Guitar of the Week 21: The BEST VALUE so far?!?

[@I.am_Groot]

I saw those for $229 and for sure that is a deal! The $300 and under market right now have so many more playable cool options than 20 years ago

[@tonyhill1141]

Totally true. It’s a golden age for quality in all gear and at all price points.

[@bczarrockbeast6264]

I agree. I'm still playing a IYV super strat that I bought 5 years ago for $155 brand new. Has SS frets and a 5 pc neck.

[@BlackRose-vi2yg]

Good guitars, especially for beginners. However, for more experienced players, the quality issues ruin them. But at the same time, these things are well worth the price.

[@bigkidband911]

I just picked up one of the Baretta Specials. What a hell of a guitar for $199. Needed a few tweaks which Steve mentioned in one of his videos.

[@tonyhao9344]

The second guitar I saved all summer for in my teens was a Kramer with an original Floyd back in mid 80's. My brother got a Kramer Stryker a couple years later a cheaper version of mine. He took it apart and carved the body, we discovered it was plywood. I figure for this price point deffo a plywood body, but Alder? These days you get a lot more guitar for a lot less money, that would be a great starter guitar. Thanks for the Demo Dude!

[@bobowrathsovine.]

I bought a guitar off a neighbor I had back in 1992 called a JB Player. It was made of plywood even though it had a cool Kahler prototype trem with a finger locking nut and even built in wireless unit.

[@tonyhao9344]

@@bobowrathsovine. I remember JB Players, first time I heard a Scholz Rockman, I played a JB Player Strat thru it, was the best sound ever early 80s. Actually that plywood Striker was a killer guitar. My little bro carved it like a sculpture used bondo body filler to smooth it out put a Pointy Jackson neck and it was one of the best guitars ever. We nick named it The Beast.

[@judih.8754]

I love the consistency with your patches when you feature different guitars. The color is great and I'm digging the matching headstock. The toggle switch is tiny though.

[@thehardwareguy]

I remember you convinced me years ago to buy a Kramer Pacer Classic in Cherry Red. Paid £250 for it. To this day it is one of my favourite guitars and sounds killer.

[@roimodeste]

I had exactly the same one for €250 new. The neck is comfortable and the 2 humbuckers are not bad. However I changed the volume potentiometers for 500k and the selector for a more solid toggle switch. I polished and filed the edge of the frets and 2 frets that were too high which I managed to level with a mallet hammer. The Floyd Rose Special does not return to zero perfectly, it is better to block it in down action only. This is a guitar that requires a little work to improve.

[@mr.timebombman2230]

The American made Kramers were great back in the day. I had a few in the 90's. Best necks I've ever played on.

[@deannafisher2658]

Loving the color, I’m a sucker for a blue guitar

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

Same for me. 😀

[@rosskrause3926]

I bought a Baretta Vintage in the Ruby Red and it was a great guitar with the SD- JB in the bridge and Floyd Rose 1000..also had the Kramer Vintage Pacer with dual SD pickups in the Begal Tiger finish..I miss them both..great value for what you get..both held their tunings and there were no imperfections anywhere on the guitars.

[@Gino-t2z]

Love your channel Steve and your guitar of the week keep it up brother

[@DreidMusicalX]

I have to say I just bought the Kramer Striker a couple of months ago. It was the black with maple neck 24 fret HSS and I was expecting to have to change pickups and I only had to change the tuning keys. If you do have to change yours for easier better ones. Make sure they are the 21.5 shaft posts since Kramer necks are a little thicker. But I ended up LOVING the original Kramer pickups they made. I means they sound meaner than my JB Duncans in my Jackson DK3M I padi $800 for. But now for $225. I might get this guitar too so I cna mamke it my Van Halen dedicated guitar and put a DTuna on it since this one it top mounted. The Striker is fully floating. Only bad thing is I like 24 fret necks. But I think I can live with a 22 fret since I do own some. But dude this guitar sounds great!

[@gmusichi2400]

Always great to see you check out new guitars as your playing is so good - I believe is what we all come to see and hear you play. Your feel is to aspire too! Would you do a video break down of your TH-U "profile" set up? Always sounds as good or better than a hardware rig.

[@MrMfalzone]

Crazy,I just happened to be looking at them this morning. I noticed the Baretta Danger Zone went up about $400 since I looked at it about 4 months ago.

[@dimetime333]

That tone, patch, profile or whatever it is sounds REALLY damn good. Wish I had it.

[@ragnakak]

What the hell, sounds great clean and dirty. We are in a golden age of guitar quality at all levels right now.

[@lurpsound4151]

I got the same guitar from Sweetwater for $299 and love it! I upgraded the hardware with the blue FR upgrade kit and changed out the pickups to blue Damarzio’s and it’s badass! I also own a 84 Kramer Focus 2000 that I bought brand new, it’s all original and still is Awesome 40 years later🤘🏻

[@jray5363]

That blue metallic do look good! ❤

[@jmtbuilds175]

I bought the same model in purple passion a year ago at GC for $160ish. demo model. No fret sprout thankfully. At the time they were retailing for $379. I check into GC regularly to try and get another deal on these, but the two that they had for months after my purchase, you could saw thru a ham bone with the fret sprout.....

[@smithfield06]

Great video and playing as always, love Kramer guitars

[@JoeBattle]

I had an 85 Kramer Stryker Black. Was my first real guitar after the Pawn shop SG knockoff nightmare I had in 84😂. Later on after I had around 15 or 20 guitars, my wife bought me an 84 hot pink Kramer Pacer which was a really cool guitar.

[@tut2507]

I have a black Kramer Striker and I added a JB at the bridge and Seymour SSL-1s at middle and neck. I love the mahogany body with a Floyd

[@ScottyBrockway]

For $229 it's a nice guitar spend another $550 for new electronics and a German Floyd and you have a real rocker. I do hate the white plastics though, not sure what they are thinking there, classic Kramer guitars are black plastics.

[@ronnielobosmith4870]

BADDAZZ SHREDDING BRO!!!!

[@cguitarallday]

I’ve been looking at those thinking about picking one up. You make everything you play sound good.

[@rodneykennedy8315]

You definitely have that 80's metal vibe going on. Reb Beach or Eddie Van Halen comes to mind

[@frankfrascati7820]

I bought a pacer in the purple they offer but had to send it back when I I took it out of the box the bridge was raised so high off the body the screws were almost out of there inserts I think the guitar was sent back before I sent it back wouldn't stay in tune ,had a short.the second one I had delivered was perfect have a elven Kramers love them all.

[@eddiejr540]

11 Kramers??….you are the man👍

[@blackdog7275]

I'm always amazed that people buy guitars with out checking the relief in the neck. At GS I've picked up dozens of guitars that had next to none or none at all.

[@mattdylan664]

This version of the Pacer and the Baretta Special are both awesome platform guitars for the price, both the purple and blue finishes are beautiful

[@josephbonofiel4762]

Steve ,love your taste in guitars !

[@dragan4658]

I had the Baretta and the neck and frets were very smooth, very good for a beginner, this one has a lot more for the money. 🤘

[@murraymann7352]

Just go my first Kramer Baretta special. So much fun to relive the greatest decade in music. Are the Pacer series also made in Indonesia as well? I keep hearing conflicting reports. Looking to invest in another Kramer soon and this pacer looks great!

[@JoeR203]

Wire the top knob to control volume for both and use the other two for Tone on each pickup.

[@MrMfalzone]

Crazy I’ve been looking at them all morning. Must be a sign.

[@lonnieo4676]

with a floyde rose, that's a steal!!!

[@banced1]

Still have my 84 Striker 200st been playing Kramer since 1984.

[@antilaw9911]

I got my red one at a music go round. Used but brand new. $179. It's got issues with the string tension(I don't like 3 springs. I like 2). Plus the tuners are very cheap. Plus the pickups(rings) not quite strait. Cool looking classic guitar.. but I guess we get what we pay for

[@luksguitarchannel]

Looks really nice.. my first electric had maple fingerboard.. later, for some to me unknown reason only rosewood... i'd like to try it for a change. the fender player series are on a list.

[@michaelmitchell5909]

My very first guitar was a kramer focus 2000 candy apple blue, just like that one....only rosewood board

[@rocktorrocks]

Kramers rock! I got an Indonesian made Kramer Baretta vintage and the neck on it could rival guitars worth over $1k. Fret ends smooth as butter up & down the neck and the floyd rose 1000 was rock solid. The Baretta specials are amazing too and only $220 new.

[@rf1316]

I just ordered a Stryker from zz sounds 349.00 I loved my 80s Kramer

[@MarkLumsley]

FR Special though. :/ Hmmm... Although! My Fender Player series came with one and all I had to do was replace all six of the entire saddles and it actually holds tune pretty well!

[@DarrinR.-pq8md]

Remember the band Loudness? Akira's guitar sounds like that.

[@MarkLumsley]

Non-adjustable pole pieces on pickups look surreal haha!

[@stevereese6488]

I’d still love to have that Lotus mini Les Paul you have hanging on the back wall.

[@inscoredbz]

Maybe i missed it, but what model is this? I have a krammer striker from the 90s or 2000s when Gibson bought the brand. I think it was called the musicyo website. Floyd rose with d tuna, 24 fret neck, beautiful guitar. How does these compare?

[@curtisc9350]

Thanks Steve . Once again... you prove it's the Hands, that make the Guitar ! Where's this Kramer built ? Cheers ✌️🤘

[@robertvarner8195]

Great video Steve! I bought my first Kramer in 1982 and still have it along with 2 more all made in the USA. They're awesome guitars. Still considering buying a Striker or SM. But how many guitars do I need? Just one more.😅😂 Can't have too many guitars or guns. 😅

[@msvapehead]

I have two and they are great the only thing I upgraded is the tuners. I Evh stripped out the red one it looks killer.

[@DarrinR.-pq8md]

Before Covid-19 on Ebay, you could've picked up a Kramer focus 1000, 2000, 3000, for $300-$500. Now, after EVH died, the same guitars are $800-$1500.

[@blackhatjester]

Kramers are cool guitars, I wish they brought back the ProAxe. By the way, I 100% agree with the argument at 7:40, I have found my favorite sound through my modeler which I always use, so I'm used to hear differences on different pickups and other parts of the guitar since I've been using the same amp/cab chain forever.

[@fingersfhillips]

I bought the Assault and my God I love that guitar I have been sold on Kramer ever since

[@southernpanda33]

0:13 Kramer Pacer Classic in red is my guess. I had one and got rid of it about 8 months ago and now I want to get another one 😂😂😂😂

[@jameslanclos568]

Chrome covers on the pickups might look nicer than the white. Chrome or nickel goes well with blue, especially metallic blue.

[@MichaelD8393]

Definitely getting one of these bad boys; gotta decide between Radio Blue or Special Purple, though.

[@j7cc]

Thanks for the knowledge. 🤘

[@MarkLumsley]

I REEEALLY like that colour. ._. *throws money at screen* That IS lovely! ~ a British friend.

[@dlux703]

The 1-ONE big drawback of Floyds, for me, is the MISSING master tuner knob/wheel that would allow you to nudge the whole string-bed up or down when it's a chilly morning and then a warm afternoon and you have to chase your tuning with those crappy, limited range/value, "fine tuners". Most Floyd guitars come with better than average tuners on the headstock, so I generally toss the nut-locks in a box and use the "real tuners". Or, cut a graphtech nut to fit. BTW alnico 5's are my favorite PU magnets, because of their clarity that keeps each note available to the ear within a chord. Some players want "mashed potato" chords, but not I.

[@donlynch8285]

What amp do you use btw?

[@timlaine6268]

I nearly purchased one last year, but it had these very small vintage frets on it, It didn't make sense to me.

[@HiOctane62]

Whats up Steve. Remember that time we saw each other at a Kiss Concert at Great Woods a few years back?

[@Amiga1200_Juicer]

My man !

[@TheDrunkenScoundrel]

While I do hear slightly less articulation in those pickups, yo are correct, they do sound awesome.

[@davidkastin4240]

Gorgeous finish, sounds great, and a steal for $229! 😮

[@edge13429]

Miss my ‘86 Kramer Pacer Deluxe

[@eddiejr540]

I have an ‘83 pacer…I’m the original owner…bought it new when I was a kid for about 700 bucks…it’s still a beast of a guitar🤘

[@edge13429]

@@eddiejr540I have an SM-1 from SweetWater I’m happy with. Still I should have never traded that Pacer deluxe hope Gibson will do a reissue.

[@pyyktodd]

Kramer makes some low cost ,very cool guitars. I love my Kramer Assault.

[@des565]

I have that exact guitar, and I love it! I had it professionally set up by a local luthier / technician here in my hometown Denver Colorado. The Floyd Rose Special works just fine when you have it set up by a Pro. I can dump it and pull back on it just like Eddie used to without any tuning issues. The only thing I changed was the white pickup mounting rings. I put some nice metal chrome rings from Guyker that I bought on Amazon for like $12. They gave it a more custom look in my opinion. Great guitar, get one while Guitar Center has them for $299. I paid $349 for mine when they first came out, even at that price it's a great deal. I plan on leaving everything stock, if it ain't broke don't fix it right? Rock on Steve!

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

My 83,and 84 Kramer pacers are among the best guitars ever made. Especially atvthat time. They were levels ahead if everyone if you didn't have charvel nearby. I hate what they did to the name. Jacksons in the early 80s were also incredible, now 150 bucks new at the store.

[@Trashslayer76]

"Case and a bag" can go so many ways😂

[@ronaldyoung6607]

My Kramer Pacer is in metallic red...left handed.

[@LouCondon-j1v]

So, which new modeler are you using these days? Kemper, Fractal or Quad Cortex?

[@MKRISING75]

How I love me some Kramer guitars 🤟🏻yo what’s up SFB!

[@stevekirkman3441]

I think you will find they are low output ceramic humbuckers, i threw mine in the trash, they sounded bloody awful lol

[@davespin9034]

Pacer, same blue as the Baretta you showed off.

[@stopcensoringmyfreespeech3280]

I would like it a lot better if it had the hockey stick headstock. Its a great deal though. I got a berretta. I will probably get the Stryker. Just because the headstock.

[@johnnyrkramerthemusicmovie3147]

SWEET GUITAR YOU JUST CANT BEAT THAT PRICE $ 229.00 WOW DUDE

[@1969Donovan]

I put a Bretta pickup in the bridge with black trim rings, sounds better.

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

Great sounding shredboard for a great price 👍

[@papablue3015]

Thanks 🤘

[@inscoredbz]

You sound amazing btw

[@kristopherkrahl1597]

That it must!

[@GaryBertolo]

Cost of shipping?? Alder body?

[@Weckerman_213]

Hi Steve, you show as a vary vary nice good, sound guitar.

[@flatmatt123]

You should compare the blue to your red one hung on the wall.

[@retropuffer2986]

What an amazing deal! 😀

[@frankbrown3717]

Just checked the price at music store (L&M in Canada). They cost $550 plus tax....so that guitar would cost me $600!!! and it doesn't even come with a gig bag?

[@neilwilson5871]

😂first time ive seen any of your content, i was expecting a crappy out of tune, mid-gain fuzz mumble, perhaps a badly tuned downward strummed G chord as your opening move😭😭😭.... instead, i was transported to '84!!! and blown away by the hail of guitar fire😁😁... Really enjoyed the review, great sounds from a budget guitar👍

[@marc_leblanc]

$229 U.S. and $549 here in Canada. I need to move somewhere where guitars are cheaper!! lmao

[@scottshepherd1365]

What amp module is that?!

[@raytorvalds3699]

It's Overloud TH-U.

[@1980glamfan]

I wish they had taller frets

[@ronnielobosmith4870]

Own the Purple Passion version

[@SVFresh2Salty]

There is a lot of hum coming of it

[@melonhusk-kt5ys]

nice sounding twanger sounds way way better than my 15k prs double neck i'm gonna get me some 3 mm sized picks luv the playing SFB can you do a lesson on that dragging the pick down the strings with the harmonics happening??? i'm an idiot can't figure it out

[@Cpmnk]

About wgat i would expect. Its nice, but in a world with harley benton, eart,jet and others,it's about right

[@manfredschwalenberg5819]

Wish the headstock was Hockey stick

[@jray5363]

I was pleasantly surprised it wasn’t! I know people of a certain age love the hockey stick, but nothing turns me off quicker! Just can’t do it! Of course, I used to say the same thing about the fat 70’s Fender headstock, until I found the right guitar with it!

[@MeekSith777]

I see scratch/dent/blem as paying less for aging/distressing. LOL

[@jamesmarcin4787]

Yo,what's up. It must be Monday.

[@mike.g.85]

Looks like Zzounds ain’t gettin that one back 😂

[@patrickshannon4516]

I like it i just don't like how it says Kramer on the headstock and it's made by Gibson. Probably has Gibson pick ups. I don't like it when a company sells out to another company.

[@raycymbalisty5503]

$229 there $549 here in canada always a ripoff to buy gear in canada