I Go Again, and then played a Kramer NightSwan on Give Me All Your Love...I believe Vivian may have played a Robin guitar in the Is This Love video

[@TzebbLIsla]

Where did you get that Mick Mars mirror Kramer?🤩🤩 all time favorite guitar since I saw it back when I was 6 years old

[@Havanacuba1985]

I’m missing my pacer vintage tiger stripe

[@crazyoldgooseman]

On the new issue Kramers how do the necks of the Baretta and the 84 compare? Thanks

[@guimarboy]

Is the ferrington a reissue too? Is it available again?

[@gregorygetable]

Great vid thanks. I have an MXZ guitar. No idea its history. Looks like Kramer Sm1 or 600 st

[@Papa-eb1lt]

The Guitar shop that became Spenders in Newcastle had a Eddie Van Halen in the window in about 86. I was like Homer drooling while stroking the window.

[@JonathanSH]

What do you think about the modern collection? I am contemplating getting the purple Assault Plus. Does it have the same quality that these older-style guitars do?

[@barrysoetoro8452]

I bought a Kramer Pacer Made in USA that has a Schaller humbucker and a brass Made in Germany tremolo for $50 at a pawn shop in the 90s ... I still have it, it needs frets

[@tadge74]

Hi, what model is that natural colour one? Thanks

[@jumbowolfe84]

Thanks for the shout out to VK from the VK guys!! Appreciate it. To your point, the company ended for a variety of reasons, but the root cause was "the excess of the 80s"

[@josephbelcher2568]

I read that EVH's 1st chopped up Strat or Strat copy had a PAF pickup from his 335.

[@presmasterflash7555]

I recently acquired an 80s Striker 100ST and an 80s 200ST both all original with Floyds for $300

[@Sethnorton1]

"i love this guitar" 0:37 casually flips off guitar

[@MusicStudent1]

Very observant!

[@successforyou2597]

I've got a Kramer st100 I've had since probably around 1988 great guitar

[@Cosmic_Nomad]

Dude what do you think of the Kramer 600st ? I’m a about to go get one Saturday possibly for super cheap. Cheers man!

[@SombraPiloto]

Are the current hockey stick headstocks the same dimensions as the older ones? I might be imagining it (or I'm going blind) but the newer ones seem different.

[@DaganWilkin]

Nah they’re identical! 👌

[@Georgian.A-Music]

I ordered an Kramer Assault 220 FR. I've been playing Jackson from the very beginning so I wanted to try something new and different

[@brantnorthman9040]

Don't try to figure out the early 80's Kramers. There is no sense to it. But, awesome guitars.

[@DreidMusicalX]

I just bought the Kramer Striker and damn, was I shocked after putting some new tuners on it and new strings how badass this guitar sounds. The stock pickups are actually really strat sounding. Not sure if it's a one off, and they just sound great and the rest sound like crap? Because I was going to change them. I like the fact that is was not that expensive, and it was 24 fret without those stupid pepper inlays, most the new ones have now without spending over a grand. Oh i also sanded the neck down a bit from being a baseball bat to more of a speed neck, but not Ibanezish. Just more comfortable to play. I'm loving it! I think I am also going to drop a Floyd 1000 in it later or a GOTOH. Once this bridge wears out and it will the way I play.